Some Ideas For Airline Travel....
Now that I am getting somewhat famous for my airline skills, and am almost certain to be called upon to share this Great and Wonderful Wisdom and Magic, I thought I might take time by the fetlock as they say, and tell you now...At least I have a few tips I can share....
So, you want t take a trip and you want to get there on a plane. If you travel a lot, consider getting a subscription to the OAG (Official Airline Guide) It list EVERY flight on every day, very handy for getting an idea of who flies where. Consult it, if you have it, saves some time.
The first thing you do is go to one of the travel sights. Travelocity, Orbitz. Don't book there right away, just look and see who is offering the best deals, they do not list all airlines tho, so you have to be kind of savy.
Once you get an idea of who is offering the best deal, go to the airline website. Play around, sometimes the price can differ by hundreds of $$ depending on the time of day. Search 1-3 days before and after. Do you have Frequent Flyer Miles (ALWAYS sign up for FF miles. If you can, get a credit card that gives air miles on the airline you fly most, adds up quickly)
If you can, always book directly with the airline. Then, if there is a problem, you can go direct to them. All tickets have value, if booked with the airlines. Non-refundable does not mean un-changeable. Even if you have to cancel, you still retain the value of the ticket, minus a change fee. You have a year to re-book, and it does not need to be the same trip, you can apply the money to any ticket.
If you fly a lot, you can achieve Silver, Gold or Platinum status. This is very handy. You get upped to First if there is room, you get mileage bonuses, and a nifty special line to cut to the front at security.
Sign up for alerts from your airlines. They send you e-mails saying "WOW! LOOK! It's a total sale!" On Travelocity you can sign up for a thing that sends you e-mail if your listed cities drop below a certain $$ amount.
Let's talk about ticketing agents. Most people hate them. If your flight is canceled, don't go stand in line with a hundred angry people. This agent will not be happy or sympathetic. Call the airline from a quiet, tranquil corner, perhaps with a lovely cup of chai, or a martini.
And when you call, they will say "Hello, this is Jane, how can I help you" Pay attention to the voice. Is it friendly? Start off with "Hi Jane, this is me, how are you doing today?" If Jane responds, pleasantly surprised generally, with a friendly "Well, fine and you?" You have a keeper. You are on your way to having a New Best Friend.
If the voice is un-friendly and fails to respond to your friendly overtures, say something clever like "OPPS! I left Fluffy in the microwave, I'll call back.." Then call back until you get a caring person. I will go thru 4 or 5 some days. Very worth it.
Once you have found your new best friend, do your best to keep them that way. If your flight has been canceled, don't get mad at THEM. They didn't cancel it. If you have a problem THEY are the only ones who can fix it. And THEY can do anything they want. Make them want to help you. Say "Well, I have a terrible problem, I am hoping you can help me" or "I need to travel, but I need to do it as cheaply as possible, can you help me?" Treat them like people. Use phrases like "What can we do?" "Can you help?" "You're the best!" or "yes, we seems to have 7 feet of new snow, how's the weather where you are?"
Say things like "You guys must be swamped right now" or "I knew there was a reason you guys are the best" Whatever it takes, they can do whatever they want. If they want to help you. Be the person they want to help. Sometimes I say things like, "you sound tired, are you almost done? I wish I could send you coffee" Not kidding.
(I have an edge here as I call on the Platinum line and can use phrases like "Latest movie, bestselling novel, signing for 1000's and Million Mile Flyer)
Be Friendly. You will get more. Even on a regular line. They spend their days talking with not so friendly people. Be the bright spot. Same applies if your luggage is lost. Don't get mad. Whomever you are talking to did not lose your luggage, they are the ones who are going to work to FIND it.
If you are feeling like an Adventure, you can try Priceline, I haven't used it in years, and it may have got better, but basically, you name the price and they put you on a flight, can be anytime, and often several stops, and it is a really un-changable ticket, NO value if you don't use it. And you don't get to know before you pay.
Now, Hotwire.com can be very handy for hotels, you pick the Star of hotel, and the area, and they give you a price, and after you agree, they tell you what hotel you have booked, but it will be in that area, at that price and the Star of Service you pick. Not sure it's refundable tho.
Back to planes. Research. Check out all the airlines and all the possibilities. Be friendly. That's all the advice I can think of for the moment, I know there is more, and perhaps I will write them down and post.
Another day.
And oh, very important. If you are packing for your Boss in a hurry, do not accidentally toss your wallet into his bag with the Ipod, as he takes off overseas. This will prove inconvenient.
Love and Flying,
Lorraine
So, you want t take a trip and you want to get there on a plane. If you travel a lot, consider getting a subscription to the OAG (Official Airline Guide) It list EVERY flight on every day, very handy for getting an idea of who flies where. Consult it, if you have it, saves some time.
The first thing you do is go to one of the travel sights. Travelocity, Orbitz. Don't book there right away, just look and see who is offering the best deals, they do not list all airlines tho, so you have to be kind of savy.
Once you get an idea of who is offering the best deal, go to the airline website. Play around, sometimes the price can differ by hundreds of $$ depending on the time of day. Search 1-3 days before and after. Do you have Frequent Flyer Miles (ALWAYS sign up for FF miles. If you can, get a credit card that gives air miles on the airline you fly most, adds up quickly)
If you can, always book directly with the airline. Then, if there is a problem, you can go direct to them. All tickets have value, if booked with the airlines. Non-refundable does not mean un-changeable. Even if you have to cancel, you still retain the value of the ticket, minus a change fee. You have a year to re-book, and it does not need to be the same trip, you can apply the money to any ticket.
If you fly a lot, you can achieve Silver, Gold or Platinum status. This is very handy. You get upped to First if there is room, you get mileage bonuses, and a nifty special line to cut to the front at security.
Sign up for alerts from your airlines. They send you e-mails saying "WOW! LOOK! It's a total sale!" On Travelocity you can sign up for a thing that sends you e-mail if your listed cities drop below a certain $$ amount.
