Tips for Business Travel

I've had people ask me many times for advice on airlines, hotels, traveling with children, etc and I figure its about time I share some tips and tricks I've learned. Some of these seem like no brainers to the experienced business traveler, and some are little tricks of the trade I've learned the hard way.

Booking a flight:

1. Unless absolutely necessary book at least two weeks in advance, preferably three. If you have elite status, the earlier you book, the better chance you'll have of an upgrade.

2. Stick to one airline and choose an airline that makes sense with regards to where your home airport is. If you're based out of Chicago, you should make United your airline of choice. Based out of Dallas, fly American. Based out of Philly, Fly USair. I have people tell me all the time that they refuse to fly a certain airline because of a bad experience they had with one airline. Let me tell you, the good, bad, and ugly exist with all airlines and in the end likely even out. (Although the luggage handlers at PHL have successfully motivated me to avoid US Air at all costs in that city, thanks guys)

3. Save your frequent flier miles for expensive flights. Was it really worth it to fly for two years so you could cash in your miles for a $200 ticket to Denver? Frequent Flier miles should be cashed in for First Class flights, Hawaii, or International travel....enjoy your reward! Also, don't fall victim to those up charge fees to get additional miles when you check in...the value just is not there.

4. Get Elite Status anyway you can and fight to keep it. If you're not going to be able to keep your elite status, call them up. If you're close, some airlines will allow you to keep the status. Elite status is not just for the upgrades. For example, I fly United Airlines. With elite status, I get moved to the top of the list if I'm on standby. I don't pay to check bags. Yes, I know Southwest doesn't charge you to check bags....but as a business traveler, is Southwest really worth the hassle? As an Elite, you also have a separate 800 number for customer service, which greatly cuts down the "on hold" time.

5. Layovers are not necessarily bad things. To get closer to elite status or the next tier, consider taking layovers to boost your flight segments. I do recommend that you limit these to return trips only. Missing your connection on your way to business meeting can throw off an entire trip. Also, its wise to choose your layover city carefully. Choose layovers in big cities, preferably the hubs for your airline. This way, if you miss your connection there is likely another flight available later. I try to book my United layovers in Denver as I know they fly to Chicago about every 90 minutes or so

6. Get miles for other things you normally do. Make sure your credit card gets airline miles. Join their dining clubs and get miles for eating at places you normally eat at. When shopping online, especially with United Airlines, use the United Shopping Mall. Most major retailers are partners and they simply just ask you to log in and then transfer you directly to the retailers website. Popular stores such as Best Buy, Toys R Us, Target, and many others participate. This is also a great way to make sure your miles are not taken away if you do not fly much as most airlines require some sort of mileage activity each year or so.

7. For the best rates and mileage benefits, book directly with the airline on their site, not through Orbitz or other bulk travel websites.

8. Be polite to the gate agents, pilots, check in staff, etc. Remember, they work hard, have their benefits/pay cut often, and most importantly...it wasnt their fault that your flight was cancelled or delayed. They didn't make the call to have your bag pulled for inspection and they ultimately want to help you any way they can to make both of your days more pleasant.

9. Be efficient going through security. Don't make a scene or count on being singled out for a more "thorough" search. If you're chosen to go through the new body scan machines, its in your best interests to make sure that your pockets are completely empty. Otherwise, count on getting a pat down. If you are chosen for a pat down, don't give the TSA worker a hard time. Their just as thrilled about this part of their job as you are. Wear shoes that can be easily taken on and off. Always take off your jacket before going through. Learn which belts/watches/jewelry/etc will go through the x ray machines without you taking them off. And yes, your laptop/Ipad does have to go in its own container. Be aware of the carry on rule for liquids. Following these tips will get you through quicker and lower your chances of being selected for a pat down.

10. Most US flights are either on Boeing 737's or Airbus 320's. Airbus seats are slightly wider if that is a concern. Aisle seats will give us bigger guys a little more room. When you book your flight, try selecting a seat at that time. Getting stuck in a middle seat is about as bad as it gets, especially if you're not tiny.

11. When the flight attendants ask you to turn off your computers and cell phones, do it. Your email is not important enough to the hundreds of other passengers on the plane to delay the entire flight.

12. Understand that children will cry on a plane. They are likely scared to death by this new experience and the vast majority of the time, parents are doing their best.

13. Be the good guy. Good Karma is a great thing to have when traveling. Offer to switch seats so that a parent can sit with their children or a couple can sit together. Speaking as a parent, I can't tell you how much it means to me if someone switches seats with me so that I can sit with my children. It also doesn't hurt to offer to help put a bag in the overhead bin if you see someone struggling.

