A Very Important Passenger

During my working life I clocked up more than 10,000 flying hours and lived abroad for 22 years. In 1970, when I was starting out as a freshly trained Export Rep for the British Bata Shoe Corporation I was organizing a twelve nation sales tour of Africa with our Travel Manager, Armin Fassbinder. In 1970 Armin was a stylish, sixtyish Czech exile who had seen more than his fair share of wars, upheavals and death.

I was very excited about my first ever export trip. When I went to collect my plane ticket from Armin he gave me the travel advice I have never forgotten.

"Just remember young Squires," Armin advised me, "When you are travelling overseas, think of your self as a parcel, that way you will never be disappointed!"

Somehow, I never forgot that advice. It came surging back when I watched the British "ash" refugees moaning about their predicament. How important were their troubles: how interesting were their stories: Not much!

Here's the score. Settle your hotel bill. Pay your fare. Go home

Thanks Armin.