If airlines have now moved to a pay-for-what-you-use business model, do I get a refund if I pay but don't get the services promised? How about lost luggage? My ticket entitles me and my luggage to get to my destination together, that is, at the same time. Yet who hasn't had the airlines misplace their luggage at least once in their travel lives?

But who do you know who ever got a refund for those lost bags?

By "lost" I mean delayed, i.e., bags that miss your flight and arrive after you do. Luggage that's lost is something for which you can file a claim. I'm talking about the luggage you are paying $15 to check.

So shouldn't the pay-for-what-you-use (i.e., a la carte) model work both ways? And shouldn't it be extended to luggage? If not, why not? If yes, when will we see the airlines change?

Shouldn't the airlines be held to a higher level of accountability for not delivering what passengers are paying extra for? From where I sit, the checked baggage fee entitles me to either on-time delivery of my bags or a full refund for bags that get delivered late. But I'm not sure the airlines have thought through that part of the user fee equation.

How about you? Have you ever tried to recover the $15 checked baggage fee when your baggage was late catching up to you?

Road Warrior • Miami • www.us.amadeus.com

Once upon a time the airlines had this rule called the Saturday night stay, and business travelers hated it because it was aimed at them.

Earlier this year, when high fuel prices pressured the airlines to find new ways to raise revenue, carriers tried to revive the Saturday night stay. That effort was short-lived, but carriers said they'd keep trying.

The Saturday night stay put road warriors into the position of either paying lots more for their airline ticket or having to stay on the road for an extra night or two. Of course, the one thing business travelers don't want to do is to spend extra time on the road when they instead can be home for the weekend and spend that time with friends and family.

In the meantime, carriers have increasingly been seeking to introduce two- and three-night stays where one-night stays had been the rule. The minimum-stay rule originated as a way to separate business travelers from leisure travelers by forestalling business travelers from taking advantage of discount fares. Road warriors typically don't have a lot of flexibility in their travel plans, and the airlines know it.

For a while the discount carriers motivated the network carriers to simplify their fares, but then high fuel prices undermined that trend. But recently, with fuel prices lower than they've been in years and consumer confidence declining, the airlines are scrambling like never before to fill seats any way they can.

The downturn is keeping a large percentage of business travelers at home, however, as companies continue to cut back on corporate travel.

My opinion is that the airlines won't actively pursue the Saturday night stay revenue strategy so long as the economy has the "slows." Right now it is a buyer's market for air travel, and although business travelers still have to contend with a frustrating combination of fees and surcharges, smart road warriors know there are deals to be had.

I believe that the minimum-stay rule won't be making a comeback anytime soon. Business travelers have a lot of options right now for saving money simply because so many travelers are just not traveling.

Road Warrior • Miami • www.us.amadeus.com

You may have read that Air Canada's regional airline Jazz has removed life vests from all of its aircraft to save weight and thus get better fuel mileage. I've read that the reason Jazz can do this is that Canadian regulations permit airlines to use flotation devices (i.e., seat cushions) rather than life vests — with the provision that the planes stay within 50 miles of the shoreline. I'm not quite sure where they came up with the 50-mile rule, but Jazz is taking the regulators at their word.

The natural question that many are asking is, is this taking fuel savings to an extreme? Does eliminating life jackets compromise safety? Aren't life jackets superior to seat cushions when push comes to shove?

Frankly, I always wondered if life jackets weren't just so much window dressing. After all, when was the last time you heard of a passenger jet crash-landing with passengers hopping out with their life jackets on? As it turns out, this month a plane crashed into the Hudson River in New York City, leaving 155 people on board to strap on those life jackets and hang on to the wings of the plane while waiting to be rescued. My colleague and fellow blogger Robert Buckman says that there have been two or three airplane accidents in the past 20 years in which passenger lives have been saved by life jackets.

Who knew?

Which brings me bank to my original question — are carriers like Jazz pushing the envelope on the whole fuel savings issue? Some say that if the airlines are looking for sensible ways to slash weight, they ought to first look at cutting the baggage weight allowance for passengers.

