Work Trip Dilemma

[EmmaJBas]

Hi,

I work for an overseas government.

There’s a big meeting scheduled at HQ next month. My boss advocated for me to go - great!

Catch is that it’s a 12.5hr overnight flight (Monday), straight into work (Tuesday), two full days of meetings, fly home after last meeting (Thursday).

My boss is travelling Business, me Economy.
Total journey time ~16hrs.

Struggle to sleep on flights at the best of times, will be broken and not my best self with my new colleagues and management (been here 5 months). Plus feel a bit devalued.

Proposed to fly indirect at a fraction of of the cost (in Business) but not allowed.
Choice of carrier means can’t even use my own loyalty points to upgrade.

Should I suck it up, get back in my box and feel grateful?

Thoughts welcome and don’t want to be unreasonable. Thank you.

That’s pretty terrible. When I think back to times travelling when I was early in career that would have been fine - a good adventure and I had more energy - but now travelling long haul for work if not business frankly I am going to be a tired mess.

Is there any room to go a day or so early if the flights classes are watched over so much?

Your suggestion of indirect business seems the most sensible to me

I know plenty of business people in very senior positions who have been flying economy for years, multiple times a year, on longer flights than that (often 2 x 12 hours back to back). I'd just deal with it.

That’s a great suggestion and one I’ll make, thank you. Highly unlikely to be accepted as against policy (as is staying on) but shows flexibility proposing to use one’s weekend.

(Double kicker is I was an airline marketing manager for years so hurts writing this 🤦‍♀️)

Fair enough, good perspective, thank you.

It’s the straight to work bit after likely little to no sleep for 24hrs that I’m struggling with.

I used to travel a lot on business. One company made everyone travel economy. Company Two everybody travelled business.

Having the boss go business while you are in economy is not acceptable - particularly given the fact that you are ‘on’ first thing the next day. This is a crazy schedule!

That's what plenty of people do and it is hard, but they do it. Try to sleep on the plane. Hopefully you get a day on return to catch up a bit?

Your answer depresses me further but thank you (and of course I agree)…

Literally sucking any joy out of travel and my industry is destination marketing.

My DH is high senior management and flies economy. He does 2 x 12 hours (or 1 x 10 followed by 1 x 14), then whatever connection to the final destination. Straight into work for 4-7 days, then same trip straight back home again. No make up days to catch up at home, even if he's travelling over the weekend.

Frankly, I’d refuse to go. I need my sleep & can’t function without.

your boss going business & you economy is insulting.

I used to similar 2/3 times a year. Just roll up your sleeves and crack on. You will sleep on the return flight!

No problem if everyone flies economy. As per my post.

Personally I chose to jump ship as endless economy travel eventually wore me out.

That’s intense and fascinating. There must be great variations in travel policies and work patterns and expectations depending on country of employment and industry tbh. Out of interest, does your DH work in the US?

And to be clear, this is not about shirking but figuring a sustainable solution.

Thanks.

Fair enough, thank you.

Hard agree. As a menopausal woman, sleep is not my friend at the best of times (!) so it’s a general struggle. But I certainly put in a shift, don’t ever whinge, overdelicer, etc., and am just trying to figure how to come up with a sustainable solution or proposal. Thanks.

No, he doesn't work in the US. He has travelled there a few times though.

He only does this 3-4 times a year.

My DH only does it 3-4 times a year, so not continual. That would be very hard.

I’d refuse to go.

that’s a totally unrealistic journey to be expected to take.

I do this maybe 5 times a year. Everyone travel’s economy and mostly due to timing I’ll do a 12 hour overnight flight, land and go straight to meeting / office / event, work all day and not get to accommodation until late, with several packed days in a row before heading home on another overnight flight. I think you get used to it and adrenaline kicks in.

Typically I’ll travel wearing no make up, put on a hydrating night cream and try and sleep. I don’t sleep well but won’t take a plane meal, eye mask on and ear plugs in, rarely touch the in-flight entertainment. Both the meal and screen reduce my chance of any sleep.

Before landing take electrolytes and drink lots of water. Coffee and breakfast. Do make-up and clothes change at airport and then head to where I’m needed.

Honestly I’d just deal with it rather than look for ways to change it.

Thank you, that’s my sense.
Flip side is my boss would say they pushed for me to go - good for my profile, learning, etc. Unworkable IMO but think I’ll have to go along with it.

Thousands of people do it every single day. It's pretty normal.

Uber pragmatic: appreciate your perspective and tips 💪🏽

I would push to fly home on Friday morning instead of directly after your last meeting on Thursday.

Of course they’ll try to sell it to you as an opportunity. Dangling promotion and other carrots. Been there, done that. While all the time you work countless extra hours - not to mention being away from home and missing family time.

Hard agree. It’s going to be tough but will have to suck up and bring my A game… and melatonin 😶

Take some diphenhydramine (Benadryl) as well - more effective than Melatonin and available OTC and at Poundland. You can take one of each if needed.

Drink plenty of water but no alcohol. Bring warm socks, a scarf and an eye mask.