5 Experts Share: How They Handle the Frequent Flyer Lifestyle
Credit: David Ramos, Flickr
Whether on business trips to meet global clients or on extended round-the-world adventures, the life of a frequent flyer is the life of someone always on the move.
I spoke to five frequent flyers from Toronto to Helsinki to find out how they navigate the world of constant travel. Anne, Sami, Pablo, Eddie and Ian share their experiences, insights and don’t-leave-the-house-withouts!
|
ANNE Is based in: Newmarket, Ontario Has travelled to: 30 countries Takes on avg: 30 trips per year Travels: Locally on business, internationally for pleasure Has visited most recently: Red Deer, Sudbury, Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa |
SAMI Is based in: Helsinki, Finland Has travelled to: 14 countries Takes on avg: 4-5 trips per year Travels: Locally and internationally for business and pleasure Has visited most recently: Scotland, Greece, Estonia, Turkey, Sweden |
PABLO Is based in: Toronto, Ontario Has travelled to: 27 countries Takes on avg: At least 1 extended trip per year Travels: Internationally for pleasure Has visited most recently: Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal, Dubai, Turkey |
EDDIE Is based in: Boston, Massachusetts Has travelled to: 20 countries Takes on avg: 48 trips per year Travels: Locally and internationally for business and pleasure Has visited most recently: China, Mexico, Spain, France, Singapore |
IAN Is based in: Oakville, Ontario Has travelled to: 46 countries Takes on avg: 7-10 trips per year Travels: Internationally for business and pleasure Has visited most recently: Colombia, Brazil, South Africa, US, UK |
How did you become a frequent traveller? Is it a lifestyle you enjoy?
ANNE: It’s a requirement of my job. I do enjoy it, or I wouldn’t do it. When the kids were young, I rarely travelled. As they grew older, I travelled more. Once they left, I returned to the pre-children frequent traveller lifestyle.
PABLO: I think it is imperative to explore the world if you have the opportunity. Especially in your 20s, when you do not have as many commitments. It is a lifestyle I enjoy but it does have its drawbacks.
Credit: Drew Coffman, Flickr
What are some of the items you pack that you can’t do without on your travels?
EDDIE: Electric razor, toothbrush, hair wax and gym essentials. It’s important that I stay healthy while on the road.
PABLO: Plenty of socks and underwear, toiletries and a journal to write everything down.
ANNE: Moisturizer, hair straightener, omega 3s, jogging clothes and bathing suit, laptop and smartphone, toothbrush! An early morning jog and swim gets oxygen to my brain and I start my day off strong and energetic. The laptop is essential for work.
IAN: Travel hairdryer and my hairbrush. It’s a tiny plastic rolly thing—you can’t buy them now. I had my mini shaving can taken off me at security in Colombia, which is amusing. They may never have seen one before.
SAMI: Something to read. I try to travel cheap, which generally involves long layovers and lots of waiting. Having something to do is the only way to keep sane.
Which experiences or procedures have become routine for you?
ANNE: Airport security (hate it), renting a car, trying to get snow tires on a car, checking luggage, getting a boarding pass sent to my BlackBerry, hotel check-in, and locating a grocery store and jogging trail.
EDDIE: Identifying the shortest security line. I always avoid lines with children and elderly people.
PABLO: Saying goodbye to the great people you meet along the way. At first it was very sad but after a while you learn to let people come and go.
IAN: Packing—I only use a carry-on case. Nothing gets checked in. That’s a big deal and big difference between people who go on holiday as opposed to go on business. I also have an envelope with 10 different foreign currencies in it. I don’t cash in the foreign currency when I come and go because I’m pretty sure that sometime in the future I’ll use it again.
SAMI: Much of the bureaucracy involved in travel starts to work itself out quicker.
Credit: Lynn Friedman, Flickr
What are the best and worst things about being a frequent traveller?
EDDIE: The best things are the frequent flyer and hotel points that I can use on my vacations.
ANNE: I think the worst thing is the food. I would prefer to eat home cooked food—healthier foods—while on the road. Oatmeal for breakfast, lots of fresh veggies and fruit, lean meats, no sauces.
SAMI: The best things are the experiences you gain. Travel gives you a completely new perspective on life, which can’t be compared to anything else.
How does your frequent travelling affect the people around you (friends, family, colleagues)?
SAMI: People are used to it by now, and the ones most affected are quite supportive. The only thing that still stands out is people being worried about my safety. I don’t really consider the places I visit dangerous, contrary to popular opinion.
PABLO: Despite the time differences, with technology today it is very easy to communicate with family and friends no matter where I find myself. The extra barriers to communication allow you to see those friends who will stick with you through thick and thin. They make the extra effort to keep in contact.
EDDIE: I have to pick and choose who to spend my time with because I’m only back home for a few days in the month. Also, because I’m never in the office, I don’t get into office politics!
Credit: hjl, Flickr
What do you miss the most about home when you’re away?
ANNE: My husband, my piano, my hockey team, my vocal instructor, my home cooking.
SAMI: Surprisingly, it’s the predictability and peace, the same things I generally try to get away from by travelling.
PABLO: My friends and family and, depending on the country, air conditioning/heating, potable water, wifi and freedom of speech.
IAN: I miss having a good night’s sleep. I typically don’t sleep through the night when I’m away, I’m not sure why.
What single most important piece of advice would you give novice travellers?
EDDIE: Only pack the essentials. Do not overpack.
IAN: I don’t let the bellhop take my laptop bag up to my room. My colleague Martin did and he didn’t see it again. It only takes a second for someone to walk off with it. Some professional thieves hang around hotels. In upmarket hotels, even. I’m not organized to lose something. If I lost something I would be…lost. I would survive, but it would be excruciating. Always be alert to the security of your belongings, wherever you are. Keep them in your sight.
SAMI: Always keep at least one piece of warm clothing with you. You never know when you’ll be in a situation where you’ll have to wait for a long time, and being cold will only make the time go slower.
ANNE: I have two sets of toiletries (identical), so when I return home, I take the travelled set out and replace with a clean set right while unpacking. I also have my bathing suit, pyjamas and a set of exercise wear already packed in the suitcase. This cuts down on packing and unpacking time.
PABLO: Take your time! Quality over quantity. Slow down and enjoy the experience, maybe if you have the time, volunteer or take a course or two, it is the best way to get to know locals and meet likeminded travellers.
Nicola Brown
Latest posts by Nicola Brown (see all)
- 48 Hours In: Québec City - January 30, 2018
- Top 5 Best Travel Articles of 2017 - January 9, 2018
- 48 Hours in: Miami - December 19, 2017
Almost all the tea houses in 
