Chris Elliott: "Elites ruining air travel"/Uses FT as example
#31
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: LAX-- But I'd rather be on Brokeback Mountain. United 1K! Other
Programs: RCC,HHonors Diamond,HGVC Elite,SPG Plat,Hyatt Diamond,Nat'l Emerald Exec Elite, Disney Premier Pass
Posts: 2,472
To cite as an example the behavior of a celebri-monster like "supermodel" Naomi Campbell as indicative of the "attitude" of elites... and then attempt to draw some strange link somehow to FT, is beyond ludicrous.
Perhaps back when Russel Crowe hurled that telephone in a fit of rage at the hotel clerk it was because he was told that--even as a Diamond HHonors member he wasn't going to have access to the Executive Lounge!! Damn you FT!!
Perhaps back when Russel Crowe hurled that telephone in a fit of rage at the hotel clerk it was because he was told that--even as a Diamond HHonors member he wasn't going to have access to the Executive Lounge!! Damn you FT!!
#33
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: CLT
Posts: 7,249
Ruining air travel is purely subjective. For me infrequent flyers during weather delays ruin it for me. They think they are entitled to hotels, taxis, meal vouchers, etc. They are entitled to a courteous person handling their rebook, but aside from that it's out of their control. I don't control weather. Airlines don't control weather. Delays suck, but that is life.
Elites don't demand meal vouchers or anything other than what they are entitled to. On United 1Ks are entitled to a hotel voucher for weather delays but some CSAs are not aware of that. In that case it is enforcing a rule.
Elites don't demand meal vouchers or anything other than what they are entitled to. On United 1Ks are entitled to a hotel voucher for weather delays but some CSAs are not aware of that. In that case it is enforcing a rule.
#34
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: CO Plat, SPG Plat
Posts: 324
I am not going to offer my opinions here on the theme of the article since there will be plenty of opinions offered in this tread but you can tell that the article's point is poorly supported by the examples he uses within.
#35
Join Date: May 2002
Location: District of Columbia, Maryland- AA 2M Life Platinum, UA 1K, TK Gold, BA Silver, IC RA, Fairmont/Marriott Platinum, SPG/Hilton/Omni Gold, Wynn/Makers Mark Ambassador, Hertz Presidents Circle, Avis Chairmans, National Executive
Posts: 1,578
Have you seen the other articles he has put out?? What rubbish.
Maids on a mission
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24776850/
An entire page devoted to one bottomline- use commonsense and lock up valueables when not in the room and use the do not disturb sign if you don't want to be bothered. If a room needs to be serviced at another time, you can always make a call.
The articles just keep getting worse on topics -
Be careful not to touch anything at the Wynn Las Vegas (mini bar charges) http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2...ynn-las-vegas/
and worst of all....
See you in court
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24355249/
And telling people to sue travel suppliers? Does he even have legal background to make such statements or offer legal advice?
Maids on a mission
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24776850/
An entire page devoted to one bottomline- use commonsense and lock up valueables when not in the room and use the do not disturb sign if you don't want to be bothered. If a room needs to be serviced at another time, you can always make a call.
The articles just keep getting worse on topics -
Be careful not to touch anything at the Wynn Las Vegas (mini bar charges) http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2...ynn-las-vegas/
and worst of all....
See you in court
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24355249/
And telling people to sue travel suppliers? Does he even have legal background to make such statements or offer legal advice?
#36
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Was living in WAS now DFW, at least closer to IAH!;)
Programs: UA:1K SPG:PLT MR:GLD AVIS-HERTZ:PREZ and AA is for quitters!
Posts: 386
I feel robbed.....
Whoops was thinking different guy when I saw post title.
Would have been far more interesting discussion if this maniac Chris Elliott had written that article.
Oh well maybe he'll branch out.
Would have been far more interesting discussion if this maniac Chris Elliott had written that article.
Oh well maybe he'll branch out.
#37
Join Date: Dec 2005
Programs: DL Diamond. LT SkyClub, AGR, passport
Posts: 742
my short note to him:
Mr. Elliott;
It really is not that bad. I hope you are not suggesting that we should do away with all loyality programs. I am sure there are so called "bad apples" in any rewards/loyality program. I use air travel a fair amount and generally see good behavior by the vast majority of elite travelers. I fly mainly Northwest Airlines (loyality programs do work.) I have seen poor behavior from customers, airline crews, and government officials. When you get a couple hundred people together, you probably will have one to two percent that do not exhibit the best behavior. However, I tend to focus on the good behavior and kind jestures I witness.
