Become familiar with the major airline hubs - what airlines fly in and out, etc. If you get stuck in one, sometimes you can get to another to catch a flight to your final destination. Flying out of the Northeast, I can get to a number of hubs, Philadelphia, NYC, DC, & Baltimore in an hour, and can get a flight from those airports to anywhere.

Jim

Thanks Jim you have been really helpful. I appreciate your insight and will take it for sure and will totally learn it. I know canceling a gig is not an option you have to be born to perform whether or not your a 100 percent so yeah I know you book a gig you have to complete a end of the deal by showing up and performing so yeah thanks for the advice. I will try a hundred percent not to miss a gig.


sincerely,

Ryan

Sorry to take this in a different direction - but Mindpro made an excellent statement here.

This summer I've encountered several "professional" variety acts who accepted an extended contract, then when on site, complained about the conditions, the "lack of respect" and the terms of the event. All terms, performing conditions, rules and regulations were spelled out in the contract and pre-booking information. As a result, the client released (fired) these acts - both sides angry at the other.

I'm not sure if these acts felt their complaints and actions would change the agreed conditions, but the client lived up to the contract and exercised the termination clause. My opinion, they allowed ego to get in the way of having a successful run. By sticking to the terms of the contract, the client has treated me like gold - and those acts could have enjoyed the same.

If you accept a contract - read what you are signing, ask questions and then perform without complaint. If you don't enjoy it, do your best and then avoid making the same mistake in the future. Its the professional thing to do.

Now back to the regularly scheduled topic...

Yeah you are totally correct finish the gig whether you enjoy it or not professionally. I have always learned in business if have nothing good to say keep your mouth shut. Only be positive and nice don't ever get angry its doesn't help your attitude or anyone else. It just makes it worse. So yeah just my two cents to expound on what you said.


sincerely,

Ryan

Good advice. I carry everything. If not I would ship. Once I flew to Indiana and my checked bag didn't make it. At that time I had all my items for the show checked. I ended up in a frantic shopping trip at a hardware store and a drug store to make a show then I could pull off my show..with modifications.

On the other hand I was thinking of adding a Siberian Chain escape...would this make it past TSA...In other words, would it get through security. Once I tried to get thumb cuffs in a checked bag and was told it was a big no-no. I got out of line and "lost" my thumb cuffs in a potted plant...then retrieved them when I returned from the trip.

Frank Kennedy

Three years ago I was finishing up a birthday party show in a nearby town. I had to do another show right afterwards in another town about 45 minutes away, so as I'm driving out of the first town, my mind was reflecting on the show I just did, and thinking about the next show, and not paying attention to the road.

It was mid-winter, and the roads were covered with ice. As I was approaching an intersection, I simply did not notice the stop sign until it was too late. I hit the brakes, slid through the intersection, and hit a truck.

The damage was significant, and I was quite shaken up, but the vehicle was still driveable. We had to wait about half an hour for the police to show up. This was my very first accident in 25 years of driving. I called the client in the next town to explain the situation. Personally, I would have loved to have had her say "Don't worry about the show; go home and get some rest" or something like that. Alas, she didn't say that, and I wasn't about to cancel.

I got to the party about an hour late, and did the show the best I could (considering I was still shaken up by the whole event).

What was surprising to me, was that the client didn't even make mention of the accident. Not even, "Wow, that was so good of you to still make it, considering the circumstances". No tip, nothing. I realize it was just my ego that would have liked to have been stroked for doing my best to get to her daughter's birthday party, but a little recognition for actually "showing up" would have been nice.

Ok, Brian, ok, it's been three years ... it's time to let it go!

Brian

In 2004 I had 2 parties booked on a Sat. on Tues I had a heart attack and was in the hospital for 2 weeks. My wife called up another magi and told gave them the parties, she told him what we charged and offered to pay any difference if he charged more. He didn't, thank God, but the show did go on as planned. Kids don't understand if the magi is sick only that their party was fun.

Paddy

At one of the Christmas parties I did last year, the organizer told me what had happened the previous year. The entertainment they had booked (wasn't a magician) for their Sunday kid's party had a heart attack on Friday, and died! The wife of the entertainer was so grief-stricken that she totally forgot to contact the party organizer to let them know (she wasn't normally involved in her husband's business affairs). On the morning of the show, the organizer called the entertainer's home to find out where he was, and only then heard the bad news.

