I agree with Rachel, I use a TA for my trips to Europe and she does a fabulous job. I can go to the web for a plane ticket, but when I need expert advice, there is no substitute. What do you people think, that the online webstores aren't interested in making a buck as well?? Guess what, there are actual people who work for those companies and your best interests are not on their list of importance. Sorry to burst your bubble.

Rachel is a big mouthed foul person. No wonder people disdain TAs. TAs like her give you all a bad name...

To XXX: <BR>JEALOUS, JEALOUS, JEALOUS!!!! <BR>

Rachel, you're either a teen ager with too much time on your hands, a troller trying to get attention because you were unloved as a child, or you are a pretty immature 'professional'.

And boy did you ever stumble on a precious bit of insight: we're all jealous of you because we wish we could live your life.
Hello?
Reality's knocking at the door, Rachel. You really should try answering it for a change.

Glenn baby, where there's smoke there's fire. The losers posting insulting messages about TAs are just jealous. They have boring jobs and have to save up years for the places I can go to on a whim. I wish you just say how lucky we are and be done with it.

Glenn, you're so green with envy it's made you completely humourless. Dude, I have answered the door, and it's another free flight out of here!! I can send you to hell real cheap. I'm sure you would love it, it's "somewhere warm"!!!

Rachel, as one who knows, I can tell you that most travel/hospitality execs and front-line workers consider those traveling on TA discounts to be the lowest form of life. Does that bother you at all when you go on all your fabulous "vacations?"

Not at all!! I could care less what they think. But the fact is when I tell them I am a TA, they roll out the red carpet. I get great rooms, complimentary champagne, food and beverage credits, etc. <BR>When I go on my "fam" trips (for you non-industry people that means familiarization) I am wine and dined. <BR>On my Alaskan cruise, the cruise rep had dinner with 20 of us TAs and sent wine to our table every nite!!! Woe is me, huh?? Still sense jealousy, but don't be bitter. It's a thankless job, but someone has to do it until that big, bad internet scares us all away!! <BR>

Rachel, just wondering how you fit all your customer in between the volumes of vituperative bullshit you post to this site?

Why darlin', I am multitasking!!! <BR>Apparently you aren't familiar with that concept. A TA's job by definition is multi-task oriented. Oh look, here comes another fax inviting me for a european cruise for 10.00 a day. What ever will I do?? <BR> <BR>You'll have to wait until your an old man do enjoy the fruits of my labor, baby. Save your pennys, I am going to see the world NOW!! I'll bet your girlfriend is a download from one of those "lonely guys" websites, huh?! <BR>Thought so!!!

I love this Rachel she is funny as hell. <BR>I have to give it to her, she sure gets under people's skin. But when she's right she's right and I am jealous. Sounds like a great job, my boss sends me to the local Days Inn for a conference and that's it. Maybe I should go to travel school, I don't want to wait until I'm an old man to see the sites.

I am a TA as well and whenever I fly I am treated with just as much respect as the next passenger. What about all those airline execs, they travel for free too. Every time I travel, I get upgraded. Even on an overbooked flight, myself and my travel agent friend were upgraded to business class. Hotels love us too, always get comp rooms or an upgraded room. They want us to sell them so they treat us with respect. How else could we afford to travel? We are paid pennies for the stressful job we have, if it weren't for the travel perks I would not be in this business!! When we travel for work it is not a vacation. We are going to see the places our customers want feedback on. We travel to give you expert unbiased advice. <BR> <BR>My opinion. I don't think anyone should call us the lowest form of life. We are here for our clients when they need us. What about the internet? Have fun when you try to make a change or if you have a problem or complaint to report. Without a Travel Agent you are on your OWN!!

Way to go XXX!!! <BR> <BR>The person who posted that is lying, I am a TA too, and the gate agent will bump us up to 1st class when availiable. <BR>They can relate to our stressful jobs, they deal with uninformed travelers all the time. I love this thread, let's me vent what I really feel about some of my customers. <BR> <BR>Some are great, others the internet can have them. Wait until the online travel agencies catch up to the brick and mortar agencies. They will see that not all is as rosy as they thought. <BR>They thought it would be easy money, having the public do their own work, but from the stories I've read, they are having to hire more and more people to deal with their customer. <BR>HA HA HA!!

I hope to get the attention of Travel Agents for my question. <BR> <BR>What internet web sited do you use and/or check. Name them all. Give your perception of the best/ middle / worst ones. <BR> <BR>Any tricks you can share when you surf the net looking for travel deals? <BR> <BR>Thanks in advance <BR> <BR>e-mail me at [email protected] if you want. <BR>

So if all of these discriminating travel agents only want "upscale" clients who can pad their commissions, what are doing HERE on Fodor's....trolling for more "upscale" customers?

You know, dear rachel, there's an old saying that money can't buy class. <BR>You're living proof that despite what many people think, travelling doesn't always breed class or sophistication either. <BR>You can take the girl out of the trailer park, but you can't take the trailer park out of the girl.

I dont understand how these get so out of hand.Rachel, I hate to say it to you but you dont make any of us TAs look good. Granted, we have been insulted but it doesnt make it better to insult everyone back and to flaunt your special privledges to everyone out there. Yes, we can get good deals and I certainly am in this business for those perks.However, the salary could be more desirable and most "Fam" trips you take require you to tour the establishments and take time out of acutally relaxing. <BR> <BR>I think people are acting very silly and immature about this whole thing.We dont diss your professions what ever they may be and you cant say that you will never use us in the future. Cause everyone out there is looking to save a buck, including myself. <BR> <BR>By the way,for the person wanting info about Websites.Just a little info I have seen: Orbitz is pretty competitive, as well as travelocity,cheap tickets etc... Expedia, in a test we did, was usually one of the most epensive search engines in almost all scenarios. Priceline, I would personally not use,simply because I like to know in advance what im getting and how much it will be.

ttt

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