Jobs that have the highest call for travel...

[harvyk]

Run my own IT company here, focus is on AU \ NZ, and starting to look at west coast of US.

Found sales go so much easier when I'm physically standing there as apposed to over phone \ email.

Infact a few of my customers made the comment that it was because I was physically standing there I got the sale.

Also browski, I don't know if that's quite true, yes business travel has it's serious side, but even before I started my own company I was sent on a few trips and I have always managed to have a good time.

The trick is always to give yourself way more time than you need (works really well when your distination takes a full days flying) and you make the effort to hook up with the locals, they will tell (or show ) you the best places to go so that once the work is done it time for play.

Of course now I run my own company that rule applies twice as much...

 

[Flashback]

Run my own IT company here, focus is on AU \ NZ, and starting to look at west coast of US.

Found sales go so much easier when I'm physically standing there as apposed to over phone \ email.

Infact a few of my customers made the comment that it was because I was physically standing there I got the sale.

Could not agree with you more on this point! I make a point of visiting my regional clients (also an IT company) at least once a year (sometimes bi-yearly) and it makes a big difference. They have the peace of mind that when they pick up the phone and talk to you, they know you're not just some goon!

 

[QF WP]

And to the guy who said "you should only work 7hrs a day and only travel in business hrs".... well La Di Da aren't you the lucky one...

TanyaGordon, that would be Dave Noble, who I believe is contracted to (or an employee of) an international company. Whilst he is entitled to think this way, I think it's wildly different from those of us who have significant capital (as well as emotional) investment in our businesses.

Employees who aren't shareholders don't have "skin in the game", have their assets on the line and bear less ultimate responsibility. Yes they can get fired, but we stand to lose a lot more than that. Having said that, I do know of some employees who are genuinely engaged in their employers businesses, but they are in the minority.

I generally travel the night before to the city where I am seeing clients. I generally travel home after the meetings have finished (so both in my own time). Most of us have understanding spouses/partners/etc, who understand the need for us to put in the time and effort, to get the rewards.

I'm one of three partners in a financial planning business, with clients around Australia (even in such far flung places as Broome).

 

[Dave Noble]

TanyaGordon, that would be Dave Noble, who I believe is contracted to (or an employee of) an international company. Whilst he is entitled to think this way, I think it's wildly different from those of us who have significant capital (as well as emotional) investment in our businesses.

Indeed I am. Some of my trips over last year have been measured in months rather than days with one of 2 months and another v soon after of 4 months as well as other trips in the 1-3 weeks

There is no reason to work long hours just because travelling; if a job is a 2 week activity then 2 weeks it will be. Not going to work 14 hours a day just because travelling. Wouldn't do it generally at home, why just start doing it when travelling When running training , works perfectly since courses are not going to go on any later than a normal day

As far as travel goes, why would I do it in my own time?

 

[munitalP]

Dave, this is becoming a regular event, I am agreeing with you (although not taking the advice and doing it myself in most instances) in regards to time and hours of travel. I have recently been demotivated at work and to travel in my own time now (unless it gets me back to the peoples republic of Victoria) is rapidly becoming a nonevent unless I have no other option such as a early morning meeting where no airline can get me there on time. Returning home however is at at any cost, there's not a hotel room I would rather be in alone than be at home with Mrs!

As for the OP, what is the field you have entered into, I'm in engineering an it took many years before someone threw a company travel request form at me (an it's gone downhill from there). That believe it or not is very dependent on what future prospects travel may play on your life. Remember that of all the workers white, blue and Amarni paisley (!) collared workers, it's a very small number who travel for work. Trades staff have hands down the nest deal, tax free living away allowances, and paid for every hour travelling ( at least in my co)

Good luck in choices, but I expect that if you are still at the intersection of choice, your work related travel may be a way off yet

Mr!


Posted from my cool as iPhone

 

[harvyk]

Short of becoming an FA, or Captain, you probably won't find too many jobs that will put you on a plane on day one (or day one hundred for that matter).

For me it took 5 years before I went away on my first business trip and for that we drove from Canberra to Sydney, and it wasn't until a year later (and quite a few drives between Canberra and Sydney) that I went on my first business trip where I flew. (Canberra to Darwin).

Also remember that certain companies like travel more than others. I've been in companies that unless you where senior management, you didn't leave the office, where as I've also been in companies where they made sure everyone got the chance to go away on business trips.

 

[greenfrog86]

Thanks for the advice - I agree that likely prospects are some way off, however I am also at the time in my life where I have (almost) no commitments and could be on a plane with a few hours notice...

To answer your question, I'm currently with one of the Big4, however I think I'm on 'the wrong side' - I'm in the consumer side and given our HQ is where I live there are limited opportunities...

As most of you have pointed out, travel to clients seems to be a big one, so I could consider Institutional banking, however I'm not prepared to sell my soul for some travel...

Training sounds like a common one here - I can talk the leg off a chair so maybe that's one to look at...

