Posts belonging to Category 'Italy Travel Deal'

You have a Con-Artist Aboard

Question:

>Welcome Group, >I won’t be long here. I have had the unfortunate >experience of being attacked by one of your Oldest >members, who IS A CON-ARTIST and thought you all >should know it.

Interesting claim, coming from an anonymous troll with forged addresses. So, how’d you get that burr so far up your butt?  Did she actually call your bluff on something? — dillon When I was a kid, I thought the angel’s name was Hark and the horse’s name was Bob.

Response:

>Welcome Group, >I won’t be long here. I have had the unfortunate >experience of being attacked by one of your Oldest

Sylvia Sullivan is just about what Jean described as far as the alt.culture.alaska newsgroup goes.  Note that last we knew Sylvia was living somewhere in Washington state, though she did live in Alaska for a dozen years or so, most recently in Valdez. She apparently did work at some time as a paralegal, though it is pretty obvious from her articles that she is no longer able to do that type of work. Sylvia ran for governor of Alaska in 1998, and garnered 5th place in a 5-way race, getting 2% of the vote. This URL has a picture of Sylvia,   http://www.ourcampaigns.com/cgi-bin/r.cgi/RaceDetail.html?&RaceID=204… Ms. Sullivan ran on the Alaska Independence Party ticket, however the party had disavowed her as a candidate.  That might speak better for her than for them though…  their problem was that she did not represent the ideology of the AIP (a somewhat wacko splinter party that advocates peaceful secession of Alaska from the US). The AIP isn’t really any further out there in the cosmos than Sylvia, but her angle from reality is different than theirs. Best advice I can give is 1) don’t respond to her, and 2) do read, just for fun, about every 10th article of hers because the logic she uses is absolutely hilarious. — FloydL. Davidson           <http://web.newsguy.com/floyd_davidson>

Response:

Nice hat she’s wearing. Perhaps it was purchased at the same place Dennis purchased his SUNNY<…..

Response:

> Nice hat she’s wearing. Perhaps it was purchased at the same place > Dennis purchased his > SUNNY<…..

Yeah? You, who look like an idiot in your boas, are now a fashion critic?

Response:

>….. When I returned to alt.culture Alaska on August 18, I saw that mcsav40 was > still railing on with his tirade shown below:

Jean-  It’s not a he, it’s a she.  Her name is Sylvia and she is a certifiable NUT!  Don’t let her get under your skin.

Response:

>….. When I returned to alt.culture Alaska on August 18, I saw that mcsav40 was > still railing on with his tirade shown below: > Jean-  It’s not a he, it’s a she.  Her name is Sylvia and she is a > certifiable NUT!  Don’t let her get under your skin.

Thanks, Enoch, I’m glad that you are familiar with her…It is humorous that she can type that long in caps with her *nerve damaged* arm ! But as you said in another post, that is not what is nerve damaged! ;-) –Jean

Response:

And add me also.  I have enjoyed their company on a cruise ship also. Mary Foster – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Add me to the list who has cruised with Jean and Ed. > SUNNY

Response:

You’re an idiot to even respond to this. CC – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Welcome Group, > I won’t be long here. I have had the unfortunate > experience of being attacked by one of your Oldest > members, who IS A CON-ARTIST and thought you all > should know it. > I usually post on the alt.culture.alaska > site and if you click on my name, it will bring up all > of the groups that a person posts to…If you are > posting off of the Google site. If not, go to > your Google Search engine and type in alt.culture.alaska > so you can see for yourself what I am about to prove. > Hi Everyone! First of all I want to thank everyone who replied to this self > proclaimed ex-Vet!  Please do go to Alt.culture Alaska and see all the posts > under save-our-democracy..they are too numerous to count..Also read all the > responses that he has gotten… > In June, when we booked our spur of the moment cruise to Alaska, I posted to > the alt.culture Alaska group for some information and noticed all these > posts that had nothing to do with Alaska and made a comment to that effect > saying that I had come there for information…After we returned I got to > chatting with a woman who had moved to Alaska and whose parents were coming > to visit her and she asked what she could take them to see… I told her of > our visit to Anchorage and the things that we did as well as renting a car > and driving to Talkeetna and our scenic train ride to Seward to catch the > Statendam. > When I returned to alt.culture Alaska on August 18, I saw that mcsav40 was > still railing on with his tirade shown below: > FOR OIL-VENEZUELA > THE EVENTS OF BUSH & THE CIA TO OVERTHROW > A "DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED" PRESIDENT OF A > FOREIGN COUNTRY (VENEZUELA)THROUGH A COUP > IN 2002 RIGHT UP TO TODAY HAS FAILED. > THE AMERICAN TAX-PAYERS "PAID FOR THIS TERRORISM" >  VIA THE CIA TRAINING CAMPS IN FLORIDA FOR THESE > "TERRORISTS" AND IS CLEAR PROOF OF THE FASCIST > GOVERNMENT WE, AMERICANS HAVE…THE REASON FOR ALL > OF THIS KILLING…WHAT ELSE..OIL! > WHY DOES THE "AVERAGE REPUBLICAN" CONTINUE TO > "SUPPORT THIS FASCIST PRESIDENT"? IS IT BECAUSE > THEY "LOVE TERRORISM, AS LONG AS IT ISN’T DIRECTED > "AT THEM"? OR IS IT BECAUSE THEY ARE STUPID? > WHICH EVER.. > THE "SUPPORTERS OF BUSH ARE THE CLEAR "SUPPORTERS > OF THE BIGGEST TERRORIST IN THE WORLD TODAY" AND > "THE WORLD" IS OUT FOR REVENGE AGAINST THE U.S.A… > AND I’M ALL FOR IT". THE U.S. CITIZENRY BETTER GET > RID OF "OUR TERRORIST", OR THE WORLD WILL AND IT > WILL BE LEGALLY JUSTIFIED IN TAKING "YOU" WITH HIM. > READ THE FOLLOWING & TAKE ACTION.SYLVIA > (1)3-06-04-CIA CAMPS IN FLORIDA, TRAINING TERRORISTS > FOR COUPS > http://www.counterpunch.org/nimmo03062004.html > (2)4-15-02-THE PROSTITUTES & TERRORISTS: U.S. MEDIA & >  CIA–THE COUP > http://www.counterpunch.org/reilly0415.html > (3)8-15-04-WHAT CHAVEZ IS ACTUALLY DOING TO HIS PEOPLE! > http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/081604Z.shtml > (4)8-16-04-CHAVEZ WINS THROUGH DEMOCRACY–NOT BUSH > TERRORISM > http://www.counterpunch.org >  PLEASE EXCUSE CAPS-NERVE DAMAGED ARM > So, I responded with: > I think that more than your arm is nerve damaged. > Another one going into my kill file. > So now he/she (as posters replying to him/her have also called him/her > "Sylvia," has decided to retaliate with those absurd accusations that I have > never cruised and it is all a fantasy of mine. Little did he know that he > was posting to a group that not only had the travel agents with whom Ed &  I > booked cruises, but that there were quite a few in this group who were on > these cruises with me reading his falsehoods.. > I know that I do not have to explain to those of you who know me, but just > in case anyone is reading this drivel and does not > know me… > I guess that because I said that I would adopt Gayle Kortright (who lives in > Wisconsin) so she could go on the Empress of the Seas with me, he now > believes that I said that I am from Wisconsin! Oh well, as you can see for > yourself, he is rather confused.. > –Jean<~~sorry you had to endure this ruckus…;-(

