{"id":367096,"date":"2021-09-19T00:34:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-19T07:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jorgep.com\/blog\/?p=367096"},"modified":"2021-09-20T21:30:17","modified_gmt":"2021-09-21T04:30:17","slug":"my-first-flight-in-16-months","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jorgep.com\/blog\/my-first-flight-in-16-months\/","title":{"rendered":"My First Flight in 16+ months!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Following my blog post: My first in-person presentation post pandemic experience<\/a> , I am writing this post at the Delta SkyClub in Seattle SeaTac Airport. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I took my first flight today in over 16 months. It was not a business trip, but a personal one. From Phoenix to Seattle and back later in the day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you do not know about me, I used to be a road-warrior. My life was weekly travel and my second home were planes, hotels, airline clubs and rental cars. I’ve done this routine Monday through Thursday (sometimes Friday) for dozens of years . My week was filled with customers visits, dinners and, although at times it was tiresome, I loved it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes my life changed drastically, but I am very grateful and lucky to work at a great company, Dell Technologies, which has been incredibly supportive, strategically proactive during these trying times. I am also equally thankful that the type of work I do and have been doing for most of my professional life can be done remotely. Covid-19 hit the USA and on March 17, 2020 and all non-essential travel was halted until further notice. As of today, my company has not yet lifted the restrictions, and it looks like the current travel-exception policy will be in effect until early 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The next day went back to the day to day of virtual meetings and presentations until today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Do I miss travel?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Just the other night, out of the blue, my wife asked me if I miss travelling.. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I do not miss the grueling business travel schedule ( 4 days – sometimes 4 -5 different cities\/states – a week). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having said this, I DO miss travel a lot. I miss the planes, the airports, the people watching, looking out the plane window, the schedule pressure and the downtime. (Even some of the bad food – Yes I had some today!) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My choice of airline for years has been Delta Airlines, and it did not disappoint on this trip! Very clear communications, expectations, details on what to expect, and everything in between! – Super clean planes, and friendly staff ( not a commercial – just really like this company! ).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HOWEVER the travel experience has changed<\/strong>. It is not only the masks, or the awareness of the virus dangerous but the whole experience. It is just different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bottom Line For Me: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It made me realize what a different world we live in still. <\/strong> Very different and it made me a bit sad. Not only for me but for all of the many thousands \/ millions of people that are still affected by the pandemic. It is incredible to think we are going into 2 years of this, and, although we are better with vaccinations, we have a ways to go. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyday feels the same as the other now days. Almost no difference between weekends and weekdays. I miss the memories made while on the road… It provided a break or breakpoint in the “routine of life”. I miss the freedom to go places without stopping to think about whether it is safe or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I know some out there say that it is a self imposed state of mind, but it is what I am thinking? I miss the old days… <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tomorrow I will be back to virtual meetings, Zoom and Team calls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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