How Do You Get to Fly So Much?
Nov 21, 2009 | 4:42 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: DL, UA, Avianca, Mariott Gold
Posts: 226
How Do You Get to Fly So Much?
For me being new to ft i've been amazed at how much some people fly and was wondering what kind of jobs you guys have to be needed to fly so much besides pilots or fa's
Nov 22, 2009 | 3:18 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2009
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy LT Gold
Posts: 5,566
Being a pilot and FA is different from being a mileage junkie.
My job is not anything spectacular but it's related to IT. And I'm getting a crappy pay with the only perk (or some might consider hassle) being the need to travel every month.
My job is not anything spectacular but it's related to IT. And I'm getting a crappy pay with the only perk (or some might consider hassle) being the need to travel every month.
Nov 22, 2009 | 3:21 am
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: NYC (formerly BOS/DCA)
Programs: UA 1K, IC RA
Posts: 60,745
Nov 22, 2009 | 8:49 am
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL AC*E50
Posts: 23,584
not as impressive as 160k, but just for fun, no work related travel
2008 - 88447 miles
2009 - 80169 miles
2010 - already 60000+ booked
I too work full time.
about 20% of my travel is up front, thanks to FT ^
2008 - 88447 miles
2009 - 80169 miles
2010 - already 60000+ booked
I too work full time.
about 20% of my travel is up front, thanks to FT ^
Nov 22, 2009 | 12:13 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: AS-GoldMVP,Hilton, Hyatt, Hertz
Posts: 915
I travel about 75/25 work and pleasure every year. I have 3 more trips before Christmas this year, one is pleasure, two are work. I work with actors as a PA so I fly where ever the ones I am working with are making personal appearances.
So far for 2010 I have just finished booking 55,000 miles worth of flights for work, and I have two flights to Sydney that I haven't booked yet, but will be shortly. Those are only the flights I know for sure right now, haven't book the personal stuff yet, but know when I am going.
So far for 2010 I have just finished booking 55,000 miles worth of flights for work, and I have two flights to Sydney that I haven't booked yet, but will be shortly. Those are only the flights I know for sure right now, haven't book the personal stuff yet, but know when I am going.
Nov 22, 2009 | 1:20 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: IAD
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 1,959
I do about 125K personal, and about 40K for work. I've found that if you actively seek out travel opportunities at work, most of the time you'll succeed. Then again, my co-workers once said that I've mastered the art of going to my boss and saying, "I need to go to X, for Y" with a straight face 
Nov 22, 2009 | 1:28 pm
#9
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Northern Nevada
Programs: DL,EK
Posts: 1,653
I do a bit of travel for work, but since I own the (very small) company, it is all on my dime in the end. Through a mix of pleasure and business travel this year, I have done:
1. Two trips USA to PRG
2. USA to SYD
3. USA to ICN/PEK/NRT/PVG/FNJ (one long trip)
4. Doing USA to DXB (business) and KRT (fun) next week.
1. Two trips USA to PRG
2. USA to SYD
3. USA to ICN/PEK/NRT/PVG/FNJ (one long trip)
4. Doing USA to DXB (business) and KRT (fun) next week.
Nov 22, 2009 | 3:01 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,784
For me, the answer is that I have staff in the UK (MAN/LHR), near SJC, and in PHX, so I visit them all at least quarterly, usually more often. I also visit customers wherever they may be. This year it was mainly GLA, ORF, and ATL. Last year it was PNS, BTR, MAF, and LAS for the most part. Next year will probably involve MAA several times.
There are folks on here who easily log 300k per year as consultants and the like commuting to and from customers on a weekly basis, which makes my 100-150k look like nothing.
Nov 22, 2009 | 5:16 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 237
I had a 100% travel job, as a software trainer, for 10 years. Now I do contracting, but this year has been slow. I've had 2 work trips. The rest of my 50,000 miles have been personal. I'm looking for another 100% travel training job.
Nov 22, 2009 | 5:58 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus, HH Gold, Hertz PC, National Executive, etc.
Posts: 31,684
Technology consulting for me - on the road about 45 weeks a year, well over 2.5M BIS miles, at clients sites all around (46 states, 7 provinces, 29 countries, and counting) - everywhere but my hometown.
For the first 10 or so years it was "how do I get to fly so much". For the last 10 it's been "why do I have to fly so much". Kids will do that.
For the first 10 or so years it was "how do I get to fly so much". For the last 10 it's been "why do I have to fly so much". Kids will do that.
Nov 22, 2009 | 9:18 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: New Egypt NJ
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 2,922
MCTUBBS, PM me. Not sure what your background is, but my company is actually hiring.
Nov 22, 2009 | 9:50 pm
#15
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Santa Cruz, CA USA
Programs: AA, UA, WN, HH, Marriott
Posts: 7,293
For me one question has always been whether people who fly 150K/year have a family. And if so, what responsibilities, other than financial, they have toward their families.