On the other hand, how likely is it for modern passenger jets with their large, low-hanging engines to land on the water? Well, not terribly likely, but it does happen once in a great while, and I for one would prefer to have a life jacket to tie on rather than try to float in choppy waters with just a seat cushion. Life jackets can make a difference.

Apparently the domestic airlines have been thinking of other things to remove from planes as well, like trash carts, not to mention meals.

How about seat belts? Do they really serve a purpose? some have asked. Well, if you've never been on flight that has hit serious air turbulence you wouldn't ask that question. Answer: Yes, they sure do.

If it were up to me, I'd lose all of those magazines that nobody reads — most passengers either bring their own reading material, or their laptop or iPod, or they watch the in-flight movie, or they take a nap.

What else can the airlines jettison without safety coming into question? What are the airlines missing in the toss-it-overboard department?

Road Warrior • Miami • www.us.amadeus.com

Technology is changing the security picture for airplane passengers.

The TSA (Federal Transportation Security Administration) reportedly will relax its rules on liquids in carry-on luggage by the third quarter of 2009. Although liquids will still need to be placed in a separate bin, the development of an advanced X-ray will enable TSA screeners to tell the difference between liquids that pose a threat and those that do not.

Further progress in the screening technology means that most if not all restrictions on liquids in carry-ons may be removed by the end of 2010.

In the meantime, one way savvy road warriors have discovered to deal with the ban on taking, say, a bottle of water is to take an empty bottle through the screening process. Once you're through security, you can fill up at a faucet or fountain. An insulated coffee mug works, too.

Of course, right now you are limited to carrying on all the three-ounce bottles of liquids, aerosols, or gels you can fit inside a 1 quart plastic bag. But once current restrictions are eased late next year, business travelers will once again be able to carry toothpaste tubes and shampoo bottles larger than three ounces.

Then, when the new checkpoint X-ray technology is rolled out the year after that, travelers likely will be able to take those larger liquid containers right in their carry-on bags and right through the screening process. That's one small step in the right direction because it's one less thing that harried business travelers will have to deal with. I look forward to more of those kinds of changes in this New Year.

Happy New Year, and happy to trails to you.

With a tough year comes tough decisions, and for a Road Warrior like me, tough destinations. Today I'm heading to Tulsa. There are no non-stops, so I'm connecting through Chicago. It's Sunday, but I'm leaving my family. The presentation is going to be in an Italian Restaurant, but I like Italian food. It's work, and right now with our economy crumbling around us, I'll take any seminar thrown my way… including one in an Italian restaurant in Tulsa.

Wait! Before you fly off the handle at my apparent slight towards poor Tulsa, I have no problem with this Oklahoma city. It's just a name. If it really bothers you, just put in another name, however make sure that whatever name you fill in represents a destination or task that isn't as glamorous or easy as you are used to.

I've been a professional speaker and Road Warrior for over 25 years. I paid my dues with many a Tulsa, or Topeka, or Toledo. It's just that as my business has grown, the glamour of where I go has kept pace. I typically speak in Chicago, or New Orleans, or Los Angeles, or Boston. And for a Washingtonian, these are locations that are easy to get to, fun to stay at, and easy to get home from. That's because I typically speak at the larger hotels and convention centers… not Italian restaurants. I never thought I would be going back to Tulsa, but then again, I never thought we would be involved in the worst economic crisis I would ever witness so far in my lifetime.

But I do not write this blog to smash Tulsa, but to praise it. You see Tulsa paid Rob Jolles to come out and speak. That's what I do for a living. Maybe I'm losing you so I'll give you some perspective on this particular trip I was working with a really nice person named Kelly. She was coordinating the speaking engagement. Last Thursday she and 100 other employees were laid off from the financial company that was sponsoring this event. Wait, a minute ago wasn't it me who was whining about what? Oh yeah, I would need to take a connecting flight to get to Tulsa.

