I'm a road warrior

I first heard the term road warrior many years ago, when it described a person whose job was selling and who did lots of traveling doing the job. Since then, the term has expanded in my understanding to describe anyone whose job or avocation requires that they travel regularly. Southwest airlines has recently defined three waiting lines to go through security. One line is deemed to be for expert travelers.

These are the people who spend a portion of the daily lives on an airplane. They are typically traveling to visit a customer or business associate or a conference. When you look at their airline ticket, they are typically classed as gold or platinum class frequent flyer. They carry one carryon bag and a backpack or attache case. Female road warriors may have one larger bag which they check. Their frequent flyer mileage counts are in 6 or 7 figures.

I am a road warrior. I live in hotels. I get up early on Monday morning to catch the first flight out. I fly home Thursday evening, or if its been a hard week, on a Friday morning or Friday afternoon. This is a hard life that limits your time to see you family, keep up your relation with your spouse, serve your church, or work on your hobbies. Its a life that leads to weight gain, if you eat typical traveling food and do not exercise.

I've been working in St. Louis since September 27, 2007, three nights and four days a week. I pay income tax to the state of Missouri and city of St. Louis because I work there frequently. I have a permanent gate check tag on my bag for Continental airlines. I book my hotel reservations three months in advance. I reserve a limousine to take me to/from the airport by email. The drivers all know me. I experience winters with snow and the dreaded weather delays in the airports.

But this is what it takes for me to have a really good paying job and stability and have a shot at building a good retirement. One critical element to survive, which I learned 3 years ago is to get plenty of exercise. I join the Y or the health club in the city where I work. This year I also play tennis with the members of my work team at the client site. On the weekends, I do a lot of cycling. All of this keeps me sane and stabilizes my weight.

It gets very lonely on these trips. Most nights I am sitting in my hotel room by myself, writing email or looking for things on the internet. I tend to buy stuff on the internet when I am on the road. Mostly its because I hate to drive someplace when I am in Houston to buy anything. It costs gas and most of all - my precious weekend time.

Occasionally I read the bible. I try to pray before every meal. Sometimes I pray in the morning and ask for help with my day, which is often stressful. My days always go better when I pray for help. It is truly amazing. In the last couple of years I have begun listening to Christian radio in the car. For the most part, I find it very refreshing and inspirational.

So here I sit in the airport. I prayed for help this morning. My day was amazing. The problems on the job melted away into opportunities.

Thank you, Lord.