Home Based

I am a writer by profession and have worked in such capacity for most of my career. Until it hit me a couple of years ago that it would be a great idea to join the travel industry. Of course I love travel! So I went to travel school. I learnt the workings of the industry, mastered the essential tools and came out with great grades. Now I am a home-based travel agent. No, I don’t make tons of money. I don’t get travel freebies. I usually begin my day bright and early (well, ok, not so early). Then I wait for the phone to ring. It’s funny how the phone never rings when you are sitting next to it. Yes, yes, I know you have heard that one before. Anyway I’ve been sitting there a couple of hours in my PJs (it’s against the norm of telecommuters to work in anything else. What’s the point of working from home, anyway if you have to dress up?) and I figure I could spare 10 mins for quick chores. Ever wondered why the phone always rings when you are in the shower?

I rush out. Mad.

The blinking “2” on my answering machine cheers me up, nevertheless.

Message 1: We would like your participation in a brief survey. We will try and reach you at a later time.

Message 2: I am looking for discounted tickets to big-city-in-India. Could you call me back with a quote?

Aaaaaaah. A lead.That’s a challenge I enjoy--trying to find low fares. I quickly get down to the task at hand. I call my suppliers. I run a quick GDS search. I check availability. And I call the prospective client back.

“Hello … this is Friendly, the travel agent you just called about an airfare quote.”

“Ummm … oh, yes yes. I remember now. You have a quote?”

“Yes.” (I quote the price and hastily add, with a spring in my voice, that seats are available for the desired travel dates.)

“OK! The fare looks good to me. So you said the seats are available?”

“Yes they are.”

“Ummmm.” (Silence, I can hear a finger scratching a temple, pen tapping out carry-overs on paper, … )

“What about the taxes?”

I quote a valid 3-digit number.

I hear a gulp.

“Isn’t that too much?”

“But that’s what the airline sets.”

“Can’t the taxes be lower?”

Some days it is better to stay in the shower and let the answering machine blink.