Business Travel

Your bio states you are quite the business traveler. I would like to know what laptop applications you find indispensable? Do you use your laptop as an alarm clock? Do you use it for currency conversions? Do you have a favorite application for checking the status of a flight? Or do you find you use your phone or Palm for these travel related activities?
Greg

Hi Greg,
Excellent question! The one thing of I have learned over the years is to keep my travels simple. With that in mind, I tend to travel with very few ancillary items. This is particularly useful for speeding through today's security screening process.

With respect to my computer application I tend to use the standard set of Microsoft Office 2003 programs and the internet. When possible, I use a client’s computer system or I can normally tap into a system at my hotel. Also, while waiting for flights I use the office systems available in Delta’s Crown Room, which include computers, printers, and copy equipment. When all else fails I will use a Kinko’s type of store to conduct needed work. I also will send any large or bulky items ahead.

For wake up, I rely on the front desk to call me or I order coffee service to be delivered at the time I wish to wake up. To pay for my expenses I use my credit card and for cash I use my ATM card. That way I do not need to worry about the conversion rate because both of these methods tend to offer the best conversion rate. Additionally, most countries have fairly easy conversion rates, also many stores and restaurants post prices in U.S. currency along with the local currency.

The one tool I do find indispensable is my cell phone. For the past five years I have used Nextel’s worldwide service. This allows me to use the same phone in more than 100 countries without switching GSM cards or any other hassles, at an affordable cost. The phone works the same way most cell phones operate on roam service in the U.S. My regular number is used to call me and I simply make calls as I normally would. The phone also accesses the internet so I can check email and flight status. For more information on business travel programs you can check out jetready.com.

I hope this helps you out.