Let's talk about ticketing agents. Most people hate them. If your flight is canceled, don't go stand in line with a hundred angry people. This agent will not be happy or sympathetic. Call the airline from a quiet, tranquil corner, perhaps with a lovely cup of chai, or a martini.
And when you call, they will say "Hello, this is Jane, how can I help you" Pay attention to the voice. Is it friendly? Start off with "Hi Jane, this is me, how are you doing today?" If Jane responds, pleasantly surprised generally, with a friendly "Well, fine and you?" You have a keeper. You are on your way to having a New Best Friend.
If the voice is un-friendly and fails to respond to your friendly overtures, say something clever like "OPPS! I left Fluffy in the microwave, I'll call back.." Then call back until you get a caring person. I will go thru 4 or 5 some days. Very worth it.
Once you have found your new best friend, do your best to keep them that way. If your flight has been canceled, don't get mad at THEM. They didn't cancel it. If you have a problem THEY are the only ones who can fix it. And THEY can do anything they want. Make them want to help you. Say "Well, I have a terrible problem, I am hoping you can help me" or "I need to travel, but I need to do it as cheaply as possible, can you help me?" Treat them like people. Use phrases like "What can we do?" "Can you help?" "You're the best!" or "yes, we seems to have 7 feet of new snow, how's the weather where you are?"
Say things like "You guys must be swamped right now" or "I knew there was a reason you guys are the best" Whatever it takes, they can do whatever they want. If they want to help you. Be the person they want to help. Sometimes I say things like, "you sound tired, are you almost done? I wish I could send you coffee" Not kidding.
(I have an edge here as I call on the Platinum line and can use phrases like "Latest movie, bestselling novel, signing for 1000's and Million Mile Flyer)
Be Friendly. You will get more. Even on a regular line. They spend their days talking with not so friendly people. Be the bright spot. Same applies if your luggage is lost. Don't get mad. Whomever you are talking to did not lose your luggage, they are the ones who are going to work to FIND it.
If you are feeling like an Adventure, you can try Priceline, I haven't used it in years, and it may have got better, but basically, you name the price and they put you on a flight, can be anytime, and often several stops, and it is a really un-changable ticket, NO value if you don't use it. And you don't get to know before you pay.
Now, Hotwire.com can be very handy for hotels, you pick the Star of hotel, and the area, and they give you a price, and after you agree, they tell you what hotel you have booked, but it will be in that area, at that price and the Star of Service you pick. Not sure it's refundable tho.
Back to planes. Research. Check out all the airlines and all the possibilities. Be friendly. That's all the advice I can think of for the moment, I know there is more, and perhaps I will write them down and post.
Another day.
And oh, very important. If you are packing for your Boss in a hurry, do not accidentally toss your wallet into his bag with the Ipod, as he takes off overseas. This will prove inconvenient.
Love and Flying,
Lorraine
172 Comments:
I sit at the feet of the Sage of airlines, and seek to learn.
This will come in handy for Fiend-travel planning...happening soon! :)
Words of wisdom, oh Queen of the Universe :-)
A keeper of a post - wise words which apply to dealing with anyone over the phone!
You know what i can't find in the new prettiness of the blog/site? Search! Is there still a way to search posts?
specifically...where was that post about responses to telemarketers? I want to put that by my phone :)
I think that advice can translate across lots of consumer related businesses.
Words of wisdom, oh, Quiche!
Brilliant!
Hah! I would love to read the telemarketer post. I bet it's a riot!
Q, have you ever thought of doing "best of..." post. :-)
Here you go, priceless!
http://www.rlnn.com/ArtOct05/HUMTop10ThingsTelemarket.html
Not sure where it came from, been around a while, love it!
A Best Of Post? How would choose, they are all so wonderful?????
(Ok, I'll settle down.)
Thanks for the heads-up Quiche!
Great information for anyone dealing with someone in the retail or service industry.
I've always operated under the assumption that "you'll attract more bees with honey than with vinegar". But I've never thought of calling instead of standing in line or hanging up and trying again.
You're a genius! Thank you so much for sharing.
You are truly amazing and fabulous :)
popping in to say hi. love the advice.
going to a kings game tonight, it's been ages since i've seen hockey.
i'll keep up on my bb.
I'm picture Quiche on the mountaintop with all of us sitting cross-legged around her:
"When you can snatch this confirmation number from my Blackberry, little grasshoppers, then you may fly from this place."
Dan, I love you.
Made me snort, Dan, so you did.
Reading this post, several little light bulbs went on over my head. "Aha!" and "Of course!" and "Oooh, good one." Thanks much, Q.
After getting three major things accomplished before 10 am, I frittered away most of the day. Then fell into a stupor. Now, dinner done, I'm going to give the kids tattoos, get them to bed, and run errands. And we've planned a getaway this weekend to Calgary, where it's warmer.
Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you.
I haven't flown since I was six.
Lousy wallet situation. Good luck.
thank you for these pearls of wisdom on the flight deck, i have to set flights for many people at once, but that is pretty easy, it is the changey-bingy-bongo stuff that you are such a pro at. Me, no so much.
I usually just cry.
as for the radio silence here, well I was putting Boss on the plane on the NY end, to be scooped up by our Q-y-Q. and then when i got back, no internet, am now at the home of my parents. Must say that this visit is that much sweeter, and i will never take for granted the lives of my loved ones.
Life is short, be full of love.
OH! Is that all you do? Fablo, no one can master your skills, belive me Ive seen it, tried to master-- uh, aquire, small portions of it. I tell ya, you make it sound easy! You are far too modest! You are the queen of making things happen when all looks grim. although being nice does help alot, you have something extra that just makes you, well.. Fabulous!! and things happen:)
Meant to add, knocking on wood for safe location of your wallet, Q.
{{Kitty}}
Dan, I snorted too...
You guys are the best! Truly. I am sitting here going AWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!
True last sentence there Kitty.
I especially love the reminder that "this is not the person who lost your luggage but the one who will help you find it." Important way of thinking about lots of things I think!
Well, I didn't get a hold of him pre-flight, we will have to see....
