Two remarkable stories crossed the wire at virtually the same time yesterday, and both serve as reminders that travel remains a risky proposition, no matter where you go or who you are.
From the monthly archives:
January 2007
“Why am I here?” is a question everyone asks at one time or another. But late last year I had an opportunity to do some extensive soul-searching when I researched a feature on corporate mission statements.
As a general rule, TV ads for travel companies tend to be really, really boring. I mean, when’s the last time you forwarded a spot for an airline or car rental company to one of your friends? I rest my case.
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Travel tips, news and information
January 17, 2007
Endings … and beginnings. Although spring is still a few months away, there are a lot of beginnings — and endings — in the travel industry this week. Bill Marriott has a new blog. Southwest Airlines has a new site. And I have some insights into the end [...]
Kate Lease leaves her glasses at a Comfort Inn. Fortunately, the hotel finds them and offers to return them to her. Unfortunately, it loses them before it can put them in the mail. What does the company owe Lease for losing her glasses?
Does anyone really care that Expedia no longer offers first- and business-class fares from American Airlines? Well, maybe not, but the war of words surrounding the whole incident is too juicy to be ignored.
When it comes to the travel industry, corporate blogs have gotten a mixed reaction from the online community. Some, like Southwest’s blog, generally receive high marks for their irreverent tone that connects with other bloggers. Others, like Starwood’s Lobby have been criticized for being overly promotional.
I used to think that being a war correspondent was one of the most difficult jobs in TV journalism. It is, without a doubt, the most dangerous one.
When it comes to user-friendliness among airline sites, Southwest.com probably has no competition. It’s been the Google of travel dot-coms: simple, intuitive and fast. But since launching in 1995, it has changed very little. Why mess with a good thing?
Let’s start at the end for a change. Northwest Airlines put this passenger on the next flight and upgraded him to first class as a goodwill gesture. And Northwest had a lot of making up to do.
ELLIOTT’S E-MAIL
Travel tips, news and information
January 10, 2007
Would you pay $15 billion for this airline? US Airways raised its bid in its hostile takeover attempt of Delta Air Lines this morning, offering Delta’s unsecured creditors $5 billion in cash and 89.5 million shares. Never mind that only a few days ago, US Airways chief executive [...]
No one has probably ever accused the U.S. government of overstating airline passengers’ rights. Quite the contrary: The government and the airline industry are usually close allies. And the current administration is crazy about the airline industry, showering it with generous subsidies, tax breaks and favorable rules.
Bill Wright prepays for two rooms at a Holiday Inn Express through Travelocity. But when he checks in, he discovers the Holiday Inn has been turned into an Econo Lodge. Does the online agency owe him anything?
At a recent wine tasting in Napa, Calif., my hosts made a tragic mistake: They served a big zinfandel with warm apple pie for dessert. The sweet pie stripped the fruit flavors from the wine, leaving us with mouthfuls of what tasted like tannic water.
“What is this?” some of the guests asked.
Others winced, unwilling to [...]
Airlines contracts have always been crystal-clear about what’s owed to passengers when weather prevents a flight from leaving: nada. But after a series of weather-related delays over the holidays –
including one flight from San Francisco that was diverted to Austin, where it sat on the tarmac for eight hours — people seem to be rethinking the rules.
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