Guilt and fear: balancing vacations, work and getting away with either

by Tom Johansmeyer on

People are nervous. They’re afraid to appear unnecessary in a market where employees are being shed regularly. The strain is brutal. We’re all “doing more with less,” which increases stress and compounds the need for a break. If you decide to take that vacation, you have two options: look valuable or be valuable.

Looking valuable is tough. Skillful deceit is necessary to create the various digital smokescreens that will conceal your revelry and inspire awe and sympathy in your colleagues. The trick is to enjoy every minute of your trip but look like you’ve pissed the entire experience away for the sake of supporting your colleagues back home. Done properly, you recharge your batteries and get credit for commitment. One misstep, however, can show that you’re nothing but an opportunist.

Tread lightly.

Of course, there’s a group of people out there who would never try merely to appear productive. Why? They are – they’re machines. Vacations don’t exist, and these folks try to stretch the work day by every minute they can scrounge. Bosses may love this quality, but spouses and kids don’t. You’ll need a ruse, and getting caught can cost you.

Don’t worry, Gadling‘s here to help.

Between my own experiences as both a workaholic and a shameless corporate actor and those of the Gadling team, be ready for tk days of advice on how to be who you want to be. The first two days will help you be a better screw-off, enjoying your vacation while looking like Mr. Corporate America. The two days after that – we’ll help you look like you’ve put your family first without neglecting they guy who signs your paycheck.

Along the way, drop a comment with your ideas. We’re all in this wretched recession together, after all.

Flexjet cards moving, as even the rich feel the sting

by Tom Johansmeyer on

The days of the private jet may be over – or at least put off for a while – but those with means are still doing all they can to avoid commercial flights. Fuel prices have come down over the past year, but it still costs a bundle to put a private jet in the sky, especially when much of that “extra cash” has disappeared.

So, it looks like uncooperative financial markets are making private jet alternatives, such as the Flexjet 25 Jet Card, pretty attractive. In fact, sales for this particular solution are up this year … pretty surprising in this market. The company had a record-setting month in January and is about to double its sales team. When you look a little deeper, though, you can see why the wealthy are going with a “debit card” for flying.

In addition to the sheer cost of owning, managing and operating a private jet, this group of travelers is looking to the future. The effective price per flight increases when you consider the expenses that come with keeping a jet on the ground – from crew to storage. Even if the worst of the financial crisis is behind us, the absence of recovery means that jet owners are worse off than they were 12 months ago. Without a distinct change for the better, this population needs to reconsider its commitment to private flying.

With fewer flight hours logged, the ground costs become proportionately higher, leading many to question the sense of having a jet at all. The Flexjet 25 Jet Card is among the solutions that can help the truly upscale traveler cut personal expenses without luxury. Since it offers the best of both worlds – conspicuous luxury at a lower price – it’s hardly surprising that the card is gaining traction right now.

Flexjet’s good news may be indicative of a broader trend in the travel industry, particularly among high net worth travelers. Doubtless, financial pressures lead people to make cuts, and the rich are no exception. But, it would be hasty to conclude that a dip in the Dow means total abstinence from the good life. Gradual change, when possible, is the likely course of action. As the recession runs its course, it may give life to a new breed of luxury travel companies that make comfort, convenience and style more affordable … but hardly cheap.

Airline biz to lose $2.5bn, but more flights on time

by Tom Johansmeyer on

MSNBC continues to publish the same story, and I continue to reblog it. Fortunately, author Sholnn Freeman managed to sneak in some interesting stuff at the end.

It’s no secret that airline prices are dropping as fast as they possibly can. Broader economic conditions are responsible for this fact. How do we know? The fine folks at MSNBC have developed the unique skill of telling the same story over and over with different words.

So, here’s the reality: you can find domestic one-way fares for under $100. I’ve seen several international fares (one-way) for under $200, usually to Latin America. According to Rick Seaney, Chief Executive of FareCompare.com, “If you are paying over $300 for an airline ticket right now, you are probably paying way too much.” He continues that these prices do not occur outside a recession.

Nonetheless, passengers remain cautious. You know the drill … the savings may be great, but if you can’t afford to take advantage of it, you save nothing. A lot of people are canceling or scaling back vacation plans.

Thanks, MSNBC; we had no idea …

But, there is good news, and this is stuff MSNBC hasn’t reported before.

Airline on-time rates are at their best levels in years. Since there are fewer flights taking off, congestion has declined. So, all that time waiting on the runway last year is time in the sky this year. Of course, efficiency comes at a cost: the International Air Transport Association expects the global airline industry to lose $2.5 billion this year.