Adventure wallet, I love it!
BTW Q did you find the cat?
Looking at things the right way often works.
I think I am tired. That was as far as that thought went...
No, I haven't found the cat, and no one is admitting to letting him out. He lives at Boss's, not one of my Bengals.
Very Strange.
Interesting how mnay things in your life are going walkabout this year, Q - first Magic, then your wallet, and dare I say Coconut?
It's a growth time for all!
P.S. (I too am a great proponent of be nice to the clerk - it's far more likely to get you something. However, there are some people who just won't take nice. Those, you finsh with asap, and move on.)
Harken to Kitty!
This is excellent stuff, Q!
May I add: Kayak.com is really good for fare searching-- it checks airlines and travel sites, and does comparisons. Also gives you the price difference between airline and travel site prices.
And Paul says I should link FlightAware.com. Tracks flights while they're in the air with a map and a little airplane. I think he just likes maps but it's useful for keeping track of people you currently have in the air.
It's the international flights I wish we could do better with. We tend to book months in advance and then don't bother trying to change-- and it's always lower by then. And we don't stick with one airline, so we never rack up the FF miles. Ah well. At least we get Amazon points.
Walletless! This is bad. :( I hope your wallet has a nice time.
Did Cabal's appetite temporarily decrease soon after? <g>
Oh, and tip well at the food joints you frequent often (if tipping is allowed) and you will reap huge benefits!
(2 count 'em 2 free cookies on my birthday!)
tickyboxieck
I have a really challenging airline day tomorrow, an entire MESS of flights to book and re-book, and hotels.
All in a days work....
Then, one wonders, doesn't anybody stay in one place anymore.....
Mim just came in with a huge piece of gyros meat she has apparently hunted.
I had dinner some time ago and put the leftover in the fridge.
Hmm. Do I want to know. I do not.
"So far away, doesn't anybody stay in one place anymore? It would be so fine to see your face at my door. Doesn't help to know you're just time away." Oh, Siri, I am now listening to my older sister's Carole King "Tapestry" in my mind... (And I'm the one who read On Beauty and Being Just years ago, talked about it here, would love to talk about it more.)
Q, your cats are too smart. They scare me. :-) Of course, they all learned it from YOU. Right??
Hi Quiche,
oooooooh, you're goooood!!! No wonder you are the Empress of Everything.
I usually waste a lot of time trying to talk the mean ones around, but "left Fluffy in the microwave" and moving on is just so much better. :)
I taught them nothing. I serve them. Venus is sleeping on the floor beside me.
Yes. Fluffy in the microwave works well. We had a Fiend named Fluffy once, where did she go?
So, Mim can open fridge doors. Doesn't surprise me.
I'll bet Coconut is hiding in the smallest, last place you look.
Great tips! It always helps checking every possible travel site and also clicking through to the booking page because sometimes they'll be like Oh wait! Lowered the price. This is how I ended up going to Barcelona last year for spring break spending $270 including tax for my roundtrip ticket (and ok it did involve 12 hour overnight layover in Heathrow and having to sleep on the floor but hey I'm a college student, I can handle it. Plus so worth saving $300)
Hi Maia and welcome! You can win at this game...
I am kind of worried about Coconut, we looked a lot today...
I was wondering about the fiend Fluffy the other day? I was also wondering if all the fiends successfully "crossed over".
Maybe someone should have stayed on the other side for awhile to round-up stragglers? :)
Has meal-time passed for Coconut yet?
Hi, Marrije, Jes and Maia! Look around and you'll find a nice white jacket with buckles up the back. :)
::sniff::
::sniff, sniff, sniff::
::SSSSSSSNNNNNNIIIIIIIFFFFFF::
Ah! I love the smell of spicy brains in the night!
MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Jacqui, Fluffy "passed over," she just has a teenage daughter that keeps her running, not to mention her job. ;)
I think Coconut snuck out while everybody was distracted getting ready to leave. Is this the kitty that was having health problems several months ago?
FTR, hot water cornbread is more or less the same thing as hushpuppies. You don't use any egg, just cornmeal, baking powder, salt, a little sugar (maybe) and enough hot water to make a thick batter which you drop by teaspoonfuls into a skillet filled halfway with melted Crisco. Don't ask me why, but Crisco oil doesn't work as well. The breads will have to be turned, then drained on paper towels. Lovely, crunchy hot water cornbread is best eaten warm, does not keep terribly well nor does it do well to warm it up after cooling. You don't want to make it too thick. It is also good with black-eyed peas. :)
Hmmm, Adventure Wallet ought to be a comic. NO skills in that area or I'd start it.
Thank you for the airline tutorial. Glad to know I'm doing some things right. I've played that Fluffy-in-the-Microwave game with my cable company but didn't think to try it with airlines. A forehead slapping moment, for sure.
One question though: are you ever left having to take "no" for an answer? If so, how do you know when to give up? (OK, that was two questions, but they're very closely related...)
Good luck finding the kitty! Is it like Coconut to wander?
Ariandalen, it's always comforting to know that you're always there to welcome spicy new brains and keeping the older, slightly-passed-their-use-by-date, ones up to speed :)
Jacqui, if you are older than me it's not by much.
None of this "slightly passed use by date." :P
Curses.
You have called my bluff. Foiled again.
My cunning plan to have you loosen the buckles has failed.
NNOOOOOOooooooooooooooo
MWAHahahAHAhAHA!
And now I'm off to Dreamland!
::EVIL grin and glinting eyes::
G'night Ariandalen :)
So the wallet will be representing you at the funeral? You KNOW you wanted to go in some small way, didn't you?
As for friendliness, yes I can only recommend it. Last year when I came to see you the first leg of my flight had been canceled and while i did go to the airline ticket both as per normal procedure, I made extra effort to be calm and friendly and my case was treated with far less hassle and more care than those of people yelling.
Same thing goes at post/bank offices or any public-type service. One of my grand father used to select the ugliest clerk on offer and flirt with them (apparently he was a great charmer) and always got the best of them as well as feeling good for cheering a poor soul's very drab day up.
