Bob - probably true, but I’ve very rarely actually made a plane wait - that queue in the tunnel solves for that. Even if so, the plane still arrives in time - schedules are met due to “speeding up in the air”, and space in the schedule for folk like me.

Tom - the two house idea is great - my Father does that for Auckland and Wellington, keeping a tiny place in Auckland for less than the hotel cots. A boat to, say, the Caribbean, sounds a lot better..

Don - yes families should have a better way as well, but not the same way as stressed and stressful business travellers… more to come.

i once commmuted AKL –> BNE return every week for 7 months, only a measly 3.5 hour flight each way, but enough to drive me mad… i too got utterly frustrated at the senseless discomfort of ‘business class’ - my aspirations of getting some decent work done were quickly dashed…

i also very quickly sussed out the check-in as late as possible trick (lance - you should have kept that one a secret - it only works ‘cos everyone else doesn’t do it!!)

& i learnt to utterly minimalise luggage - i once boarded an AKL bound flight with no check-in luggage and carrying just my wallet, mobile, passport, keys to car parked at AKL airport, and an A5 notebook + pen - nothing else. (tho, i did have the benefit of 2 houses, so didn’t need to carry clothes etc.)

& i learnt the alternatives are as follows:
1] don’t fly! (do the meetings online, or make them fly to you)
2] take a boat instead (yeah right)
3] get your own plane (sure….)
awaiting enlightenment from your next post on a new alternative!