I am afraid so! I did not see it when it was released, and seldom watch the IFE, as it is all the same once you have seen the months releases on your first flight of the month. Last year I was flying to Calgary and Up In The Air was on the IFE, and as I had seen so much about it on FT I could not resist it. The first time I found it highly amusing, particularly all the little FF tricks that one acquires over the years. I was cackling throughout. It also struck a chord about the nomadic lifestyle. Quite a hard strike actually.

Mrs antichef was in the next CW berth and asked what the cackling was about. We were on a business trip and she works for my company, she accompanies me occasionally if the trip warrants it (and she fancies it!). I got her to start the film at the same time as me and talked her through some of the angles. I think it gave her another insight - rather than just hearing it from me, and disbelieving it as husband talk!! As gold in a few airline schemes, and similar in four hotel schemes, and Presidents Circle with Hertz she has seen me waltz through airports with a very comfortable air, in and out of hotels with upgrades and waft through Hertz collections and drop offs with ease. The scene of playing snap with the cards came to mind

What you don't see is when you wake up in a hotel after a tiring day/night and are not sure where you are! Alcohol free too!! When the thought of another flight or two before the end of the week gives you heartsink. When the plans keep changing and there is another rescheduling to sort. Finally the fussing from the bean counters who query the expense and want a justification - when they know that you have never claimed any extra in years of weekly travel and they have seen every bill. I have one client who reimburses my travel costs and yet queries almost every route choice and item, even though when explained have always been proven to be the most cost efficient. They have a written requirement for flexible econ travel and yet ask why the fare costs £xx when it can be got for £yy on an Internet search, but they are not looking at flex econ but non- flex fares!! Petty but time consumingly annoying.

It has been said by those who know me well that I seem most at home when I am travelling (and in control of things) - and seem more restless and eager to get away on the few days when I am "at home". Home really seems to be 1D.

Anyway, it made me take a long hard look at what I was doing and the effect it was having. The answer is yes it is fairly sad and it can be that bad. EuropeanPete and I seem to be at one there.^

On the positive side. It did shock me a little and I am trying to do things slightly differently.