You sure Coconut did not sneak into Maddy's luggage?
So Mim hunts gyros. In fridges (fair enough, you are a tad far from the vast plains where the wild gyros roam). How clever of her (why am I not surprised?).
You could try installing child security locks on your fridge door (I had to do that with my first cat).
Dude, jason webley is so fod damn awesome.
Bed time now.
Hey, looks like Boss found your wallet!
Can we still call it Adventure Wallet, please?
Good Morning,
HeHe - left Fluffy in the microwave bit - It hadn't ever occured to me to hang up and try fpr a nicer person, either. Will remember that one.
Glad that Adventure Wallet has been found, and hope that today's Coconut hunting and airline and hotel wrangling goes smoothly.
Off to work in a moment - starting the day with a long drive in ruch hour traffic and what promises to be a long and probably contentious meeting. *sigh*
Chantrelle - hope you have a smooth trip. Did you find your firend's number?
Perhaps Adventure Wallet will send you a postcard from across the pond.
"Dear Q,
We had a safe flight. All is well. Wish you were here. See you soon.
- Cheers, Adventure Wallet"
Whatever about "Fluffy in the microwave", sounds like you could honestly say "Mim in the fridge"! She couldn't get locked in, could she? That would not be good.
Lighter and less obtrusive than a garden gnome...I try to be the bright spot in _any_ stuck-there-behind-the-counter person's day and I am always pleased how many really nice people there are.
Of course there are a fair number of puzzled ones waiting for me to con them.
Glad the location of the Adventure Wallet is known. If you'd put Coconut in with the Ipod we'd know by now...
The airplane tips are excellent. I mostly fly for work, and the government won't let us do stuff like that. And I hate talking on the phone so I mostly do the internet-only method. But perhaps someday I will learn...
At work, we have to use "authorized" travel vendors (agents) because they give us a discount, and then charge a $50 fee. Sadly, sometimes that fee makes the train or plane ticket more expensive. Talk about aggrevating!
The advice about being "best buddies" really is fantastic. These are the people who can get you what you need.
Adventure Wallet would fight pickpockets by biting off their fingers. But to the unknowing it would appear a mild-mannered billfold.
Quick, Adventure Wallet! To the Man-Bag!
Hooray for found wallets! That is good news. Has Coconut been located yet?
And Hurrah for new people! Hello, new people!
(I've seen Fluffy lurking about on Facebook. She's around.)
Adventure wallet -
wherever there is danger,
trust it will be there!
uick adventure wallet needs atheme song!
Thanks for the many tips! Its funny how you have to remind people that FRIENDLY HELPS. It helps with everything. It really does.
Tho maybe we could use magic words like "Quiche said you would be the best!" That oughta open some airplane hatches, hmmm?
Never found the phone number but i know what bus to take and have the hotel info and she has my cell # so i think we should be able to hook up...but, d'oh! ;-)
Have to get Ben from the neighbor's, he had a sleepover so we could see jason webley.
I love Adventure Wallet! Thank God I am not the only one who has done that :) Many sage words of advice. They will come in handy this summer, I feel.
The Bengals crack me up. Hopefully they are not plotting World Domination any time soon... or are they?
Ah, Kira, let me inform you of the Bee-Bengal Alliance. I do believe that their objective is, in fact, world domination. They definitely have numbers on their side, and mad scientist Dan Guy.
Opposing them (?) is Cabal's Cabal, whose primary human proponent is Dread Val. Whether they want world domination, or just to stop the Bee-Bengal Alliance is somewhat obscure.
In the new Fiendocracy, the Fabulous Lorraine will be Queen Empress of Everything. Since Ms. Fabulous feeds and cares for Bengals, Cabal and Bees...well, I think you can surmise where my loyalties lie. ;)
Ariandalen: that sums it up pretty well. I could never have thought of that.
Nathalie makes a great point about the wallet representing Lorraine.
Sorry to hear about Coconut; hoping things turn out well. (Coconut is such a great name.)
After a bitter falling out, during which I accused them of being too evil and insufficiently mad, and they accused me of FAILING TO KNEEL BEFORE YOUR BETTERS HUMAN SWINEZZZZZ!!, the Bee-Bengal Alliance and I have mended things. Mostly large death machines with big pointy claws for the rending and the tearing and the stinging FREUNLAVEN!
Also we've buried the hatchet (so that I can't use it to chop holes in the newly mended death machines, and they can't go all Lizzie Bordon on me).
Oh, and we've formed a tentative truce and come to terms again. (I get to live. And Australia.)
See? All is - mostly - well with the world. ;)
'Tis indeed.
Coconut was outside having an adventure, back now, none the worse for it.
Trying to re=book a ticket for someone who went thru a seriously strange website.
ALWAYS book with the airlines people!
You fiends are SO entertaining.
I have a funny comic strip for you:
http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2009/3/9/
It has already been Nathalie approved. She likes it so much, she said I should bring it over here for all fiendocracy to enjoy.
Am not sure whether to be relieveed or terrified that Dan & the Bengal-Bee-Alliance are back on terms.
Glad that Coconut is home and had an adventure.
Adventure wallet will, I am sure, represent you at the funeral, and Boss & family will benefit from you being there to look after everything else..
Q, so far have only booked first leg of my journey to USA (LHR-ORD) but I did do it with the airline direct ;-) I will bear in mind all the rest of your wise advice too.
Some good news!
For those of you who enjoy reading "Realms of Fantasy Magazine," it has been saved from destruction! Tir Na Nog Publishing has purchased it, and hopefully will begin rolling out the next issue in May (maybe June).
Quiche, thanks for letting me hi-jack your blog! :-)
Love to all. I'm off to do the "happy dance of fantasy fiction."
I just KNEW there had to be an Alliance somewhere! My, my... I think that you are playing the game quite well, ariandalen. I think I shall follow your lead on this, if you don't mind. Always a good idea to get in with the Queen Empress on the rise to the top :)
Wonderful post on getting people to want to help you. Catching flies with honey, not vinegar!