I'm not fond about traveling on Sundays. Right now I'll leave on a Sunday if I have to. I'm not fond about traveling to locations without non-stops. Right now I'll tough it out.

I finished that seminar in Tulsa, and may I add I was blown away by the kindness of the folks from Oklahoma who seemed to want to hear what I had to say. The travel Gods were looking out for me because all four flights including connections in Chicago and Atlanta, (if you are a Road Warrior you just winced), were all on time.

Lesson: As we head into 2009, and away from "Shock-tober" I think we all need to remember that the Tulsa's of the world should be eagerly anticipated by all. Next week I'm heading to Little Rock!

This week my travels take me to San Francisco. You would think that all trips are the same, and logically they should be, but there's something about the longer trips. I live outside of Washington, D.C., so San Francisco is about five and a half hours in the air. Most trips that require connecting flights are about as long, but for the sake of this story, let's just stick with the fact that San Francisco is a long way from Washington, D.C.

Line up a bunch of Road Warriors, and you will hear the strangest superstitions you can imagine. Line them up for longer trips, and those superstitions tend to increase in number. Here are just a few of mine for those longer trips.

• I like to work out before trips. Before West Coast trips it's an obsession.
• I wear special socks on these trips.
• I wear a special shirt and pants as well.
• I won't read the sports page from the Washington Post.

I suppose I could go on, but by now you are getting the gist of it. Like most Road Warriors I have my superstitions, but I don't call them superstitions, and contrary to popular opinion from my friends, I don't call them compulsions either. To me, they're logical.

• I like to work out before trips. Before West Coast trips it's an obsession. That's because there's a lot of sitting and the better the workout, the easier it is to sit.
• I wear special socks, shirts and pants as well.They're soft, and they're comfortable enough to sit in for five to six hours.
• These compulsions crisscross many of the things I do including never eating popcorn until the first words are spoken in the feature film I've come to see. But that's because I want to eat my popcorn while watching the movie I paid to see – not the advertisements I didn't pay to see.

Now before you say, "Could this be more silly? I think Jolles and his blog have jumped the shark!" I say to you I'm quite proud of my superstitions, but if it's okay with you, I'll call them my disciplined moments. In my humble opinion, I think discipline is the secret of many successful people. No, I'm not talking about the military discipline we so often associate with that term. I mean something much deeper.

It starts early in life. Maybe it's piano lessons, maybe it's school homework, or possibly shooting baskets. To be successful, they all required some form of discipline. The discipline to play piano for 30 minutes a day, or the discipline to wait to turn on the television until the homework is done, or even the discipline to take 50 lay-ups a day using your other hand.

As we get a little older, the concept of discipline remains with us. Once we get our first job and move out into that first apartment, a new series of disciplines are needed. The discipline to begin saving money, or the discipline to put up with a low-level manager, or even the discipline handle our new-found, late-hour freedom.

As we mature and get a little older, that one word continues to permeate our lives. Now on the discipline table the stakes continue to grow. The discipline to manage money, manage what we eat, to find a spouse, and the discipline to work hard and stay put when that marriage requires effort.

If you don't believe in the powers of discipline, answer the following questions. First, "What is the one goal in my life that is not impossible, but I have not conquered?" Once you've written the answer to that question, ask yourself this question. "What effect would a disciplined approach to that particular issue have in my quest to achieve this goal?"

Lesson: Road Warriors learn this lesson of discipline, or they don't remain Road Warriors for long. It's not superstition to set small goals, and maintain the discipline to achieve them. One step at a time…

It's clear we've all been high jacked into the holiday season slightly early this year, and I'm here to tell you there's no turning back. I feel your pain. I too can barely stand the sappy holiday tunes blaring out of every retail store and coffee shop. The thought of shopping right now gives me hives—I really need Frosty and Rudolph to back off a bit and give me some space to procrastinate. At this point, it's best we accept that the holiday syndrome of seeking out the perfect gifts is upon us all and it's game time.

