Having just returned from attending the GBTA conference in Chicago, I was most impressed with one of the speakers, Dennis Muilenburg, Chairman, President, and CEO of Boeing.  Boeing’s the 5th largest defense contractor in the world and designs, builds, and sells airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets, satellite communications, and missiles on a global scale.

Last year there were 90 million accident-free flights.  There are 5 million people traveling daily on a Boeing plane.  Sadly, two deadly crashes of its 737 Max killed 346 people recently.

The first question out of the interviewer’s mouth was “what changes are being made right now and when can we expect the Max to fly again?”  The travel managers, travel management companies, and travel suppliers in the audience, who are responsible for the lives of many global business travelers, were waiting to hear his reply.

Muilenburg stated that Boeing consistently focuses on safety as their core value.  The company is concentrating on these top 5 initiatives to make sure the 737 Max is the safest plane in the air when it flies again in Q4:

1. Software updates that will be certified by the FAA in September.
2. Continuous training & education updates.
3. Deep engagement with the stakeholders.
4. $100 million fund to address the family and community needs for the victims’ families.
5. Ongoing investment in their employees and their commitment to safety.

As a young girl, I was nervous to fly on a DC10 to Australia right after several DC10s crashed due to engines falling off the wings. My father, who is an engineer, said that after all the safety updates, they were the safest planes in the air.   I had heard of the two recent plane crashes over the news and it was comforting and inspiring to hear what lengths Boeing is taking to make sure the 737 Max stays one of the safest planes in the air.

Muilenberg also shared some exciting new projects on the horizon.

1. The development of the 777X, which will be able to fly farther than any plane with a 7200-mile range.  The cabin will be more spacious for passenger comfort with LED cabin lighting, noise reduction, larger windows, and twice the volume for carry-on bags with easier closing bins.
2. Currently testing flying vehicles with wrap-around technology for future airspace travel for both piloted and autonomous vehicles.
3. Supersonic travel that will be more economically viable than the Concord.  Boeing is working on a business jet that will take 3 hours off the flight time across the Atlantic.
4. Hypersonic technology where planes will be able to fly 5 or 6 times faster than the speed of sound.  This will be able to connect any two city pairs in about 2 hours.
5. Space travel will become more routine and companies are developing space hotels. Boeing is developing a vehicle to fly in space called the Starliner, which is scheduled for a test flight later this year.

Given Boeing’s investment in the future, it sounds like we have a lot to look forward to and places to visit in record time–and that includes space!

Which country’s regulations are particularly onerous when it comes to traveling with prescription and non-prescription drugs?

a.  Canada
b.  The Netherlands
c.  Japan
d.  Indonesia

In which city will you find 62% of residents biking to work or school?

Would it surprise you that the same city’s traffic lights are coordinated to favor cyclists over motorists?

What if I hinted that this city has built bicycle super highways to promote commuting for cyclists?

You may have guessed that the answer is Copenhagen, the most bike-friendly city in the world. According to resident data, there are 5.6 bicycles for every car in the city.

Copenhagen’s design and culture make it easy to adopt biking as a method of transportation, even for newcomers.  Rentals are everywhere, with 100 Bycyklen(City Bikes) stations around the capital. Each bike is equipped with a tamper-proof tablet that transacts the rental and facilitates navigation.

After a quick registration, anyone can borrow a City Bike on a per-hour basis, with a prepaid package, or via monthly subscription.

Biking ease doesn’t end at Copenhagen’s city limits. In an effort to combat traffic congestion, reduce harmful CO2 emissions, and support residents’ health, Denmark’s Capital Region partners with 23 surrounding municipalities to create safe cycling infrastructure for two-wheeled commuters.

Fourteen of the top 20 most bike-friendly cities are in Western Europe, but Bogotá, Colombia breaks into the list for the first time in 2019 at number 12. See the list here.

What makes cycling work in all these cities is a combination of factors. Bicycle infrastructure that provides designated cycling space and traffic calming measures that prioritize biker safety are critical.  Bike-sharing options are important, as is a general culture that accepts cycling as a good way to get around – even for commercial transport. Urban planning, strong bicycle advocacy, and political support also contribute to successful bike-friendly cities.

For individuals, the health benefits, relief from traffic, and greater connection to the city are all good reasons to ride a bike. So even if your last spin on a bike was as a child, maybe it’s time to hop back in the saddle and join the cycling culture.

“To the art of working well a civilized race would add the art of playing well.”

George Santayana
American philosopher
1863–1952

Recently I came across a blog post about fun deprivation.  Is this really true?  I do believe that cultures all over the world are suffering from too little fun.  The pace of life has increased, technology is the new reality, and a rise in daily stress has cause a deficit in our “play time.”
Play is important for children, but it’s just as important for adults.  It’s the food that feeds the soul.

It’s especially important to take the time for a break when you’re an assignee or a global business traveler who is always on the road.

Effects of play deprivation can include:

-Lower impulse control
-Poor anger management
-Relationships with little depth
-Propensity towards depression and addictive behavior
-Brain stagnation and malfunctioning of vital brain regions.

How do you bring play and fun back into your life no matter where you live or what you do?

The author of the book Play, Dr. Stuart Brown, has observed 8 “play personalities,” which identify activities that will bring you joy.

The 8 play personalities are:

1. The Joker savors practical jokes, and making people laugh.
Suggestions:

• Tell jokes and laugh
• Look for comedy events

2.  The Kinesthete celebrates movement of the body.
Suggestions:

• Learn a new activity or play sports
• Enjoy walks outdoors

3.  The Explorer takes pleasure in discovering new things.
Suggestions:

• Do something new
• Investigate what fascinates

4. The Competitor plays to win.
Suggestions:

• Enjoy a game
• Tune in to sports

5.  The Director enjoys arranging and executing events.
Suggestions:

• Plan a party
• Organize your belongings

6.  The Collector loves to gather things.
Suggestions:

• Go on the hunt for an item to add to a collection
• Exhibit or share the collection

7.  The Artist/Creator appreciates anything involving creativity or art.
Suggestions:

• Express yourself through an art activity
• Take time to appreciate art

8.  The Storyteller delights in adventures through the imagination.
Suggestions:

• Write a story
• Watch, read or listen to a captivating story

– Stuart Brown, Play (2010)
The National institute for Play

Life is short and play is an essential part of a complete life that increases our brain activity, reduces stress and opens our mind to see different options. Whether you’re a Joker, Kinesthete, Explorer, Competitor, Director, Collector, Artist/Creator, and Storyteller, or a combination of several, you can choose activities that can make you feel most alive. Don’t just sit there – start playing!

Written by Cathy Heyne, GMS-T, Managing Director