14. Its your right to recline the seat, but do the person behind you a favor and do it slowly.

15. Share the armrest.

16. Chatting with your neighbor can make flights go by quickly, but if they don't want to talk....don't force them.

17. Say hello to the flight attendants when you board. I can't tell you how many times I see flight attendants say hello and people just brush them off. A smile and a kind word can brighten anyones day. Its always safe to assume that someone gave them a hard time already today. If you'd really like to brighten their day, bring them a candy bar or two.

18. If the pilot is saying good bye when you leave, say it back. Landing is the most difficult thing for a pilot to master. If you want to brighten his day, mention how smooth the landing was.

19. Turbulence happens, but if you ever hear a pilot tell the flight attendants to take a seat...its going to get real rough, real quick.

20. Don't abuse the carry on privilege. Put one item in the overhead. And don't act surprised if you are asked to gate check an item. Some travelers just don't understand why they cannot bring their golf bag sized carry on with them.

Hotels

1. It should go without saying, but try to always stay in the same hotel or at the most, choose two brands and stick with them. Points clubs are free to join and rewards are easy to get. Some, such as Hilton Honors, gives you hotel points and airline miles. One way to choose is pick a hotel that you'd like to vacation at and book your business stays with that brand. I usually book at Hampton Inns as there are many Hilton's that are great for vacations. La Quinta also has a decent program and in particular, there is a very nice, new facility in Scottsdale, AZ that I will be taking my family to for vacation due to my points.



Rental Cars

1. Go to a web based travel site, such as orbitz or Yahoo Travel and get the rates for all of the rental car companies in the area you are going to travel and then go directly to the companies website and book direct. You'll get the best rates and you'll have a chance to enter your frequent flier number.

General rules of thumb:

1. Dress the part. I can tell you from experience, you'll get treated better in a suit than you will wearing torn jeans and a vulger T shirt.

2. Arrive to airports early. You can always get a coffee, snack, beer, etc if things go quickly. No one is concerned that you are in a hurry because in all likelihood, they are in a hurry too.

3. Do everyone a favor and don't bring food that stinks on board. Most flights in the US are only a few hours at most and you can buy a snack on the plane or eat before/after.

4. No one likes a drunk sitting next to them, exhibit self control at the bar.

5. Don't put disgusting things in the seat back cushion before you leave, I'm likely to reach in there on the next flight.

6. Be patient.

I hope some of these tips are helpful to everyone and happy/safe travels to my fellow frequent travelers!!!

John

United Scientific Confirmed for CAST

I'm pleased to announce that once again United Scientific will be exhibiting at the CAST show in Dallas this fall. Frank Butcher does a fantastic job with this show and we're proud to support him.

United Scientific will be in booth 1030 and 1032. We plan on exhibiting our Genetics Manipulative Kits as well as our Advanced Physics product line. Workshop announcements to follow soon!

We look forward to seeing you in Dallas this November!

John

Featured Supplier: Denoyer Geppert

For more than a century, Denoyer Geppert has been creating high-quality anatomical models for teaching and education. What makes Denoyer Geppert models different is the level of quality which is incorporated into every product. DG is passionate about anatomy, and even more passionate about quality and customer satisfaction. When a customer receives a DG model, they immediately recognize the effort applied to each product to make it special. every model is hand crafted and painted with the utmost care for detail and accuracy. Only the highest quality plastics, hardware, and paints are used to produce each model. When a DG product is completed, it is more than just a model, its a work of art. DG calls it "Autographed anatomy" signed by the artist who is responsible for hand painting your model.

DG products are perfect for teachers, educators, doctors, and medical professionals that want an accurate,durable, and reliable product. DG stands behind the craftsmanship of their products with a limited lifetime warranty!

The Heart of America continues to be the most widely used heart model in the world. The Giant Sarcomere has become a strong seller as its patented design represents the smallest functional unit of striated muscle is unlike anything else available.

From bio-mechanics kits to anatomy models to chart sets to raised relief classroom posters, few manufacturers offer the wide range or superior quality of Denoyer Geppert.

Please contact me for a catalog or if you'd like to become a distributor of DG products.

I'd be glad to help educators locate a dealer for any DG product they are looking for, please email at JGura@fischertech.com with any questions.

Still waiting for Spring to show up in Chicago.....

John Gura

Little Known Facts About Our Manufacturers

I thought it would be interesting to learn a few "out of the box" facts about our manufacturers. I'd love to hear your response!

Accurate Wirecraft: Did you know we've been working with Accurate Wirecraft for 20 years now and they are a woman owned business?

American Stirling: Did you know you can order the Stirling Engines direct from our stock at Fischer Technical?

Body Scientific: Did you know company president, Marcelo Oliver, is an accomplished and published medical illustrator?

