The Travel Industry News - Editorial Archives

February 1, 2001

Candlelight & Bubbles...

You may..or may not..find it hard to believe that TIN receives many letters/emails from you, our faithful readers.

What’s more, I’m pleased to report that most of them are positive, sometimes complimentary and oft times humourous.

In these times of flux I believe that a safeguard on one’s sanity and continuation in business is the ability to not take ones self too seriously...and chances are that you know a ‘few’ that do.

If you are reading this and are one of those people in this big old world that can not be replaced...pause long enough to be honest.

How many people over the years have you worked with: the reps; fellow agents; leading entrepeneurs...even those notorious few who have passed this way under questionable circumstances...do you still remember their names?

“Oh you know Joyce, the rep from Princess, he had dark hair, was in his 40’s and always wore a dark suit...what was his name?”

Following my last front page, “I Had To Leave The Country,,,” I received a delightful, well written and funny letter from one of our faithful over there in Ellensburg, WA., let me share it with you.

Hello David and Darlene,

Once again, you have brightened my day. Since November, there has been snow on the ground in Ellensburg. Last week the temp was 9 degrees...and going to work every day was a chore...I have done what you two did the 14th of Dec. only I stayed at The Vintage Park Hotel and had lunch at Tulios. The same as your circumstances...the rain was actually coming in sideways, etc.

If this business gets any wackier I’m going to get a big red nose... flapping red clown shoes and start selling hot dogs from a ‘Patsys Pups’ rolling unit with giant red wheels...Oh, yes, with a side of strawberry margueritas and piped-in mariachi music. Oh the possibilities are wonderful...This is where I take a little mental holiday when things like Southwest and all the other bindlestiffs start playing hardball. They could at least warn me - then I could get my mitt...

I could go on forever but we both know we have more important things to do...As for me. I don’t really give a rats a–– about some guy calling and telling me he can get the fare cheaper on the internet... my stock answer is "go for it".

From the rarified and quite chilly air in Ellensburg, Washington - home of the cowboy with tight jeans, I remain, Very Truly yours, Patsy Montgomery.

Boy, I love that “stock answer”...'go for it'. Let me share a few more “quotes” from our ‘Got Mail’ that makes TIN so worthwhile for me these days.

“I love to read your epistles! I wonder sometimes if everyone gets your sense of humour - but I personally enjoy it very much!” Bobbie-Chelan WA. ( She’s obviously English! )

From another source: “David I always look forward to your outspoken editorial passages. They are so very interesting. I commend you for your sincerity and honesty in expressing what is good and bad these days, not only within the travel industry, but within our society as well”. B>R> Mukilteo, WA.

However not everyone loves me...which of course is somewhat difficult for me to understand... while knowing full well she will forget my name and that helps me handle rejection!

No indeed, the owner of a Montana agency cancelled her subscription recently when I dared to write about how travel agency staff should be compensated and treasured. However, to counter that...on the same subject...came a detailed letter from Magnolia Travel in Seattle explaining her agencies guidelines to attract...and keep... good staff.

Julie from Boise Idaho wrote - “ Hello! I am a great fan of the Travel Industry News, in fact, reading my Mom’s copy led me to follow her into the travel agency business. Now, I am a travel industry addict since 1993!”

Lastly...lest you feel this is a ‘Love Fest’ for David before I’m forgotten...

“By the way, I finally had a chance to read your article about mega companies. I agree–boycott the biggies to keep your neighborhood small business owners in business. The cost is worth it. If we don’t, in time the only opportunity out there will be to become an asst, supervisor of BiggoMegaMart. Maybe gluing shoes back together isn’t the most exciting job, but, if you own the shoe repair shop, it’s more fulfilling than asst. supervisor of the biggest chain store. There’s my 2 cents! Til then, Laura S. Portland, OR. “

AND...what’s more...I have had many fun letters/emails/phone calls telling me where our readers were when they read their last TIN...for whatever the reason was!

My favourite...honest...was the TIN devotee who apparently read her copy while in a bubble bath complete with flickering candlelight and a glass of wine. NO. I am not going to tell you her name..AND NO Freda I was not there typing! Then it appears TIN supplies quite a few with: bedtime stories; commuting communiques; flights of fancy; cruising catch ups; phone holding fantasies and beauty shop banter..

Ah, sweet mystery of life at last I’ve found you...and thy name is TIN*

MEANWHILE:

EUROPE EXPRESS, through its barging division Fenwick and Lang, has developed a series of 9-night Packages which includes 3 nights in Paris and a six night cruise aboard the barge ‘ESCARGOT’ on the Burgundy Canal. For info/brochures on these & other barge offerings call 800-927-3876 or visit www.europeexpress.com

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Don’t forget the FIJI VISITORS BUREAU shows in PDX on Feb 7 & SEA on Feb 8. See Calendar for further details. Another date for your Calendars is Friday Feb 9. The Seattle Travel Show...also see Calendar for information.

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‘THE MONTANA DAYLIGHT”, the multiple-day long-distance tour train operating since 1995 in the Rocky Mountain region of Montana and Idaho was purchased by Rail Quest Inc., of Sandpoint, Idaho in late December. The new ownership is comprised of employees and unnamed investors. Marcia Pilgeram, former VP of Operations...will serve as president & CEO. Brochures/Info available from 800-519-7245 or visit www.montanarailtours.com

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In our Jan 1 issue of TIN we mistakenly associated newly appointed USACA President..Gary Jones.. with Gateway Tours of PDX. Gary of course is the VP of Portland based PACIFIC GATEWAY. Sorry Gary!!

KEEP those comments coming folks!

David (Forget-Me-Not) Bond

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