Heather
DARTH MENSES  Posts: 603 Registered: 11/24/2004 Offline
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8/10/2005 at 16:03 |
I’m in the process of a job hunt. Not getting anxious yet, but its not far off. I have steered away from ads that require travel without factoring in the pay or the company.
I found a job posting today that is perfect. The pay is not posted (this would make my decision much easier) but everything else about it looks dreamy.
Has anyone ever been required to travel much for business? Is it horrible?
Interrobang edit – the job advertised requires travel. Not a willingness to travel but guaranteed 75% travel.
[Edited on 8/10/05 by Heather]
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vasudeva
Bad Taste in your Mouth   SSHOLEPosts: 4414 Registered: 3/8/2002 Offline
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8/10/2005 at 16:09 |
I did it for the first time a few months ago (CA) and have to do it again next week (WI).
It's not as bad as you probably fear.
It's not super-great either though.
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ghostrider
liberal exit  SSHOLEPosts: 2424 Registered: 7/29/2004 Offline
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8/10/2005 at 16:13 |
(WI) ?
you gonna be in Sconsin ?
[Edited on 10/8/2005 by ghostrider]
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HOBO
* b0bo has quit IRC ('Exit')  SSHOLEPosts: 1117 Registered: 3/19/2002 Offline
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8/10/2005 at 16:20 |
I travel alot. Don't cheap out on the hotel. Explore your surroundings after werk. If you got nothing to do take advantage and see the sights. I always like to try the local cuisine and sample any local beers.
I guess i like to travel because I golf and I get to try new golf courses. I met alot of interesting people that way.
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mundhra
dread pirate neckbeard  SSHOLEPosts: 1620 Registered: 3/25/2002 Offline
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8/10/2005 at 16:26 |
travel's OK. i don't think i'd be interested in it 75% of the time, though. well, maybe if work expectations were reasonable (i.e. not flying to palm beach and putting in 14+ hour days).
[Edited on 10/8/2005 by mundhra]
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Uart
DARTH MENSES  Posts: 1228 Registered: 3/5/2005 Offline
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8/10/2005 at 16:49 |
mundhra: travel's OK. i don't think i'd be interested in it 75% of the time, though. well, maybe if work expectations were reasonable (i.e. not flying to palm beach and putting in 14+ hour days).
How about working as a courier? Flying to LA, dropping a package off and returning in 2 hours. |
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DonQuixote
DARTH MENSES  Posts: 641 Registered: 4/22/2005 Offline
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8/10/2005 at 16:52 |
ok i know no one can read this but here goes anyway.
there is a book called "what color is your parachute?" its the best job hunting book EVER. just pick up the most recent edition even if you aren't currently looking for a job. it goes over everything from using contacts to negotiation etc etc and its a fun read! Seriously, its written like the guy is talking to you over a few drinks.
Travel is great!!! I used to live over seas. So I have seen a fair piece of the world and still reminice (sp) about when there used to be smoking sections in planes, makes a 10 hour flight go alot faster and people are more chatty. I guess thats whats missing in domestic flights. its not a journey that your are all sharing. ITs a flying bus that everyone wants off of ASAP. oh well
take care and happy hunting
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vasudeva
Bad Taste in your Mouth SSHOLEPosts: 4414 Registered: 3/8/2002 Offline
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8/10/2005 at 16:53 |
ghostrider: (WI) ?
you gonna be in Sconsin ?
Yep. Madison. Any tips?
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ghostrider
liberal exit SSHOLEPosts: 2424 Registered: 7/29/2004 Offline
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8/10/2005 at 17:12 |
yeah CALL ME, FUKER !!
the first 10 pitchers are on me (you buy the fried curds)
[Edited on 10/8/2005 by ghostrider]
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mundhra
dread pirate neckbeard SSHOLEPosts: 1620 Registered: 3/25/2002 Offline
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8/10/2005 at 17:13 |
Uart: mundhra: travel's OK. i don't think i'd be interested in it 75% of the time, though. well, maybe if work expectations were reasonable (i.e. not flying to palm beach and putting in 14+ hour days).
How about working as a courier? Flying to LA, dropping a package off and returning in 2 hours.
well, in that case flying is pretty much your job. i suppose that may be ok if you don't actually like spending time in new places. getting no sleep and fixing other people's fuckups when i could be driving down to miami and exploring sucks.
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But the whole of modern so-called civilized existence is an attempt to deny reality insofar as it exists. When did Don last look at the stars, when did Norman last get soaked in a rainstorm? |
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mundhra
dread pirate neckbeard SSHOLEPosts: 1620 Registered: 3/25/2002 Offline
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8/10/2005 at 17:14 |
ghostrider: yeah CALL ME, FUKER !!
