Problems fixed by a few clicks

Jun 4 2009 by Mark Pinder, The Journal

IT'S 2pm in the afternoon and I should be on my way to the airport. However I have a list of things to do as long as my arm before I can set off.

I’m travelling to Italy and usually I’m quite prepared, with bags packed, tickets booked months in advance and loose ends tied up. But not today – it all seems to be going wrong.

I’m stuffing my suitcase with a laptop, cables, plug converters, mp3 player, phone charger, digital camera, camera charger, spare socks and a couple of magazines (tech-related of course). Then I suddenly remember I’ve forgotten to book the hire car.

Normally, a wave of panic would surge through my body, but not now – I’m in travel mode. It’s time to fix the problem and be on that plane.

I pull my laptop out, flick wi-fi back to life, Google for car hire websites and I’ve booked it within five minutes of my search.

I skip through the confirmation email, noting a bold section which reads “Print this coupon and take it to the hire desk, failure to do so may invalidate your booking.”

I think to myself, “Fear not. I’ll email it to myself at work and print it there. It’s on the way to the airport anyway.”

At the office, open email, click print, paper in hand, back in the car on the way to the airport.

Then, another problem arises. I’ve forgotten to book the long-term parking – only one last tech hope can save me now.

I slip out my Wi-Fi enabled phone. As we’re shooting along the motorway at 70mph, wi-fi is going to be of no use to me, but luckily my phone is 3G enabled.

Click. I open the browser. Click. Search for Newcastle Airport parking. Click through the booking system. Click. Nearly £60 for seven days, but there’s time for another search.

I click back to my initial Google search and add ‘voucher’ to the end, then click search again. First result is a link to Money Saving Expert. A friendly user has posted a coupon code in the forum. I note it down, go back to the booking system and enter the code, reducing the price to £33.

Result number two of the day. Panic over, I’m waiting in the airport lounge clicking away on my PDA, having typed this article and ready to send. Click. A quick scan for Wi-Fi. Click. BTOpenZone. Click. Connect. Normally I’d be refused entry at this point, as BTOpenZone used to be a paid-for service, but my luck is in for the third time today – all it requires is my email address.

Click. Email. Click. New mail. Click attach this document. Click. Send.

Wow, this technology stuff really works. Arrivederci.

Mark Pinder is new media manager at North East advertising agency Drummond Central.