Comments on: Is the the time right for a travelers alliance? http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-the-the-time-right-for-a-travelers-alliance/ The travel troubleshooter. Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:07:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Bruce Goldensohn http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-the-the-time-right-for-a-travelers-alliance/comment-page-1/#comment-6217 Bruce Goldensohn Wed, 14 Nov 2007 16:29:20 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-the-the-time-right-for-a-travelers-alliance/#comment-6217 Yes - a lobby group would be worthwhile. I have generally had success in solving individual complaints with the airlines; however, broader issues require a concentrated effort from many people. It will take a fair amount of work, and a geat deal of responsibility to start and operate this "lobby" group. Any organization needs some money to operate, but to be really effective you also need numbers of participants/members. Why not do it like the airlines (hahaha!). Have 3 classes of membership: First Class - (those who contribute $$$, pay dues, do legwork and effort with you, etc.); Business Class - (those who pay dues and respond to requests for e-mails, etc.); Economy - (those who are willing to send e-mails or mail real letters (!), make calls, receive newletters and pass info on to others, etc.). I have no idea how many people would contribure $$$, or pay dues. It is very difficult to track $$$, keep records, or handle the IRS (!) without professional help.That assistance would have to come as pro-bono assistance from your First Class members. It will also take quite a bit of your time to organize it and meet with your "first" First Class members. Good luck in your efforts! Note: Sorry to admit that today is the first time I have seen or heard of your blog. Yes – a lobby group would be worthwhile. I have generally had success in solving individual complaints with the airlines; however, broader issues require a concentrated effort from many people. It will take a fair amount of work, and a geat deal of responsibility to start and operate this “lobby” group.

Any organization needs some money to operate, but to be really effective you also need numbers of participants/members. Why not do it like the airlines (hahaha!). Have 3 classes of membership:
First Class – (those who contribute $$$, pay dues, do legwork and effort with you, etc.);
Business Class – (those who pay dues and respond to requests for e-mails, etc.);
Economy – (those who are willing to send e-mails or mail real letters (!), make calls, receive newletters and pass info on to others, etc.).

I have no idea how many people would contribure $$$, or pay dues. It is very difficult to track $$$, keep records, or handle the IRS (!) without professional help.That assistance would have to come as pro-bono assistance from your First Class members.

It will also take quite a bit of your time to organize it and meet with your “first” First Class members.

Good luck in your efforts!

Note: Sorry to admit that today is the first time I have seen or heard of your blog.

]]> By: Richard Whewell http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-the-the-time-right-for-a-travelers-alliance/comment-page-1/#comment-6150 Richard Whewell Sun, 11 Nov 2007 05:18:05 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-the-the-time-right-for-a-travelers-alliance/#comment-6150 Yes indeed! European air travel is not particularly customer-friendly, and the air travel industry (together with the railways) is remarkably further behind other industries in recognising the importance of the customer. BUT by comparison with American experiences we do very well over here! Start with the small things - our stewardesses wear name badges and we keep foreigners waiting for quite short periods before admission to our countries! Last time I was in America, my wife and I were repeatedly held up, made to take our shoes off and on, messed around on US domestic flighrts - now we simply don't traverl to America, neither for holidays nor for the educational developments which it is my job to develop - and which are strategically important to our alliance. Yes indeed! European air travel is not particularly customer-friendly, and the air travel industry (together with the railways) is remarkably further behind other industries in recognising the importance of the customer. BUT by comparison with American experiences we do very well over here! Start with the small things – our stewardesses wear name badges and we keep foreigners waiting for quite short periods before admission to our countries! Last time I was in America, my wife and I were repeatedly held up, made to take our shoes off and on, messed around on US domestic flighrts – now we simply don’t traverl to America, neither for holidays nor for the educational developments which it is my job to develop – and which are strategically important to our alliance.

]]> By: Natalie http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-the-the-time-right-for-a-travelers-alliance/comment-page-1/#comment-6139 Natalie Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:53:39 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-the-the-time-right-for-a-travelers-alliance/#comment-6139 Yes! Yes! Yes! Changes are needed, and it is not the airlines who are going to make them- it is going to have to come from us, just like every other change in industry in history. Let's do it! Yes! Yes! Yes! Changes are needed, and it is not the airlines who are going to make them- it is going to have to come from us, just like every other change in industry in history. Let’s do it!

]]> By: Paul http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-the-the-time-right-for-a-travelers-alliance/comment-page-1/#comment-6119 Paul Thu, 08 Nov 2007 12:16:31 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-the-the-time-right-for-a-travelers-alliance/#comment-6119 It is time for a travelers alliance and I would join. The airlines' contract of carriage is written so that the airlines have no resposibilities and passengers have no rights. The airlines have seen the government do it, so they have joined the bandwagon. It is time for a travelers alliance and I would join. The airlines’ contract of carriage is written so that the airlines have no resposibilities and passengers have no rights. The airlines have seen the government do it, so they have joined the bandwagon.

]]> By: Roland Hill http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-the-the-time-right-for-a-travelers-alliance/comment-page-1/#comment-6101 Roland Hill Wed, 07 Nov 2007 17:15:20 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-the-the-time-right-for-a-travelers-alliance/#comment-6101 I'm also think we need a real lobby for travel consumers, particularly airline passengers, who basically pay all the freight of the air travel industry. The 'fake' airline travel associations seem to be in the pocket of the airlines, or the government regulator management, or more likely, both. Where do I sign up for a subscription/membership? I’m also think we need a real lobby for travel consumers, particularly airline passengers, who basically pay all the freight of the air travel industry. The ‘fake’ airline travel associations seem to be in the pocket of the airlines, or the government regulator management, or more likely, both. Where do I sign up for a subscription/membership?