Response:

> You can add me to the list.  They have also purchased from me.

Hehehe… I would say that someone who can use 5 different travel agents to book cruises is probably pretty well traveled.  Looks like this troll got shot down before it ever left the ground. A LOT of people who read r.t.c. have cruised with Jean and Ed and I am looking forward to seeing them on the Sleazy 3.  Having been on a few cruises with them already I know that we will have a great time. — George in PA    http://www.countryside-travel.com r.t.c. Great Land Cruise-Las Vegas http://www.cruisemaster.com/lvbash.htm Sleazy 3 – Carnival Conquest http://www.cruisemaster.com/sleazy3.htm The Mother of All Group Cruises http://www.motherofallgroupcruises.com Miracle in May – http://www.cruisemaster.com/miracle.htm

Response:

Add me to the list who has cruised with Jean and Ed. SUNNY

Response:

You’re a much more patient person that me!     After reading almost entire paragraph of the drivel, I just blocked the jerk. Nina

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> So, what’s your point? Your post is full of holes and implied fallacies.

Response:

This group is just nasty!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> You’re a much more patient person that me!     After reading almost entire > paragraph of the drivel, I just blocked the jerk. > Nina > So, what’s your point? Your post is full of holes and implied fallacies.

Response:

> Welcome Group, > I won’t be long here. I have had the unfortunate > experience of being attacked by one of your Oldest > members, who IS A CON-ARTIST and thought you all > should know it. > I usually post on the alt.culture.alaska > site and if you click on my name, it will bring up all > of the groups that a person posts to…If you are > posting off of the Google site. If not, go to > your Google Search engine and type in alt.culture.alaska > so you can see for yourself what I am about to prove.

Hi Everyone! First of all I want to thank everyone who replied to this self proclaimed ex-Vet!  Please do go to Alt.culture Alaska and see all the posts under save-our-democracy..they are too numerous to count..Also read all the responses that he has gotten… In June, when we booked our spur of the moment cruise to Alaska, I posted to the alt.culture Alaska group for some information and noticed all these posts that had nothing to do with Alaska and made a comment to that effect saying that I had come there for information…After we returned I got to chatting with a woman who had moved to Alaska and whose parents were coming to visit her and she asked what she could take them to see… I told her of our visit to Anchorage and the things that we did as well as renting a car and driving to Talkeetna and our scenic train ride to Seward to catch the Statendam. When I returned to alt.culture Alaska on August 18, I saw that mcsav40 was still railing on with his tirade shown below: FOR OIL-VENEZUELA THE EVENTS OF BUSH & THE CIA TO OVERTHROW A "DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED" PRESIDENT OF A FOREIGN COUNTRY (VENEZUELA)THROUGH A COUP IN 2002 RIGHT UP TO TODAY HAS FAILED. THE AMERICAN TAX-PAYERS "PAID FOR THIS TERRORISM"  VIA THE CIA TRAINING CAMPS IN FLORIDA FOR THESE "TERRORISTS" AND IS CLEAR PROOF OF THE FASCIST GOVERNMENT WE, AMERICANS HAVE…THE REASON FOR ALL OF THIS KILLING…WHAT ELSE..OIL! WHY DOES THE "AVERAGE REPUBLICAN" CONTINUE TO "SUPPORT THIS FASCIST PRESIDENT"? IS IT BECAUSE THEY "LOVE TERRORISM, AS LONG AS IT ISN’T DIRECTED "AT THEM"? OR IS IT BECAUSE THEY ARE STUPID? WHICH EVER.. THE "SUPPORTERS OF BUSH ARE THE CLEAR "SUPPORTERS OF THE BIGGEST TERRORIST IN THE WORLD TODAY" AND "THE WORLD" IS OUT FOR REVENGE AGAINST THE U.S.A… AND I’M ALL FOR IT". THE U.S. CITIZENRY BETTER GET RID OF "OUR TERRORIST", OR THE WORLD WILL AND IT WILL BE LEGALLY JUSTIFIED IN TAKING "YOU" WITH HIM. READ THE FOLLOWING & TAKE ACTION.SYLVIA (1)3-06-04-CIA CAMPS IN FLORIDA, TRAINING TERRORISTS FOR COUPS http://www.counterpunch.org/nimmo03062004.html (2)4-15-02-THE PROSTITUTES & TERRORISTS: U.S. MEDIA &  CIA–THE COUP http://www.counterpunch.org/reilly0415.html (3)8-15-04-WHAT CHAVEZ IS ACTUALLY DOING TO HIS PEOPLE! http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/081604Z.shtml (4)8-16-04-CHAVEZ WINS THROUGH DEMOCRACY–NOT BUSH TERRORISM http://www.counterpunch.org  PLEASE EXCUSE CAPS-NERVE DAMAGED ARM So, I responded with: I think that more than your arm is nerve damaged. Another one going into my kill file. So now he/she (as posters replying to him/her have also called him/her "Sylvia," has decided to retaliate with those absurd accusations that I have never cruised and it is all a fantasy of mine. Little did he know that he was posting to a group that not only had the travel agents with whom Ed &  I booked cruises, but that there were quite a few in this group who were on these cruises with me reading his falsehoods.. I know that I do not have to explain to those of you who know me, but just in case anyone is reading this drivel and does not know me… I guess that because I said that I would adopt Gayle Kortright (who lives in Wisconsin) so she could go on the Empress of the Seas with me, he now believes that I said that I am from Wisconsin! Oh well, as you can see for yourself, he is rather confused.. –Jean<~~sorry you had to endure this ruckus…;-(

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->For what it worth,  Jean and Ed have bought four of their recent cruises >from me and I know she has bought another from Cal and more yet from Lori >and she was on the GGC2004 which she bought from Peter Berlin.  That is 4 >travel agents who can vouch for Jean and Ed and how often they cruise. > Hi George, > You can add me to the list.  They have also purchased from me.