I spent a few years as Customer Service in a bank (real people in a lobby, not phone support)- and I can tell you the easiest people to help are the ones who know how to make you WANT to help. Claiming to know some High muckety-muck in the company never works- if you were that close you wouldn't be calling me.
My personal nightmare always went the same way-
Me: so when was the last time you balanced your checkbook?
Customer: Well.. I have this system...
Never ended well, that one.
Nick Voleur: Now Bernard. About this new filing system you were telling me about.
Bernard: Ah yes well
[reaches into pocket and takes out handful of receipts]
Bernard: This is March to... boobelyboo
[takes out more receipts]
Bernard: this is err... misc
[takes out more receipts]
Bernard: and this is... other.
Nick Voleur: Bernard. This new filing system. It's very closely modeled on the old one isn't it?
Bernard: Well Nick I'd actually go further than that. I'd say it was more or less exactly... the same...
That's EXACTLY my filing system!
And might be my checkbook system too, Tommy...
Booked/re-booked 4 sets of flights today. Won three times. The 4th was booked on the weird website and the airlines can't touch the ticket, but I think I figured out a way around it.
Maybe.
Still, all in all, a good day.
Q rules the air again!
Pleased to hear that Coconut has come home unscathed. One less thing for you to worry about.
Ticia, I love that Penny Arcade, brilliant!
Glad Coconut has returned unharmed to the fold. There does seem to be a recent trend for Q-related kitties to go on Adventures, Springtime restlessness plus full moon (which was AMAZING here this evening, huge big buttermilk disc hanging low over the bay).
Time now for hot chocolate and a so-called "Book". Oh and I have to strongly recommend Shaun Tan's new book, just gorgeous.
Dan, they gave you us in the terms???
This may have to be discussed over barbecue and beer!!
Majorie, any chance of using Lorrain'e stips to get me snuck into your luggage so I can come to Fiendom? ;)
HA! Did it. 4 for 4 today with airlines.
Kalipha, with my handy tips, you too can have yr own ticket, you know....Cheap tickets are out there, just can't be changed easily. Or at all, but if your plans are set, they can work....
4 4 4 -- Cool!
So glad Coconut has returned.
I have heard from many fiends re the gathering and am working on organizing the info I have. If you emailed me and did not get an email back from me confirming that I got your message you may want to send it again.
Wow Quiche... you do have the Jedi mind-tricks down when it comes to airlines. :-D
I've used some of those on tech support calls. I know when I'm calling tech support, I need one of the geekier geeks, not a fledgling. Usually listing what steps I've already taken right at the beginning of the call (along with the friendly "Oh, gosh... I sure hope you can help because I'm sooo stuck now since I've tried all the suggestions in the help FAQ") weeds out the script-readers because that usually exhausts their knowledge. By doing that, I get passed on to someone who has to think beyond the troubleshooting script, which saves about 20 minutes. Everyone wins. I think the one thing all these tips have in common is connecting in a good way with the person who has the power (or is that POW-AH!?)
How do you handle it if something goes miserably wrong (in a preventable way)? Do you complain to someone who can do something about it?
I had a horrible train trip once..seriously bad... the attendant was screaming at all of us late arrivals because they held the train for us. Why were we late? The previous train was late. None of us were in control of either the late train, nor the train that was held. But this guy was nuts - getting right in your face and yelling type of nuts. I didn't say a word back to him at the time, but took many notes in my laptop documenting his name, the abusive language, and the lack of services usually provided. When I got home, I composed a letter of disappointment with their usually stellar service and sent it to the corporate office. I got a letter of apology and a free first class roundtrip fare to New York for my troubles. I'm not a professional complainer who works companies for freebies - you've got to be *really godawful* to inspire me to wish your head on a plate. Anyone can get a "had a bad day" pass, but nobody gets a "psycho off his meds" pass. Prison warden was more his style. :P
All hail mighty travel guru Quiche!
This travel advice will come in handy. I think about going to MN and then I find myself feeling all muddled about the travel - "Where do I start? How much will a flight cost? How do you even book airline tickets in the first place?!"
Book on the airline websites, often now it costs extra to book by phone. Do the research and find out who has the best fares, then go to their site....
Not hard.
Grace - Sorry I didn't answer last night - I took my cold to bed early. I too was singing Carole King when I wrote that. As soon as I'm done with Beauty, etc., I'll let you know and we can talk.
Louisa!!!! May I order that book from you? I NEED IT!!!
Love the water buffalo.
email me, sil vous plait.
slg6734@msn.com
And again, I'm talking to myself here.
sigh.
Hi Siri!
I am spacing out here! My brain is as foggy as it is outside!
Our fog is now gone with the wind - cold, windy, and the garbage can is still where I left it. I anticipate picking up trash in the morning.
Sounds like a December blizzard out there, without the snow.
I'm home now and on my floor with Bengals...
Just call me Psychic Psiri. No sooner typed the words about the trash can blowing over, than it did. Brisk out there - pulled it back up to the house where it will wait until morning.
Sheesh!
The Bengal Strike Force just put out an all-points bulletin: CAT PILE ON QUICHE!
Glad you are home, Q, after forcing the airlines to do your bidding. 4 for 4. You are cool.
Gee Dan, I hope the Bengal Alliance doesn't do the cat 'pile' that was my thought on Q...she'd be incredibly unimpressed.
Hey, Psychic Psiri, can you tell me if the school I am working at will be two hours late tomorrow? :)
Hmmmmmm ---- if you are in the Northern Hemisphere, chances are good....
(Am I close?)
Lol, you are close, yes. Now I must wait until morning to see if you are correct.
Hey, Lo, you have any more info on St. Pat's? I am trying to figure out when I should get down to charlie's.
Well, El, with that additional bit of information, I can say with even more certainty that you will be delayed in the morning.
And it will be cold. Very cold.
Psychotic am I.
Errr - Psychic, I mean. Yeah. That's what I meant all along.