With the economy where it is, resourceful shopping is the theme this season. This is the perfect time to sit and think quality versus quantity. The easiest way to conquer your holiday shopping list painlessly and successfully (and on time!) is to tackle it bit by bit as you make your way through various business bound destinations during the next few weeks. Multi task if you will. Stop looking at your list as if it's a three-hour root canal, instead, consider it a self-guided retail adventure in a cool city.

No matter what your business destination, wrap up that last meeting as quick as you can, grab a cab and get your shop on. Below are a few of my favorite spots to shop while on the road in various cities.

San Francisco

San Francisco is one place you can truly experience the joy of ditching the miserable shopping malls in exchange for pounding the pavement to more creative and cultural destinations. Say bye-bye Union Square and hello Mission District. No matter who is on your list, one afternoon in The Mission will guarantee everyone on your list is covered.

The Curiosity Shoppe 55 Valencia Street 415.671.5384 Curiosityshoppeonline.com

This is the essence of inspired shopping. If you have time for only one shop pre-flight make it this one. This little wonder of whimsy is really a one stop-shopping emporium. If the most interesting object in your home is your television, than you really need a dose of curious. You will find things like vintage books, one-of-a kind jewelry, an apple jacket, (yes folks apples get cold too!) or perhaps your spouse deserves their very own colorful mermaid bottle opener--who doesn't! For the tots, grab an uber cool wood yo-yo for a great deal. The shop has letterpress art prints and other irresistibly affordable works for art enthusiasts and budding collector.

826 Valencia 826 Valencia Street 415-642-5905 826valenica.org

When I want to channel my inner Johnny Depp I slide into this haven of pure pirates booty. Novelist Dave Eggers launched this shop as a way to promote creative writing and the arts. It's a very under the radar spot. This self-proclaimed pirate supply store hawks everything you can imagine: from cool Jolly Roger Flags, and dice, to eye patches and even peg legs. 826 Valencia has a treasure trove of options.

Paxton Gate 824 Valencia Street 415-824-1872 Paxtongate.com

Let me warn you, this is truly an "only in San Francisco" store. It doesn't really get any more irreverent. It's likely the most unique and fun filled shop you'll ever buy anything from, so enter with an open mind and embrace the quirkiness of it all. Grab some azure butterflies under glass, gorgeous rare potted plants, dinosaur teeth, or skeletons of all sorts. It's a Goth slash taxidermist slash antique shop. I secretly want to have a birthday party here.

Dallas

Texans know how to get their shop on and I'm in training whenever I travel there. The mix of savvy shops listed below will bring your in-laws around to finally liking you.

Madison 45a Highland Park Village 214-528-8118 kkmadison.com

There's a gift I want at Madison purely for how coffee table worthy it is, but the wordsmith in your life will adore it for it's actual purpose. It's a must have sexy leather bound edition Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary. These come in happy and bright colors that might actually have you ditching Google and turning pages to spell check, old school style. If your boss is on the brink of a breakdown after all the layoffs give her an alligator-embossed Think Pad – for all her genius ideas and inspire her to find a way to move the company forward. Madison is packed with wondrous gifts for everyone from design gurus to chefs, traditionalists and those like you, on the go.

The Fitting Room 4111 Lomo Alto Drive 214-520-3600

For the fellow jet setters on your list, help them catch some zzzs on their next flight with Armand Diradourian's swank cashmere travel sets. Go ahead and grab one for yourself-- you deserve it. You can give your girls the gift of pretty with Baekgaard's hot pink mini-manicure kit or for the girl who has everything: a snakeskin wallet from Zina Eva-- maybe even slide in a few Benjamin's just to close the deal.

Forty-Five Ten 4510 McKinney Avenue 214-559-4510 fortyfiveten.com

This just might be the mother lode of high end shopping--8, 000 square feet of world-class goods. I personally need someone to hold my hand in here. It's a cool mix of fashion, accessories, and collections for the home, all merchandised with its own sassy point-of-view, along with its own café, the T Room. Your mama always said to say please and thank you --Well here's a nice way to say both--The Lucky 7 note cards, featuring horseshoes, four-leaf clovers, and monkeys are a nice treat. Pick up some soft and fuzzy cashmere balls, or Apothia's Chrismukkah candle. Random but also brilliant.

