I traveled quite a bit for business. Part was as a hotel inspector and the other as a trainer conducting workshops out in the regions.
The cons:
– Delayed flights. If it was an inspection, it wasn’t a big deal as they were unannounced. For a training class, which is time-sensitive, it could be a scramble to sort out alternative options.
– Delayed luggage.
– A road warrior doesn’t want to spend time off away from home in yet one more hotel room. Plus, there is too much personal stuff to catch up on.
– We visit a lot of cool areas, but rarely get time out to see anything.
Pros:
– I was lucky to have really great trainers, so by the time I went solo, I felt prepared.
– I was supplied with the tools and resources to conduct my work successfully.
– I was given goals to measure success and had regular reviews with my manager to measure how I was doing.
– We were kept updated on any changes in the pipeline.
– As a hotel inspector, we had our schedule for the whole year. It allowed for holiday planning far in advance.
– Working for a hotel company, we were allowed to use the employee discount at hotels.
Finance:
– The company issued AX credit cards. The company paid the bill each month, and we were responsible for submitting an expense report that supported the bill with receipts.
– We were allowed to keep the frequent flyer and credit card points for personal use.
– We were issued cell phones, paid by the company.
I had just bought a house right before getting a travel job. A friend hooked me up with a guy who needed a place to live. Our agreement was that he didn’t pay rent but all of the utilities. My only expenses were mortgage, which included house insurance, car insurance, and food when home. He mowed the grass, and was my ride to/from the airport for which he was paid and I could expense. It was a win/win situation.