This may be a little off the blog topic as it does not refer to technology, but since I've have been away from home a lot lately on assignment, thought I’d say something about it. All hail the Road Warrior; those that get to travel all over the world to new and exciting places, and do all sorts of fantastic things. I've been a Road Warrior since I started consulting in the field of testing back in 1988 and whenever I talk with someone about where I've been and for who and what I did there, I get questions like "did you go see this?" or "did you go do that?" Of course they are referring the attractions somewhere within a hundred miles of where I was. In most cases the answer is, "no, I didn't really have time to, but I'll make time for it the next time I go." Now don't get me wrong, I do get to do some fun things. I've visited the airplane graveyard and the Biosphere in Arizona, taken the underground city tour in Seattle, dug for gold and gems in the north-east, gone to countless amusement parks, museums, visited famous beaches and have eaten at many high class restaurants; all of which have been made possible in conjunction with business trips. First and foremost I service the client who has contracted to have me there and in many cases I continue to work back at the hotel. For me this is great since my personal view of my career is that I get paid to play; the work is very challenging and I'm always getting into new situations and devising new solutions.

 

One of the greatest things about traveling is the frequent traveler programs. When I lived in New Jersey I flew out of Newark and used Continental Airlines since Newark was their hub. I made Gold level status year after year (almost), a couple of them I almost made platinum. Continental had a promotion that if are Gold for 5 years in a row, you stay gold for life. Wouldn't you know it, the fifth year I was on a long term assignment locally and didn't make it. Now I live new Phoenix, so I use US Air (formerly flew America West but bought out by US Air). I've made gold all five years since I've been here and this year will make platinum (RTTS has been busy). One of the benefits of the frequent flyer program is that you get to board the plane before non-frequent flyers, thus ensuring overhead space for your roll-aboard luggage. Others include, depending upon the status level you are, space available for free upgrades to first class and a tag added to any checked luggage marking it as priority so that it comes up on the baggage carrousel first. Also, depending upon your status level you accumulate a percentage of flight miles above and beyond the actual miles flown, which are good towards free flights.

 

Then there is the hotel frequent stayer program. I like staying at Marriott brands. There are status levels depending upon the number of nights you stay. I've been Gold on the Marriott Rewards program forever. You get points depending upon the amount of money you spend at the hotel that can be used for free nights and they even have a catalog of merchandise you can use your points on. Two of the perks of having elite status at Marriot are the free upgrades to bigger and better rooms and at the full service hotels, admittance to the concierge level and free food (continental breakfast and cocktail hour at night).

 

Then there are the frequent renter programs for vehicles. I typically use Avis. There aren't any formal status levels, but you get additional flight frequent flyer miles when you rent from them and free upgrades to better class cars. The biggest perk is that you don't have to wait on line. When you arrive, your car is ready with your contract inside.

 

The points I accumulated over the first 3 years as a road warrior, I was able to take my immediate family (my wife, 5 kids and me) to Cancun, Mexico. All of the flights and the 2 hotel rooms were free. Now that the family is spread out between Arizona, Florida and New Jersey, we use the points to visit the kids and for the kids to visit us. Priorities change over time.

 

Enter the demons. I was waiting at the gate for a flight recently, watching all of the people and started thinking about traveling. What I find is that when its getting close to boarding time I automatically migrate as close to the jet way door as I can get without crowding anybody, knowing I am elite status and can get on the plane sooner than most. This particular time I was upgraded to first class. The normal process is that those needing assistance are called to board, followed by first class customers, then it’s by boarding zone number. I start to get irritated by the zone 4 person standing between me and the jet way door. Why are they in the way of me and the others who can board before them? Don't they know the boarding sequence? I plan my route on how to get around them when they call first class to board. I'll say "excuse me" and proceed around to their right. Then a woman behind me asks if I am in first class. I say "yes" thinking to myself "first class and elite, thank you very much!" She was in first class as well, but it made me think that you really cannot judge by looks since I see all kinds of people in first class dressed in the full range of attire.

 

When arriving at my destination airport, my checked bag was one of the last to come up onto the carrousel; so much for tagging it priority. Irritated, but outwardly showing it, I headed to the rental car shuttle. What I've learned is that some airports appear to honor the orange "Priority" tags and some don't. Case in point, US Air at Newark airport never does.

 

OK! I have an "Avis First" priority reservation. I've had it for a week now. I was here last week and the week before without an issue. I'm dropped off at the "Preferred" counter and have to show my driver’s license and credit card, etc. Hello! Where's the consistency?

 

I am assuming for the most part that you probably don't know me personally and have not met me personally. I am not one that tends to get stressed or irritated as I mention here. I believe things happen and we just have to navigate our way around them and through them. I have always enjoyed traveling as part of my job and have no plans to stop. The benefits, both for career and personal endeavors, make those momentary demons seem insignificant.

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