In a case like this, is there anyone at fault? The organizer was very upset that she wasn't contacted (understandably), so she could find a replacement. She also felt it was inconsiderate for the new widow to not find a replacement for the show. Yet, the widow is totally distraught that her husband just died, and the last thing on her mind is a Christmas party show.

Are things always so cut and dried as would like them to be?

Brian

The organizer sounds like she needs a lesson in compassion...jeez...

Brian wrote "Are things always so cut and dried as would like them to be?"

As far as the customer is concerned, yes. Customers see us not as people, but as representatives of an entertainment company. Even if we are the only person in that company it is still a COMPANY that promised them entertainment and they don't understand that we don't have a stand in for us if we can't make it to THIER show. Even if our day gets ruined by us dying, to them that's no excuse to "ruin" their day by not showing up. Unfortunatly that's the way they see things.

Paddy

Thanks Chris I couldn't help but post that I bought the book and am very satisfied thanks for the book choice. I really do appreciate it.

sincerely,

Ryan

That book was great...it teased a follow up volume...was there one?

Yes it is definitely a good read and can get you out of heck of a lot of bad situations. There is just one volume but another one in the works. However, I was wondering is the 2002 edition outdated some what? I know there is a new version coming out some time however I was curious to see if some people here could tell me if it is in parts? I don't travel much but 2008 was a really rough year on a personal note in Colorado. I feel like I need to get away from here just to branch out and try new things. Thanks if anyone that has the book can fill me in on the details.

sincerely,

Ryan

I have a question about this. What do you need for the licensing. I don't understand that part. However I do understand everything else. Thanks.


sincerely,

Ryan

Your DRIVERS LICIENCE is what he is referring to. You need some sort of credentials to show that you are whatever name you sign in with.

I travel almost every other week to various gigs.
I travel both Internationally and within the USA.
Here are my tips:

1.) Pick one airline and stick with it and get the status of an elite level. It is worth paying a bit more once in a while to have status on one airline. This is about your best insurance to get where you want to go. As an Executive Plat on AA, I get free bags, a special number only for elite booking, within each terminal I get preferential treatment and catch this: If I am on a flight and something gets screwed up, they AUTOMATICALLY make reservations on a back-up flight then they call me to tell me what they did. I get upgraded to first class 98% of the time without paying any fees, and they actually treat me like a human.
At the Gold or Platinum level, you get some perks, but it it worth it to gain the highest status you can on an airline. They will bend over backwards to keep you as a customer and get you where you are going. In some cases you can get on oversold flights even if others are getting bumped. And join the executive lounge. The agents within the Admirals club have a lot of power to rebook, change terms and find luggage. The help they offer is invaluable to a frequent flyer. Its almost like flying in the 1970's.
In addition, at busy airports you get through security faster with your own first class/elite level line.
See http://www.FlyerTalk.com for more details.
2.) I stay at the same hotel chain to rack up points, free stays and milage, but more important to get assistance from the elite members line, reservations in oversold hotels, and don't forget to tip the staff. If you find yourself at the same hotel a few times a year, introduce yourself to the managers, in a pinch they will help you out. I have had managers run to the store to get me something for a gig, and even drive me personally to the airport in a bind.
3.) As mentioned, if you have a friday show, arive on Thursday. Unless you are talking about a short flight with no checked luggage and no connecting flight, I would never risk leaving the same day as a performance.
4.) Watch Penn and Teller do the TSA trick at the Rio if you travel a lot, its hilarious and awesome...

And join a rent-a-car club. I get cheaper rates on the Thrifty website as a Blue Chip member than any of the discount websites. Plus it is automatic check in with no waiting.
A lot of people join every club. It is far better to concentrate your efforts on one airline, hotel, rent-a-car company to derive the maximum benefits. Orbitz.com also rewards frequent travelers with special perks and numbers, and I do use them for all my misc. travel needs. On more than one accasion they have gotten me refunds for changed reservation I otherwise could not have gotten and they have a special number for elite customers.

Https://www.themagicianswand.net/ten-tip......agician/

I’m sure glad this got bumped to advertise a site I have to subscribe to.

It's an article that talks about what the OP was asking for, and while it is a 15-year old thread, it's not like performers have stopped traveling since then.

And you can use a throw-away email address if you like. Seems like a weird thing to complain about. (insert shrug emoji here)

Really? Seems like more of an odd thing to do.