Culture Media & Supplies: Did you know that CMS is a small, woman owned business and is soon going to launch a completely revamped website?

Denoyer Geppert: Did you know that Denoyer Geppert has been in business for over 100 years?

Feenixx Publishing: Did you know that all of Feenixx's posters are designed and printed in the USA?

Kerkau Mfg: Did you know that Kerkau Mfg moved into a brand new, state of the art facility a few years back?

Quincy Lab: Did you know that Quincy Lab still does all of their fabrication in the city of Chicago?

TrippNT: Have you ever thought of filling one of the TrippNT carts with lab supplies and offering classrooms to the chance to save money by sharing supplies....one of our distributors already has!

United Scientific: Did you know that United Scientific now offers a full line of Class A Glassware, Digital Bottle Top Dispeners, top quality lab coats, and tri pour beakers?

Fischer Technical Company: Did you know that Fischer Technical represents products that are made all over the world (3 continents) and our staff can speak Spanish, English, and German?

Now is a great time to add some of our products on your website. Contact me for pricing/images/literature/etc.

Safe travels!

John

Back from NSTA and Pittcon

It's safe to say that I've got a bit of "jet lag", albeit just the North American variety. In a 24 day period I went from:

Chicago to Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta to Chicago
Chicago to San Francisco
San Francisco to Denver
Denver to Chicago
Chicago to Atlanta
Atlanta to Chicago

Now that I've had a few days to clear my head from all of that, I thought I'd share my views of NSTA and Pittcon from last week.

NSTA was in San Francisco this week. This is a terrible idea. In times of budget cuts and overall cost cutting, there is no easier way to make sure that teachers from the east coast (note: most populous part of our country) don't get a chance to see what is new in the science education market than to put the yearly show in a very expensive and far out of the way city like San Francisco. Everything is overpriced and foot traffic at the show looked very light from my "eye test". I heard more than one vendor gripe about the cost and location and heard the show referred to as a "joke" more than once. As a manufacturer's representative, NSTA is invaluable to me as I get a chance to visit many of our distributors and see what our competitors are now offering. One of our European suppliers, NTL exhibited some very nice Physics Kits that we hope to bring to the North American Market very soon. My advice to distributors would be to strongly consider CAST in November as the foot traffic is much better, there is money in the Texas school budgets, and the booth costs are substantially lower. Frank Butcher does a fantastic job of organizing that show and we're proud to give him our support each year.

Pittcon was in Atlanta this year and I found the location and show to be terrific. While San Fran was prettier to look at, there were plenty of restaurants for all budgets nearby and plenty of close by hotels in downtown Atlanta. Foot traffic was very good and I heard many vendors mention that this was their best show in years. As always, the show is a great place to do business with South and Central America. I was able to have very positive and productive meetings with many of our distributors. This was the first year in a long time where I felt I could have used a third day at the show to cover everything I wanted to see. I'm looking forward to next year's show in Orlando as they also do a very good job.

Back on the road soon.....

John

The joy of demonstrating science

Recently, my two boys (age 5 and 6), came to my office to visit me. As a member of the science community, I was very excited to hear my oldest son tell me that they are learning about solids, liquids, and gasses in school. He smiled proudly when he told me that water will only turn to steam if it gets VERY HOT.

He was a bit disappointed when I told him that he was not quite correct, but asked me to prove it (great question from a future scientist???). We have a Fischer Technical Company LAV-3 High Vacuum pump hooked up to one of our pump plates in our warehouse. I asked him to put some water in a beaker and lets put it inside the bell jar and remove as much of the air inside the jar as we can. He watched the water boil once the jar reached high vacuum and told me that I was cheating as I put the water in some kind of oven.

We turned of the pump and he jumped back when I "accidentally" spilled the water on my hand immediately after I took the beaker off of the pump plate. When I showed him that the water was still room temperature, he was amazed!

The moral of this story is that even though a concept may be for a high school level student or higher, kids are never to young to be exposed to science. Their reactions will amaze you!

I hope to see many of you at NSTA and at Pittcon in the next couple of weeks!

John Gura

Crippling Weather and show updates!

As I returned from my latest sales trip late last week, even the pictures I had seen while away could not tell the story of just how much snow fell in the Chicago area! This was the first time in a long time where I'd seen entire towns shut down!

I will be walking the floor at NSTA in San Francisco March 10-12 and would enjoy meeting with any of our distributors who will be attending. Drop me an email at jgura@fischertech.com and we'll arrange a time.

I'll also be at Pittcon in Atlanta March 14-16. Fischer Technical will not have a booth at this show, but I will be at the show much of Monday and Tuesday. Please contact me to schedule a time to meet and we can discuss new products and opportunities for us!

More soon....

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