]]> By: Jack http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-the-the-time-right-for-a-travelers-alliance/comment-page-1/#comment-6087 Jack Wed, 07 Nov 2007 00:35:14 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-the-the-time-right-for-a-travelers-alliance/#comment-6087 It would be a big help as the future is not bright for air travelers. You may be feeling like sheep now but we will all become floor rugs soon. I'd support a real strong group advocating for passengers! It would be a big help as the future is not bright for air travelers. You may be feeling like sheep now but we will all become floor rugs soon.

I’d support a real strong group advocating for passengers!

]]> By: Richard http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-the-the-time-right-for-a-travelers-alliance/comment-page-1/#comment-6077 Richard Tue, 06 Nov 2007 17:47:16 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-the-the-time-right-for-a-travelers-alliance/#comment-6077 It's about time, but we have to be willing to pay dues. Nobody in DC is listening to us, so we have to be organized and talk louder and in their direction. It’s about time, but we have to be willing to pay dues. Nobody in DC is listening to us, so we have to be organized and talk louder and in their direction.

]]> By: Jasper http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-the-the-time-right-for-a-travelers-alliance/comment-page-1/#comment-6075 Jasper Tue, 06 Nov 2007 14:32:06 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-the-the-time-right-for-a-travelers-alliance/#comment-6075 I would welcome a travelers lobby group. My idea would be to have a very good internet presence. Not for receiving complaints, but as a way to organize people. Grass roots campaigning is the name of the game here. This is important because a consumer/travelers organization will never be able to outspend the industry. Hence, it should be able to organize large numbers of people. People who will flood airlines, hotels, and the government with serious issues. For instance. By just registering people's addresses, you could automatically 'write' standard letters for them to their senator, congressman and delegates. Just by coupling the addresses to the district databases that exist. People could come to the website, see an initiative they want to support, give their address, and off goes an e-mail to their state and federal representatives. Lastly, IF such an organization is started, please don't be blinded by the 'standard' contracts that companies force down the throat of customers. Set-up (y)our own contract and start lobbying for a fair contract that balances good consumer value with good business. BTW: since the last two Firefox updates, the image of the anti-spam word doesn't work decently anymore. Quite randomly, but more often than not, I can't see the word. I can only listen to it. I would welcome a travelers lobby group. My idea would be to have a very good internet presence. Not for receiving complaints, but as a way to organize people. Grass roots campaigning is the name of the game here. This is important because a consumer/travelers organization will never be able to outspend the industry. Hence, it should be able to organize large numbers of people. People who will flood airlines, hotels, and the government with serious issues.

For instance. By just registering people’s addresses, you could automatically ‘write’ standard letters for them to their senator, congressman and delegates. Just by coupling the addresses to the district databases that exist. People could come to the website, see an initiative they want to support, give their address, and off goes an e-mail to their state and federal representatives.

Lastly, IF such an organization is started, please don’t be blinded by the ’standard’ contracts that companies force down the throat of customers. Set-up (y)our own contract and start lobbying for a fair contract that balances good consumer value with good business.

BTW: since the last two Firefox updates, the image of the anti-spam word doesn’t work decently anymore. Quite randomly, but more often than not, I can’t see the word. I can only listen to it.

]]> By: MrBadExample http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-the-the-time-right-for-a-travelers-alliance/comment-page-1/#comment-6058 MrBadExample Fri, 02 Nov 2007 10:24:05 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-the-the-time-right-for-a-travelers-alliance/#comment-6058 Well Chris, As you already know US Airways already has an advocacy group called FFOCUS and a web site that while not as polished as yours is up and running. I agree with you that the timing appears to be right. While I'm very strident and opinionated all I really want is for airlines to abide by their own rules set forth by their Contracts of Carriage and to institute some basic customer service standards. Truth is many of the things that annoy travelers are out of the airlines direct control and a travelers advocacy would spend a great deal of its time lobbying Congress in lockstep with the airlines in order to improve the current situation. We've started the ball rolling at www.ffocus.org all by ourselves to attempt to change the way one airline has treated its best customers. Well Chris, As you already know US Airways already has an advocacy group called FFOCUS and a web site that while not as polished as yours is up and running. I agree with you that the timing appears to be right.

While I’m very strident and opinionated all I really want is for airlines to abide by their own rules set forth by their Contracts of Carriage and to institute some basic customer service standards.

Truth is many of the things that annoy travelers are out of the airlines direct control and a travelers advocacy would spend a great deal of its time lobbying Congress in lockstep with the airlines in order to improve the current situation.

We’ve started the ball rolling at http://www.ffocus.org all by ourselves to attempt to change the way one airline has treated its best customers.

]]> By: Dawn http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-the-the-time-right-for-a-travelers-alliance/comment-page-1/#comment-6050 Dawn Wed, 31 Oct 2007 19:07:45 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-the-the-time-right-for-a-travelers-alliance/#comment-6050 I live in the DC area and would love to help get it started and work for an organization like this! Having traveled to 38 states and 30 countries, I consider myself a road warrior. I used to enjoy (yes, enjoy) travel and actually quit my job because I could no longer deal with the stress of travel these days. The airlines' complete disregard for the customer and the government's inability to act on our behalf left me fed up and exhausted. It's time for a change. It doesn't have to be like this. And there can be a win-win if the airlines are willing to recognize that without passengers, they have no business! I live in the DC area and would love to help get it started and work for an organization like this! Having traveled to 38 states and 30 countries, I consider myself a road warrior. I used to enjoy (yes, enjoy) travel and actually quit my job because I could no longer deal with the stress of travel these days. The airlines’ complete disregard for the customer and the government’s inability to act on our behalf left me fed up and exhausted.

It’s time for a change. It doesn’t have to be like this. And there can be a win-win if the airlines are willing to recognize that without passengers, they have no business!

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