 

[harvyk]

Be careful who you sell your soul to, business travel is fun, but don't make it the be all and end all of your career. If you have the option, I'd take a job which pays better and is more flexible in regards to leave (but your less likely to travel) and use the extra money to go travelling with in your own time. Even if you only fly for personal reasons, you can still obtain status and get upgrade etc... The trick there is to become loyal to one airline and milk it for all it's worth.

Finally remember if your not careful business travel can be a great way to see all the great attractions of the world from the front seat of the taxi between the airport \ hotel and office.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Finally remember if your not careful business travel can be a great way to see all the great attractions of the world from the front seat of the taxi between the airport \ hotel and office.

Ahh... that's what I have discovered lately.

Did a bit of Europe travelling (100% work) and made sure I did not 'go see the sights' so that I can still go back there at another time with someone I want to share it with.

 

[munitalP]

I'm not prepared to sell my soul...

yeah - keep the faith...



Mr!

 

[NM]

From my observation, people who undertake a lot of business-related travel, especially those that undertake extended duration trips (3 weeks or more) often have struggling home relationships. This is one reason I have a firm boundary of a maximum of 2 weeks away at a time. My family is more important than travel or a work project.

 

[DTM1]

From my observation, people who undertake a lot of business-related travel, especially those that undertake extended duration trips (3 weeks or more) often have struggling home relationships. This is one reason I have a firm boundary of a maximum of 2 weeks away at a time. My family is more important than travel or a work project.

my rule is to try to never be away for the weekend, and if it is something on the weekend that has me away, then I'm only away for the w/e and maybe a day either side.

Ocassionally it's unavoidable, but that is very much the exception. I travel 20 - 30 times a year (currently about half is international) and i think I have only had 2 trips of more than 7 days.

 

[NYCguy]

Travelling for work is like having sex to make babies. All the enjoyment is removed.

You're spot on there, except perhaps after a 13-course Kaiseki lunch in NH F.

Anyhoo, here seems to be as good a place as any to announce that my years of heavy-duty travel are drawing to a close. I've scored a very nice promotion, and we'll be relocating to Paris on a permanent basis from 04 January. It's been a wild ride, and I'm sure I'll feel a little sad as I watch the my FF status drop away, but I'm quite relieved to be leaving all the endless hours of travel behind.

As for the life of a FA, don't be fooled. There's the apocryphal story of the FA who goes to the galley to find one of her colleagues bent-over with her head in a trash-container, searching through the garbage.

"What are you looking for?", she asks.

"The glamour in this job", comes the reply...

 

[QF WP]

Congratulations NYCGuy on your promotion and the impending move to Paris. at least you'll be able to live off your status for a while. If you're still in Paris July 2011, I'll see you there

Great last comment

 

[NM]

my rule is to try to never be away for the weekend, and if it is something on the weekend that has me away, then I'm only away for the w/e and maybe a day either side.

Ocassionally it's unavoidable, but that is very much the exception. I travel 20 - 30 times a year (currently about half is international) and i think I have only had 2 trips of more than 7 days.

Excellent strategy when business travel can fit into the boundaries. Most of my international travel required more than 3 or 4 days of effort, so efficiency suggests 2 weeks rather than 1. But I can manage a max of 2 at a time.

 

[Mr Ed]

Which job brings travel??????

Being an Entertainer of any type. Problem would be having to deal with crazy fans and the public.

My nephew worked his way up into the A - League Football (Soccer)
He travelled the world in the juniors reping Australia.
Problem was he saw the inside of the aeroplane, the airport, the destination from a bus, hotel and the football stadium.
While as family following him we had a ball doing the tourist things.

He hated it.

I look at the flight stewards on aeroplanes with great pity.

 

[Nigelinoz]

Business travel is nothing to write home about IMO,I run my own business selling computer software to the dairy industry and I travel regularly,mostly short hops from ABX to SYD,MEL,HBA or ADL with the occassional overseas trip and I would much rather be on my home turf looking after my local clients than I would be cooped up in a hotel room,any hotel room in any city.
Business travel is really not all it's cracked up to be-especially if,like me,you pay for it yourself both in cash and sweat.

 

[MissBurrill]

My friend the Air Marshal earns lots of S/Cs......

His Qantas and Velocity profiles even allocate him outstanding seats when he's not flying for work.

Karen

 

[simongr]

Excellent strategy when business travel can fit into the boundaries. Most of my international travel required more than 3 or 4 days of effort, so efficiency suggests 2 weeks rather than 1. But I can manage a max of 2 at a time.

My travel used to be a minimum of two weeks - rising up to five weeks on one job at 24 hours notice (wont be doing that again if I have a choice).

As I only did fairly heavy travel for 2 1/2 years I am not over it yet - and in fact am planning a DONE4 next year that could be quite impressive.

However my days of 3-4 weeks in a row are long over now...

 

[drron]

Since I've retired I now travel for work.I am a physician who now does locum work in regional Australia.I FIFO and I wear a blue shirt quite often so maybe I am now a blue collar worker .
Flying out today and for a change I have a QF flight-a mighty Crash 8 MEL-DPO tonight.Because I am doing this infrequently and because mrsdrron usually joins me(though coming down mid week for a cheaper fare) I do enjoy this travel.Really doent help with my FF strategies though.