Jean and Ed have not purchased a cruise from me, because I am not a travel agent. I have had the pleasure of cruising with them twice so far and looking forward to cruising with them in a couple of months. sue

Response:

So, what’s your point? Your post is full of holes and implied fallacies.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> >For what it worth,  Jean and Ed have bought four of their recent cruises > >from me and I know she has bought another from Cal and more yet from >Lori > >and she was on the GGC2004 which she bought from Peter Berlin.  That >is 4 > >travel agents who can vouch for Jean and Ed and how often they cruise. > Hi George, > You can add me to the list.  They have also purchased from me. >And we saw them on the Zenith….

I’ve seen nice pictures of Jean and Ed on ships.  Does that count? ;-)

Response:

> WHAT MAKES THIS SO GLARING, I.E. "THAT O’BOYLE US LYING ABOUT > TAKING ALL OF THESE CRUISES IS…

For what it worth,  Jean and Ed have bought four of their recent cruises from me and I know she has bought another from Cal and more yet from Lori and she was on the GGC2004 which she bought from Peter Berlin.  That is 4 travel agents who can vouch for Jean and Ed and how often they cruise. So yeah… Jean and Ed cruise a lot and that is a provable fact. Oh… I even have some pictures of them on a ship.  I know they are authentic because I took them myself. So thanks for playing and remember to pick up your lovely parting gifts as you leave the newsgroup. — George in PA    http://www.countryside-travel.com r.t.c. Great Land Cruise-Las Vegas http://www.cruisemaster.com/lvbash.htm Sleazy 3 – Carnival Conquest http://www.cruisemaster.com/sleazy3.htm The Mother of All Group Cruises http://www.motherofallgroupcruises.com Miracle in May – http://www.cruisemaster.com/miracle.htm

Response:

>For what it worth,  Jean and Ed have bought four of their recent cruises >from me and I know she has bought another from Cal and more yet from Lori >and she was on the GGC2004 which she bought from Peter Berlin.  That is 4 >travel agents who can vouch for Jean and Ed and how often they cruise.

Hi George, You can add me to the list.  They have also purchased from me. Best regards, Ray LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL 800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905 http://www.lighthousetravel.com

Response:

My parting gift is waiting at the door as you leave. Better hurry or it will get cold. SUNNY

Response:

>For what it worth,  Jean and Ed have bought four of their recent cruises >from me and I know she has bought another from Cal and more yet from Lori >and she was on the GGC2004 which she bought from Peter Berlin.  That is 4 >travel agents who can vouch for Jean and Ed and how often they cruise. > Hi George, > You can add me to the list.  They have also purchased from me.

And we saw them on the Zenith…. Though my reply to the original post wasn’t as "civil" as yours. –Tom

Response:

Welcome Group, I won’t be long here. I have had the unfortunate experience of being attacked by one of your Oldest members, who IS A CON-ARTIST and thought you all should know it. I usually post on the alt.culture.alaska site and if you click on my name, it will bring up all of the groups that a person posts to…If you are posting off of the Google site. If not, go to your Google Search engine and type in alt.culture.alaska so you can see for yourself what I am about to prove. The following is what Your Con-Artist, Jean O’Boyle posted in this group on May 13, 2000. ——- Subject :  5-13-00-Jean says: She is RETIRED & SO IS HER HUSBAND WHO IS RETIRED MILITARY   — X-Priority: 3 X-Mimeole: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.00.2919.6600 Organization: AT&T Worldnet X-MSMail-Priority: Normal Newsgroups: rec.travel.cruises Hello, My name is Jean Boyle and I am from San Antonio,Texas. I am a retired RN and my husband Ed, is retired from the Army after 30 years, and was in hospital administration, both military and civilian, for 15 more years.  He loves to cruise but does not participate in the newsgroup. However; his question each day is, "When is our next cruise?" We have five terrific children, all finished with college and on their own, with careers that make us extremely proud!   Also have seven precious grandchildren and one beautiful great granddaughter!   We both do volunteer work with the hospital and our church. I am still a novice on the computer, as I got mine March,1999 and started lurking on the ng for quite a few months before I attempted posting. We started cruising later in our lives because we were busy with our children. However; we did travel a great deal while in the military. Our first cruise was the Regal Princess in 1995. We took the Sun Princess in 1996, Destiny 1997, Inspiration 1998, Elation 1998, Jubilee 1998, Sensation 1999, Paradise 2000, NCL Sea 2000, with Destiny coming up on 10/29 making it our tenth cruise. We have gone to Ireland, Poland and Italy on ‘land tours’ with another trip to Ireland scheduled in July.   Also, we love to go to Vegas and the east coast each year as we are originally from Pennsylvania. Got to mention our favorite cities, San Diego, Seattle and San Francisco on the west coast too!   Each time I get on this ng, I want to plan another cruise~ it is so addictive, reading all the reviews and ship talk!   I have met some very nice people here. Welcome to all newbies and AOLers!!   Hope we make you feel at home! Jean Thank you, Warren for this great idea! NOW…I WOULD LIKE YOU TAKE PARTICULAR NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING: (1)JEAN MAKES IT "VERY CLEAR" THAT HER HUSBAND, ED "WAS FULLY RETIRED FROM THE MILITARY", AND SHE STATES THIS WAS AFTER "30 YEARS", PLUS AN ADDED 15 YEARS. NOTE: THAT MEANS "THEY NO LONGER ARE INVOLVED IN THE U.S. MILITARY AND CERTAINLY "DON’T LIVE ON A MILITARY BASE". (2)SHE MENTIONS "NO WORK" THAT EITHER OF THEM DO, IN FACT SHE STATES: "WE BOTH "VOLUNTEER" AT THE HOSPITAL AND CHURCH. (I CAN TELL YOU THAT CON-ARTISTS ARE COMPELLED TO THROW IN THEIR "OH SO MORALLY RIGHT PER SONNA, TO MAKE PEOPLE TRUST THEM" AND THIS IS OBVIOUSLY WHAT YOUR CON-ARTIST IS DOING. (3)FIRST SHE SAYS SHE IS "FROM WISCONSIN", THEN LATER IN THIS POST SAYS "THEY ARE FROM PENNSYLVANIA". NOTE: LIARS, NO MATTER HOW GOOD THEY THINK THEY ARE AT "KEEPING THERE STORIES STRAIGHT…CAN’T". NOW…I CAN TELL YOU AS AN X-VET MYSELF, NO VET MAKES ENOUGH MONEY ON THEIR PENSIONS TO TAKE "26 CRUISES" AND COUNTING…LIKE WHAT O’BOYLE IS TELLING YOU, AND IF THEY HAVE "NO OTHER INCOME BUT SOCIAL SECURITY AND HIS PENSION, WELL, I THINK YOU’VE GOT THE FINANCIAL SITUATION FIGURED OUT IN THESE TIMES OF "HIGH PRICES" ON EVERYTHING. NOW..IF YOU GO TO MY ALASKA GROUP (ALT.CULTURE.ALASKA) VIA YOU WILL SEE O’BOYLE CLEARLY STATING THAT "SHE AND HER HUSBAND "CURRENTLY LIVE ON A MILITARY BASE" AND HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ANY G.I.’S WANTING OUT OF IRAQ. (FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON’T WANT TO GO TO THIS TROUBLE, I WILL BE HAPPY TO PASTE HER POST HERE", BUT IT IS THERE IN THE GOOGLE ARCHIVES FOR ALL OF YOU TO SEE, JUST LIKE THE O’BOYLES ABOVE STATEMENT IS. WHAT YOU SHOULD "REALLY PAY ATTENTION TO, WHICH CLEARLY SHOWS THAT O’BOYLE IS JUST B.S.ING ALL OF YOU IS: (1)SHE IS TELLING EVERYONE ABOUT INFORMATION THAT IS READILY AVAILABLE TO ALL OF YOU, IF YOU WANT TO DO THE RESEARCH, BUT WHAT MAKES THIS SO GLARING, I.E. "THAT O’BOYLE US LYING ABOUT TAKING ALL OF THESE CRUISES IS…SHE HAS READILY AVAILABLE THE "COST OF EVERYTHING, DOWN TO THE PENNY"…WHY? NOT BECAUSE "SHE AND GOOD OLD ED, PAID FOR ANYTHING, BUT BECAUSE THESE PRICES ARE LISTED "RIGHT ON HER COMPUTER..AND YOURS, IF YOU WANT TO DO THE RESEARCH AND OH BOY, O’BOYLE IS WILLING TO DO THE RESEARCH TO CON YOU GUYS INTO THINKING THAT "SHE IS SO LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO TRAVEL VIA CRUISE SHIP, ALL OVER THE WORLD,I.E. "O’BOYLE NEEDS TO LOOK IMPORTANT TO "SOMEONE" AND WHERE BETTER TO GET A BOOST IN YOUR EGO, THEN THE INTERNET FROM PEOPLE WHO THINK "NOBODY WOULD LIE TO THEM, ESPECIALLY AS LONG AS O’BOYLE HAS BEEN IN THIS GROUP, I.E. HER POSTS GO BACK TO NOV. 19, 1999, I.E. FOR THE PAST 5 YEARS. ANOTHER "DEAD GIVE AWAY IS….SHE IS "STILL POSTING TO THIS GROUP AND THEN THE ALASKA GROUP, WHEN SHE "SAYS SHE IS ON VACATION"…EVEN IN ALASKA. NOW HOW MANY OF YOU WOULD "DRAG" YOUR COMPUTER AROUND IF YOU WERE ON VACATION? NOT TO MENTION HAVING THE ABILITY TO GET "ON-LINE" TO POST. O’BOYLE MADE A POST SAYING SHE WAS PLANNING ON TAKING AN ALASKA CRUISE IN "JUNE" OR "AUGUST" OF 2004. O’BOYLE MADE HER "FIRST POST" ON THE ALASKA SITE ON JUNE 24,2004 AND SAYS NOTHING ABOUT COMING TO ALASKA NOR, THAT SHE WANTED ANY INFO. IN A JULY 23,04 POST IN THE ALASKA GROUP, O’BOYLE TALKS ABOUT DRIVING A CAR IN ALASKA; SAYS SHE HAS BEEN TO KETCHIKAN 3 TIMES BEFORE, BUT DOESN’T MENTION THAT ABOVE, AND SAYS "WE JUST RETURNED FROM ANCHORAGE AND GOING TO BOARD A SHIP IN SEWARD, ALASKA. NOW TAKE A LOOK AT HER POSTING IN REC.TRAVEL.CRUISES..O’BOYLE CONTINUES TO POST THROUGHOUT JUNE, JULY, AND AUGUST AND ONLY "THIS 7-23-04 POST ABOUT BEING IN ALASKA APPEARS"..HER LAST POST IN THE ALASKA GROUP WAS ON "AUGUST 19, 2004" AS FAR AS I CAN SEE AND SHE IS STILL BLABBERING ABOUT "HERSELF". IF YOU GO TO THE ALASKA GROUP, CLICK ON JEAN O’BOYLE’S NAME AND YOU WILL SEE SHE MADE 44 POSTS TO THIS GROUP, MOST OF WHICH WERE TO ATTACK "MY POSTS", WHICH DEAL WITH THE IRAQ WAR…WHILE MY POSTS STARTED OUT BEING ATTACKED BY THE 6-7 REGULARS WHO SAID THEY WERE "OFF-TOPIC", THE FACT IS THE VERY SAME POSTERS ARE "NOW POSTING ABOUT THE IRAQ WAR" AND THE INFO THEY GIVE ARE DUE TO "MY POSTS OF NEWS ARTICLES AND GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS"..THEY ARE YOUR TYPICAL "GROUP FASCISTS" WHO THINK "ONLY THEY CAN SAY WHAT THEY WANT AND THEY WILL TRY TO DRIVE EVERYONE ELSE OUT OF THE GROUP, IF THEY DON’T SUBMIT "TO THEIR WILL". THE FACT IS 2/3 OF ALASKA IS "OWNED BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT" AND THERE ARE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF G.I.’S BASED THERE, AS WELL AS BEING AT "GROUND ZERO", I.E. THE 800 MILES OF THE ALASKA PIPELINE IS TOTALLY VULNERABLE TO ATTACK, AND JUST 2 WEEKS AFTER 9-11, TO DRUNK GUYS SHOT A HOLE IN IT AND IT TOOK HUNDREDS OF MEN ON A 24/7 SHIFT AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO STOP THE OIL FROM SPEWING ALL OVER THE GROUND. THE U.S. HAS A HUGE MISSLE DEFENSE SYSTEM BEING BUILT IN ALASKA AND A WHOLE BUNCH MORE..SO YOU BET, THIS IRAQ WAR AND ALL THOSE THAT WILL FOLLOW IF BUSH GETS RE-ELECTED IS "TOP PRIORITY", OR SHOULD BE…TO ALL ALASKANS. O’BOYLE IS CLEARLY A REPUBLICAN AND IN SUPPORT OF BUSH NO MATTER HOW MUCH HE HAS LIED TO THE PEOPLE AND HAS TREATED THE AMERICAN G.I. LIKE SO MUCH GARBAGE. THESE ARE TRULY "STUPID PEOPLE"..BUT THE DEMOS HAVE REFUSED TO EVEN TRY TO IMPEACH BUSH FOR HIS WAR CRIMES AND THE BLATANT VIOLATIONS OF U.S. LAWS, OUR CONSTITUTION (WHICH THE SUPREME COURT HAS NOW MADE FINDINGS "AGAINST BUSH", AS WELL AS VIOLATING ALL OF THE U.S. TREATIES WITH "OUR ALLIES"…THE WORLD HATES US BUT O’BOYLE’S FIRST POST WAS TO ATTACK ME PERSONALLY FOR A "NEWS ARTICLE" THAT A REPORTER WROTE…NOT ME. YET, I SEE THAT SHE RAILS AGAINST THE "SAME KIND OF TREATMENT" WHEN IT IS LEVELED AGAINST HER. JEAN O’BOYLE IS A TYPICAL SICKO TROLL WHO HAS "NO LIFE" SO AS SHE STATES ABOVE, "SHE IS ADDICTED TO THE INTERNET AND HAS CHOSEN THE CRUISE LINE TRAVEL "FANTASY" TO GET HER "LOATHSOME LIFE SOME MEANING, EVEN IF IT IS A "FANTASY" ALL OF WHICH MOST OF YOU HAVE BELIEVED. A NEWBIE TO THE ALASKA GROUP, "FELT HE COULD TRUST ONE OF THE "OH SO FRIENDLY FEMALE REGULAR POSTERS" SOOOOO MUCH THAT HE WAS GOING TO LET HER HAVE "HIS CAR IN ALASKA TO DRIVE DOWN TO CALIFORNIA". EVERYONE ON THIS GROUP KNEW SHE WAS A COMPULSIVE LIAR; DRUNK; AND LIVES IN A FANTASY WORLD WHERE SHE THINKS SHE IS "ANNEY OAKLIE" AND ADMITTED IT..ALONG WITH, HANGING OUT WITH HARD CORE DRUG ADDICTS AND PROSTITUTES IN CALIFORNIA, AND TOOK A GUN TO A GUY IN A BAR IN ALASKA. NOW…DOES THAT SOUND LIKE SOMEONE YOU WOULD TRUST WITH YOUR CAR? WELL, THEN AS NOW, I E-MAILED THAT POSTER AND TOLD HIM HE SHOULD "DO A CLOSE CHECK ON HER AND FIND OUT IF SHE EVEN HAS A DRIVER’S LICENSE, I.E. DRUNK DRIVING … read more »