(yr gonna git raped!)
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But the whole of modern so-called civilized existence is an attempt to deny reality insofar as it exists. When did Don last look at the stars, when did Norman last get soaked in a rainstorm? |
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autoshoes
SIR BABYHEAD  Posts: 65 Registered: 6/24/2002 Offline
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8/10/2005 at 17:17 |
my brother's got a job where he travels a lot.
downsides: you're never home much. it becomes hard to get things done around the house. forget about having any pet other than fish (which you can get automated feeders for). you lose out on hanging out with local freinds much, and likewise it becomes difficult to meet anyone new locally (especially to date - i forget if you're married or not).
upsides: frequent flyer/sleeper credits. if your work allows you to keep it (my bro's does) when you go on vacation, it becomes very cheap to go and stay anywhere. he recently used up like a week worth of free hotel stays. you get to see all parts of the us/world and network with a bunch of people outside of what you're normally exposed to. usually all your meals are paid for. this allows you to eat well, and save a ton of $ for other things(it seems that at least 1/4 of my paycheck goes to food). this has a downside too, as you'll have to fight to keep from getting fat from all the eating out. best of all, if you got a wireless laptop, a lot of hotels now have wireless hookup so you won't miss the swarm 
now depending on where you're travelling you may not get some of these. like if you're just travelling to people's homes or something in your locale, it becomes more like a regular job just with lots of driving.
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InfectionConnection
SIR BABYHEAD  Posts: 94 Registered: 9/24/2003 Offline
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8/10/2005 at 17:24 |
for the past couple years, i have travelled for work regularly (someties weekly, sometimes monthly).
oy. where to start...
westin and W hotels have super comfey beds ("heavenly bed"). I swear i am going to buy one of these one day.
if you can, stick with a single airline to maximize the miles (same with hotels - starwood is good as it covers several chains)
If you pay your own way, then get reimbursed, make sure you have a c card that gives you miles. (I like AMEX because they cover a number of airlines, I have a boatload of miles with them and they'll never expire - its my retirement travel fund)
restaurant food gets old, and its always richer and more fattening than what you would normally eat. Most restaurants will give you fresh steamed veggies if you ask, but it is a habit you have to force yourself to do.
always ask for ugrades on planes. it can't hurt to ask and once you get into the upper tiers of frequent flier plans, they are easier to get fo free (i hear continental is really good about this, but i've only started acquiring miles with them).
United has a section on most planes called Economy Plus which is reserved for frequent fliers or those who purchase the more expensive tickets. It has a couple inches extra legroom - makes a TON of difference. Its like always getting the exit row. United also has NY-LA/SF planes which are ALL first/business/economy plus. They don't have any bad seats (except for center seats).
Watch out for united as they just entered into bankruptcy and things don't look good for them.
Try to get exit rows seating. If you ask for an exit row, make sure that your seat reclines. If you have another exit row right behind you your seat won't recline (blocks the door access). Never sit in the row in front of the exit row for this reason.
NEVER EVER EVER EVER sit in a center seat on a flight that last more than an hour. you will undoubtedly be sitting between a farter and a fatty. I like aisle seats because you can stretch your legs into the aisle as long at the flight attendants aren't having trolly races down the aisle.
Seatguru.com is a great resource for picking decent seats on a plane.
Get noise cancelling headphones. I have senheiser, which are $100 cheaper than the bose model and they work fine. noise cancelling headphones are awesome on planes. they drown out crying babies and loudmouth drunks.
Never EVER EVER start a game of peekaboo with a kid in the seat in front of you. they will expect you to continue for the ENTIRE FLIGHT.
The best time to use the bathroom is about 10 minutes before the end of the movie. If you wait any longer, you will surely find a line and your bladder will burst.
develop a good understanding of what to do in the security line at the airport. easy on/off shoes, don't wear metal (watches, belts, etc), stuff cellphones, etc in your bag, etc. the trick is not to get pulled into the secondary inspection.
Taxi drivers hate taking credit cards (and not all of them will - make sure they do before you open the door to get in). the more they bitch about credit cards, the less you tip.
If you are in a hurry, AS SOON AS YOU FIND OUT that a flight is to be delayed, call your travel agent and get on a different flight if you can.
Over all, once you figure out the tricks that make busines travel easy, it is less of a chore. you will undoubtedly get bumped from a flight (though less of the time if you are a frequent flier), and flights will regulry be delayed. A calm acceptance works best. the hardest thing about business travel for me is not the travel itself. it is being away from my sweety, my home and my dogs. Short trips are easy, long trips suck. good luck...