Los Angeles

Hollywood and Highland is so over. Abbott Kinney in Venice is where the real action is. Not only is this boulevard of retail loveliness only a few minutes' walk from the surf, sand and a handful of sales, it's also only a 15 minute drive from LAX. Score. I'm going to go ahead and say call in sick and make a whole day of it. Act like a local, shed the suit, grab some coffee, hit the beach for a splash in the surf, and then mosey on back to the boulevard for some pre-flight shopping. Start off at Westminster Avenue and Abbott Kinney and make your way towards Venice Blvd. This street is packed full of chic clothing boutiques, quirky shoe shops, unique house wares stores and eco kids shops. It even sports a rare bookstore. And there's a whole bunch of pretty, sunny people to stare at too!

Strange Invisible Perfumes 1138 Abbot Kinney Blvd 310-314-1505 Siperfumes.com

This is not your grandma's perfume shop. Strange Invisible Perfumes most closely resembles the sort of scent-making Willy Wonka would whip up. Owner Alexandra Balahoutis has concocted 22 ready-made, all-natural essence perfumes to tickle your senses. And if you want to really go the distance, (and you should) book a consultation with a perfumer and swirl up a custom scent for her that you can't resist.

Surfing Cowboys 1624 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice 310- 450-4891 Surfingcowboys.com

I'm a collector of Hawaiiana, so this spot is on my top ten list. Surfing Cowboys is part vintage furniture showroom, part vintage photography shop and part pop culture bookstore, with a little modern-day jewelry thrown in for no reason at all. If anyone on your list owned a surf or skateboard back in the 80's slide in and scoop up a cool board for memory sake. If you're seeking a perfect Hand Tinted Yosemite California Print, look no further.

Firefly
1413 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
310- 450-6288
Shopfirefly.com

Let's face it none of us need anymore of anything. Firefly makes you want to give not only to friends and family but also back to yourself. Grab a pair of sparkly and colorful Haviana's slippers for the tween on your list, or one of the cooking or coffee table books. There's lots of comfy clothing for women and babies, as well as silly cards and yummy bath products by La Luz and Mistral. And once you've crossed everyone off your list, there's a nice slab of sidewalk out front, too—perfect for a last minute bask in the California sunshine before boarding your flight home.

Managing your travel expenses is an important way to cut your company's costs. Managing those expenses well is also important in ensuring that you get reimbursed fully and promptly.

Although many businesspeople know their way around booking their travel, you'd be surprised how many don't know their way around an expense report. It's just as easy to make mistakes that will cost you big money as it is to do your expense report right.

Here is what I do to manage my travel expenses:

-- "Book in advance" is perhaps the most obvious and yet most commonly ignored piece of advice anyone can give you about how to manage your travel costs intelligently.

-- One caveat to this rule is if you think you may need to make last minute changes to your flight. You need to balance the price of that low fare ticket with the risk of having your travel plans change and possibly paying a higher airfare and/or change fee penalties.

-- Think about where you're going vs. the time of year you're going. Mull vacation patterns and how they could affect your own travel costs.

-- If you have the choice, you may be able to cut costs by using the "less obvious" airport. For example, in Chicago try Midway vs. O'Hare when you booking a low-fare carrier. Just remember that the airfare isn't your trip's only major cost. Thus if you're thinking of opting for Midway you'll want to factor in the cost of that rental car or taxi before you book.

-- On the other hand, if I was in Boston and in a hurry to get to my next destination, I might not worry about saving $100 by flying out of Manchester, N.H. Then again, if I wasn't in a hurry, maybe I'd also consider the fares out of Providence or some other regional airport.

-- Engage the services of a travel agent, whether through your company or on your own. Travel professionals can find you the best deal while also providing expertise and assistance when you need it.

