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Keep your carry-on light. Go to the first domestic carrier gate you see in a city you’d like, and look for a well-dressed business-looking person. You don’t need to spot a laptopper like when on the plane (Do 38) because offerors are in plain sight. Always pick someone who’s alone and doesn’t appear to be guarding a companion’s luggage.

Then, rest your recruited rump and say, “Hi! Do you have business in Boston?”

You might hear, “Yes.”

You then say, “I hear it’s a beautiful city. What’s it like?”

Him: It is beautiful. I’m visiting my largest wholesaler to review our distribution system.

You: I’m waiting for a plane to Denver. What are your products?

The rest is exactly like any sitting side-to-side instant interview (Do 56). Fifteen minutes, eyeball, smile, say goodbye with a handshake, business card exchange (Do 1), and it’s off to the next gate.

Stompin’ at the Station

Train stations are a great place anyway. The security is civilized, the people are not as rushed. Being at the old ones is a blast from the past. Being at the new ones is a trip to the future. I love trains, and you will too.

There are fewer businesspeople, but they look much calmer. They are, and therefore you can approach them more easily than in an airport.

Since the gates usually don’t have lobbies, the chamber method (Do 56) is used. If they do, follow the airport routine.

Doin’ It at Depots

Public and tour bus depots are marginal places to instant. Businesspeople don’t use them much.

But they’re super places to meet savvy, helpful drivers and other staffers who know the area hiring trends better than almost anyone else. Follow the techniques to instant them (Do 36).

Do 36: Transforming Ground Transportation into Interview Information

People-drivers see and hear more useful interview intelligence in one shift than the average person does in a week. Run the numbers mentally and you can see why they’re musters for your instant interviewing.

They’re also very nice. You’d have to be. And funny? You’d need a sense of humor too. Approachable? An understatement. They’re in your face.

You don’t have to hop on a bus or ride a taxi if you’re not going anyway. You just have to go where drivers go. Take bow-coo business cards. You’ll be on the bow-coo interview route.

We have two bus terminals near our home. I discovered them when I was looking to take my grandkids on a field trip. I just called the bus lines and asked for the administrative office. They have tons of tools in the garage (like Bob the Builder would use). They even have ones that are 10 times the size of the tools used for cars!

Inside there are driver rest areas where you can visit with the staff. This alone is worth the trip. Helpers. Cool.

What’s happening? Who do you know? What’s going on at that corner with the fence? Why are so many people riding to that office building? Where are the people you drive working? Who’s hiring?

The next places are taxi offices. Look in the Yellow Pages under “Taxi Services.” Call and get the addresses (they’re not listed).

How about airport shuttles? They’re in the Yellow Pages, usually under “Airport Shuttle Services.” Find out where they hang and go over.

Far more shuttle drivers than taxi drivers work part-time, and they have businesses on the side. Antennae up!

Check the Yellow Pages under “Limousine Services” too. Depending on whom you call, the I.I. inquiries can be done over the phone. The smaller, boutique services are frequently owner-managed. You may be talking to a businessperson who needs things done. A closet offeror.

On the others, get an address and go over personally. Limo drivers are super sources since they drive successful people.

When you’re in another city (or if you want to be), look up these services. You can’t find out more, higher quality, better interview intel faster than from them!

I’ve done these exercises myself. Drivers are so flattered anyone cares about them that they