As someone who is obsessed, almost to the point of neurosis, with the number of vacation days I have left at my disposal, I can relate to the respondents of our latest State of Air Travel poll. FlightNetwork’s newest study investigated the prevalence of Oblications, that is expending vacation days for personal obligations rather than activities of the respondent’s choosing. Like, say, lying on a beach somewhere.
Listening to the Best Man's speech on your day off? Priceless - Photo by Flickr user _rockinfree
The poll found that:
- 56% of participants had used vacation time for an Oblication in the past year
- an unenviable 12.5% had ALL of their vacation days consumed by Oblications
- with a middle ground of 32% indicating they were forced to travel two or three times in the year to fullfil obligations
The most common types of Oblications?
- Weddings 41%
- Funerals 18%
- Baby-related events and house-warmings 13%
- Graduations 8%
- Religious events 6%
But some wily individuals resort to a variety of tactics dodge Oblications, such as:
- Call in sick 33%
- “Too much work” 30%
- “I can’t afford the trip” 19%
- Blame children or pets 17%
Although FlightNetwork does not endorse any of these Oblication avoidance techniques, it is fascinating to examine the lengths that people will to go to in order to preserve their valuable supply of vacation time.
Blame it on the dog - Photo by Joe Sullivan
