Letters to the Travel Editor
Mug up on robberies
I am writing regarding the article “Took the money and ran”, by David Hill [Travel, February 5].
Mr Hill is to be congratulated for giving readers sensible advice to avoid a mugging. I have been mugged four times.
I would like to suggest, as a follow up to Mr Hill’s article, you ask readers to write to you with their remedies/advice on what they have done to prevent theft. As a result it is likely you will receive more prevention tips.
Warren L. Johns
Remuera
The Travel Editor replies: We’d love to hear tips from readers for avoiding muggings or robberies when travelling.
State of recline
Regarding Vera Alves’ “Decline the recline option” in Travel, March 5.
Air travel has never been so affordable and it is the responsibility of the individual person to assess if they can put up with some obvious discomfort to fly 30 hours to the other side of the world.
At least we can afford to fly to have the excitement of it and the luxury of experiencing the rest of the world. More than our ancestors could.
Moan! Whinge! Moan! Whatever happened to “Oh, great some refreshments, films to watch, games to play”?
As for complaining about people reclining their seats . . . everyone has the right to put their seat back a little; even Vera. To call the person in front of her a “selfish moron” is just too much. I wonder if she would have said the same if it had been a woman in front of her?
I say live and let live, we are all in the same boat — or in this case, plane. We do not know how much trouble our fellow travellers are having coping with their own discomfort.
They say we are in the “golden age of travel”. Let’s make the most of it while it lasts and let’s be glasshalf-full travellers.
Heather Clarke,
Orewa
Just read Vera Alves piece on seat reclining. And I can sympathise.
In March last year, on a flight aboard an A380, flying out of Frankfurt — yay, got my window seat! “Yay” went to “oh boy”, as the passenger in front of me was already semi-reclined due to how big he was. Soon as dinner had been cleared, he reclined his seat fully, it shot back with such a whoosh my husband and I looked at each other in horror — my knees were jammed into the back of his seat, I therefore had no choice but to recline my seat fully, even this left little room and I’m short. Every time, he moved to get comfy his whole seat lurched dangerously, when it came time to sit up he had a great deal of trouble and I was preparing to decamp as fast as I could.
Maybe I should have complained, but it probably
wouldn’t have helped. I spent that flight working out how I could ever afford Business Class. It was a sad ending to a great holiday.
Cheers, Julie Mills
I am tired of some people complaining about seat reclining. I do not know who Vera Elves is but she needs to understand the seats are designed to recline for passenger comfort. Probably most of us cannot travel easily in the upright position for any length of time.
So just be prepared for the seat back in front to come back after take-off and meal services. Recline your own seat to keep the space available. Common sense, not courtesy, is required.
Ian Read, Travel Industry Rtd
Travel expands horizons
Why is it that travel specials (especially overseas) and holiday packages/specials do not include the school holidays?
On the one hand, you have educators not in favour of child absenteeism during a school term due to going on holiday. On the other hand, you have travel advertisements for packages/specials but only during a school term. Very frustrating for those trying to plan a family holiday.
Also, educators like to go on holidays too. Sadly, they are also subjected to the higher prices. Yours faithfully,
J and R Gordon
The Travel Editor replies: As a father of two schoolage kids, I share your pain. But travel is a fabulous education and I reckon schools should be understanding of any opportunity for pupils to see a bit of the world. Your point about teachers is sound — one more reason we should be appreciative of the fabulous work our educators do.
Online advice
A word of warning when booking air fares online. I made a booking recently on what I thought was a Jetstar website. On checking my credit card, I found it was actually a US site (Cheapoair.com) and the fare was quoted in US dollars. Added to that I had been charged $72.90 for commission or admin charges. I am not exactly sure what it was for. I complained bitterly and as a gesture of goodwill they refunded me $30. However, I will be very careful in future to make sure I am using a New Zealand site.
Kind regards, Lynn Grant
The Travel Editor replies: It’s worth noting you can book direct online for all the domestic carriers in New Zealand skies on their own websites.
She’s all class
I enjoy all the flight reviews but wondered when Stephanie Holmes was going to travel Economy.
And then lo and behold there are two reviews where she has travelled in Economy Class. It’s hard on us Economy travellers to keep reading about the crayfish and Veuve Cliquot! Well done, Stephanie.
And keep up the good work.
Cheers, Charles Adler,
Whangarei
The Travel Editor replies: It’s hard on me too, mate! Stephanie seems to get to the front of the plane more often than I do!
Re: ‘Decline the recline’, Travel, March 5, by Vera Alves.
As a frequent long-distance flyer, whose employer won’t spring for Business Class, I have to disagree with your article on “ignorant seat recliners”. If you don’t want the seat in front to be too close, you have options. Book a seat facing a bulkhead, or recline your seat too.
I’m happy during meal times, even if I’m skipping the food, to bring my seat upright, but at any other time, especially early morning or at night, if I want to sleep I will use every degree of recline angle made available to me.
Regards,
Ian Lewis
The Travel Editor replies: Please drop me a line if you’re ever seated in front of Terry Johnson.
I know it has been said before but here goes again: If the person jammed me in (which has not happened to me) I would lean over his/her pointy head and say very quietly that I am regressing to a very spoilt 8-year-old who has not got their way and am about to hit the back of their seat with my knees against their kidneys for the rest of the trip and if they would like it not to begin, they had better put their seat in the upright position. If said person does not comply do just what you say you will until they do.
If this does not work try coughing and sneezing all over their heads. I am sure that will work. We do not have to put with ill-mannered behaviour. Terry Johnson, Tauranga
The Travel Editor replies: Please drop me a line if you’re ever seated behind Ian Lewis.