Response:

Welcome Group, I won’t be long here. I have had the unfortunate experience of being attacked by one of your Oldest members, who IS A CON-ARTIST and thought you all should know it. I usually post on the alt.culture.alaska site and if you click on my name, it will bring up all of the groups that a person posts to…If you are posting off of the Google site. If not, go to your Google Search engine and type in alt.culture.alaska so you can see for yourself what I am about to prove. The following is what Your Con-Artist, Jean O’Boyle posted in this group on May 13, 2000. ——- Subject :  5-13-00-Jean says: She is RETIRED & SO IS HER HUSBAND WHO IS RETIRED MILITARY   — X-Priority: 3 X-Mimeole: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.00.2919.6600 Organization: AT&T Worldnet X-MSMail-Priority: Normal Newsgroups: rec.travel.cruises Hello, My name is Jean Boyle and I am from San Antonio,Texas. I am a retired RN and my husband Ed, is retired from the Army after 30 years, and was in hospital administration, both military and civilian, for 15 more years.  He loves to cruise but does not participate in the newsgroup. However; his question each day is, "When is our next cruise?" We have five terrific children, all finished with college and on their own, with careers that make us extremely proud!   Also have seven precious grandchildren and one beautiful great granddaughter!   We both do volunteer work with the hospital and our church. I am still a novice on the computer, as I got mine March,1999 and started lurking on the ng for quite a few months before I attempted posting. We started cruising later in our lives because we were busy with our children. However; we did travel a great deal while in the military. Our first cruise was the Regal Princess in 1995. We took the Sun Princess in 1996, Destiny 1997, Inspiration 1998, Elation 1998, Jubilee 1998, Sensation 1999, Paradise 2000, NCL Sea 2000, with Destiny coming up on 10/29 making it our tenth cruise. We have gone to Ireland, Poland and Italy on ‘land tours’ with another trip to Ireland scheduled in July.   Also, we love to go to Vegas and the east coast each year as we are originally from Pennsylvania. Got to mention our favorite cities, San Diego, Seattle and San Francisco on the west coast too!   Each time I get on this ng, I want to plan another cruise~ it is so addictive, reading all the reviews and ship talk!   I have met some very nice people here. Welcome to all newbies and AOLers!!   Hope we make you feel at home! Jean Thank you, Warren for this great idea! NOW…I WOULD LIKE YOU TAKE PARTICULAR NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING: (1)JEAN MAKES IT "VERY CLEAR" THAT HER HUSBAND, ED "WAS FULLY RETIRED FROM THE MILITARY", AND SHE STATES THIS WAS AFTER "30 YEARS", PLUS AN ADDED 15 YEARS. NOTE: THAT MEANS "THEY NO LONGER ARE INVOLVED IN THE U.S. MILITARY AND CERTAINLY "DON’T LIVE ON A MILITARY BASE". (2)SHE MENTIONS "NO WORK" THAT EITHER OF THEM DO, IN FACT SHE STATES: "WE BOTH "VOLUNTEER" AT THE HOSPITAL AND CHURCH. (I CAN TELL YOU THAT CON-ARTISTS ARE COMPELLED TO THROW IN THEIR "OH SO MORALLY RIGHT PER SONNA, TO MAKE PEOPLE TRUST THEM" AND THIS IS OBVIOUSLY WHAT YOUR CON-ARTIST IS DOING. (3)FIRST SHE SAYS SHE IS "FROM WISCONSIN", THEN LATER IN THIS POST SAYS "THEY ARE FROM PENNSYLVANIA". NOTE: LIARS, NO MATTER HOW GOOD THEY THINK THEY ARE AT "KEEPING THERE STORIES STRAIGHT…CAN’T". NOW…I CAN TELL YOU AS AN X-VET MYSELF, NO VET MAKES ENOUGH MONEY ON THEIR PENSIONS TO TAKE "26 CRUISES" AND COUNTING…LIKE WHAT O’BOYLE IS TELLING YOU, AND IF THEY HAVE "NO OTHER INCOME BUT SOCIAL SECURITY AND HIS PENSION, WELL, I THINK YOU’VE GOT THE FINANCIAL SITUATION FIGURED OUT IN THESE TIMES OF "HIGH PRICES" ON EVERYTHING. NOW..IF YOU GO TO MY ALASKA GROUP (ALT.CULTURE.ALASKA) VIA YOU WILL SEE O’BOYLE CLEARLY STATING THAT "SHE AND HER HUSBAND "CURRENTLY LIVE ON A MILITARY BASE" AND HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ANY G.I.’S WANTING OUT OF IRAQ. (FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON’T WANT TO GO TO THIS TROUBLE, I WILL BE HAPPY TO PASTE HER POST HERE", BUT IT IS THERE IN THE GOOGLE ARCHIVES FOR ALL OF YOU TO SEE, JUST LIKE THE O’BOYLES ABOVE STATEMENT IS. WHAT YOU SHOULD "REALLY PAY ATTENTION TO, WHICH CLEARLY SHOWS THAT O’BOYLE IS JUST B.S.ING ALL OF YOU IS: (1)SHE IS TELLING EVERYONE ABOUT INFORMATION THAT IS READILY AVAILABLE TO ALL OF YOU, IF YOU WANT TO DO THE RESEARCH, BUT WHAT MAKES THIS SO GLARING, I.E. "THAT O’BOYLE US LYING ABOUT TAKING ALL OF THESE CRUISES IS…SHE HAS READILY AVAILABLE THE "COST OF EVERYTHING, DOWN TO THE PENNY"…WHY? NOT BECAUSE "SHE AND GOOD OLD ED, PAID