Travel plan idea blog

I agree with you. I read his 25 reasons, and more than anything he seems like a jerk you absolutely wouldn't want "helping" you. Sure sometimes people ask stupid questions, or they frame their questions in odd ways. But part of being a professional is treating your clients with respect. Even if that means kindly reminding them of time zone changes, or taking a minute to figure out what they are really asking " do i have to carry on my carry on bags or can i check them translates easily to " Will the airline allow me to check a carry on sized bag".
Sometimes you need to reassure your clients. Is it so odd that there are people who don't like the idea of plunking down several hundred to several thousand dollars and being told they don't need a paper ticket, just a number?

His article made me think that maybe NOT having a travel agent is a good thing, as people can explore the internet and find the information they need for themselves without paying for someone to talk down to them, groan, roll their eyes and snicker about them later.
Let people educate themselves.

And for the record, I've been on countless trains that made a stop in Jamaica.

He sounds bitter because the internet has allowed travelers to search the Web themselves for deals and book their own flights/hotels without their assistance.

I remember my first European trip. I researched the Web but my friend insisted on going to a travel agent. The travel agent had no clue about the special and the cost was going to be a couple of thousand $$$ more what she suggested for the same level of hotel. Plus they suggest the same hotels that they suggest for everyone else from their town.

To me, the research for the trip is like extending the trip longer. Travel agents are for lazy people or people who have enough money to waste it.

However, I do appreciate that when you can't find something yourself (everything booked), they can pull off the impossible sometimes plus I would use one for planning a cruise.

Guruji read his 25 reasons. While guruji does not fully buy into the 'customer is always right' mandate, what about a little compassion etc., for the uninitiated and what about treating your customer with a little bit of respect?

... and technically, he is wrong on some of these questions too ...for example, if one wants to change some money to get equivalent of $1000 in local currency, it will cost one $1000 + $x, for the exchange fee.

He sounds like a bitter person. Not everyone is an expert on travel. I am sure he would have a hard time doing the job of some of the people who's remarks he is making fun of.

What a goof. A few years ago, I purchased tickets through an agent for Vegas (including hotel), and it cost over $1100 per person. This year, after minimal internet searching, I travelled without any difficulties to Vegas, stayed at a 4 star hotel on the strip and paid only $500. I would hope that doesn't mean I'm stupid. I may have asked some dumb questions while booking, but my husband didn't go and write an article about it. Perhaps people with the IQ of a goldfish still need a travel agent, but personally I'll do without.

For the record, I am Canadian and although I love to visit my neighbours to the south, I most certainly am a proud Canadian and don't think of myself as the US's biggest state. What nerve!

I thought the majority of his quips were very funny. I suggest when people work to satisfy the general public that they carry pen & paper to write down some of the funny thing they hear and at some point share them with the rest of us. Everyone needs to have a laugh or two.

Kip from Bonsall, CA

As a former tax account, I offer you this: I will ask you to give me a dollar for every time I answered the question: "Where do I sign it?" The answer: Where it says, "sign here>" Good column. I loved it. Thanks.

If this guy's point is that only people that are stupid should call a travel agent...he proved it!

oh come on, only lazy people use travel agents. For what a travel agent does for a traveler, you can do yourself on a computer, (for a much lower rate).. Besides, i worked in the travel business for 10 years, after my regular retirement and found that most hotels and tourist places, upcharged to travel agents, cause they had to make kick backs to the agencies... They don't do there "service for free".

I thought the 25 was very funny. some people are so stupid. Think before you speak, people. He didn't say that he said those things to the people, I got the impression he thought it but didn't say it out loud. and most likely he thought of those responses later when writing the article.
I subscribe to the Bill Ingvall school of thought, people should wear idiot signs when they say stuff that stupid. Then they would be excused and be given an exemption.

To all those who don't think a travel agent is worth it, I say you get what you pay for. EVERY time there is a problem with an airline, we get calls from our clients, asking us to assist with rebookings or new flights. And then we get calls from their friends, who thought they could save a buck doing it themselves. And now no one can assist them. Hmm... My client is taken care of, and although their friends did not want to "pay" the ticketing fee (as we don't receive anything from the airlines), because they could do it themselves, they expect "SOMEONE" to get them out of a jam. Too bad you didn't consider that before. I can guarantee you, when I do go to bat for them (always hate to see someone stranded), they always come to me the next time. SERVICE folks!

I have been a travel agent for many years, you do hear so strange things. I had a country singer very popular during teh 70's, very rich... I did his personal and corporate travel, he wanted to know why he had to show ID... this was in the 2003 circa... I knew him my granddad knew him my father knew of him, but no one my age knew him at all... He thought his "stardom" should be enough. And oh yes he also wanted to be in teh harbour New Years eve in New York .. a 1st spot slot..prime.. he asked on Dec 29... He owned 6 different companies.. No one would book for him.. Very difficult, a DIVA to say the least. His wife was younger than me at the time.