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Hang on to Your Laptop
by Karin Call
Janaury 8, 2001
Survive business travel with ease
Many companies are expanding their offices or becoming global in their business dealings. The occasion may arise, more frequently than not, when your boss asks you to jump on a plane to attend a meeting in another city where your expertise is desperately needed. No bother: IT workers tend to move faster than a speeding e-mail anyway. And however far, or near, your destination, you will be sure to handle the stress of the trip effortlessly, by following the subsequent guidelines.
Traveling technically
One of the biggest security issues facing tech workers is the possibility that your laptop will be stolen. It could happen in the airport, in a hotel room, or countless other places. For example, on a commuter train, if you snooze for a moment or two, (the time change is killing you, after all), it could be gone.
Does your company have a laptop security plan? Some businesses have restrictions about what information can be put on the machine in the first place and use security audits to enforce it. Many corporations use security systems or encryption programs to keep data safe.
If your company doesn’t bother with these measures, maybe you should suggest using them before leaving. If Joe Hacker grabs your laptop in the airport, then posts sensitive company information to the Internet, whom do you think the Head Honcho is going to be upset with? But if you have strongly suggested that security measures be put in place, at least you’ll come out of it looking like a hero. That promotion is getting closer by the moment.
Aside from computer thieves, there are many other ways for your computer plans to go awry. Do you have contingency tech plans in place? You know the laws of chance: files always become corrupt while giving a presentation away from the office. Or maybe you’re due for a hard drive crash. Either case will undoubtedly bring you to a screeching halt, unless you’re prepared. Bring along a copy of your presentation on CD ROM. And have your lifeline in place, keeping all your tech support numbers handy. Avoid the heartache.
Lugging luggage
It doesn’t take a CIO to know the only way to ensure important papers and computer files end up where you are, is to carry them on the plane. But airlines are cracking down on the number of carry-on bags. Most of the time you are limited to two carry-ons, one being your laptop, naturally. So what’s a weary traveler to do?
Stuff your important CD ROMs, diskettes and papers into your briefcase or backpack. There is no other choice here. Wear clothes on the plane that can be used for your business meeting, even on night flights. The comfy, holey sweat pants are oh, so appealing, but don’t succumb to the temptation. (Unless you want to spend umpteen hard earned dollars in the airport store for new business-like clothes when you bag doesn’t arrive.) Or worse yet, stroll into the meeting looking like a, well, a computer geek. You’re too smart for that.
There are alternatives for the rest of your luggage. Avoid the check in problem by shipping your luggage directly to the hotel, the day before take off, using an overnight service. It will arrive when you do, and for the $10 to $20, it may be a worthwhile option.
Or use one of the new Virtual Bellhop services (see link below). This company promises to pick up your bags wherever you choose (home or office) and deliver them to your destination (more than 150 U.S. cities). They offer same-day, next-day, and two-day deliveries. The advantage to this service is that you don’t need to box up your deliveries. Plus return deliveries can be requested.
With either alternative, the price can add up, depending on how much you are having sent. But, the trade-off is dollars for convenience and safety. You decide.
Time to go insane?
Well, you might if you continue to look at your watch. Don’t worry about what time your flight is scheduled to arrive, because it isn’t going to make it anyway. You can’t predict something that is sure to change. Understandably, there is a temptation to punch the pilot in the nose if he doesn’t take off soon (you’ve been taxiing on the runway for 3 hours already). But it isn’t his fault. Schedule a flight, allowing plenty of time for error. And then let the computer chips fall where they may. Recognize that you have no control.
Another sure path to mental exhaustion is to constantly look at your watch and compare what time it is to where you came from. “I should be eating dinner right not but it’s only 3 p.m. here” Do yourself a favor and forget about it.
Finally
Bring along your sense of humor and plenty of things to do while you hurry up and wait. You’re already prepared for the worst so there is nothing to worry about. In any case, there’s always videoconferencing. Let’s face it you can handle anything.
Recommended Links:
http://www.virtualbellhop.com/
Virtual Bellhop
http://www.travelite.org/
The Travelite FAQ
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