NO. I let sellers and in-process buyers/prospects know that I am out of pocket but still reachable if need be--and Carmen can handle showings in my absence and v/v. We are stingy with time for unvetted buyers, so whether we are in town or not, we will not 'drop everything' to go out same day anyway. Our sellers WANT us to show only to qualified, serious buyers.
I have ONLY ONCE in 18 years been so out of pocket I could not respond to VMs . . . it was in 2006 in Mexico and divine. LOL
We did lose a buyer who 'couldn't wait' till we got back (Carmen was with me) and that buyer turned out to be a nightmare for the agent he went with. Divine providence. (Of course we found out!)
Now it's easier to deal from there . . .

   I have people to cover for me if I go out of town.  I agree with Bob "RealMan" Timm - I don't want to alert any bad guys or ne'er-do-wells that I am out of town.

When I am not available for any reason, and would never publicize I am out of town or on vacation, my business is monitored and managed in a professional manner and clients needs are taken care of. 

"Taking care of business" doesn't mean telling/informing any/all who call.

My clients needs are always taken care of. 

I don't like to alarm anyone or have someone think they would be imposing by leaving a message so I don't leave a vacation greeting in my VM.

I schedule buyer appointments to start back up the day after I get back.

I work remotely so typically not a problem for sellers.

I do not Joan Cox . I don't want to signal to anyone that I may be out of town.

Not a chance!  Learned long ago that was one method people used to find accounts to target for hacking.

No alerts to anyone that I am out of town. Do have coverage!

Not usually.  If a someone calls with an immediate need, I can always make other arrangements with another agent if absolutely necessary.

I've done that in the past, Joan Cox , because I had to travel overseas.  I don't know how good that will do because I still get a text and voicemail message 

I don't do that anymore especially on a short vacation, I check my voicemail, email, text, even when I'm off.  If a buyer wanting to view a home I send them to the lender first.  I've had times that 2 weeks later, the buyer had not even contacted the lender.  

as long as there's service available, the phones stay on.... or someone else takes the calls.... the voicemail leaves the new message with agent's name...it's the team number so all they need is the name....

Even when out of town I still keep up with important emails.

The cell-phone has answered & addressed all communication issues once and for all for me. Just having a contact for people is so assuring to the public

No need, I take my phone with me.

No, I personally dislike it, so I don't do to others what I dislike.  Same on VM.  We have a real person answering our phone, and he/she can route them to us anywhere in the world.  A

YES and Yes

If gone for more than one week, I have someone on my team cover me too.

We do not change our voice mail response when traveling. They can leave a message. We do not like to publicly discuss our travels until we return home.

Many arrangements for an associate to handle appointments while you are gone.

Since most of my clients are foreign buyers I'm always traveling abroad and NEVER turn on auto reply.

This is the life I chose and even on a 14hr intercontinental flight, I make sure to check my email several times...;)

no

When I leave town, I remain accessible. It's easy with all our smart devices, almost to a fault... Just today on an airport shuttle bus to the car rental center, a woman sitting next to me was negotiating a morgage deal.

Well, vaction is vacation. 

Somebody in your office may help you.

No, Joan. 

Phone is working everywhere. Can check my e-mail too. 

We work by showing request from our MLS only.

I will if I will not be in contact.

No, I have someone who monitors my emails, phone calls and will show buyers homes if necessary, answer questions, etc. I check in daily but, rarely do they have anything left undone that needs me to step in.

We've been working together for a very long time so, all of my clients know my assistants well and know that they are in good hands in my absence.

Nope, nothing changes. I monitor my emails and calls closely and respond individually as needed.

No - phone and email work out of town too!

I have a backup realtor on my team. Often I will not leave a VM fear my home will be house hacked.

I do change my vouce mail but even away, i will answer email. 

For longer periods yes.

I don't leave nothing that will let anyone know that my home is vacant for any amount of time