More questions on Seiveright than answers

THE EDITOR, Sir:

This is an open letter to Gleaner columnist Patria-Kaye Aarons.

I WOULD like to ask a few questions regarding your commentary in The Gleaner dated June 13, 2018, and titled “Sky-high travel tragedy”.

First, I must say that I enjoy your weekly commentary, and thank you for attempting to further shed light on the matter of Mr Delano Seiveright’s travel bill, which should be of national concern.

In the article, you indicated that Seiveright’s ticket to New York on June 5, 2017, cost JMD$422,193; however, you did not indicate where the flight originated from the airline that was used, and if it was an economy, a business, or a first-class seat. It would be good to know that information as personal checks have revealed that an airline ticket for round trip from Jamaica to Australia (flying coach) as early as Friday June 15, 2018, could cost as little as US$3,313.50. I used Australia as I’m thinking that being of such distance from Jamaica geographically, it must cost a pretty penny to get there. Could be wrong, I don’t know. Checks for New York flying first class as early as June 14, 2018 (today), were as low as a US$1,066.89.

What your article has done is to leave me with more questions than answers. Was that airline ticket for June 5, 2017, the only one you were privy to? If you were privy to the cost of other trips, was that the trip with the most expensive ticket? What is the approximate commission that a travel agency gets from purchasing airline tickets? Is there a standard interest rate or fee?

As I have said before, I applaud your efforts for trying to better understand this debacle, however, I believe that through your journalistic skills and knowledge, you could shed even further light on this matter.

TRACY NOBLE