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InfectionConnection
SIR BABYHEAD Posts: 94 Registered: 9/24/2003 Offline
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8/10/2005 at 17:32 |
oh yea - my most important rule - never eat mexican food east of the mississippi river.
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vladtweano
DARTH MENSES  Posts: 515 Registered: 3/11/2002 Offline
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8/10/2005 at 17:36 |
i loathe bidness travel, but that's probably because i value my free time much more than my working time. when i'm travelling for work, i really hate the downtime because i'd much rather be at home. this was the case even before i had a kid, and it's even more true now. i'm a homebody, i guess, and i like it that way.
also, something about flying leaves me feeling like shit for a full day afterward. add that to the painintheassedness of 21st century air travel, my general ambivalence toward humans i don't know and having to pay too much for drinks and presto. loathing.
this probably puts me well down the road toward curmudgeontown. i'm good with that, too.
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Heather
DARTH MENSES Posts: 603 Registered: 11/24/2004 Offline
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8/10/2005 at 18:07 |
I did not specify the travel was to be within the continental or that it was by plane but you guys inferred that, thanks.
How do your spouses (autoshoes, I'm hitched) feel about your travel? I think that is what I'm worried most about. My kids are all in school so they are relatively low maintenance. I wonder how the hubs would feel about taking up the slack with me gone. |
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GAYBOB
Tender vittles  Posts: 48 Registered: 11/8/2004 Offline
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8/10/2005 at 18:19 |
no matter where i travel, before i know it i'm up to ass in new friends (LOL)
PM me !
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InfectionConnection
SIR BABYHEAD Posts: 94 Registered: 9/24/2003 Offline
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8/10/2005 at 18:49 |
oh. never mind then.
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InfectionConnection
SIR BABYHEAD Posts: 94 Registered: 9/24/2003 Offline
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8/10/2005 at 18:50 |
does this "business travel" of which you speak involve you hanging out on the corner and getting in someone's car for a ride to a motel?
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Uart
DARTH MENSES Posts: 1228 Registered: 3/5/2005 Offline
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8/10/2005 at 19:08 |
InfectionConnection: oh yea - my most important rule - never eat mexican food east of the mississippi river.
Why? We have TONS of mexicans in NJ. Why do you think they call it the Garden State? Someone has to do all that yardwork. |
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InfectionConnection
SIR BABYHEAD Posts: 94 Registered: 9/24/2003 Offline
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8/10/2005 at 19:09 |
they must forget how to make it by the time they get there then...
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vasudeva
Bad Taste in your Mouth SSHOLEPosts: 4414 Registered: 3/8/2002 Offline
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8/10/2005 at 19:19 |
InfectionConnection: if you can, stick with a single airline to maximize the miles (same with hotels - starwood is good as it covers several chains)
How does the miles shit work? Like, how many flights do you have to go through before you have enough miles to upgrade to first class or pay for a whole flight? I'm sure it's not an exact science, but estimate?
P.S. Good fuking info. I find myself wanting to clipswarm this thread because your post is liek honey to a bee.
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To win, you must fight not only the creature you encounter; you must fight the most horrible thing that can be constructed from its corpse. |
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truenative
I'm what makes bread wonder.  SSHOLEPosts: 292 Registered: 1/6/2005 Offline
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8/10/2005 at 19:32 |
I used to travel a lot for work, it isn't all that bad if you learn to write EVERYTHING off without guilt. If you eat in a restaurant that has the hand written tabs, get the Stub from her book, you can write in any ammount you want without itemizing usually. Worst trip though was a full week long "Conferance of Catholic Diocese Information Technology Directors" where I was stuck manning our crappy Linux Thin Client Booth.
mundhra: travel's OK. i don't think i'd be interested in it 75% of the time, though. well, maybe if work expectations were reasonable (i.e. not flying to palm beach and putting in 14+ hour days).
[Edited on 10/8/2005 by mundhra]
When are you in S. Florida?! PM Me, first round is on me. I was just up in WPB last night and heading to MIA tonight.
BBP.alt.MIA!!
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Heather
DARTH MENSES Posts: 603 Registered: 11/24/2004 Offline
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8/10/2005 at 19:45 |
I agree, damn good info in this thread.
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truenative
I'm what makes bread wonder. SSHOLEPosts: 292 Registered: 1/6/2005 Offline
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8/10/2005 at 20:06 |
vasudeva:
How does the miles shit work? Like, how many flights do you have to go through before you have enough miles to upgrade to first class or pay for a whole flight? I'm sure it's not an exact science, but estimate?