FOR ANYTHING, BUT BECAUSE THESE PRICES ARE LISTED "RIGHT ON HER COMPUTER..AND YOURS, IF YOU WANT TO DO THE RESEARCH AND OH BOY, O’BOYLE IS WILLING TO DO THE RESEARCH TO CON YOU GUYS INTO THINKING THAT "SHE IS SO LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO TRAVEL VIA CRUISE SHIP, ALL OVER THE WORLD,I.E. "O’BOYLE NEEDS TO LOOK IMPORTANT TO "SOMEONE" AND WHERE BETTER TO GET A BOOST IN YOUR EGO, THEN THE INTERNET FROM PEOPLE WHO THINK "NOBODY WOULD LIE TO THEM, ESPECIALLY AS LONG AS O’BOYLE HAS BEEN IN THIS GROUP, I.E. HER POSTS GO BACK TO NOV. 19, 1999, I.E. FOR THE PAST 5 YEARS. ANOTHER "DEAD GIVE AWAY IS….SHE IS "STILL POSTING TO THIS GROUP AND THEN THE ALASKA GROUP, WHEN SHE "SAYS SHE IS ON VACATION"…EVEN IN ALASKA. NOW HOW MANY OF YOU WOULD "DRAG" YOUR COMPUTER AROUND IF YOU WERE ON VACATION? NOT TO MENTION HAVING THE ABILITY TO GET "ON-LINE" TO POST. O’BOYLE MADE A POST SAYING SHE WAS PLANNING ON TAKING AN ALASKA CRUISE IN "JUNE" OR "AUGUST" OF 2004. O’BOYLE MADE HER "FIRST POST" ON THE ALASKA SITE ON JUNE 24,2004 AND SAYS NOTHING ABOUT COMING TO ALASKA NOR, THAT SHE WANTED ANY INFO. IN A JULY 23,04 POST IN THE ALASKA GROUP, O’BOYLE TALKS ABOUT DRIVING A CAR IN ALASKA; SAYS SHE HAS BEEN TO KETCHIKAN 3 TIMES BEFORE, BUT DOESN’T MENTION THAT ABOVE, AND SAYS "WE JUST RETURNED FROM ANCHORAGE AND GOING TO BOARD A SHIP IN SEWARD, ALASKA. NOW TAKE A LOOK AT HER POSTING IN REC.TRAVEL.CRUISES..O’BOYLE CONTINUES TO POST THROUGHOUT JUNE, JULY, AND AUGUST AND ONLY "THIS 7-23-04 POST ABOUT BEING IN ALASKA APPEARS"..HER LAST POST IN THE ALASKA GROUP WAS ON "AUGUST 19, 2004" AS FAR AS I CAN SEE AND SHE IS STILL BLABBERING ABOUT "HERSELF". IF YOU GO TO THE ALASKA GROUP, CLICK ON JEAN O’BOYLE’S NAME AND YOU WILL SEE SHE MADE 44 POSTS TO THIS GROUP, MOST OF WHICH WERE TO ATTACK "MY POSTS", WHICH DEAL WITH THE IRAQ WAR…WHILE MY POSTS STARTED OUT BEING ATTACKED BY THE 6-7 REGULARS WHO SAID THEY WERE "OFF-TOPIC", THE FACT IS THE VERY SAME POSTERS ARE "NOW POSTING ABOUT THE IRAQ WAR" AND THE INFO THEY GIVE ARE DUE TO "MY POSTS OF NEWS ARTICLES AND GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS"..THEY ARE YOUR TYPICAL "GROUP FASCISTS" WHO THINK "ONLY THEY CAN SAY WHAT THEY WANT AND THEY WILL TRY TO DRIVE EVERYONE ELSE OUT OF THE GROUP, IF THEY DON’T SUBMIT "TO THEIR WILL". THE FACT IS 2/3 OF ALASKA IS "OWNED BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT" AND THERE ARE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF G.I.’S BASED THERE, AS WELL AS BEING AT "GROUND ZERO", I.E. THE 800 MILES OF THE ALASKA PIPELINE IS TOTALLY VULNERABLE TO ATTACK, AND JUST 2 WEEKS AFTER 9-11, TO DRUNK GUYS SHOT A HOLE IN IT AND IT TOOK HUNDREDS OF MEN ON A 24/7 SHIFT AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO STOP THE OIL FROM SPEWING ALL OVER THE GROUND. THE U.S. HAS A HUGE MISSLE DEFENSE SYSTEM BEING BUILT IN ALASKA AND A WHOLE BUNCH MORE..SO YOU BET, THIS IRAQ WAR AND ALL THOSE THAT WILL FOLLOW IF BUSH GETS RE-ELECTED IS "TOP PRIORITY", OR SHOULD BE…TO ALL ALASKANS. O’BOYLE IS CLEARLY A REPUBLICAN AND IN SUPPORT OF BUSH NO MATTER HOW MUCH HE HAS LIED TO THE PEOPLE AND HAS TREATED THE AMERICAN G.I. LIKE SO MUCH GARBAGE. THESE ARE TRULY "STUPID PEOPLE"..BUT THE DEMOS HAVE REFUSED TO EVEN TRY TO IMPEACH BUSH FOR HIS WAR CRIMES AND THE BLATANT VIOLATIONS OF U.S. LAWS, OUR CONSTITUTION (WHICH THE SUPREME COURT HAS NOW MADE FINDINGS "AGAINST BUSH", AS WELL AS VIOLATING ALL OF THE U.S. TREATIES WITH "OUR ALLIES"…THE WORLD HATES US BUT O’BOYLE’S FIRST POST WAS TO ATTACK ME PERSONALLY FOR A "NEWS ARTICLE" THAT A REPORTER WROTE…NOT ME. YET, I SEE THAT SHE RAILS AGAINST THE "SAME KIND OF TREATMENT" WHEN IT IS LEVELED AGAINST HER. JEAN O’BOYLE IS A TYPICAL SICKO TROLL WHO HAS "NO LIFE" SO AS SHE STATES ABOVE, "SHE IS ADDICTED TO THE INTERNET AND HAS CHOSEN THE CRUISE LINE TRAVEL "FANTASY" TO GET HER "LOATHSOME LIFE SOME MEANING, EVEN IF IT IS A "FANTASY" ALL OF WHICH MOST OF YOU HAVE BELIEVED. A NEWBIE TO THE ALASKA GROUP, "FELT HE COULD TRUST ONE OF THE "OH SO FRIENDLY FEMALE REGULAR POSTERS" SOOOOO MUCH THAT HE WAS GOING TO LET HER HAVE "HIS CAR IN ALASKA TO DRIVE DOWN TO CALIFORNIA". EVERYONE ON THIS GROUP KNEW SHE WAS A COMPULSIVE LIAR; DRUNK; AND LIVES IN A FANTASY WORLD WHERE SHE THINKS SHE IS "ANNEY OAKLIE" AND ADMITTED IT..ALONG WITH, HANGING OUT WITH HARD CORE DRUG ADDICTS AND PROSTITUTES IN CALIFORNIA, AND TOOK A GUN TO A GUY IN A BAR IN ALASKA. NOW…DOES THAT SOUND LIKE SOMEONE YOU WOULD TRUST WITH YOUR CAR? WELL, THEN AS NOW, I E-MAILED THAT POSTER AND TOLD HIM HE SHOULD "DO A CLOSE CHECK ON HER AND FIND OUT IF SHE EVEN HAS A DRIVER’S LICENSE, I.E. DRUNK DRIVING … read more »

