gretchendz

This question is especially for those of you who women flyers who traveled for business pre-pandemic.....have you returned to normal business travel? a new normal? No travel at all? I'm just curious as I just read an article suggesting business travel was back at approximately 40% of its prepandemic level.

Hoyaheel

I'm still working from home- hoping to continue - but my office is starting to go back next week, I think (general emails say yes- I haven't heard about anyone specifically) We just got word that domestic travel no longer needs to be approved, still need approval for international travel. Since I work in global health, most travel is international. It's possible to get approval -my boss has been back in Kenya since she was allowed back in the country (though that was challenging as entrance requirements keep changing). Might be a while still before I do any business travel - though I don't do as much as many FTers..... (and we just cancelled our 1st leisure trip post- pandemic - had planned Galapagos in December and just not comfortable with a cruise- even so few people - and, very FT of him, my husband hated all the flight options and preferred to cancel ;-)

businesscasual

I'm traveling for the first time for business next week, actually, and expect to continue to travel domestically this fall. International travel will probably not be until next Spring, but it is coming.

I feel like my ability to plan and pack for business travel has atrophied in the past year, though! I actually had to make a list to be sure I wasn't forgetting something important!

CDTraveler

I have 2 short business trip possibilities in the next 3 weeks, but travel would be via Amtrak, not by air. First is NYC next week, and can't be done online. The second is DC, with an online option, altho it would be better for me to attend in person. Still on the fence about both of them.

travelmad478

I�m right there with you. Leaving tomorrow on my first international trip in almost two years, and I just barely remembered that I needed to pack plug adapters!

rsqrott

So much! I had to purchase a refundable ticket for a post security appointment at LGA and completely forgot to put my known traveler # on my reservation. They take away your flytertalk membership for that, don't they?

FWIW regular security at LGA terminal B was a breeze and the new terminal is quite large so make sure you wear comfy shoes if you're passing through. Lots of walking from check in to gates.

CDTraveler

Update: business trip #1 I cancelled. I hated missing that huge trade show, but I have real concerns about being in a crowded building with a lot of international exhibitors.

Still hoping to make it to DC in early August.

gretchendz

We promise rsqrott we won't rat you out !!!

businesscasual

I got home and realized I left something in the hotel room. I haven't done that in years. Fortunately it was just a travel size shower gel, so no big loss.

gretchendz

I was a bit hasty calling this "post pandemic" travel. Stupid Delta variant!

I'm still booking travel but I make sure it is all easily cancellable. Trips planned: Colorado, Germany for Christmas, Hawaii for aniversary, Mexico cruise in April, and two weeks on Crete in July. Placing bets with myself as to how many will get cancelled. Still there's hope though!

travelmad478

We just came home from Iceland last week. After reading the COVID news from the US for the two weeks while we were away, I was fairly freaked out getting onto a plane from EWR-MSY to connect home. We have no trips scheduled at the moment, and until this Delta thing burns its way through the US, I am in no rush to plan anything. We’ve been vaccinated for more than a year (Mr. travelmad478 and I are part of the Pfizer clinical trial) and I’m worried about my antibody levels dwindling.

lalala

I started a new position at the end of March which would have involved weekly travel. Now, not so much. We're a science agency, so there is no thoughts that we're going back in the next few months. Going forward, I will either spend one week a month at my home site and the rest at remote. There are rules around remote v. telework that have tax and salary consequences - I would fare much better going remote, but accepted this position knowing that unless I wanted to move to my new job site, I would be commuting.

So long story short - not for work. All meeting travel is also shut down unless you wear a suit on a daily basis.

We've started to do some travel, but keeping it in places with mask mandates (Hawaii in July , NM in August and Iceland a week ago). Pretty much given up any hope that we'll be heading to Europe in December and staying closer to home.

CDTraveler

Made it to DC twice in August. First time by driving down on a Friday - which should have taken us 2.5 hours but took over 5 hours. 5 hours on Interstate 95 on a hot, sunny day. That part sucked. The work was on a film set with strict COVID precautions in place, so no worries there. After work finished we visited the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, which was new to us and really lovely. It also required masks even tho it was a large (federal) public garden.

Second trip was via Amtrak to attend a film screening. Amtrak's masking rule didn't seem to be strictly enforced, but overall seemed to be obeyed. DC Metro masking was very good. Hyatt Regency Bethesda seems to use COVID for a very extensive cutback in amenities, like paper cups for coffee, number of towels in the room, etc. The manager now clearly understands how I feel about the extent of "COVID" cutbacks . Seriously, only 2 paper coffee cups and no bathroom cups for a room for 2 people?

The film screening had restricted access, so social distancing in the huge theater was not a problem. Allowing people to take their masks off while "eating" was an issue, as a large group near us (groups sat together, then space between groups) never put their masks back on after the popcorn was gone. However, it's 4 weeks later and neither of us got sick, so all is good.

I still wouldn't attend a crowded, indoor event right now. For example, I'm missing my favorite quilt show this weekend. I'm dreaming of attending Floriade Expo 2022 and really hope by then it won't feel like you're risking your life to get on a crowded airplane.

businesscasual

Floriade in Europe or Floriade in Australia? I've been to the one in Australia and loved it.

gretchendz

The next European one is: https://floriade.com/en/at-the-expo/

Which looks really lovely. Lots of river cruises are scheduled to be visitng it as well. Tempting!