-- If you have flexibility in your flight planning, consider websites that use "predictive modeling." For example, FareCast.com tracks up and down patterns of certain airfares. It predicts when certain airfare deals will emerge.

-- Consider the length of your trip. Does it make sense to rent a car, take a cab, or hire a car service? If your schedule is not too pressing, you can save by taking an airport shuttles or even a shared taxi.

-- At the hotel, remember a few basic cost-cutting rules: (1) Avoid the minibar; (2) limit your room service; and (3) be wary of the hotel restaurant, which can be as costly as the first two.

-- If you are a frequent user of hotel Internet services (both DSL and wireless), consider investing in a wireless network card, available through your wireless provider. This will enable you to access the Internet from anywhere you have a cellular signal and at a considerable cost savings.

-- Eating while en route is more of a wildcard than ever before, in terms of convenience, cost and quality, so it is best to bring your own. Always buy a bottle of water after you clear airport security. Consider buying two -- the second bottle will become indispensable if your flight gets marooned on the tarmac.

-- Examine your options for getting back from the airport. Depending on your schedule, you can save money taking the subway or a bus. That is, unless your flight is returning after the bus stops running.

-- Don't forget to save your receipts from the subway or bus, taxi or shuttle, tolls or parking lot. This will save you time and hassles with your accounting department.

-- Being organized helps in the long run. In fact, before my business trip I create a folder that will hold every important document, including flight itinerary, directions to the hotel, and business meeting agenda. Into this trip folder also goes key items that will accumulate during my trip, including those all-important receipts.

-- Actually all of those loose receipts, boarding passes, and so on, are placed inside a large envelope, which I clip inside my trip folder.

-- Some travelers prefer those clear plastic envelopes that have a string which wraps around a round clasp. This way you not only can see what's inside, you can be sure the contents won't spill out.

-- Another tip: Write on each receipt what it was for ("Business breakfast on Nov. 10; guest John Doe w/O. Wild," for example). Don't take for granted that you will remember the details. After the trip, I sift the receipts into piles that are organized by date and function.

-- Do your expense report within three days, otherwise you'll get backlogged and end up losing money. (Think about organizing your receipts and even doing your expense report on the plane, train, etc.)

-- If you can keep all of your receipts, boarding passes, and other paperwork organized during your trip, you'll find that completing your expense report will be a breeze when you sit at your computer.

-- It's vital to know what your company policy is on reimbursement. Some employers will not reimburse employees for expenses from their house to their home airport, some not for expenses at the home airport. Some won't reimburse for any expenses incurred after you land. Know before your fly so your expense report will fly through your company's approval process.

-- Often I will get reimbursed long before my credit card bill is due. Avoid risks of past due fees or having to dig into your own bank account.

-- The minute I get my expense check I put it into my checking account. Then I write a check to my corporate credit card to pay the bill. Better yet, see if your company offers a direct deposit option for expense reimbursement.

-- To keep your finances organized, you might consider separate accounts for business vs. personal expenses. Some have separate ATM cards representing their separate business and personal checking accounts, and of course separate business vs. personal credit cards.

Checklist. Remember these key how-to points:
-- Book early.
-- Search for the lowest "logical" airfare.
-- Consider the impact of schedule changes.
-- Factor in the travel season.
-- Consider alternate points of departure.
-- Engage the services of a travel professional.
-- Remember that your time has value.
-- Weigh your ground transportation options.
-- Bring your own food, for both comfort and cost savings.
-- Invest in your own wireless connectivity.
-- Never assume when it comes to public transportation schedules.
-- Save your receipts.
-- Stay organized and create a trip folder.
-- Safeguard your receipts in an envelope inside the folder.
-- Write down the details on your receipts.
-- Start your expense report before your trip is over.
-- File your expense report within three days of the end of your trip.
-- Know your company's reimbursement policy.
-- Use your reimbursement money to pay off your trip's charges.
-- Keep your personal and business finances separate.

