p22-23 letters june12 9/6/09 17:28 Page 44
Your letters
Airlines need agents more
than we need them
In response to “Iata’s two-week bill plan not
a certainty” (ttglive.com), Iata’s version of
“talks” makes Stalin look a saint.
Great service still
It is quite simple really: either airlines want
sales through agents, in which case they need
to accommodate the normal way of doing
things; or they don’t, in which case, airlines
and Iata should say so and we can all then go
away and do something more productive.
beats discounts
If one can’t make money flogging air tickets,
then no one will flog them.
Agents do not owe airlines a living and
frankly, with the hopelessly catastrophic state WHILE IN Costa Coffee at the
LET
call from a regular client who likes
of most airlines these days, airlines need weekend, I happened to sit next
OF THE
TER
to book day trips on the Northern
agents more than vice-versa. to a lady who recognised me and
WEEK
Belle. He had received a direct
told me what a wonderful holi- mailing from them offering, of
Murray Harrold day they had just had in Kalkan in course, huge discounts – what’s new!
homeworker, Turkey. She was over the moon with He called to say he only wanted to
Sam Smith Travel the recommendations we had made. book with us and so Coreen offered him, as a
Just as she was singing our praises, one gesture of goodwill, a small discount (nothing
Thomas Cook would be better of our other valued customers, Mr Watson, like as much as he would get direct).
off under British ownership walked by. I couldn’t resist the usual big hug Ten minutes later he is back in the office to
So “Arcandor crisis could lead to Thomas Cook and kiss I give him, and I thanked him for his book with us and brings with him a £10 luxury
management buyout” (ttglive.com). recent New Zealand booking. He can’t tell box of chocolates for Coreen and the team!
I feel it would be far better if Thomas Cook me enough how wonderful Claire at our head Loyal and regular customers are just the best!
was returned to British ownership. Its historical office is! We all need to have faith that it is the level of
value should be protected. We are all too ready I then thank him for recommending a new attention, great service, knowledge and big
to sell out to a foreign source. couple to us and he tells me how they are smiles that really matter – not just the pounds.
being looked after by Claire.
Debbie Miles I arrive back at the office and Coreen, our Janet Whittingham.
PA, retail manager, says “well, it just gets better, retail development manager,
Sun Coast Administracione Janet”, explaining that earlier we had taken a St Andrews Travel, Bolton
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22 12.06.2009
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