Time Travel - 15/09/04

The most precious asset to a small business owner is time, and wasting it in an airport lounge is not the best way to utilise it. As every business traveller knows, airports can be frustrating places. A delayed flight can mean a wait of several hours. Technical problems with aircraft and a lack of available ground staff, as British Airways found to its cost last month, can cause infuriating time-consuming delays. Follow these tips to save time and money…

• Pick the earliest flight to your destination, there are less likely to be any delays, any delays from the previous day will have been made up over night.
• Choose and airline and stick to it. Loyalty Programmes really do reward. Virgin Atlantic offer “Flying Club” a few Economy trips to New York will reward you with the Silver Card allowing check in at the Premium and First Class desks allowing you to arrive later than the usual 3 hour minimum check in time.

  Time Used: 10 Minutes
  Time Saved: Up to 1.5 Hours (if you arrive late)

• Ask for an “Exit Seat” you’ll need to be physically fit in case of an emergency (as you might have to open the aircraft door) But you’ll be first off the plane and first inline for Immigration, Customs and baggage reclaim.

  Time Used: First On First Off
  Time Saves: Up to 1 hour

• Fill in your immigration forms on the aircraft. Make no mistakes, any cross outs, data in the wrong area will lead to you being sent back to the end of the line with a new form to fill in.

  Time Used: 5 Minutes (if you get it right, and you’re also first off the plane)
  Time Saved: Up to 1.5 hours (if you get it wrong)

TOTAL TIME SAVED: 4 Hours
TOTAL OVER A YEAR: 20 Hours (based on 5 flights a year)
WORKING DAYS: Three Days (approx)

Written By Simon Johnson
Xbridge Decision Finance

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