I think Flyertalk is a great resource for many travelers and the vast majority of their community members are there to help.
Mr. Elliott;
It really is not that bad. I hope you are not suggesting that we should do away with all loyality programs. I am sure there are so called "bad apples" in any rewards/loyality program. I use air travel a fair amount and generally see good behavior by the vast majority of elite travelers. I fly mainly Northwest Airlines (loyality programs do work.) I have seen poor behavior from customers, airline crews, and government officials. When you get a couple hundred people together, you probably will have one to two percent that do not exhibit the best behavior. However, I tend to focus on the good behavior and kind jestures I witness.
I think Flyertalk is a great resource for many travelers and the vast majority of their community members are there to help.
#38
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Colombia, South America
Programs: AAExPlat HHGold AVLifeMiles
Posts: 194
He's a moron. I had already read his stupid article before I saw this thread an posted a reply there to him about it. Some of his most glaring mistakes:
He confuses elite flyers with bad boy/bad girl high rollers. Moron mistake 1.
He thinks the toilet rule (no econ use toilet in 1st) and has no idea this actually is a directive from Homeland Security! Moron mistake 2!!!
And the idiot actually has the nerve to claim to be some kind of expert!
He confuses elite flyers with bad boy/bad girl high rollers. Moron mistake 1.
He thinks the toilet rule (no econ use toilet in 1st) and has no idea this actually is a directive from Homeland Security! Moron mistake 2!!!
And the idiot actually has the nerve to claim to be some kind of expert!
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Greater DC
Programs: UA plus
Posts: 12,943
He's a moron. I had already read his stupid article before I saw this thread an posted a reply there to him about it. Some of his most glaring mistakes:
He confuses elite flyers with bad boy/bad girl high rollers. Moron mistake 1.
He thinks the toilet rule (no econ use toilet in 1st) and has no idea this actually is a directive from Homeland Security! Moron mistake 2!!!
And the idiot actually has the nerve to claim to be some kind of expert!
He confuses elite flyers with bad boy/bad girl high rollers. Moron mistake 1.
He thinks the toilet rule (no econ use toilet in 1st) and has no idea this actually is a directive from Homeland Security! Moron mistake 2!!!
And the idiot actually has the nerve to claim to be some kind of expert!
Still think he's a moron though
#41
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NY
Programs: The local deli gives me 1 free sandwich after I buy 10
Posts: 4,026
its all in the presentation
If his objective is to reveal the problems of air travel (humans) and make his readers more aware and therefore the world a better place to live then he may or may not be right about elites, first class, FT'ers
...I just think Brian Regan has made more of difference than he could ever make.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC4icqvy8UQ
...I just think Brian Regan has made more of difference than he could ever make.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC4icqvy8UQ
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: MN
Programs: Lots of programs, dirt on all of them!
Posts: 11,938
#43
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Southern California
Posts: 391
Chris Elliott is not that stupid, he is very much aware of the benefits of FF programs, probably has some status too and uses all the benefits he is entitled to, may even demand them on occassion! BUT if he was to write about that, he could not make a living! He has to write what appeals to the common denominator (now is that elitist?). But even his audience, if he has one, must be laughing at the Naomi Campbell and Pakistan Air examples.
We fly business/first for the comfort, luxury, we have earned it, we can afford it, whatever currency we use, why should we be embarassed or ashamed of it, we still live in a capitalist country, don't we?
Who would he go after next, people who fly on chartred or private planes?
We fly business/first for the comfort, luxury, we have earned it, we can afford it, whatever currency we use, why should we be embarassed or ashamed of it, we still live in a capitalist country, don't we?
Who would he go after next, people who fly on chartred or private planes?
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,426
Maybe he's mad at Flyertalk because we don't like his work very much.
I know I started a thread a year ago suggesting he was America's worst travel writer.
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showpost....40&postcount=1
His latest literary efforts have not changed my mind.
I know I started a thread a year ago suggesting he was America's worst travel writer.
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showpost....40&postcount=1
His latest literary efforts have not changed my mind.