With the recent developments in the laptop ban on flights to the U.S., business travelers are searching for ways to make use of their time in the air. In late March, the US department of Homeland Security decided to initiate the electronics ban on 10 airports flying out of the Middle East. This came because of a security scare that could point towards laptops and large electronics being used in a harmful way. While the ban is inconvenient, work can still be done with a little effort and the right planning.
Making the best of your time on a flight is always a top priority for travelers and especially for those who are out on business. The flight home can mean catching up on any last minute touch ups or unfinished reports etc. Some of these tasks may not seem doable without a laptop. But with the knowledge of how to work around this, you can still be productive.
The Electronics Ban – Knowing the Rules and Current Restrictions
It is always a good idea to double check on the rules and regulations of any form of transportation you are using. When heading out on the road, or in the air, it is important to know what you can and cannot do. The electronics ban on some airlines from the Middle East to the U.S may not affect you at the moment, but it may in the future. Keeping updated by checking TSA.gov’s latest news section, along with other media outlets, will help to make your trip easier and less stressful.
What you need to know, is that the current electronics ban, while being lifted from Etihad Airways, Emirates Airline and Turkish Airlines, three of the ten originally banned airlines, could migrate into flights from Europe to the U.S. This may impact your flight home rather than your flight to your desired destination. With that in mind, it will be important for you, the traveler, to plan accordingly for your time abroad and for your return home.
How to Beat the Ban and Be Productive
In most cases for travel and everyday life, it all comes down to being prepared. Making an effective plan can heighten the quality of your trip while giving you the peace of mind that you are going to get work done on time.
Here are a few tips on how to maximize your time in the air without a laptop. Some may include going back in time, so to speak, but it never hurt anyone to get back to their roots.
1. Smartphone Usage – How to Make the Most of Your Handheld Device
The current ban on electronics calls for all electronic devices that are larger than a smartphone to be stowed away in checked luggage. While this is not the best news, it’s a big plus that you don’t have to pack away your beloved phone. In today’s day and age, the smartphone doubles as almost anything you can think of. Even when in a pinch, your phone is there to help with endless business related and entertainment possibilities.
When in this kind of dilemma, it may help to “put any documents, pictures or other files you need to review on your cell phone, so you will be able to utilize any information that can fill up your time frame when traveling” says Noel Marata of Travel Buzz Media. Being able to review information is a key aspect when trying to make use of your time in the air.
Due to its small size, the smartphone may not be ideal for certain types of work, but it can help get the job done. With WIFI enabled, emails can be checked and answered. But even offline, you can schedule your correspondences with the help from convenient apps. Moving around appointments or simply updating your to-do list can be done with apps like “Schedule Planner” and “Todoist,” just to name a few. These applications can help to organize your upcoming weeks or to make a plan for when you are able to get back to work after the flight. Stock iPhone and android apps offer functionality and can prove useful when in a tight spot. Doing a quick search on google of the top business apps will give you numerous lists of applications that can potentially help you in all fields of your work.
Smartphones screen sizes continue to increase, which means more room for typing and reading. With the large abundance of apps out there, there is bound to be one that is useful for the work you need to get done. Smartphones now have the ability to use Microsoft Word and other word processing applications. Other Microsoft programs such as Excel and Outlook are available for use as well as other competing software.
Many portable keyboards are compact and effective at giving you the right tools to work with in a tight space like your plane tray table. These Bluetooth keyboards can hook up straight to your phone and get you on the way to typing as if you were on your laptop.
Some beneficial technologies for the business person are cloud storage services such as Dropbox or OneDrive. These apps are a great way to give yourself access to your documents created on your phone from your home or work computer. Cloud storage can make saving documents easy and stress free when using your smartphone.
On top of being able to house many business-related apps, your smartphone has the ability to help you relax and have fun. The app store is full of games that can take up big chunks of time on a flight. Music and video services such as Spotify, Pandora, Netflix, and YouTube are available to listen to and watch when you need a break from working.
2. Reading and Using Hard Copies
On top of being a relaxing way to pass the time, reading can be beneficial to one’s work agenda. If you are unable to use your laptop or smartphone, it may be a good idea to bring some type of reading material on-board your flight.
Magazines, novels and textbooks related to your profession can make you feel like you are being productive while entertaining you through the flight. No matter what field you are in, staying up to date on all types of essential material can help you do your job better and become a better employee. Many influential business men and women have written books on a wide range of topics that may speak to improving your skill set and your work productivity in general. For example, Tim Ferriss’s The 4 Hour Work Week can give you a new perspective on productivity for when you return to work after the flight. Employers truly value those employees who choose to never stop learning.
Planning for a flight without your laptop can be as easy as picking up a book from the gift shop before you board or planning in advance and bringing one that is relevant to your current work. If you are unable to get your own work done, you might as well make use of your time and widen your knowledge so that once you have landed you can get back to work with an improved mindset.
Apart from reading, working with physical copies of material can be an option. While this is not the preferred way of doing work these days, it could come in handy when in a pickle. Take the time away from your electronics to knock out some of those busy-work tasks that just have to get done–from organizing receipts from your trip, to proofreading and editing reports. Wielding a red pen and a highlighter may not be the most efficient option, but it can help to get a head start on something you’d otherwise never get to until after you got off the plane.
3. Relaxation Time – When to Take a Break
Spending time out of the office and on the road can take its toll physically and mentally. Whenever you get a chance to sit down and take a break, it is highly recommended. In this case, not having your laptop can be a great chance to catch up on some much needed rest.
Instead of staring at a computer or phone screen for the length of your flight, consider closing your eyes for a little while and refreshing yourself. Flying is already stressful on top of trying to get work done in such a cramped environment. Consider your flight as extra time to de-stress the mind and body.
Listening to music can be a great way to relax and focus on nothing other than what you hear. It can even drown out the numerous noises on a plane that could keep you from getting some sleep. Whether it be some shut eye, or watching a movie, any time spent with your brain switched off can revitalize yourself and to be productive later on.
Make sure to set goals and deadlines for before you leave so that you can relax without ruminating on any uncompleted tasks. Having a well disciplined schedule will not only improve your work but it will allow you to truly turn your flight into some “me time.”
4. Choose the Best Possible Airline
While most business personnel likely have their own cell phone along with a work phone, some might not have this luxury. A good practice while planning around not having your laptop is to book a flight with the best rated airline available at your price point. From a travel managers perspective, prices are the priority, but for the business traveler experience, finding an airline that will provide comfortable amenities and business traveler services can make your trip that much better.
An article at The Washington Post about the possible electronics ban and how it will affect passengers points out that “the airlines affected by the U.S. ban have since found a way around the measure, offering free WIFI, tablets and laptops aboard U.S.-bound flights as alternatives for passengers.”
Finding an airline that will not only help to make you more comfortable, but will provide you with the right equipment to get work done will be crucial in having a productive trip.
Final Tips for Planning and Using Your Time Effectively
No matter what the current rules and regulations on flying are, it seems that there will always be something in the way. Whether it be long lines at security, a flight delay or a laptop ban, the best way to beat these inconveniences is to plan ahead. A helpful site to check for news on air travel, Ask the Pilot, is a great source to stay updated on for those who fly frequently.
Remember to plan ahead and know that there are other ways to pass the time when flying. Work may be the first priority, but, as in life, most of the time we do not get what we desire. Making compromises and knowing the facts will give you a better traveling experience along with the peace of mind that your work will be finished on time.