LocumLife - January 2009 - (Page 6) RESOURCES The basics A primer on locum tenens practice Minimizing the impact of air travel As locum tenens providers, you depend on a variety of support services to ensure that you are able to compete for—and complete—contracts. One of the most universal services that this practice alternative relies on is air travel. Christopher Robinson, MD seating, and baggage-handling fees for checked luggage. To help fellow locum tenens professionals cope with these changes, here are some practical suggestions that can diminish the potential for complications in the air and on the ground. PLAN TO SUCCEED Whether you succeed in having a pleasant flight can easily be measured by arriving at your destination on time and relaxed. With proper planning, you can avoid misadventure in the air and reach your contract destination with time to spare. One of the first things to do when selecting an airline is to review past histories of the flight options at hand. R ecent hikes in the cost of jet fuel have exacerbated the economic crisis facing major U.S. airline carriers. Consequently, air travelers have been impacted both directly and indirectly as airlines strive to maintain a positive margin. Some of these changes have included decreasing the number of routes to destinations, reducing the number of seats available, and canceling flights—which have all resulted in fewer empty seats per flight. In addition, escalating ticket prices are further amplified by extra fees for previously free services like snacks, drinks, requests for window or aisle AIR TRAVEL TIPS Review the on-time performance rating for your flight or airport before booking a seat. Choose a flight that utilizes larger aircraft to reduce the odds of travel interruptions. Select early morning flights to avoid delays and cancellations later in the day. Avoid connecting flights when possible to prevent lost baggage. Book your seating in advance and according to your travel goals. Arrive at the airport early. 6 LocumLife JANUARY 2009 Print your boarding pass in advance. Check with the airlines to find out their standard measurements for carry-on bags Pack light to reduce luggage volume. Ship additional items to your destination by overnight courier when necessary. Wear comfortable clothes and select shoes that are easily removable to avoid holdups at the security stations. Pack snacks and bring bottled water on your flight. You can find the on-time performance rating for any flight or airport at www. flightstats.com. Knowing this information in advance can help you pre-select flights that are more likely to provide optimal service. When multiple flights offer similar on-time performance, choose one that utilizes larger aircraft to reduce the odds of travel interruptions. It is no secret that flight cancellations and delays also contribute additional costs to air travel. When trying to avoid cancellations or delays, flights that impact fewer travelers are more likely to be sacrificed before those that hold more passengers. Choosing flights that occur earlier in the morning can also decrease the chance of flight delays and cancellations. Usually, these situations tend to increase as the day progresses due to the rise in air traffic around major airports and the increased incidence of adverse weather in the late afternoon. When these conditions arise, air traffic control requires more time between takeoff and landings, leading to departure delays. Finally, by decreasing the number of connections, you not only can reduce the likelihood of postponements and long waits, but also can prevent the loss of checked bags. LESS STRESS AT THE AIRPORT When traveling through the nation’s airports, try to make your trip as comfortable as possible by getting to the www.LocumLife.com http://www.flightstats.com http://www.flightstats.com http://www.LocumLife.com
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