WorldCity Business Magazine

Sky Warrior

by Mary Dempsey

There’s never been a shortage of travel for Jos Antonio Ros, whose wife claims he spends 51 weeks a year on the road. Now, as Global Crossing’s overland and undersea cable system expands, the executive’s roster of destinations has grown. Most recently, the company announced plans to broaden its presence in Latin America thanks to an agreement between the company and Costa Rica’s state-run entity responsible for the country’s telecom network, the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad. Global Crossing is also upgrading the section of its IP-based fiber-optic system that connects North America to Latin America. Although Rios finds himself traveling to Singapore one week, Sao Paulo the next, the former CEO of Telefnica Media occasionally gets a chance to return to his home country: Venezuela.

*How often do you travel? *

On average, I’m seeing about five to six cities in three continents per month.

*How many air miles do you log annually? *

About 280,000 to 320,000. I’ve accumulated enough miles to circle the earth several times over, about 7 million on American Airlines alone. I’ve been traveling at that rate for the past couple of decades.

What is your best travel tip for other business travelers?

The key to manageable travel and staying healthy is being able to get adequate rest. I always make sure that I count my hours of sleep and that I adjust my habits accordingly.

*Do you have any pet peeves when you’re traveling for business? *

Yes, a seat companion that doesn’t stop talking! Or passengers that start mistreating the crew. Some folks are incredible.

What are your most frequent destinations?

London, Amsterdam, Singapore, New York and New Jersey, Madrid, So Paulo and Rio, Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Santiago, Caracas

*And your favorites? *

London and Singapore. Fantastic cities with incredible efficiency for the business traveler and for business in general.

*How about the hotels you like best? *

The Mandarin Hyde Park is just fabulous, but the Howard Hotel in London, part of the Swissotel line, is the most business-convenient, comfortable and classy as well as centric to downtown London. The Hyatt Santiago runs a close second. I have stayed in each of them, and the Four Seasons Buenos Aires, over 100 times. The Palace in Madrid and the Bristol in Paris are almost perfect as well. The Hassler in Rome is awesome. The Peninsula in Beverly Hills is very special. When we were restructuring the company, I stayed for weeks at a time at the Summerfield Suites in Morristown, N.J., and they treated me as family. They also have a great team!

*Restaurants? *

Sale e Pepe in London, Cracco Peck in Milan, Bice and Plataforma in New York, Hacienda de los Morales in Mexico City. Bengal in Buenos Aires is unique. And there’s Gero in Rio de Janeiro. Figueira in So Paulo creates a charming and classy atmosphere in a wonderful open space. For those of us from Venezuela, Cacao in Coral Gables is fantastic as well. One of our main offices is in New Jersey, and in Chatham, there is a great restaurant, Serenade.

*What cell phone service do you use on the road? *

I have Cingular for my cell phone, T-Mobile for the Blackberry. Both work everywhere I go or I wouldn’t have them. If I was based in Europe I would probably have Movistar.

How do you pass time in the airport?

Inevitably, there is an internal or customer meeting or interview that I need to take care of from the airport. My time at the airport between flights is all about wireless communication via phone and Blackberry.

*Do you have a favorite airport? *

Singapore Changi International Airport. Absolutely state-of-the art.

*Is there an airport you really dread? *

Linate in Milan. Malpensa is new and great but Linate is really worn out and they have let it go downhill.

What’s the most innovative service you’ve seen on your journeys?

Last year, I was on a Singapore Airlines flight and they were piloting airborn Internet. I think it is the first airline to do this. It worked quite well, actually.

What’s the most memorable thing that’s happened on a business trip?

Years ago when La Carlota airport in Caracas was still open to private aviation, I was the only passenger flying in on a two-engine jet. First one engine and then both engines shut down. The pilot basically coasted into the airport while the copilot and I held our breath. Thanks to his skills, we miraculously glided and landed perfectly, amidst the roar of ambulances and fire engines, police, the works. No one was hurt.

*Do you have a pre-flight routine? *

I try to position myself not to be pushed around by the crowd boarding. Also, if it is a long flight I try to eat before I board to be able to sleep from the get-go. No alcoholic drinks. Cranberry juice or sparkling water are better.

Rios travels with:

An alarm clock

Blackberry

Computer connectors

Extra clothes

Patience

Air miles/Car miles ratio: 1,185: 1