E-MAIL CHRIS   PRINT   2008 COLUMNS   ARCHIVES   SEARCH ARCHIVES ONE LAWYER, LOTS OF TRAVEL OPINIONS By Chris Barnett August 21, 2008 -- Lawyers are never miserly with their opinions. Just ask John Jardine for his stand on the current state of business travel. A partner with an international law firm in San Francisco, Jardine flies from 50,000 to 100,000 miles a year, mostly within the United States and he's thrilled not to be a million miler. "Business travel can be productive, but today it's very debilitating," he says. Jardine--a pseudonym to protect his anonymity--says his colleagues at the top rung of the U.S. airline frequent flyer programs may "get treated a little better than I do but it can't be worth all that extra flying." Still, Jardine flies United Airlines most often, then Lufthansa, American, Continental and Southwest in that order. "I stick with United because of convenience and to maintain my Premier Executive status. But I don't think that level means much anymore," he admits. Jardine doesn't travel like a crown prince. He shops for bargains. He'll go for a cheap coach ticket if he can upgrade to business class for 15,000 miles. Or, depending on the route and timing, he'll buy a full-fare coach ticket that guarantees him an automatic upgrade. Or sometimes he'll shell out for a "discounted" premium cabin ticket. "I am too tall, too old and too crabby to fly domestic coach on a legacy airline." But he admits that he hasn't flown JetBlue or Virgin America yet, although he has "heard good things about them." Jardine prefers the window seat. "The choice between a window seat and an aisle seat is the choice between disturbing someone or being disturbed when one of you wants out," he says. He totes a smallish screen IBM/Lenovo laptop, works much of the flight and then grabs some sleep. Jardine is also a member of United's Red Carpet Club network of airline clubs. "As deteriorated and tatty as some have become, I cannot imagine traveling for business or pleasure today without being in a club. The alternative is far worse." The lawyer says Lufthansa (like United, a Star Alliance member) has better lounges and he uses them when possible. He's also been a member of the American, Continental and Delta clubs over the years. A "chowhound" with an extensive wine collection, Jardine observes the obvious: "Food service on any U.S. carrier is to be tolerated, not relished, while foreign flag carrier food service can be absolutely spectacular." Lufthansa's first-class cuisine gets his vote, but, he admits, "I've had no recent experience with any of the Asia-based airlines." Philosophically, Jardine doesn't expect the Big Six to improve without government intervention. He figures the top managers are too well compensated and insulated from reality to take risks. The exception: "a merger when they have golden parachutes and financial incentives to protect them when they sell." "The Big Six continue to operate without net income because they are supported by so many other industries that depend on them," he says. Examples: Boeing and Airbus' discounting prices on large orders of new aircraft. Lenders and aircraft leasing companies that do enormous business with airlines. Airports and municipalities underwriting expansions and modernizations. Tourism promotions of every stripe. "The magic of the marketplace really keeps them going," he notes ruefully. Jardine has honed his own travel tips over the years:     + Don't act entitled if you want to be treated well. The "Do you know who I am?" attitude backfires almost every time.     + Try to avoid seating arrangements where you come off the plane "looking like you just came out of a washing machine. If the airline gives you a bunny suit for sleeping, use it."     + Avoid regional-jet feeder flights if at all possible, "or any flight operated by US Airways anywhere."     + Avoid rental cars. Taxis today are often more convenient and cost-effective when you add up the daily rate and fees charged by the rental firms.     + Never book a hotel just for the frequent traveler points. Choose a hotel recommended by a friend or colleague who lives in the town.     + Call ahead to be sure the room and the WiFi or Internet access will be ready and working on arrival.     + If you want to be organized and focused, allow time for a business breakfast with a client at the hotel. "Don't just grab something out of the coffee shop and talk on the run."     + Avoid Washington/Dulles and Denver International for connecting flights. "I have good luck at O'Hare." What counsel would Jardine offer if he were meeting with the chief executives of the Big Six? "Stop pretending that you are listening to us and actually listen to us," he says. "If you don't do it voluntarily, pretty soon you'll be doing it involuntarily."

ABOUT CHRIS BARNETT Chris Barnett writes about business-travel tactics and strategies that save time and money and help minimize hassles. He is based in San Francisco and has written for a wide variety of major newspapers and national magazines. Barnett on Business Travel is syndicated by Creators Syndicate. THE FINE PRINT Joe Brancatelli makes this space available to Chris Barnett in the spirit of free speech and to help encourage editorial diversity and the wider discussion of important travel issues. All of the opinions and material in this column are the sole property of Barnett. This material may not be reproduced in any form without the express permission of Chris Barnett. This column is Copyright © 2008 by Chris Barnett. JoeSentMe is Copyright © 2008 by Joe Brancatelli. All rights reserved.