(mwaaahhhahahahahaha)
Yaaaawwwwn, good-night, Fiends. (So excited for June!)
Don't turn out the light, yet, Emily - I'm right behind you.
Night, Fiendom.....
I predict 6.
(Take that, Psychic Psiri!)
Meeeh, I got nothin'. Just sayin' hi, and then good night.
Hi! Good night!
p.s. How do we know that Coconut didn't join the Bengal-Bee Alliance while Out? I would argue that we don't. Not really.
Helloooooooooo!
Glad Coconut made it home okay. :)
He just decided that everybody else was busy, so he'd go on an adventure. Silly kitty. Must be part of the Bee-Bengal Alliance.
All Hail Ms. Fabulous! Queen Empress of Everything and Slayer of Flight Rescheduling!
Got me a fire and a pile of Leopards. And my floor, doesn't get any better, I am thinking.
Mim is luxuriating the only word for it. Venus is suspicious. Not sure about what.
No airlines tomorrow, fingers crossed. Some cars and hotels, but that is child's play, really
I will get this St Pats info. We can't safely say 3 to midnight, but it may be longer.
Fod help me.
IF my husband was able to record the live webcast on St. Patrick's Day, which hours would you prefer? I don't think he can get the entire 9 hours (or more), but maybe 3-4 hours. So, beginning, middle or end?
I'm not making any promises, as it may not happen. Still, there is a possibility. :)
Fluffy here - back out of the microwave, thank you very much! Prior to my incarceration in the small appliance I was off in Fluffy's World (which is quiet and nice) and came back when the spouse told me about Neil's dad. We are sad for them and for you, Quiche. Both of us have lost our dads, and we feel for him.
I haven't finished this thread yet but wanted to say that I think I'll be able to make it in June. I may have the Very Civilized But Still Fiendish 14-year-old. She has a very naughty and, er, mature sense of humor. Plus she's taller than me, so she can pass for older. Which isn't so keen from my perspective. I'm also a good loco parentis-type. Been FBI Certified and all, having been a Federal bank examiner. I will finish this thread and then send the requisite emails.
w00t on your 4 for 4, Q!
I think another person it's quite smart to be pleasant with: the person preparing your taxes. :)
A thought itching my brain on the topic - it's not just about catching more flies with honey; being polite and friendly and non-confrontational, making an effort to be The Bright Spot, it's just the decent way to treat a Human Being whose job it is to help you. Win-win. Like Tommy said, those jobs in the public eye are tough. You get so much abuse. I imagine many of the surly folks don't start out that way.
But for the nutters like Maureen described - I had one particularly dreadful teacher in undergrad. A group of students decided to talk to the department head. We were encouraged to write letters, and moreover to each write our own. Supervisors will pay more attention to a large number of individual letters, than one letter signed by the same number of people. If enough people write coherent, constructive letters of complaint, whacko train attendants and their ilk are a LOT more likely to be removed from the position. Win-win again.
Pleasant dreams and mornings, all! I'm for a small dish of ice cream, and watching The Riches - finally investigated a great local movie rental place last night.
I am laughing at you all - yer very funny. Now I know why I felt odd recently - I "crossed over" without even realizing it.!
[Yes. Fluffy in the microwave works well. We had a Fiend named Fluffy once, where did she go?
...
I was wondering about the fiend Fluffy the other day? I was also wondering if all the fiends successfully "crossed over".
...
I've played that Fluffy-in-the-Microwave game with my cable company]
Now, that last one just sounds naughty to me, but that may be because I just finished Christopher Moore's latest.
I liked this one, too:
'My personal nightmare always went the same way-
Me: so when was the last time you balanced your checkbook?'
Oooh, before I was a bank examiner I was a banker. Only one of the dozens and dozens of shouting people who had been bouncing checks all over town really did not cause it (the loan department was at fault.) And I was always the one stuck with the people (or businesses!!!) who never balanced their accounts - "See, you changed your $1,000 overdraft line of credit into a $1,000 positive balance by not carrying down the "-" sign, so you really have $2,000 less than you thought..."
And we always treat waiters/clerks politely, and usually friendly-ly. It helps having been on the other side of the desk/table/counter. The spouse is a million-miler Platinum-for-Life guy, too, which does make life easier, especially since we're here at American's hub.
There. I'm catching up a bit. I blame track season. The Offspring never did team sports until this year. What fun for me! "Break out the sunscreen; you get to sit for five hours since your daughter is running the first and second-to-last events." Aaargh. On the plus side, since I bring lots of snacks, I have lots of adoring teenage friends.
More later. Sorry.
Fluffy, dear, you have absolutely nothing to be sorry about. We all have lives away from this blog.
Granted some of us just answer memes on our primary blogs. I wouldn't know anything about that.
Others are just Twitterpated. ;)
Fluffy is back! This makes me happy. All blogs should have a Fiend named Fluffy, if they are lucky anyway. Glad yr back!
No idea Andriandalen, not the beginning and not the end.
OK, that would be the middle.
I think I am tired..
Thanks, Fiends! I just remembered - I meant to post about how much I like my Quiche nightshirt. I ordered it after the Birthday Broadcast and it got here in just two days!
It is odd, however, having one's chest glowing in the dark. At least, it's a first for me...
Gee, Ms. Fabulous. I can't imagine why you would be tired.
::blink, blink, blink::
Happy for Coconut...
happy for successful Airline pwning.
On the subject of background checks....
I have carried a Secret clearance since my initial training in the Army Reserves, it is necessary to my MOS (Military Occupational Specialty, DO keep up ;)).
These are "reinvestigated" every ten years. I've done the appropriate questionaires, and rec'd an email from my unit stating "you also have to have fingerprint cards; go to your local Police station and they can do them."
My unit is in California....maybe that makes a difference.
I trot off to the local station here in New Mexico. They are very nice. They inform me that, while they would be happy to print my fingerprints for me, all they have to put them on are booking cards. As in, "you are being arrested" cards.
NOT the first idea you want to put into the heads of those reviewing your clearance application.
Trot off to sheriff's office--same answer. State Police--same answer.