You get you milage card usually then present it each time you fly, I also opted for a related credit card which gave me an extra 10k miles for signing up plus bonus miles if I use it to book flights and check in. Each Flight or Flight Segment is then worth the rounded off nuber of miles you travel.
For Delta and its partners the Awards are as follows:
5,000 miles to upgrade to 1st or business on a full price ticket
10,000 miles to upgrade if you got a discount or special ticket (probably the case)
25,000 Miles for a Restricted Free Ticket in the Continental US ( you may have to pick some off peak times to fly but they do work)
70,000 Miles to travel interationally
There is also a second level of miles I don't exactly understand. I think once you accumulate 1,000,000 miles you get free upgrades for life.
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ghostrider
liberal exit SSHOLEPosts: 2424 Registered: 7/29/2004 Offline
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8/10/2005 at 20:11 |
not so random clickz0r for heath0r
use this psuedo-enlightened krap in good health and in good travel, killer kind sister
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Crackalackin
SENATOR BABYHEAD  Posts: 373 Registered: 7/19/2004 Offline
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8/10/2005 at 20:20 |
vas:I don't understand the miles shit
truenative:
There is also a second level of miles I don't exactly understand. I think once you accumulate 1,000,000 miles you get free upgrades for life.
Vas, it works as follows: you get a credit card that's associated with a frequent flyer miles account, and every dollar you spend gets you 1 mile. Also, find out the account number of your frequent flyer card from the airlines, and give it to the travel agent or punch it in when you reserve your ticket: you will usually get miles and a bonus.
You can fly for free for about 25,000 miles within continental US, 40K international. This varies from program to program, and you need to reserve a LONG time before you fly to get the flights you want: every airplane has at most 3-5% seats reserved for frequent flyers.
Once you accummulate a ton of miles (usually 1Mil or so), within a short period of time, you become eligible for elite status (usually carrying the names like Silver, Gold, Emerald, Diamond etc.) Usually, that means you get free upgrades, free priority seating and boarding, and a high bonus mile multiplier when you reserve tickets using your FF miles account. For example, if your flight would normally net you 2000 FF miles, with a Silver program's 1.5 multiplier you get 3000. So people that fly a lot can fly a lot more.
Oh, there's usually a perk in the form of an admission to airport "lounges" that go under the name of Admiral's club etc. They're pretty high-end on the inside, everything's leather, you get cigars and good mixed drinks. You can also make some pretty phat business connections there. However, it may also happen that you will find yourself talking politics to Texas oil millionaires.
[Edited on 10/8/2005 by Crackalackin] |
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ghostrider
liberal exit SSHOLEPosts: 2424 Registered: 7/29/2004 Offline
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8/10/2005 at 20:23 |
^ i'll bet you get along famously with Tejas Oil Millionaires
[Edited on 10/8/2005 by ghostrider]
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InfectionConnection
SIR BABYHEAD Posts: 94 Registered: 9/24/2003 Offline
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8/10/2005 at 23:05 |
Every airline's upgrade program is different. for instance, on united, you can purchase upgrade 'coupons" at the rate of $200 for four. Each coupon is good for 500 miles worth of upgrade. They also comp you 4 upgrade coupons every 10,000miles you fly (i think this includes bonus miles). airlines lately are getting loose with upgrades because the competition is so high for business travellers (who pay the highest prices for their tickets). United, fo some reason clicked me up a tier that i am not sure i technically qualified for, and the continental boarding pss i just printed for a flight tomorrow indicates i am wiatlisted for an upgrade (and also indicates my next flight has a confirmed upgrade) even though i am not in their "elite" tier yet.
Some airlines let you purchase 1st class upgrades (united, american i think) others don't (continental). I think they ALL comp them to you (sparingly) when you reach certain levels (usually 25k per year).
It snowballs once you hit those levels because they usually comp you an additional 25-50% mileage bonus once you are at that tier, making it easier to maintain the tier level and also easier to move up to the next tier, getting more upgrades, etc.
I think the best mthod to choose which airline to frequent is to select the most convenient for you. i chose the airline that flies from my little local airport.
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Acidburn
I am El Chupacabra  SSHOLEPosts: 758 Registered: 8/1/2004 Offline
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8/10/2005 at 23:12 |
I travel alot heather. But it's different for me, as we eat like kings when on the road and our hotels are 3 star or better. For example. I went to Maui to fix a plane. Had a day to kill so we got drunk and drove up the volcano. Maui
So my input is not worth a damn unless your customers own private jets.
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