Getting On The Air
For most lawyers, law school was a necessary first step to creating a successful career. For criminal defense lawyer John T. McMullan, however, it was an experience that just might carry him to the top of the pop charts.
Last year, McMullan released his first solo CD, a self-titled collection of catchy, lyric-driven pop tunes. The CD’s first single, “Law School,” has received critical acclaim and a respectable level of airplay on college stations across the country.
“I used to be charming, but then instead/I went to law school,” he sings. “I used to be carefree and partially sane/until I went to law school/And graduated from law school/And I learned a whole lot about life in law school.”
But this isn’t McMullan’s first foray into the music biz. In college, he fronted a band called The Trend with four high-school pals. The band boasted a devoted fan base at the University of Missouri and even released an album that was favorably reviewed in Billboard magazine.
But practicality won out, and McMullan traded his songbook for a Bluebook. After stints at a large Memphis defense firm and as a public defender, he went into private practice specializing in criminal defense in his hometown of Kennett, Mo., in the southeast corner of the state. As much as he enjoyed practicing law, he couldn’t suppress his creative side. In 1993 he began recording again.
Last fall, McMullan made a swing through the Midwest to support his CD, driving through Lexington, Ky., Chicago, Kansas City and then Columbia, Mo. He was on the road for an entire week. Although he was able to stay in touch with his office and clients with a laptop, Palm Pilot and cell phone, the busy father of two decided he will try something different for the next tours, scheduled for this spring and early summer. This time, he plans to break up the trip and travel exclusively by air.
“I’d like to be gone as short a time as is possible,” he says. “I need to find the best combination [of cities] possible in order for me to minimize my time away from my family and my time away from my law practice.”
He has 12 destinations on his itinerary so far, including Bangor, Maine; Charlottesville, Va.; Charlotte, N.C.; San Antonio and Aspen, Colo.
Since he’d prefer to be home over the weekend, negating the money savings of the Saturday night stay-over, McMullan’s budget for his itinerary has the potential to go gold, if not platinum.
Although he describes his travel budget as a “whatever-it-takes type of thing,” he would prefer to keep expenses down wherever possible. Yet, McMullan says, “Skipping a town where I have had radio support is out of the question.”
Finding the best deals and organizing scheduling for quick trips can be tough, says Life Audit Travel Expert Jacqueline W. Taylor. Tough, but not impossible. Taylor says McMullan can find the best deals, dates and times by taking an approach that already comes naturally to him: the unconventional.
“He can significantly cut down on his travel expenses if he books his travel with a vacation package rather than regular tickets,” she says. “If he departs out of Memphis, he can fly to each of the 12 destinations on his itinerary with a travel package offered by Northwest, Delta and United without requiring a Saturday night stay.” Not only do these deals offer exceptional prices on air transportation, but they include a rental car and a hotel room. The only requirement is a two-night minimum stay, Taylor says, which should have him back home in no time.
Although the hotels that participate in these packages are rarely luxury names like the Four Seasons, she says they are almost always upscale business-friendly hotels where McMullan can easily plug in his laptop and also get in a workout or a swim.
And if McMullan finds that he won’t need a rental car or a hotel room after all, Taylor says there is rarely a penalty if he doesn’t pick up his rental car or check into his prepaid room. Even without the extras, she says the packages could still work out to be a better deal than buying an air ticket alone.
Vacation packages also offer an additional perk that just might come in handy if he decides he wants to share a bit of the limelight with his family. “The wonderful thing about these packages is that if he ever wants to take his wife and daughters, many times there are deals that include family activities, and the hotels often throw in a dinner or a continental breakfast,” she says.
In a nutshell, she says, vacation packages will not only save money, but they can make life much easier. Meaning McMullan just may achieve that perfect harmony after all.
Our Expert
Jacqueline W. Taylor Jacqueline W. Taylor is executive vice president and owner of Buffalo, N.Y.-based Stovroff & Taylor Travel Ltd., a full-service, corporate and leisure travel-management agency serving clients across the country. Life Audit HOT TIP: AIRPLAY
As a musician, John T. McMullan often flies with his guitar in tow. But Life Audit travel expert Jacqueline W. Taylor warns that the days of air travel with carry-on instruments—or any other large or odd-shaped items—may be ending, especially in smaller markets or on shorter flights. “In this economy, many airlines are having to cut back on flights and are either filling in with regional jets or switching to smaller planes completely,” she says. This cuts back on the total availability of seats and space for carry-ons. Booking early gives McMullan the best chance of getting a seat on a full-sized plane, where he may be able to keep his “Lucille” with him.
But even if an airline has made a shift to smaller regional aircraft in a market he is flying through, booking early is still crucial. “Although he won’t be able to carry on his guitar, it may be a challenge even to secure a seat for himself,” Taylor warns. “These planes carry only 37 passengers, so the earlier he can stake his claim, the better.” WE NEED YOU! Got some room to improve? Get free advice from the experts on health and fitness, finance, home and office technology, business travel and wardrobe—plus your mug in this mag—with Life Audit, the Journal’s monthly Lifestyle feature. It’s fun, fast and free. If you would like to participate in a future Life Audit, please e-mail Jenny B. Davis at davisjb@ staff.abanet.org.
12-city tour Problems Must visit 12 cities to promote new CD single but wants to minimize time away from family and law practice.
Would like to reduce expenses as much as possible. Needs to travel with guitar.
Solutions
Rather than taking one long road trip, turn each destination into its own trip and travel by air.
Consider purchasing vacation packages through a travel agent or airline. These packages offer air travel, hotel and car, often at less than the cost of the plane ticket alone, and usually require only a two-night stay.
Airlines may require a guitar to be checked, especially when flying on a smaller, regional jet. Booking in advance offers the best chance to get on a full-sized airplane.
