Travel Tech Q&A: Eaton's Michael Mallia
Eaton senior product line manager for Asia Pacific Michael Mallia travels often to the company's base in the US and the Asia Pacific region to meet with potential datacentre customers.
Michael Mallia
(Credit: Eaton)
Eaton sells electrical components and systems, including those for power quality, distribution and control, hydraulics, aerospace applications and automotive drivetrains. The company has 70,000 employees worldwide, achieving 2010 sales of US$13.7 billion.
What tech do you travel with and why?
My laptop, my iPad and my iPod: my laptop, because I can't work without it and my trips are usually a minimum of a week long; my iPad to catch up on news and watch movies (especially when sitting around airports); my iPod helps me to sleep on planes.
What's your favourite phone app for travelling and why?
I never travel without my BlackBerry Travel app. It captures all my flight and hotel bookings, gives me reminders and even helps me plan my trips. Next would be the Formula1.com app. I'm an F1 nut, and hate to miss races. It gives me up-to-date info during practice, qualifying and races.
Personal travel advice/tip?
Be aware Chinese taxi drivers don't speak English! I always carry a printed copy of the destination address in Chinese, and I keep a phone number of someone that I can call that can speak to the driver to give them instructions if necessary.
How do you deal with jet lag?
I haven't mastered that one yet! I've taught myself to get through a business day on only four hours of sleep.
What was your biggest travel disaster?
When my luggage got lost and I arrived when the shops were closed. I had to visit important customers the next morning wearing jeans and a t-shirt.
Is there one thing you must do before you leave home?
I triple check that I've packed everything that I need!
What is your dream travel tech to have on planes/in airports/at hotels?
An iPad with the power of my laptop so I could run all my work programs on it. Then I'd be able to ditch the PC and travel lighter. It doesn't sound too farfetched an idea technically, but all our corporate IT security and restrictions seem to make this a dream rather than a possibility.
Favourite destination city and why?
I don't have a favourite, but whenever I go to Shanghai, I try to catch the Mag-Lev train from the city to Pudong airport. It's an amazing ride that travels up to 400km/h.
Which airport would you prefer to be stranded at and why?
Hong Kong airport. It's so easy to get into and around the city from the airport, it's only a 23-minute train ride and the trains are always on time.