Check Out These Links:
When Managed Travel Isn't

How to Work While Stuck at an Airport

Hotel Booking for Business Travelers

The Secret Is "Don't Assume"

Top 10 Business Trip Bloopers

Saving Time on Your Flight Starts on the Ground

Turn on the television, pick up a newspaper, or stop by your local water cooler and it's all around you. There are a lot of Chicken Little's predicting financial doom and gloom--most mistakenly given a pulpit on television. If you are not worried about your financial future, you are a stronger person than I am. I train the financial institutions that are being shelled right now, and my business is right in the cross hairs of companies that will be seriously impacted by the economic crisis.

Yesterday I was getting ready for a different trip. Rather than a trip to the airport, it was a trip to Southern Maryland to a small piece of property that we own. It's a magical get-away on the water in a small town near Solomon's Island, Maryland.

My older daughter had surprised us and drove with a friend from Syracuse, New York, where she attends school to be home for a few days. Imagine that? She cared about us enough to not only take the six hour drive from Syracuse, but to surprise us in a well planned sceme worked out with my younger daughter. I needed a few items so I drove to our local mall, and moved through as quickly as I could.

While I was there in that mall, my mind was somewhere else. It was in a dark place. It was reminding me of the decades of travel to acquire enough wealth to put aside for my children's education and my retirement. This dark place seemed to delight in reminding me of the delays I had endured. It seemed to enjoy showing me the lonely nights I had spent in so many hotel rooms, and the disappointments I had experienced from time to time. This dark place was powerful, and because it rarely puts its hands on me, it made sure to whisper in my ear just how much harder my life would be, and how much harder I would now have to work.

I feel for anyone who walked by me during those few minutes because I'm quite sure the picture of the man they were looking at would not be a pleasant one. And then I saw her.

Almost on queue, out of nowhere, a little girl in a wheel chair was pushed directly in my path. She was about ten years old, and she was so beautiful I froze in my tracks. Her hair was combed with pretty little hair clips, just like the ones my girls wore when they were her age. She had some significant handicaps, but she wore none of this on her face. What she wore on her face was joy. She was going into the Disney store where the princesses and fairies were waiting to greet her. She wore her blessings on her sleeve.

As this wheel chair, and this darling little face, moved on I began to think. What was it I had been sulking about? In a blink of the eye I was no longer in a dark place at all. I was jolted back to reality, and a place that does not tolerate dark places. My daughter came home from school for four days to be with us. My younger daughter could not wait to be with us too. We are healthy. We are happy. We are heading to on oasis to be with each other.

Lesson: Do me a favor. Walk away from your computer, and take a true account of your life. My guess is, no matter what our economic crisis is, or will be, you will find it laughable to even care if you have your health and family.

Some travel destinations can't help but invoke your inner Lance Armstrong.

Staying on the workout wagon while on the open road is not easy, but it should be a minimum requirement for all road warriors (domestic or international). A quick workout can not only relieve stress and heighten endorphins but increases energy and blood flow to the brain. This jolt is a quick and guaranteed way to transform you from an exhausted and lethargic business traveler to a sharp and successful deal closer. And let's face it; moving actively in any way will certainly keep your weight steady despite the frequent flirting with not-so-great-for you airport food.

There's no doubt hotel gyms have stepped things up in recent years, with the addition of sparkly and tempting treadmills, a variety of wellness classes, and sexy HDTV sometimes built right into the equipment; but in truth, hotel gyms are still boring, stifling and overall not very inspiring.

So, for those who are willing to venture off the beaten track and slide past hotel ground boundaries, you may be surprised by what you'll find. Below is a short list of domestic and international cities offering uber cool workout options.

A little side note to single business travelers who hit the same city each month: these off site adventures are also a great way to meet new friends, tap into the local scene and step up your social skills while closing that big deal.

1) San Francisco

Rock Solid Fitness
Outdoor Workout Overlooking Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco Marina Green
(415) 221-1367
www.rocksolidsf.com

Rock Solid Fitness offers cross training outdoor group classes every weekday at 6 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. at the Marina Green In San Francisco.

