Comments on: 6 ways to get your way when you travel http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/6-ways-to-get-your-way-when-you-travel/ The last honest travel site Sun, 12 Feb 2012 14:38:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: mireee http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/6-ways-to-get-your-way-when-you-travel/comment-page-1/#comment-18763 mireee Tue, 05 Jan 2010 23:00:55 +0000 http://www.consumertraveler.com/?p=20532#comment-18763 It's sad that we have to read on the internet something that should be common for everyone - manners. It’s sad that we have to read on the internet something that should be common for everyone – manners.

]]> By: 6 ways to get your way when you travel http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/6-ways-to-get-your-way-when-you-travel/comment-page-1/#comment-17823 6 ways to get your way when you travel Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:53:19 +0000 http://www.consumertraveler.com/?p=20532#comment-17823 [...] You find the original post here www.consumertraveler … | Christopher Elliott [...] [...] You find the original post here http://www.consumertraveler … | Christopher Elliott [...]

]]> By: Tim http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/6-ways-to-get-your-way-when-you-travel/comment-page-1/#comment-16771 Tim Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:53:32 +0000 http://www.consumertraveler.com/?p=20532#comment-16771 Frequently, I like to joke with the gate agent or the hotel clerk checking me in and say "If it will help, I guess I can give up my seat and fly first class" or "If it will help, I can give up my room for a suite." Rarely do I get anything more than a smile or a chuckle, but at least I added some levity to someone's day. Frequently, I like to joke with the gate agent or the hotel clerk checking me in and say “If it will help, I guess I can give up my seat and fly first class” or “If it will help, I can give up my room for a suite.”

Rarely do I get anything more than a smile or a chuckle, but at least I added some levity to someone’s day.

]]> By: John M http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/6-ways-to-get-your-way-when-you-travel/comment-page-1/#comment-16764 John M Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:16:07 +0000 http://www.consumertraveler.com/?p=20532#comment-16764 I have told customers for years that the way you get better treatment from anyone during difficult times is to start out nice and polite. If that doesn't work, you can always become a jerk. If you start out as a jerk, it is very hard to become nice and polite and get the same sort of help. I once watched a guy at the check in podium rant and rave about how he had to have a specific seat. He was still there when I boarded. After a while I saw a airline customer service representative coming down the aisle with this guy in tow. I was disappointed because it meant that this guy's behavior was going to be rewarded. The customer service rep got to the row where this guy wanted to be seated, addressed two elderly ladies and explained that this "gentleman" needed to be seated in one of their seats. The rep then asked them if they wouldn't mind moving seats so he could have the seat. When the ladies agreed, the rep said "if you will point out your belongings I will take them up to first class and stow them by your new seats." The guy hears this and says "I would have taken first class!" to which the rep replied "You wanted this seat, you got it." and then escorted the two ladies to the front of the plane. I'm sure that had he been polite to start with, he would have been in first class. Hopefully he took the lesson to heart. I have told customers for years that the way you get better treatment from anyone during difficult times is to start out nice and polite. If that doesn’t work, you can always become a jerk. If you start out as a jerk, it is very hard to become nice and polite and get the same sort of help.

I once watched a guy at the check in podium rant and rave about how he had to have a specific seat. He was still there when I boarded. After a while I saw a airline customer service representative coming down the aisle with this guy in tow. I was disappointed because it meant that this guy’s behavior was going to be rewarded. The customer service rep got to the row where this guy wanted to be seated, addressed two elderly ladies and explained that this “gentleman” needed to be seated in one of their seats. The rep then asked them if they wouldn’t mind moving seats so he could have the seat. When the ladies agreed, the rep said “if you will point out your belongings I will take them up to first class and stow them by your new seats.” The guy hears this and says “I would have taken first class!” to which the rep replied “You wanted this seat, you got it.” and then escorted the two ladies to the front of the plane.

I’m sure that had he been polite to start with, he would have been in first class. Hopefully he took the lesson to heart.

]]> By: Laura Townsend Elion http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/6-ways-to-get-your-way-when-you-travel/comment-page-1/#comment-16760 Laura Townsend Elion Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:18:09 +0000 http://www.consumertraveler.com/?p=20532#comment-16760 My husband and I once moved so a family, including a small child,- could sit together - I joked that being married meant we saw enough of each other. The cabin crew (which seemed a little frustrated about not getting the family together until we figured out what they were trying to do and offered) seemed really relieved. They were particularly attentive to us throughout the flight, offering us extra drinks. Since I'm a caffiene addict, this was a great thank you! My husband and I once moved so a family, including a small child,- could sit together – I joked that being married meant we saw enough of each other. The cabin crew (which seemed a little frustrated about not getting the family together until we figured out what they were trying to do and offered) seemed really relieved. They were particularly attentive to us throughout the flight, offering us extra drinks. Since I’m a caffiene addict, this was a great thank you!

]]> By: Terry http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/6-ways-to-get-your-way-when-you-travel/comment-page-1/#comment-16746 Terry Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:38:23 +0000 http://www.consumertraveler.com/?p=20532#comment-16746 A few years ago, a buddy and I flew out of Anchorage to IAH on Continental. My buddy lives in Houston, while I would connect back home to Cleveland. I have status, he doesn't. The oversold announcement came; they needed one volunteer. I volunteered and told the gate agent my schedule was open. Well, she worked various routes and schedules while we joked around with her. At the 30 minute mark, she got a notice that not only did they not need a volunteer, but that my upgrade came through. She said that since we had been so nice and patient, she upgraded my friend as well. A few years ago, a buddy and I flew out of Anchorage to IAH on Continental. My buddy lives in Houston, while I would connect back home to Cleveland. I have status, he doesn’t. The oversold announcement came; they needed one volunteer. I volunteered and told the gate agent my schedule was open. Well, she worked various routes and schedules while we joked around with her. At the 30 minute mark, she got a notice that not only did they not need a volunteer, but that my upgrade came through. She said that since we had been so nice and patient, she upgraded my friend as well.

