A couple of weeks ago, I attended United Airlines Media Day inside one of their hangars at Los Angeles International Airport. During the event, United announced several updates, including Relax Row and the new Coastliner, which will primarily serve routes from EWR to LAX and SFO. They also showcased their new CRJ450, which they hope will improve how customers, especially premium passengers, perceive regional flying.
But when I caught up with CEO Scott Kirby during a break, I asked him for his best travel tip that does not involve flying his airline.
The video is embedded above, but his answer was short and simple: “Sleep as much as you can.”
As someone who travels frequently, I can definitely relate. I wanted to follow up, but did not get the chance. However, I later came across an episode of Brilliant Moves: Coffee with CEOs, where Bob Sternfels, the Global Managing Partner at McKinsey & Company, asked Kirby about the same topic. Here is part of that conversation:
Bob Sternfels: “I have been at McKinsey for nearly 32 years, and over that time, I have seen how CEOs have changed the way they operate. When it comes to sleep and exercise, CEOs today treat themselves more like elite athletes.
Scott Kirby: One thing I do that people have always thought is a little weird is that, throughout my career, I will close my office door and take a 20-minute nap. When I first got to United, people were like, “Oh my God, where do you take a nap?” I said, “I lay on the floor.” They told me, “We have got to get a couch in here!” They were all stressed out.
But if I take a 20-minute nap, I have accomplished more than anything else I would have done in that time. When you are tired, your brain is not operating at 100 percent. If you are not at 100 percent, you should not be making decisions.”
I have been taking naps since I was a kid, and I still do today. In fact, I took one just an hour ago while working on my laptop. Sometimes I will sit in a La-Z-Boy recliner and drift off for anywhere between two and 30 minutes, depending on whether my kids come in and wake me up. If I lie down on a couch or bed, I usually sleep much longer.
Even a quick nap makes a noticeable difference. It is especially valuable when traveling, which is why I always fly with earplugs and an eye mask since it helps me get uninterrupted rest wherever I am.
So the next time you are exhausted at work or on the road, do not just push through it. Take a cue from the CEO of one of the world’s largest airlines. A short nap might be the smartest and most productive travel tip you can follow.
