Comments on: Dear AARP, please take a stand on the airline mergers http://www.elliott.org/blog/dear-aarp-please-take-a-stand-on-the-airline-mergers/ Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott's site. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jim J http://www.elliott.org/blog/dear-aarp-please-take-a-stand-on-the-airline-mergers/comment-page-1/#comment-9895 Jim J Wed, 12 Mar 2008 03:02:46 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/dear-aarp-please-take-a-stand-on-the-airline-mergers/#comment-9895 I too agree with what has been said above. I quit AARP when they caved in on the Medicare Prescription Drug legislation and went along with the "donut hole" concept. They also agreed not to oppose a provision in that law that forbids Medicare from negotiating the prices of prescription drugs. I've noticed that AARP has now entered the medicare supplement insurance field. I've also noticed that the cost of medicine has gone completely out of sight. Shame on you, AARP. I too agree with what has been said above. I quit AARP when they caved in on the Medicare Prescription Drug legislation and went along with the “donut hole” concept. They also agreed not to oppose a provision in that law that forbids Medicare from negotiating the prices of prescription drugs. I’ve noticed that AARP has now entered the medicare supplement insurance field. I’ve also noticed that the cost of medicine has gone completely out of sight. Shame on you, AARP.

]]> By: Ron Cann http://www.elliott.org/blog/dear-aarp-please-take-a-stand-on-the-airline-mergers/comment-page-1/#comment-9889 Ron Cann Tue, 11 Mar 2008 19:59:16 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/dear-aarp-please-take-a-stand-on-the-airline-mergers/#comment-9889 I agree with the other responders. The AARP is a money earning business and not a true advocacy group. I would not join or lend my personal support to this organization. But you have to admire a clever money making venture. I agree with the other responders. The AARP is a money earning business and not a true advocacy group. I would not join or lend my personal support to this organization. But you have to admire a clever money making venture.

]]> By: Ken Smith http://www.elliott.org/blog/dear-aarp-please-take-a-stand-on-the-airline-mergers/comment-page-1/#comment-9881 Ken Smith Tue, 11 Mar 2008 16:07:58 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/dear-aarp-please-take-a-stand-on-the-airline-mergers/#comment-9881 I agree with Steve H. As a Tour Operator and Travel professional, I feel like I am sometimes in competition with AARP and their penchant for selling products that I am selling. I thought they were supposed to be non-profit advocacy organization also! One of the main reasons I have never joined their organization is because I have not seen any benefit to anyone except the employs who are on their payroll who's salaries are being funded by the members. Oh, unless you count that $5 off your $150 room at a motel you might get if the motel has plenty of availability. I agree with Steve H. As a Tour Operator and Travel professional, I feel like I am sometimes in competition with AARP and their penchant for selling products that I am selling. I thought they were supposed to be non-profit advocacy organization also!

One of the main reasons I have never joined their organization is because I have not seen any benefit to anyone except the employs who are on their payroll who’s salaries are being funded by the members. Oh, unless you count that $5 off your $150 room at a motel you might get if the motel has plenty of availability.

]]> By: Daisy http://www.elliott.org/blog/dear-aarp-please-take-a-stand-on-the-airline-mergers/comment-page-1/#comment-9876 Daisy Tue, 11 Mar 2008 14:54:02 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/dear-aarp-please-take-a-stand-on-the-airline-mergers/#comment-9876 I'm not surprised by the response and will not be surprised when AARP does not take a stand on airline consolidation. A few years ago, AARP conducted a survey regarding medical marijuana. The findings, which were overwhelmingly positive, were published on the AARP website. The findings never appeared in the magazine. When AARP was asked why, the answer given was that they “did not believe their readership would be interested”. That’s not leadership, that’s censorship. That’s the day that I canceled my subscription and membership. I’m not surprised by the response and will not be surprised when AARP does not take a stand on airline consolidation. A few years ago, AARP conducted a survey regarding medical marijuana. The findings, which were overwhelmingly positive, were published on the AARP website. The findings never appeared in the magazine. When AARP was asked why, the answer given was that they “did not believe their readership would be interested”. That’s not leadership, that’s censorship. That’s the day that I canceled my subscription and membership.

]]> By: Michael F. Hollander http://www.elliott.org/blog/dear-aarp-please-take-a-stand-on-the-airline-mergers/comment-page-1/#comment-9872 Michael F. Hollander Tue, 11 Mar 2008 14:05:08 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/dear-aarp-please-take-a-stand-on-the-airline-mergers/#comment-9872 The person running AARP is a former advertising agency executive who's doing his best to raise important issues. Voth should have written directly to the executive director. The person running AARP is a former advertising agency executive who’s doing his best to raise important issues. Voth should have written directly to the executive director.

]]> By: Steve H http://www.elliott.org/blog/dear-aarp-please-take-a-stand-on-the-airline-mergers/comment-page-1/#comment-9870 Steve H Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:52:19 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/dear-aarp-please-take-a-stand-on-the-airline-mergers/#comment-9870 AARP is no longer an advocacy organization for the retired or those approaching retirement. It is now a moneymaking behemoth that sells products - especially insurance - to its members. Its concerns now are revenue and profits, and anything that stands in the way of those priorities is quickly compromised. AARP is no longer an advocacy organization for the retired or those approaching retirement. It is now a moneymaking behemoth that sells products – especially insurance – to its members. Its concerns now are revenue and profits, and anything that stands in the way of those priorities is quickly compromised.

]]> By: Joe Farrell http://www.elliott.org/blog/dear-aarp-please-take-a-stand-on-the-airline-mergers/comment-page-1/#comment-9677 Joe Farrell Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:57:38 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/dear-aarp-please-take-a-stand-on-the-airline-mergers/#comment-9677 Gee, do you think the senior members of these organizations actually fly the airlines? They have private aircraft. And, when they DO fly the airlines, their position lets the fly in first or business class. They NEVER really see the reality of the average traveling public. What do they care personally? This is a personal issue - personal to their members - and a situation where they can get perks, upgrades and free trips from the airline doing marketing. I'm just very suspect of the conflict of interest that can exist here. Gee, do you think the senior members of these organizations actually fly the airlines? They have private aircraft. And, when they DO fly the airlines, their position lets the fly in first or business class. They NEVER really see the reality of the average traveling public. What do they care personally? This is a personal issue – personal to their members – and a situation where they can get perks, upgrades and free trips from the airline doing marketing. I’m just very suspect of the conflict of interest that can exist here.

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