Previously this week I've been sent on a one-day business trip along with a 4y senior colleague, Bob. We work at a consultancy firm in IT and the aim of the trip was fixing some issues at our client's workplace (three hours by train from the city where I live and work, that, of course, are outside working hours).
There are few reasons I'm dissatisfied with the experience. Apart from being somewhat formative for me and keeping good client relations, it has been a wasted time for me.
Now, the client is requesting Bob's presence for another day in the next week (mentioning his name specifically). Bob has tried to shift the whole business trip on me, and when our manager told him this is unfeasible, he is still suggesting to bring me along.
Now I've already raised my concerns with my manager about the previous experience. The question is:
How can I make clear that I would rather avoid the whole thing?
- Bob has more seniority on both the product and this client
- On the other hand, I'm a junior with expertise on a small share of the product
- Most of the things that I could solve for our client could be done remotely in 15 minutes
- When faced with unforeseen issues, I'm not able to answer properly to the client. This of course it's my problem, but it would reflect badly on all my team.
Edit - on travel time: I've been asked about my previous statment, so I'll clarify: travel time is most outside working hours and is unpaid. I do get reimbursed for the ticket cost. The cllient doesn't expect us to do a regular 9-18, so we were able to get in later (10:20) and get out a little earlier (17.40) on the previous trip, thus 1,30 of the total six hours was compensated.
Edit - on the opportunity itself: I realize what is at stake for both parties here, and what I could possibily learn/gain from the experience; but I'm questioning wheter this is in my best interest judging by the previous trip.