I write this from the airport. Thanks to my SprintPCS enabled cel phone, I'm on the Internet at around 384K (3G network). Being able to connect to the Internet anywhere makes traveling only slightly less painful.
For one thing, airports are still an incredible hassle. For me, I don't travel except under great need. The logistic (and expense) requirements to move my carcas around has gotten pretty high over the years as a way of discouraging unnecessary travel. No matter how well I plan, it seems like something, small usually, will be missed making the entire trip just a bit more tedious. In today's case, the problem is that I forgot the strap for my laptop bag so I'll have to carry it by the handle the whole way. A little thing, to be sure, but just another reminder of why I hate traveling.
It's not the flying so much that bothers me. I have no problem with airplanes. But the lack of freedom, the finality of going somewhere and not having all your comforts of home with you can be quite disconcerting. What if I get ill? What if I lose something? Is my airline ticket on me? It it? It's been 2 minutes since I last checked...
On this trip our client is meeting me at the gate so I won't have to deal with taxi's or rent-a-cars which usually just to the reasons I don't like to travel. Over the years I've found that there are 10 issues/tips that either make traveling worse or could make it better.
1) Parking at the airport. If I can get dropped off, that eliminates a whole world of pain of having to park in some far off lot (I live near Metro Detroit, the worst airport in the United States -- seriously).
2) Traveling light enough not to have to check in bags.
3) Electronic Tickets help too.
4) Flights running on time help.
5) Going business class or better on longer trips makes a big difference.
6) Total travel time <6 hours. That means no Detroit to Atlanta to LA nonsense.
7) Avoiding renting a car if possible on business trips. Though this heavily depends on the particular trip. Taxis and rent-a-cars bug the heck out of me. I am much more comfortable dealing with hotel shuttles or better yet having someone there in the baggage collection area to pick you up if it's a business trip.
8) Staying at a nice hotel. That means one where you don't smell smoke. That isn't incredibly loud. That isn't incredibly cramped. It doesn't have to be expensive. In the bad old days we'd save $10 per night going with the crappiest room around. It's worth an extra $50 per night to stay in a much nicer room. Nice rooms have desks btw.
9) No more than 1 stop on any trip.
10) Having someone to pick up you when you return. It's a real bummer they don't let people meet people at the gate anymore. This "security" policy on its own has been enough to put a major damper on flying. There's nothing quite like having your wife and kids meeting you at the gate to make you glad to be home.