I got back into town yesterday from a trip to Houston for work. I have nothing else to blog about, so thought I’d go ahead and give my thoughts on the lovely world of business travel.
My very first business trip (for this job anyway) was to Raleigh, NC. My most recent trip was Monday to Houston where I flew out at 6:00 am, and arrived back in Omaha at 11:00 am the next day, drove directly to the office and went back to work.
I have to say that my first couple of trips were fun and exhilarating. Walking through the airport with my high heels and suit, pulling my fancy luggage on wheels, carrying my head high while I pranced around as if to say "I am important, I’m on a business trip!" I don’t drink coffee, but would stop at the coffee shop to pick up a hot cocoa so that I looked like I was carrying around a cup of coffee or cappucino or something else business like. As the trips have become more frequent, I've noticed that I have changed in the way that I travel and feel about travel. On Monday I arrived at the airport at 5:00 am to catch my 6:00 am flight. I was wearing jeans, a sweatshirt, and old ratty slip-on tennis shoes. I was not drinking anything out of a fancy mug, in fact I wasn’t drinking anything. I figured I’d wait for the airplane waitress to come around, knock me in the elbow with the little push cart and give me a 3 ounce cup of soda.
On my first trip, I was polite and nice to the person in the seat next to mine. I’d say "hello", they would say "hello, are you from Omaha" and I would say "Yes. I’m on my way to such and such for business". My suit, high heels, and coffee mug didn’t seem to tip them off, so I thought I’d drive the point home. On my most recent trip I was really ticked off to learn that I got the "premium seat". For those who don’t know, that’s the seat in the MIDDLE of the 3 seat section. To my right was a man who stuffed his face so far into the window, I couldn’t see a hint of sky go by if I wanted to. On my left was a woman who really should have purchased two plane tickets if you know what I mean. We were unable to put down the arm rest between us, and in fact she had to place part of her right buttock on my lap.
On my first trip I pulled out my marketing material to study for my presentation to make sure that I had everything down and was well prepared. On this trip I pulled out the safety guide and giggled at the pictures.
On my first trip I stepped into the rest room at the final leg of the trip to freshen up my hair, touch up my make up, spray some perfume, brush my teeth, and prepare for the meeting. On this trip I lugged my stupid suitcase into the handicapped stall and changed from my jeans into my suit for the presentation and sprayed myself with a little Downy wrinkle releaser. As we walked to the rental car I threw on some lipstick while in motion hoping that I didn’t get any on my teeth.
On my first trip I went back to the hotel after the presentation. I gathered up all of my materials, went into the lobby, reviewed what I had done that day and made notes on the important events. I went through every detail while drinking another cup of hot chocolate. Still in my suit and heels because now, not only do the airport people know that I’m a business woman, on a business trip, the hotel people do too! On this trip I went to the hotel after the presentation and dinner, went to my room, pulled back the sheets to check for spiders, got into my jammies and went to sleep.
On my first trip I had a wake up call 2 hours before I needed to get moving. I got up, ironed my other suit and put it on, did full hair and make up, and clip clopped my high heels back to the lobby with my wheeled suitcase. Met my business associates with a "good morning! What a nice day!" On this trip I set my cell phone alarm for 15 minutes before I had to be in the lobby. I jumped in the shower, dried my hair half way, brushed my teeth and put on my jeans and sweatshirt from the day before. I lugged myself down to the lobby and greeted my business associates with a grunt.
On my first trip I was happy to get back to work to share my experiences with everyone and tell them of the positive impact that our presentation had. When I returned from this trip and was asked how things went, I simply said "fine" and went back to work.
So, for anyone who thinks that flying around the country for work is a glamorous life and fun. Think again. It kind of even sucks a little. It’s tiring, and honestly, my shoulders hurt today from lugging around all that heavy stuff for two days. But, I still love my job. Every day.
Now whenever I see the cute little blonde at the airport in her perfectly pressed suit, matching luggage, stilettos, french manicure, and cup of espresso, I just smile. Rookie.
No comments:
Post a Comment