Comments for TravelCommons

Comment on Podcast #81 – More Travel Tips; Up in The Air; Security Stories by mark

mark — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 04:24:14 +0000

Sorry for the wait. I’m writing a new episode right now and should have it up this weekend. Thanks for hanging in there…

Comment on Podcast #81 – More Travel Tips; Up in The Air; Security Stories by Air Koryo

Air Koryo — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:43:34 +0000

When is your next podcast? It’s been almost two months and I am hooked. Making my way through your back catalogue while waiting.

Comment on Up in the Air — Captures Life in the “Travel Bubble” by Laura

Laura — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 11:48:58 +0000

Two thumbs up for “Up in the Air”

Okay….okay…I get that life could lose some meaning if you are traveling all the time, but let’s just say that I wouldn’t mind finding out for myself.

Comment on Up in the Air — Captures Life in the “Travel Bubble” by Ken Okel

Ken Okel — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 02:30:06 +0000

I can’t wait to see the film. Hearing this episode reminded me of an experience I had a few years ago, that I include in my talks to groups (I’m a professional speaker). It’s what I call a Flightmare.
http://my.brainshark.com/Business-Travel-Flightmares-648699088

Continue the great work on the podcast.

Comment on Podcast #80 – Holiday Travel Tips; Frequent Flyer Documentary by Ian

Ian — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:44:20 +0000

As ever, great show. I agree wholeheartedly with your point about allowing a bit of extra time at this time of the year. It still amazes me how many of my colleagues try to do a 40 minute connection in Frankfurt in December!!

I think the key to any successful trip, other than experience, is organisation/planning. Yes, you can “wing it” if you want to, but spending a bit of time making sure you have all of your travel plans on one document instead of 20, with contact numbers, membership numbers, reference numbers etc all to hand, can make the difference between a stress-free trip or a nightmare.

The simple thing that I always do is to google the place I am going to see what’s on. Not only can it be interesting to experience different local festivities if you have a bit of downtime, it can also make the difference between missing a flight or meeting or making it on time. If there is a large festival on in the city centre, or a demonstration planned, you are going to need to allow more time to get to/from your meeting/hotel etc. Indeed, when in Athens last January, I was aware that there were almost daily clashes with police in the city centre: I changed my hotel to a downtown loation. At least this way it means that you aren’t sat watching a cab meter clock up whatever local currency is in use, and you don’t have to endure the cab driver’s personal take on the situation after getting off a longhaul flight!

Safe travels

Comment on Up in the Air — Captures Life in the “Travel Bubble” by Ian

Ian — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:33:00 +0000

I think that is very true: it is so easy to become so engrossed with work that you can loose focus on what is really important in life. I certainly look forward to watching this film! Thanks for sharing -from a person who is spending the weekend in New York on business, before catching the last BA flight out of there back home to the UK before BA goes on strike for 12 days -let’s hope all goes to plan.

Comment on Podcast #80 – Holiday Travel Tips; Frequent Flyer Documentary by Lori Humm

Lori Humm — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 03:38:38 +0000

Hey Mark – You have us road warriors anticipating the Clooney flick. I don’t know if you plan to post one more show before Xmas (the release date is Xmas day) but I’m wondering if Reitman considered the small visuals that would make it realistic like things to do to remember your hotel room number, remembering and/or locating your rental car (or personal car) in a parking lot, or doing expenses. I think I might be ticked in the latter example if he just hands them off to a secretary (what are those, by the way?). An FYI – Terry Gross of Fresh Air did a great interview with Reitman where he talks about how hard it was to get some of the aerial shots he used for the movie.
By the way, I had to adjust my schedule this week and change a flight which means that the only way I can get home is BTR-MEM-CVG-RIC. Seriously Delta. I’m really bummed that you didn’t throw ATL in there just so I could say I visited all the hubs. Note, my usual route is BTR-ATL-RIC, and that ain’t no picnic either.
And finally, my 201 tip is: don’t just pick your seat when you book your ticket; pay attention to the size of the airplane. Most of the regional jets can’t even fit a rollerbag briefcase. Every week I watch people shake their heads in disbelief as they board the plane and realize that there really is no room. And no, there’s also no room under the seat. Carry the laptop separate in a padded sleeve and be willing to surrender the bag to gate check. (Full disclosure: I’m the one that got my laptop stolen last year because I didn’t grab it out of my bag at gate check.)
Thanks as always Mark, I really appreciate the time it must take to put these shows together for all of us out in the innerwebs!

Comment on Podcast #80 – Holiday Travel Tips; Frequent Flyer Documentary by Leo Vegoda

Leo Vegoda — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 01:14:01 +0000

Errr. Those 45 minute days are for JFK.

Comment on Podcast #80 – Holiday Travel Tips; Frequent Flyer Documentary by Leo Vegoda

Leo Vegoda — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 01:12:57 +0000

I’d add one other tip to your list.

If you cannot get a direct flight but have a choice of transit airports then choose carefully. For instance, while in past years there might not have been much to choose between changing at ORD or a New York area airport on a West coast to East coast flight, ORD is definitely the best choice this year. Fewer flights and a new, extra runway mean its on-time rankings have risen quite a bit. Meanwhile, looking at the FAA’s site, “Departures are experiencing taxi delays greater than 45 minutes and/or arrivals are experiencing airborne holding delays greater than 45 minutes” today. Ouch.

Comment on Podcast #80 – Holiday Travel Tips; Frequent Flyer Documentary by Ray medina

Ray medina — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 05:09:20 +0000

Hi there, i was listening to this episode and i decided to comment on the whole expense report subject.

My company uses SAP for our expenses, i carry and envelope to every trip with the name of the customer, throughout the day, i place the receipts in my wallet, every night i enter the information into SAP, move the receipts from my wallet to the envelope, so the wallet is cleared for the next day. Once i returned from my trip, i need to scan the receipt to submit to my cokpany along with the SAP’s cover letter. Once i submit those, i place the envelope in my filling cabinet.

It takes time to get this routine down, but once you have it, you have it! Give it a try!