On the Road
The CEO of New York-based premium luggage brand Briggs & Riley documents his life on the road
DETAILS
Name: Richard Krulik. Position & Company: CEO, Briggs & Riley. Nature of your business: Travelware. Based in: New York. Business trips per year: 18. Estimated annual mileage: Not enough, especially if I’m the pilot! Regular destinations: London, Chicago, Toronto, Beijing, Shenzhen or any small town with an airport. Most recent trip: Hong Kong, London, Beijing and Seoul. Next trip: Chicago.
Good & BAD
Best business travel experience: A three-week overseas trip to factories with my dad during college as an introduction to our company. Worst business travel experience: Being jailed in Beijing when I arrived with an expired visa. Fortunately, a friend with connections was able to get me a visa in the morning.
Suppliers
Preferred airline or hotel and why: RK Airways – my own single engine turboprop! And I love the Nayara Costa Rica, an amazing hotel and is like the garden of Eden. Loyalty points: obsessive collector or not bothered? Not bothered really. I have too many other things to focus on! Favourite loyalty scheme: I don’t have one.
Stepping onboard
Flights: work, rest or play? Mostly work but some play. I like to catch up on reading my flying magazines, business books and the Wall Street Journal and, on overseas flights, I’ll watch a movie or two. Onboard connectivity: take it or leave it? It’s nice to have for sure but I can zone out without it. Onboard habits: I’ll wear slip-on shoes, comfortable trousers and a long-sleeved shirt since it’s always a little cold on the plane.
DESTINATIONS
Happy never to go back to: Jail in Beijing! Send me back to: The British Virgin Islands. Island hopping on a boat without any schedule to follow and a shower which consists of jumping in the ocean in the morning – you can't beat it. Top overseas landmark: Visiting the Panda reserve in Chengdu, China, with my daughter.
room For Improvement
One thing that would improve business travel: Having my own F-18 supersonic jet with a refueling tanker following me. Biggest business travel irritation: When airline delays screw up the plan. “I love it when a plan comes together” – Hannibal Smith. Pack light or go prepared? Pack light AND be prepared! Never leave home without: My ipad and a bunch of magazines.
Travel POLICY
Stick to the company travel policy or a bit of a maverick?: If I can fly there myself, I always will. If you could change one thing about your travel policy...: Our policy is balanced and reasonable. We stay at modest hotels and, with so many overseas flights, premium economy is a good compromise.