Business traveller

Trouble-free travel

It’s usually fairly easy to spot the skilled business travellers. Wearing a suit, carrying a briefcase, with a cell phone to the ear or a BlackBerry in their hand, they’re always the first ones to get off the plane; they’re also the ones who run fast past the baggage carousel, pulling their rollaboards as they go by. As the other passengers wait endlessly for their luggage to appear, the hardened business travellers can congratulate themselves that they kept to the two-bag carry-on rule (or, more often now, one-bag-rule).

These characters have already learnt that flying is about as romantic as getting on a bus. Luxury? Comfort? Service? Forget it. The flight attendants rarely ask if they can help and usually charge you if they do. When I once asked if I could have a glass of water with my coffee on a no-frills flight, I was told I’d have to choose – or pay. Only one free drink was allowed per person. I’m waiting for the day when they start charging us to use the lavatories.

If you have to travel a lot, make sure you know how to save time. Read how to improve your business travel skills – and improve your travel vocabulary at the same time – by doing our exercise.

Deborah Capras