Emailing Gordon
 

Does anyone have his new email address? It seems that [email protected] no longer works ALTHOUGH the nimwits at Continental still say that it should, even at the on-line desk. It seems that his inbox must have overflowed. I also tried all sorts of combinations w/ underscores and reversing to last name first but nothing.

first->[email protected]

[This message has been edited by Jim Phillips (edited 10-24-2003).]

I've heard that Gordon doesn't read emails from passengers. Anyone else hear that?

In mid-September, just before the new Elite qualification requirements were anounced, I mailed a letter "directly to" Gordon. Three weeks later, I received a reply from someone in customer care.

I guess billionaires can't read. Who says you need school?

I sent a letter to Gordon AFTER the elite changes were made and I too got a letter back from someone else telling me they forwarded my comments to the Customer Care Dept. I don't expect anything to come from it unless every elite member also sends a letter. If you haven't please send one!!

You can leave Gordo a "personal message" on the phone, but there's a catch, you gotta listen to Gordo's weekly message. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/eek.gif

Dial 877-324-6245, press 1 to listen to Gordo's message, then if you ain't barfing when he's done press 2 to leave Gordo your 2¢

I guess this is obligatory:
[email protected]

Or, if you're in the Houston area, stop by his home at 3340 Del Monte Drive in the posh Houston enclave of River Oaks. BTW,
his 6,152 square foot, 5 bedroom home is currently appraised at $2,588,100.

(This is all PUBLIC INFORMATION available via the Harris Country Appraisal District. See link below)

http://www.hcad.org/cgi-bin/AV/AVDet...=0601320000012

I didnt know that "posh" and "Houston" could be used in the same sentence. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Are you sure this is still his home after the divorce? Or is the former Mrs. Bethune residing here while her ex pursues "sex, scotch, and speed?"



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"We will not cut benefits from OnePass, our industry-leading frequent flyer program, because we remain committed to rewarding our most loyal customers."

-- Gordon Bethune (Continental's CEO) two weeks before significantly cutting benefits of the OnePass program

According to the government link provided, this is still Bethunes' joint home.

Interesting to see a gap of 1 million dollars between assessed value and market value.

The property tax rate in Mr. Gordon's town is quite low http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cool.gif

Not a low as you would think. The difference is most likely due to the homestead cap in Texas. This law allows for a maximum of 10% *I think* per annum increase in appraised value on your homestead only. Homestead is determined by what your primary residence is as of January 1 of the tax year in question. My property taxes - including county, local, and school district - were acutually higer on my house in Houston than here in So. Jersey. But no state income taxes in TX, so....

K

It is interesting to see the property tax jurisdiction breakdown:

Taxing Jurisdiction Tax Rate Taxes
Harris County 0.388030 $4,457.38
Harris County Flood Control 0.041740 $479.48
Harris County Department of Education 0.006290 $72.25
Port of Houston Authority 0.020000 $229.74
Harris County Hospital District 0.190210 $2,184.98
Houston Community College 0.081333 $1,156.18
City of Houston 0.655000 $7,524.12

When everything is added up, the total tax rate is something like $14 per $1000 appraisal value. Still not bad http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Mr. Gordon's house appraisal value got a huge depreciation from $1.7 million in 2000 to $1.18 million in 2001. Wonder what happened......

Not so fast...Texas has a quirky real estate tax system that's different than most other places. The laundry list you note does NOT include school taxes (which is a big bite). School taxes are a separate levy. The annual Houston Independent School District Tax (per the HISD web page) is $1.58 per $1000 valuation (thus 1.58% of the value). This school tax is IN ADDITION TO the the 1.4% local taxes you noted. Thus, the effective tax rate on a Houston house (including Gordo's manse) is right at 3% of the appraised value. This rate is quite steep by national standards.
But what the he11 does this have to do with OnePass? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Could've been a flood damage "enhancement".