Risky business (travel)

Is collecting business travel miles dangerous?  Well, it may be if you travel as much as I do.  Last year I took about 60 flights.  And, this year I may set a new record by end of Q3.  Business travel--and any business traveler will back me up on this--is much less glamorous then it looks.  Unless you really like airline food, lost luggage, and never being completely awake or asleep.  For most of travel’s discomforts I've found good solutions that I am happy to share:

1.       I always carry a small bottle of Tabasco sauce in my briefcase.  Now, my food always tastes great at 30,000 feet.

2.       I never stop flying.  I found this to be the best cure for jet leg.  As soon as you stop, it hits you.  So once you’ve started, keep going!

3.       I always pack a spare pair of shirt, pants, underwear and toothbrush in my carry on.  Luggage lost? No worries, I still look like a champ in the next day’s meeting.

So, yes, business travel is uncomfortable, but if you are creative, it’s manageable.   So when does business travel become dangerous?  When you take the redeye 22:30 BA flight from London to Israel.  This is a flight I’ve taken many times.  And it is dangerous.  But, hold on.  Don’t start cancelling your next BA ticket yet, there is nothing wrong with the flight or the airline.  Both are comfortable and safe. 

The real risk begins in the taxi line in front of the airport after I’ve arrived back home in Israel.  It is 6 in the morning, and just the time that the taxi drivers who have been driving all night have to decide if they’ve had enough, or if they can squeeze in one extra ride before going to bed.  Standing in the taxi line, I often feel like I’m watching a live rerun of “Night of the Living Dead.”  One after the other, drivers with grey faces and eyes the size of peas push off for one last run.

When I step into these taxis, uncomfortable business travel turns to into dangerous business travel. 

I’ve been in taxis with drivers falling asleep at the wheel, dozing into different lanes or slowing down to a complete stop in the middle of the highway.  All pretty hairy situations.. but what can I do? I want to get home.  So I make the effort of staying awake myself – and encouraging the drivers to keep talking – as I never saw a sleeping person talking politics.

Yesterday I returned on another redeye flight, and was “eagerly” awaiting a sleepy chauffer to take me home.  However, the ride I was about to take topped them all.

As expected, the ride I boarded was the last one for the very tired driver.  We started climbing towards Jerusalem, and I could see the driver’s head leaning closer and closer to the wheel.  Just as I was about to start my well rehearsed “keep the driver awake” conversation – he suddenly sprang into life as if bitten by a giant bed bug. 

While driving, he grabbed his cell phone (illegal) and started dialing (illegal again).  Eavesdropping on his conversation, I found out that Mr. Sleepyhead has a day job that he forgot about, that starts immediately after his taxi nightshift. 

I will give you three guesses what his day job is.

Our Mr. Sleepyhead drives kids to school.

As he started up towards Jerusalem with me, he realized that he would never make it in time to drive the kids.  This kicked off a series of frantic phone calls to all his friends to see if they could replace him. The upside – he was really awake during our drive.  But think of the downside.  This guy could be driving your kids to school.  A full nightshift, and then right on to delivering the most precious of all cargos - our kids.  Boy, was I happy my wife walks our daughters to school every morning.

Is this situation avoidable? You bet it is.  This guy works for a taxi company.  He also works for a school bus company.  He meets colleagues, bosses, parents and kids every day.  All of whom, for some unknown reason, let him get away with this dangerous behavior.  Stepping out of the taxi, I made myself a promise.  Never keep silent again.  The loop of irresponsibility will be broken.  I urge you all to do the same.  It’s not enough that you choose to drive safely.  The world is short on people who are willing to stand up and report unsafe driving.  Start acting today – and the roads we are all using will become safer tomorrow. 

Open your mouth, it’s worth it,

Hod Fleishman

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So, yes, business travel is uncomfortable, but if you are creative, it’s manageable. So when does business travel become dangerous? When you take the redeye 22:30 BA flight from London to Israel.

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HI great article I think that the risk increases when you are at the hands of drivers free to do what ever they want, and in too many cases, free to make the wrong decisions with no accountability. This is were our personal responsibility as individuals or companies can help impact driving culture
thanks for the article

[Hod Fleishman]

It is, and that is why we spend so much time on the road. Flights are Okay, so are trains. In both there are strong regulations and many systems watching over and helping the driver/pilot. The risk increases when you are at the hands of drivers free to do what ever they want, and in too many cases, free to make the wrong decisions with no accountability. This is were our personal responsibility as individuals or companies can help impact driving culture. If we decide to accept such behavior we can make a difference.

[Giftex Blog admin]

hi,

i personally think that business travel helps in building longterm relationship with clients.