]]> By: Tweets that mention 6 ways to get your way when you travel -- Topsy.com http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/6-ways-to-get-your-way-when-you-travel/comment-page-1/#comment-16738 Tweets that mention 6 ways to get your way when you travel -- Topsy.com Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:26:12 +0000 http://www.consumertraveler.com/?p=20532#comment-16738 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jeanine Barone, Travel_Tweet. Travel_Tweet said: 6 ways to get your way when you travel: The thought of spending 11 hours in a locked and upright position didn’.. http://bit.ly/1wl9T5 [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jeanine Barone, Travel_Tweet. Travel_Tweet said: 6 ways to get your way when you travel: The thought of spending 11 hours in a locked and upright position didn’.. http://bit.ly/1wl9T5 [...]

]]> By: Marilyn Long http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/6-ways-to-get-your-way-when-you-travel/comment-page-1/#comment-16735 Marilyn Long Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:42:07 +0000 http://www.consumertraveler.com/?p=20532#comment-16735 I try to be nice to others as a general rule. I found out years ago that it can pay off in travel, too. Years ago, after a flight from Sydney, our group landed in LA only to find out that all our reservations had been canceled. We had been gone for 2 1/2 weeks and everyone wanted to get home. As the ticket agents were trying to get us all on to flights, I said that since I had no small children nor a job that required me to be there immediately that they should put me at the bottom of the list. I was an inexperienced traveler then and wasn't saying this with any idea that it would benefit me--just because it was the truth. Well, I was put on a flight in first class. I was told that the reason was my willingness to be put last. People in service jobs are like anyone else. We all like to be treated respectfully. And being human, they also like to be nice to those who have not made their job more difficult. I try to be nice to others as a general rule. I found out years ago that it can pay off in travel, too. Years ago, after a flight from Sydney, our group landed in LA only to find out that all our reservations had been canceled. We had been gone for 2 1/2 weeks and everyone wanted to get home. As the ticket agents were trying to get us all on to flights, I said that since I had no small children nor a job that required me to be there immediately that they should put me at the bottom of the list. I was an inexperienced traveler then and wasn’t saying this with any idea that it would benefit me–just because it was the truth. Well, I was put on a flight in first class. I was told that the reason was my willingness to be put last. People in service jobs are like anyone else. We all like to be treated respectfully. And being human, they also like to be nice to those who have not made their job more difficult.

]]> By: Paulette Baker http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/6-ways-to-get-your-way-when-you-travel/comment-page-1/#comment-16733 Paulette Baker Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:30:10 +0000 http://www.consumertraveler.com/?p=20532#comment-16733 Being polite can work wonders just about anywhere. I recently attended a quite posh wedding in East Hampton, New York. While many of the guests treated the servers like, well, servants, my cousins and I were brought up to say "Thank you." At first the servers seemed taken aback, but then they smiled. For the rest of the coctail hour, we "poor relations" got first crack at the hors d'oeuvres and were treated like royalty during dinner. Being polite can work wonders just about anywhere. I recently attended a quite posh wedding in East Hampton, New York. While many of the guests treated the servers like, well, servants, my cousins and I were brought up to say “Thank you.” At first the servers seemed taken aback, but then they smiled. For the rest of the coctail hour, we “poor relations” got first crack at the hors d’oeuvres and were treated like royalty during dinner.

]]> By: Dana Baldwin http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/6-ways-to-get-your-way-when-you-travel/comment-page-1/#comment-16730 Dana Baldwin Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:57:36 +0000 http://www.consumertraveler.com/?p=20532#comment-16730 Chris, you are absolutely right in these approaches. Only caveat: one must be genuine, as the airline people will see right through those who are faking it. I had a great experience on one trip. Flying into CVG on a Delta 737, sitting in 6D - the row behind the bulkhead row. As we neared CVG, a flight attendant came forward and asked if anyone in the bulkhead row would move back to the middle of the plane to allow a woman who had a very tight connection (and we were a little late) the opportunity to exit the plane quickly. No one moved, so I told her I would exchange seats with the lady. I got the expected thank you and smile, and went ahead and changed my seat. When I boarded my connecting flight, I was surprised to see the same cabin crew working my flight as had been on the inbound. Guess who got the only open FC seat? Dana Baldwin Chris, you are absolutely right in these approaches. Only caveat: one must be genuine, as the airline people will see right through those who are faking it.

I had a great experience on one trip. Flying into CVG on a Delta 737, sitting in 6D – the row behind the bulkhead row. As we neared CVG, a flight attendant came forward and asked if anyone in the bulkhead row would move back to the middle of the plane to allow a woman who had a very tight connection (and we were a little late) the opportunity to exit the plane quickly. No one moved, so I told her I would exchange seats with the lady. I got the expected thank you and smile, and went ahead and changed my seat. When I boarded my connecting flight, I was surprised to see the same cabin crew working my flight as had been on the inbound. Guess who got the only open FC seat?

Dana Baldwin

]]>