Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Jet Blue

Came across this in my daily e-mails and thought I'd pass it on. Thanks eTN and Dr. Garely!

There is Jet Blue – and Everyone Else
Courtesy of eTN, Dr. Elinor Garely
Have a choice? Take Jet Blue! There is a quantifiable difference between Jet Blue and almost every other US airline and the differentiation starts with the reservation system, extends through the in-flight experience and crests at luggage retrieval. The Jet Blue folks have got the system as close to “right” as any US carrier I have recently experienced.

The on-line technology is user-friendly and almost intuitive. Can’t find the right link? A call to the 800 number representative delivers quick and pleasant instructions; no patronizing tone, no “too busy to deal with your stupid question,” just a clear, precise staffer who asks the right questions and moves the issue to resolution.

Back on the site, instructions steer me to finding flight information and seat selection, payment options, confirmation instructions and print-out guidelines. The extra-goody is the Jet Blue follow-up. The day before flight departure, an email arrived at my inbox, reminding me that I was flying Jet Blue the next day, asked me if I wanted to make any changes in the flight or seat selection. To review the flight time or seat location takes only a moment, and the software works effortlessly. No – I had no changes so I was processed through to a request for luggage information. Checking a bag? Click here. No bags? Another click. A quick print-out of my boarding pass and I was good to go.

Next day –I arrived at the Jet Blue terminal, slipped my credit card into the kiosk, pulled up flight information, checked out the departure gate – and that was it! Problem? Question? Jet Blue staff is eager to help – actually they are happy to help! Since there are so few problems they appear close to being bored. Jet Bluers’ remind me of the Maytag repairman advertisement that shows the guy sleeping, implying that since the appliance never breaks down there is nothing for the guy to do except sleep. At the moment, the Jet Blue system has so few “wrinkles” the major task of the airport employee is to be pleasant.

Onboard – the seats are cushy leather and almost large enough to be comfortable. Operationally, the cabin is a tribute to efficiency. From the first offer of liquid refreshment and the subsequent passage of garbage bags for the plastic toss, followed by the snack pass and the almost immediate garbage collection– passengers are almost programmed to “select” “eat” and “toss.”

Would I change the cabin experience? Yes! Take away the carbs, calories and salt, offer me something heart-healthy. With new packaging available, it should not be a “no-brainers” to offer fresh fruit and unprocessed cheese. I would also add sports drinks to the beverage list. Gatorade and Propel are much easier to digest (and healthier) than soft drinks and go a long way to stemming the queasy tummy feeling that is frequently part being in orbit.

Fast forward – and we are on the ground. Jet Blue understands the passengers’ need to “get out” at faster than light travels so- as the plane lands the doors are opened, and the cabin crew gets out of the way of the passengers as they stampede to daylight and the terminal. On many flights it seems that the cabin crew is first reading the training manual trying to figure out the best method for getting the doors opened, while the airport team stumbles over themselves getting the jet-way into position. The rush for luggage is also rewarded with a fast-tracked retrieval system. Before disbelief set I had my duffle in hand and was outside the terminal, looking for my car service.

Rarely do I find anything nice to say about an airline. The activity is not pleasant and short of teaming up with Captain Kirk and the Star Trek crew – I have no choice but to use an airplane for moving from A to B. Jet Blue was so good on my recent flight from New York to Anaheim that I think they should start a training program for all the other guys that are only pretending to run an airline company. To paraphrase Emeril Lagasse-- “Jet Blue Rules.”