Beautiful views of the San Francisco Gate Bridge and Alcatraz mixed with intense workouts comprised with a unique fitness program makes this the perfect way to get fit while sliding through town on business. The always-outdoor Rock Solid integrates progressive cardiovascular exercise, effective strength training, stretching, and individual coaching in a spectacular setting. Rock Solid operates year-round.

Cost: $20 per class.

2) Shanghai, China

Outdoor Tai Chi and Ballroom Dancing
Zhong Shan Dong
Lu
Shanghai, China

+ 86 (0)10 6601 1122

This stretch of Zhong Shan Dong Yi Lu, on the western bank of the Huangpu River, was once home to the Wall Street of Asia. The grand mansions were built as headquarters for British, French, American, Russian, and Japanese banking institutions that had established themselves in the city following the Opium Wars in the 1840s, when Shanghai was opened up to foreign trade. Hundreds of locals gather each morning along the Bund, a rebuilt hump of land overlooking the Huangpu River, to practice the disciplines of tai chi and kung fu. Some even take it one step further by practicing ballroom dancing (an odd sight at dawn) but it's most certainly one of the most interesting workouts you'll ever try. There are "teachers" on site who are more than happy to guide beginners.

Cost: All practices are open to the public and are free.

3) Los Angeles, California

Venice Beach Bike Tour And Training Session
Ritz Carlton Hotel, Marina Del Rey
375 Admiralty Way

Marina del Rey, CA
(310) 823-1700
www.ritzcarltonhotels.com

Wrap up your meetings early and get a splash of Southern California sunshine while getting fit. This very cool cardio workout gives you a guided bike tour through Venice Beach and a focused personal training session. Class is offered Tuesdays and Thursdays; duration is three hours and includes bike rental, Muscle Beach fees and a personal training session. You can also try the Venice Beach challenge
, including running, circuit training, abdominal work and sprinting intervals, making this one of the ultimate workouts on Venice Beach.

Cost: $150

4) Sydney, Australia

Bridge Climb Sydney
5 Cumberland Street The Rocks
Sydney, NSW 2000
Telephone: 02 - 8274 7777
www.bridgeclimb.com

The Sydney Bridge Climb is without a doubt a worthwhile fitness adventure on one of the world's most modern wonders--The Sydney Harbour Bridge. The exhilaration and personal satisfaction achieved by reaching the top of the Bridge is rewarded by the breathtaking view that lies before you as you scale up the bridge's structure. You can take the free option and walk the length of the bridge on your own or sign up for the climb through the official website. The climb takes you over ladders, catwalks and arches, in all weather conditions during the day, in twilight or at night.

Cost: Starts at $89

5) Dubai, UAE

Flowboarding
Wild Wadi Water Park
Jumeirah Beach Road
Tel: +971-4-348 4444
www.wildwadi.com

If you're willing to ditch the glitz and glamour of Dubai and really get your feet wet, flowboarding is the latest craze in Dubai. This strange new sport is, to the uninitiated, a little like surfing, except that flowboarders don't have to chase their waves – they're provided by huge machines. With flowboarding, as with so much in this fair city, the waves are engineered by a special, single or duel pump process to guarantee near-perfect waves every time you get out there. If anything, you'll catch a few waves and cool off while getting fit!

Cost: Price of park admission (discounts for corporate events)

Or

Tennis Lessons
The Aviation Club
04 282 4540
www.aviationclub.ae

Had a less than prefect day? Unload the day's frustrations and sign up for the privilege of slamming some fastballs with an international tennis pro. While so much of Dubai hibernates in their air-conditioned offices, it's good to get out there exercising, while avoiding the stark confines of a gym. A great all over body workout, slowly, you fall into a peaceful world of shoulder movements and weight shifts that make it a whole lot easier to relax and concentrate. Tennis lessons are offered by appointment (beginners to advance). 15-minute introduction assessments are free.

Cost: Day Pass to The Aviation Club