Response:

> WHAT MAKES THIS SO GLARING, I.E. "THAT O’BOYLE US LYING ABOUT > TAKING ALL OF THESE CRUISES IS…

For what it worth,  Jean and Ed have bought four of their recent cruises from me and I know she has bought another from Cal and more yet from Lori and she was on the GGC2004 which she bought from Peter Berlin.  That is 4 travel agents who can vouch for Jean and Ed and how often they cruise. So yeah… Jean and Ed cruise a lot and that is a provable fact. Oh… I even have some pictures of them on a ship.  I know they are authentic because I took them myself. So thanks for playing and remember to pick up your lovely parting gifts as you leave the newsgroup. — George in PA    http://www.countryside-travel.com r.t.c. Great Land Cruise-Las Vegas http://www.cruisemaster.com/lvbash.htm Sleazy 3 – Carnival Conquest http://www.cruisemaster.com/sleazy3.htm The Mother of All Group Cruises http://www.motherofallgroupcruises.com Miracle in May – http://www.cruisemaster.com/miracle.htm

Response:

>For what it worth,  Jean and Ed have bought four of their recent cruises >from me and I know she has bought another from Cal and more yet from Lori >and she was on the GGC2004 which she bought from Peter Berlin.  That is 4 >travel agents who can vouch for Jean and Ed and how often they cruise.

Hi George, You can add me to the list.  They have also purchased from me. Best regards, Ray LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL 800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905 http://www.lighthousetravel.com

Response:

My parting gift is waiting at the door as you leave. Better hurry or it will get cold. SUNNY

Response:

>For what it worth,  Jean and Ed have bought four of their recent cruises >from me and I know she has bought another from Cal and more yet from Lori >and she was on the GGC2004 which she bought from Peter Berlin.  That is 4 >travel agents who can vouch for Jean and Ed and how often they cruise. > Hi George, > You can add me to the list.  They have also purchased from me.

And we saw them on the Zenith…. Though my reply to the original post wasn’t as "civil" as yours. –Tom

Response:

So, what’s your point? Your post is full of holes and implied fallacies.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> >For what it worth,  Jean and Ed have bought four of their recent cruises > >from me and I know she has bought another from Cal and more yet from >Lori > >and she was on the GGC2004 which she bought from Peter Berlin.  That >is 4 > >travel agents who can vouch for Jean and Ed and how often they cruise. > Hi George, > You can add me to the list.  They have also purchased from me. >And we saw them on the Zenith….

I’ve seen nice pictures of Jean and Ed on ships.  Does that count? ;-)

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->For what it worth,  Jean and Ed have bought four of their recent cruises >from me and I know she has bought another from Cal and more yet from Lori >and she was on the GGC2004 which she bought from Peter Berlin.  That is 4 >travel agents who can vouch for Jean and Ed and how often they cruise. > Hi George, > You can add me to the list.  They have also purchased from me.

Jean and Ed have not purchased a cruise from me, because I am not a travel agent. I have had the pleasure of cruising with them twice so far and looking forward to cruising with them in a couple of months. sue

Response:

> You can add me to the list.  They have also purchased from me.

