Category: Uncategorized

November 19, 2015: Well, as noted in this recent sales pitch email, our friend Rick Steves is showing his friends (maybe customers a better word?) that he wants to help spend your travel gift dollars and clear out some inventory too. His guide books are very good and mostly up to date — and along with his tour programs and paid speaking engagements offers a selection of travel gear and other non-essential items — many that if you have to have them you can find a better quality and maybe even better price? Steve’s is using his public broadcasting platform — and guidebook reputation — to aggressively expand himself (marketing folks would call that his brand) to other profitable travel “stuff.” He has a large mostly older following so why not. Hopefully when he lands it won’t be too hard — his guidebooks are very good!

November 20, 2015: The $46 convention center lunch for two at the LA Auto Show. One million people are expected to visit the show over the next 10 days. The Travel Curmudgeon says go to the show, but bring a lunch!

November 18, 2015: Yes, unbelievable as it may be, travel guide guru, (and now money intense Steves brand selling tours, luggage, DVD’s, maps, and other marginal travel items) Rick Steves​, refused an interview with the Travel Curmudgeon on a recent speaking tour of Northern California. Seems, according to a Steves PR gatekeeper, he was too busy traveling and if I wanted to speak with him – “well just buy a guide book and stand in line for his autograph—then he might talk to you!” And even better, Steves’ 90-minute travel talk is not so much about travel, but his view on travel politics and more “international freedom” in the legalizing and dissemination of drugs. And no packing demonstration either – buy the DVD if you want that help. By the way, TC open interview policy – no cost to interview (glass or bottle of good wine appreciated)!!!

November 16, 2015: Las Vegas-based low-cost carrier Allegiant Air showed “no class” in firing one of their flight captains for declaring an inflight emergency on his MD-80 jet (when told shortly after take off that a crew member smelled smoke) and made an emergency landing at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport in Florida and used the evacuation slides to get passengers quickly off the plane. Ground observers also are quoted as saying they saw smoke coming from one of the jets engines. Apparently the captain hadn’t received proper authorization from his company to off-load the passengers on the airport runway — so they fired him. Also be aware that Allegiant Air has been under pressure from their pilots the last few months during contract talks — who say the airline is not keeping up adequate standards in aircraft maintenance and safety. Allegiant serves 17 destinations, including Hawaii, in the US. I don’t know about you, but I think I would go along with the pilot’s decision — maybe punish him if they must by promoting him to management to help oversee internal issues?

November 13, 2015: Both male and female travelers in Italy – don’t expect to find the usual porcelain throne in all Italian restaurant bathrooms – quite the contrary. This photo showing the ground level top of the “facility” is found in one of the nicer restaurants in Milan with less room than an airline coach bathroom – and not much turn around space so go in the direction you need. Makes use of the “mile high club” facility look estate like!