Executive Travel

* Name: Hugo Pastore Jr.

* Position: District supervisor, General Services Administration, Los Angeles

I arrive at the airport at least one hour before my flight is to depart. During this hour, I check in and relax by reading the Los Angeles Times or local newspaper and enjoying a cup of coffee.

By checking in early, I have been able to change to aisle seats (from middle seats), and I have been able to fly on first class (with coach-class tickets) simply by asking the airline attendant.

Arriving early to the airport allows me to avoid the stress of last-minute hassles such as having to walk through the metal detector machine two or three times because of accessories I forgot I am carrying, and worrying that I will miss the flight as a result.

I gain peace of mind by not feeling rushed and am able to get in the airplane feeling relaxed. I know it is not always possible for every business traveler to be early for a flight. I think, however, that we sometimes stretch our business day longer than necessary; we think that we will have plenty of time to catch our next flight, only to find ourselves later in a mad rush to get to the airport and to our flight, creating for ourselves unnecessary stress.

We have seen people at airports running wildly, hearts pounding, legs pumping, luggage in tow, trying to get to a flight at the last minute. I don’t want to be that person, because it does not look like fun. I want to enjoy my short stays at airports.