Lots of smiles, though.
Local National Guard unit is FAR more helpful, and connects me w/THEIR expert.....who informs me that, since this is a reinvestigation....you guessed it....
Fingerprints are no longer necessary.
But I had fun there for a couple of hours, and now have NEW FRIENDS in all the local law enforcement agencies. And I didn't even have to meet them in handcuffs. :)
And now back to our regularly scheduled sneezing. Though I really am doing much better, and greatly appreciate all the good wishes y'all have sent my way....
FLUFFY!!!!! (tacklehugs.....)
Hey, you!!! Ever so nice to hear that you like your nightshirt. I can do tank tops, too! (I think, anyway......)
Oh, right...forgot one last thing. I also saw that Penny Arcade yesterday, and LOVED it. So did mum, after I showed it to her...
::singing::
"Good night, sleep tight,
And pleasant dreams to you!
Here's a wish and a prayer
That all your dreams come true.
And now 'til we meet again...
Adios, Au Revoir, Auf Wiedersehn!
Good Night!"
Frightening, considering I'm only 47, isn't it?
Fluffy - isn't it just bizarre having a glowing chest overnight! Didn't need a nightlight, I was glowing so brightly in my t'shirt.
I will go back and look at Fiend travel plans post, but first I wanted to come here and say, I found this bengal video, this is definitely a bengal cat; mine sleep just like this! AND, this video is great to see what we mean by bengal voices. I call these noises 'dinosaur noises' and it's one of the sweetest, softest sounds they make.
Also, for airline travel tips, I kayak.com and sidestep.com are great (and use the same search engine to search multiple sites, then send you to the actual airline to buy your ticket. Totally agree with Q that this is the best way). In addition tot hat, find out if your airport is host to a hub for any particular airline. Try to fly it first.
Some of the /best/ flights I've taken have been on 'discount' airlines flying out of their hubs. Southwest, in particular, is GREAT out of Texas and much of the, well, southwest (and Chicago-Midway). Southwest, AirTran (I think), and JetBlue don't list their fares on the travel aggregate sites, so you have to check them separately. Usually it's worth it.
I just booked four plane tickets and for two of them, it made the most sense to buy from Continental (found via sidestep.com), but for other other two, I saved $200/each by booking directly through Southwest.com, which has super comfortable planes and gates in airports (at their hubs).
Tysie talked back to the Bengal video!
Hey Fluffy. I'm glad you "crossed over" or "passed over" successfully :)
I loved your song Ariandalen :)
Tysie talks Bengal Sal? I'm impressed!!
So many comments, so little time.
Kalpipha - I don't think even Lorriane's Fabulous skills would enable me to take a whole extra person with me ;-) (Unless of course you can sucessfully disguise your self as a wallet or i-pod....)
Treating people like hman beings - yes, that gets results (almost) all the time - I was on teh otehr end recetly - had someone who we (as a compnay) had previously done some work for. She rang up wanting some information and further copies of stuff from her file. OK. No problem. takes a little while becasue this file was OLD, so had to alert the Archive-miners.
File took a while to find, because it turns out that the name she gave me when she called is the name she was known by at the stat of her cae - and as we keep records up to date the file is stored uner the name she now uses, which. But we found it.
When the file came up, I had a look and found that we had, in fact, answered the exact same queston and provided her with the same additional copies about 3 months earlier. Also realised that she owes us (as a firm) quite a bit of money for work one of my collegues has done.
At this point my intention was to give the the copies,but to say I wouldn't go over the questions with her again unless she wanted me to formally open a file and start charging, as we had already given her a good buit of free advice on the subject.
This was the point at which she rang up and was rude and complaining to our receptionsit becasue we had not got abck to her yet this was about 48 hours after her original call, when I had told her that it would take several days to retireve the file, and that we would call her once we had it). reception put her through to me, (with a brief explanation of what she had been saying) which was when I decided that I would, after all, implement our policy (which is in alk our client care and file closing letters, but which we often waive) to charge her for the retrieval of the file and for the copies.
Her being rude and agressive to our reception therfore had a direct cost to her of about £35. Had she been nicer I would probably have gone ahead to give her the extra free advice anyway (albeit I wouldprobably have pointed out to her that we had already done this once)
I'm a bit like you, Maureen - if I'm on the recieving end of crap service / behaviour on I will put up with a fair bit, and will give someone the benefit of the doubt as far as I can, but go beyond that and it is head on plates time!
People feeling it's Ok to be rude/agressive to our reception staff or secretaries,becausue they are 'only' a receptionist/secretary but who are then nice as pie to me are one of my pet hates.
Good morning, Fiends all. Fluffy, it's great to find you here!
Loved the Bengal video - YouTube is so fun
Marjorie - I agree about people who abuse those "lower on the totem pole" and make nice to their superiors. It tells you a lot about their character.
The whole of Italy functions like this...
Adri that video was adorable. What funny noises they make!
As a years-long veteran of the service industry, I definitely agree that being nice is the way to get the best service. Unfortunately there are far too many people who exclaim loudly that "the customer is always right" whilst being mean, obnoxious, and rude to service people. And so many managers/companies are so frightened of scaring away customers that service folks aren't allowed to say anything. I try to go out of my way to be nice to service people, because I have SO been there.
Very cute vid! They do lie like that.
Must check out kayak.com need that.
Marjorie, you have a lot more patience than I do!
More tea, is all I have to say this morning.
I like kayak.com. I still go to the airlines to buy, but it's stopped me having to research on a thousand different sites at once. It doesn't include the budget airlines like Southwest and JetBlue, unfortunately, but it's a good catch-all for the others.
JetBlue rocks. Not always a bargain, but very comfortable and easy. And they give you a choice of snacks! Can't beat multiple snack options.
What does everyone know about Northwest? Are they good? I've heard nice things and I've heard horror stories.
Spring is here! It's sunny and 60 degrees! That's more like it.
Spring left us for you, then, Jess. It was sunny and 70 a few days ago. Now cloudy and 26F, with intermittent rain. Urg. Take good care of that sunshine for me, huh?
