Lawyers are never miserly with their opinions and John Jardine is proof positive about that when you ask for his stand on the current state of business travel.

A partner with an international law firm, Jardine (not his real because he requested anonymity) flies between 50,000 and 100,000 miles a year, mostly within the United States and he's thrilled not to be a million miler. "Business travel can be productive but today it's very debilitating," he says.

Jardine says his colleagues at the top rung of the U.S. airlines frequent flyer program may "get treated a little better than I do but Iit can't be worth all that extra flying." (Recently, a management consultant who has United's top tier Global Services status, told me he spent $18,000 for a round trip first class flight from San Francisco to Sydney and the plane was old, some flight attendants were grumpy and the food was "mediocre." It could have been worse; United quoted me $24,138 for a nonstop, round-trip, first-class flight to Sydney from SFO).

Still, San Francisco-based Jardine flies United most often, then Lufthansa, American, Continental and Southwest in that order. "I stick with United because of convenience and to maintain my Premier Executive status but I don't think that level means much anymore," he says.

Jardine doesn't travel like a crown prince; he shops. He'll go for a cheap coach ticket if he can upgrade to business class for 15,000 miles. Or depending on the route and timing, he'll buy a "Y-Up" full-fare coach ticket that automatically upgrades him to business class. Or sometimes he'll shell out for a "discounted" premium cabin ticket.

"I am too tall, too old and too crabby to fly domestic coach on a legacy (U.S. Big Six) airline." He hasn't flown JetBlue or Virgin America yet but has "heard good things about them."

Jardine travel strategy is to reserve a window seat. "The choice between a window seat and an aisle seat is the choice between disturbing someone or being disturbed when one of you wants out.

He totes a smallish screen IBM/Lenovo laptop, works much of the flight and then grabs some sleep. Jardine is also a member of United's Red Carpet airline club. "As deteriorated and as tatty as some have become, I cannot imagine traveling for business or pleasure today without being in a club. The alternative is far worse."

The attorney says Lufthansa ( like United, a Star Alliance member) has better club lounges and he uses them when possible. He's also been a member of American, Continental and Delta clubs over the years.

Jardine, a "chowhound" with an extensive wine collection, observes the obvious: "Food service on any U.S. legacy carrier is to be tolerated, not relished, while foreign flag carrier food service can be absolutely spectacular." Lufthansa's first-class cuisine gets his vote, "But I've had no recent experience with any of the Asia-based airlines."

Philosophically, Jardine doesn't expect the U.S. legacy carriers to improve without government intervention. He figures top airline managers are too well compensated and insulated from reality to take risks - "other than a merger when they have golden parachutes and financial incentives to protect them when they sell."

"The Big Six airlines continue to operate without net income because they are supported by so many other industries that depend on them. Examples: Boeing and Airbus' discounting prices on large orders of new aircraft; lenders and leasing companies that do enormous business with airlines;; airports and municipalities underwriting expansions and modernizations; tourism promotions of every stripe; the magic of the marketplace really keeps them going," he notes ruefully.

Jardine has honed his own travel tips over the years:

— Don't act entitled if you want to be treated well. The "do you know who I am?" attitude backfires almost every time.

— Remembering air travel in the '60s, '70s when people were turned out well for a flight, try to avoid seating arrangements where you don't come off the plane "looking like you just came out of a washing machine. If the airline gives you a bunny suit for sleeping, use it."

— Avoid any regional jet feeder flight if at all possible "or any flight operated by US Air anywhere."

— Never book a hotel just for the frequent traveler points. Choose a hotel recommended by a colleague or friend who lives in the town.

— Avoid rental cars if possible. Taxies today are often more convenient and cost-effective when you add up the daily rate and fees. Otherwise, he books Hertz because his firm gets a discount.

— Call ahead to make sure the room and the WiFi or Internet access will be ready and working on arrival.

— If you want to be organized and focused, allow time for business breakfasts with a client at the hotel. "Don't just grab something out of the coffee shop and talk on the run."

— Avoid Dulles outside Washington, D.C., and Denver for connecting flights. "I have good luck at (Chicago's) O'Hare. But during winter and thunderstorm season, there's no substitute for a direct flight."

—In Manhattan, book a table at Gramercy Tavern or Craft. In Birmingham, Ala., for a meeting? Don't miss dinner at the Highlands.

— Stay in the Peninsula Hotel in Chicago, Kitano Hotel in New York City.

If he were meeting with the CEOs of the Big Six legacy airlines, what counsel would John Jardine offer? "Stop pretending that you are listening to us and actually listen to us. If you don't do it voluntarily, pretty soon you'll be doing it involuntarily."

Chris Barnett writes on business travel strategies that save time, money and stress. Reach him at cbarn@aol.com. To find out more about Chris Barnett and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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