Jerry Whitlock was playing golf recently, beneath planes departing Hartsfield International Airport in Stockbridge, Georgia. "I would look up and see an L-1011 and go, 'There's a bunch of idiots going to London.' "

Five years ago, he was one of the "idiots." He had helped his company grow from seven to 300 employees. Yet he was gone every week, and "it about killed me."

He quit. Took two years off. Then started his home-based business, EPM Inc., a virtual marketer of industrial seals and gaskets.

A tech junkies, Whitlock knows that the right tools can set you free. The only time he travels now is if he stands to make far more than the cost of the trip. Otherwise, he uses his Web page to generate leads and distribute catalogs. He uses his PC to broadcast marketing faxes overnight. And he uses e-mail to talk cheaply with customers around the world.

Long distance, Whitlock scopes out their needs, then orders a replacement part from his suppliers, repacks it, and sends it to the customer.

"I'll pay the FedEx ticket in and back out, rather than pay the airline ticket for myself to go look at it."

Of his past life in airports? "I don't miss it a bit," Whitlock says.