If it makes you feel any better, Andrea, we're losing it after today-- 25 overnight, it says, and a high of 32 for tomorrow. :(
We fly on Northwest (Or Continental or Delta) whenever possible, but we get the Elite status there, which is a huge help.
You are never hungry enough for the Snack Box tho, bring yr own food.
Yesterdays Weather Event completely failed to happen.
I had this idea once, that no one should be allowed to shop on their own in retail stores until they've first worked in one. That could be updated to, a person is allowed to use public services (bank, hotels, stores, post office, airlines, etc) only after a certain age AND having worked in one for, let's say, minimum six months. There could be a learner's permit, then you get a little certificate, plus some early job experience, and a greater appreciation for people doing any similar work.
And this idea of treating people with less respect because they're precieved to be "down the totem pole", reminds me of Gosford Park, especially the Inspector who ignores the capable policeman, and only wants to talk to people who were close to the deceased, thus ignoring the servants. :P
This is a human trait, isn't it? "Familiarity breeds contempt." A societal disdain for people doing the most essential jobs, including moms, teachers, peace officers, receptionists, postal workers, farm labourers, house builders, servants in other eras, or any era, etc.
Meanwhile, I have ceased to believe in Spring. You are pulling my leg, Jess, I'm sure of it. It is a myth. Gone the way of Santa Claws and the Ether Bunny. ::fingers in ears:: "La la la la la la la la la-la"
The Ether Bunny?
The Ether Bunny, he comes once a year, to give you a nice long nap.
LOL
I think I want the Ether Bunny to come rid me of this migraine.;)
Hee hee. I thought the Ether Bunny hopped around the Internet.
No Ether Bunny here. Seems to be below zero.
Here it is sunny and I have a window open.
It is still March, isn't it?
Ether Bunnies disapprove of the cold.
You are enchanted witch of travel. Your adviceis right on, I always check out the cheap tickets rates then book with the airlines directly, wise girl. Also, I call the hotels and ask for their best rates the usaully have better rates. Still , you are a wonder and your Boss is lucky to have you! Good job! loev geri - yoga gal
My high school chem teacher was all about the ether bunny. First week of class she showed us how an ether molecule looks like a bunny, with one big atom for the head and two little atoms orbiting it for ears.
R - O - R
It's kind of hard to describe...
FabLo, I'm really not all that patient, honest!
Love the Ether Bunny, hopping through the interwebs and bringing baskets of naps . .
Na, I think your idea is an excellent one! If you lost your licence through bad behaviour you would have to do community service working somewhere such as on the customer service desk for RyanAir or easyJet..
I like that, Marjorie! One could also be required to pay fines, which would go to a general fund for therapy or massages for workers whom nasty customers have made miserable.
How about operant conditioning? Rude customers could be given a mild (or not so mild) electrical shock...
Hello!
Loving the Santa Claws and Ether Bunny!
Back to work!
The ether bunnies around here are three feet tall (counting ears and feet) and just as soon punch your lights out as run away from you.
Never play chicken with a jack rabbit--they WILL stare you down as they are charging full speed at you.
I stepped aside.
:)
Olé!
The ether bunny whacked me on the head this morning and I slept through a garden club board meeting. Ooops. It's okay, though, I just need to email the newsletter deadline to everyone.
I feel quite rested, though. Tackled my **shudder** file boxes and wrangled them into shape while listening to James Marsters reading "Fool Mooh," a Harry Dresden book.
Oh, no. Dinner (which only exists in potentia) looms.
Spring - 80F one day, high of 40F the next. The squirrels in the attic are getting frisky, though. The little bastards.
Argh. It's "Fool Moon" - not a story about goofy cows.
Oh man... dinner on the Mac screen.
Evil version of the Ether Bunny: vampy villainess serial (or cereal) killer in Playboy garb who claims her victims by smothering them with an ether-soaked lace hanky.
"I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way."
an ether-soaked lace hanky she keeps in her cleavage!
I like this ether bunny
Jess--nope. SOME Fiend should have the nice sunshine if I can't.
Fluffy--whew! thanks on the correction. I was going through permutations for "Fool Mooh" trying to get it to work in my head & gaining in confusion. I got as far as Ful Medames before I hit your next post. Of course, not I'm hungry for Egyptian food...
Andrea, I got sidetracked at 'James Marsters' and in my excitement completely overlooked the typo.
I never knew who James Marsters was until I got the Harry Dresden audiobooks. His voice is perfect. Best match for a character in my head ever. If that makes any sense.
James Marsters = lustful dreaming ;)
Hmmm, might watch some Buffy for an hour now I've said that!
I'm still setting up my new Macbook and I noticed that they've not updated the voices in the speech option since probably OS 9... maybe even 8.5.
Anyone else think there should be something smooth, like a guy with a French accent? Even the GPS in my car sounds like a British butler, not a robot.
Want to go home soon to Bengals. Long enough for a Quiche to be working.
Still 2 hotels and one flight to confirm. Am I a travel agent?
New post if I can get home...
Poor Quiche-head, still at work. Home with you, poor thing. Home to the floor and Bengal Pile.
Hope you are able to go home soon Q. Good job with all the travel stuff. You and yours have been in my thoughts a lot today.
Go: hang up the phone,
hie thee to Bengals, TEA, and
the beckoning floor.
Well, some days are like this. Still working but am home with the Bengals on the floor.
Will do new post.
Progress - always forward progress.....
New kind of all over the place post up...
Gee, nobody has virtually taken a swat at me for singing the episode ending song from "The Lawrence Welk Show."
Maybe I really should start running now...
Actually ariandalen, it made me smile and think of my Grandmother gone these many years.
Where is this new post of which you speak? I find it not, yet my email is unthinkably empty of fiends...
Hit refresh on the blog!
I swear, I hit it over and over...
Darn caching.
YOU'RE ON THE LIST, WEB CACHE!!
THE BEE-BENGAL ALLIANCE IS COMING FOR YOU FIRST!
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