Thursday, May 18, 2006

books, books and more (good) books

Ever since we cancelled the cable and put away all the TV’s 2 ½ years ago, I have become a voracious reader. This is really saying something for someone who could barely finish their reading assignments in High School and college!
Anyhow, I look to many sources for recommendations of good books and have learned which friends like the kind of books that I also enjoy.
Recently, I have participated in a number of “webinars” sponsored by Cruise West, a small-ship cruise company. The presenter for these webinars was Lisa Haneberg who is the sole propietor of her company, Haneberg Management, and the author of H.I.M.M.: (High Impact Middle Management): Solutions for Today's Busy Managers, Organization Development Basics, Coaching Basics and several short e-books.
Though Lisa is not "literally" a friend (she lives 2500 miles from me and we have never met in person), I truly value her book recommendations. Why? Because every one of the book authors she tauts displays the same passion about their subject that Lisa displays in her management business and that I (hope) I display in my Travel Planning business. Without fail, I come away from the books with new ideas, new passion and renewed energy for my business.
Just when I had finished the last of the books from last month, I went to Lisa’s blog and – TA DA! – just today she wrote about a new one! The latest is is called Encyclopedia of Positive Questions - Volume One by experts in Appreciative Inquiry, Cooperrider, Whitney, Trosten-Bloom and Kaplin. I am generally able to obtain the books at my local library so, guess where I’m headed next!
Anyone reading my blog who has read something great that you'd like to share, bring it on!

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Active Grannies

Today I learned that I'm not the only active Granny out there looking to do much, much more than sit around the TV knitting!
There are soooo many trips designed precisely for today's "Mature Traveler" (ugh!) Whether you want to GrandTrip (travel with the grandkids to explore and learn together), take epoch journeys or short trips, drink wine and dine on fine food, visit great gardens and enhance your gardening skills, follow the "DaVinci Code" trail or just go relax after all your hard work at home --- there are trips out there for YOU!
Don't see what it is that floats your boat in this list??? Contact me and I'll find the right one for you.
Linda

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Dance With The Stars

For those who have become addicted to the popular TV program, read on:
With the season finale of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars," The Roosevelt Hotel is offering guests their dancing fix even after the show's culmination, with the "Rumba at the Roosevelt" program, starting at $325 per couple, per night through Aug. 30.
More details can be found at http://www.theroosevelthotel.com/

Works for those of us who don't have or watch TV, too! At least this way you can get a little exercise while spinning around the dance floor.

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Cruising with kids

Cruising with Kids
Families are the fastest growing segment of the cruise market. Many cruise lines are now catering to families and their unique needs. While most now offer children’s programs and kid friendly food options, choosing the best cruise for your client can take some research. Below are some tips to assist in determining the best cruise line for your client along with links for more information on each cruise line’s children’s program.
Time of year – not all of the cruise lines offer year-round children’s programs. Some operate only with a minimum number of children. If your client is not traveling during a school break, be sure to recommend one of the larger, well-known ‘family friendly’ cruise lines that offer a year-round program. The longer cruises (10 days or more) tend to have an older clientele, while 3 or 4 night cruises tend to have a younger, ‘partying’ clientele. The 7-night cruise is the most popular among families. The Caribbean and Alaska are the most popular destinations.

Family accommodations – many of the new ships have been built with families in mind offering family suites or a variety of connecting cabins.

Cruise line’s newer ships – the newer ships tend to not only have more family accommodations, but larger and more elaborate children’s centers, pools and public areas.

Soda Card – some cruise lines offer a pre-paid soda card good for a set number of non-alcoholic beverages.

Below are Cruise Lines offering Kids programs

Carnival Cruise Line – Camp Carnival
Celebrity X-Club Youth Program
Costa Cruise Line Kid’s Club
Crystal Cruises Junior’s Activities
Disney Cruise Line
Holland America Cruise Line – Club Hal for Kids
NCL Kid’s Crew
P&O Cruises
Princess Cruises
Royal Caribbean Cruises
Windjammer Cruises

Frequent Flyer Miles

So many places to travel, so little time!
Has anyone else tried to redeem their frequent flyer miles lately? Only to find that there are NO dates available, no matter where you want to go? It's really frustrating. So we go on looking for bargain fares and accumulating even more miles that we can never redeem!
There are charts to tell you "how much" your miles are worth (currently about 1.2cents per mile). With package trips keeping air fares so low, I'm thinking I'll cash in my miles for merchandise I wouldn't normally spend the extra $$$ to get.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

serendipity

Isn't it strange and wonderful how strangers with like minds often meet in the most unlikely places? What is it - a personal radar field, a super awareness or just plain coincidence?
Keep your eyes open for those unplanned and unexpected events. Thay may change your life!