Hehehe… I would say that someone who can use 5 different travel agents to book cruises is probably pretty well traveled.  Looks like this troll got shot down before it ever left the ground. A LOT of people who read r.t.c. have cruised with Jean and Ed and I am looking forward to seeing them on the Sleazy 3.  Having been on a few cruises with them already I know that we will have a great time. — George in PA    http://www.countryside-travel.com r.t.c. Great Land Cruise-Las Vegas http://www.cruisemaster.com/lvbash.htm Sleazy 3 – Carnival Conquest http://www.cruisemaster.com/sleazy3.htm The Mother of All Group Cruises http://www.motherofallgroupcruises.com Miracle in May – http://www.cruisemaster.com/miracle.htm

Response:

Add me to the list who has cruised with Jean and Ed. SUNNY

Response:

You’re a much more patient person that me!     After reading almost entire paragraph of the drivel, I just blocked the jerk. Nina

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> So, what’s your point? Your post is full of holes and implied fallacies.

Response:

This group is just nasty!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> You’re a much more patient person that me!     After reading almost entire > paragraph of the drivel, I just blocked the jerk. > Nina > So, what’s your point? Your post is full of holes and implied fallacies.

Response:

> Welcome Group, > I won’t be long here. I have had the unfortunate > experience of being attacked by one of your Oldest > members, who IS A CON-ARTIST and thought you all > should know it. > I usually post on the alt.culture.alaska > site and if you click on my name, it will bring up all > of the groups that a person posts to…If you are > posting off of the Google site. If not, go to > your Google Search engine and type in alt.culture.alaska > so you can see for yourself what I am about to prove.

Hi Everyone! First of all I want to thank everyone who replied to this self proclaimed ex-Vet!  Please do go to Alt.culture Alaska and see all the posts under save-our-democracy..they are too numerous to count..Also read all the responses that he has gotten… In June, when we booked our spur of the moment cruise to Alaska, I posted to the alt.culture Alaska group for some information and noticed all these posts that had nothing to do with Alaska and made a comment to that effect saying that I had come there for information…After we returned I got to chatting with a woman who had moved to Alaska and whose parents were coming to visit her and she asked what she could take them to see… I told her of our visit to Anchorage and the things that we did as well as renting a car and driving to Talkeetna and our scenic train ride to Seward to catch the Statendam. When I returned to alt.culture Alaska on August 18, I saw that mcsav40 was still railing on with his tirade shown below: FOR OIL-VENEZUELA THE EVENTS OF BUSH & THE CIA TO OVERTHROW A "DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED" PRESIDENT OF A FOREIGN COUNTRY (VENEZUELA)THROUGH A COUP IN 2002 RIGHT UP TO TODAY HAS FAILED. THE AMERICAN TAX-PAYERS "PAID FOR THIS TERRORISM"  VIA THE CIA TRAINING CAMPS IN FLORIDA FOR THESE "TERRORISTS" AND IS CLEAR PROOF OF THE FASCIST GOVERNMENT WE, AMERICANS HAVE…THE REASON FOR ALL OF THIS KILLING…WHAT ELSE..OIL! WHY DOES THE "AVERAGE REPUBLICAN" CONTINUE TO "SUPPORT THIS FASCIST PRESIDENT"? IS IT BECAUSE THEY "LOVE TERRORISM, AS LONG AS IT ISN’T DIRECTED "AT THEM"? OR IS IT BECAUSE THEY ARE STUPID? WHICH EVER.. THE "SUPPORTERS OF BUSH ARE THE CLEAR "SUPPORTERS OF THE BIGGEST TERRORIST IN THE WORLD TODAY" AND "THE WORLD" IS OUT FOR REVENGE AGAINST THE U.S.A… AND I’M ALL FOR IT". THE U.S. CITIZENRY BETTER GET RID OF "OUR TERRORIST", OR THE WORLD WILL AND IT WILL BE LEGALLY JUSTIFIED IN TAKING "YOU" WITH HIM. READ THE FOLLOWING & TAKE ACTION.SYLVIA (1)3-06-04-CIA CAMPS IN FLORIDA, TRAINING TERRORISTS FOR COUPS http://www.counterpunch.org/nimmo03062004.html (2)4-15-02-THE PROSTITUTES & TERRORISTS: U.S. MEDIA &  CIA–THE COUP http://www.counterpunch.org/reilly0415.html (3)8-15-04-WHAT CHAVEZ IS ACTUALLY DOING TO HIS PEOPLE! http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/081604Z.shtml (4)8-16-04-CHAVEZ WINS THROUGH DEMOCRACY–NOT BUSH TERRORISM http://www.counterpunch.org  PLEASE EXCUSE CAPS-NERVE DAMAGED ARM So, I responded with: I think that more than your arm is nerve damaged. Another one going into my kill file. So now he/she (as posters replying to him/her have also called him/her "Sylvia," has decided to retaliate with those absurd accusations that I have never cruised and it is all a fantasy of mine. Little did he know that he was posting to a group that not only had the travel agents with whom Ed &  I booked cruises, but that there were quite a few in this group who were on these cruises with me reading his falsehoods.. I know that I do not have to explain to those of you who know me, but just in case anyone is reading this drivel and does not know me… I guess that because I said that I would adopt Gayle Kortright (who lives in Wisconsin) so she could go on the Empress of the Seas with me, he now believes that I said that I am from Wisconsin! Oh well, as you can see for yourself, he is rather confused.. –Jean<~~sorry you had to endure this ruckus…;-(

Response:

>….. When I returned to alt.culture Alaska on August 18, I saw that mcsav40 was > still railing on with his tirade shown below:

Jean-  It’s not a he, it’s a she.  Her name is Sylvia and she is a certifiable NUT!  Don’t let her get under your skin.

Response:

>….. When I returned to alt.culture Alaska on August 18, I saw that mcsav40 was > still railing on with his tirade shown below: > Jean-  It’s not a he, it’s a she.  Her name is Sylvia and she is a > certifiable NUT!  Don’t let her get under your skin.

Thanks, Enoch, I’m glad that you are familiar with her…It is humorous that she can type that long in caps with her *nerve damaged* arm ! But as you said in another post, that is not what is nerve damaged! ;-) –Jean

Response:

And add me also.  I have enjoyed their company on a cruise ship also. Mary Foster – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Add me to the list who has cruised with Jean and Ed. > SUNNY

Response:

You’re an idiot to even respond to this. CC – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Welcome Group, > I won’t be long here. I have had the unfortunate > experience of being attacked by one of your Oldest > members, who IS A CON-ARTIST and thought you all > should know it. > I usually post on the alt.culture.alaska > site and if you click on my name, it will bring up all > of the groups that a person posts to…If you are > posting off of the Google site. If not, go to > your Google Search engine and type in alt.culture.alaska > so you can see for yourself what I am about to prove. > Hi Everyone! First of all I want to thank everyone who replied to this self > proclaimed ex-Vet!  Please do go to Alt.culture Alaska and see all the posts > under save-our-democracy..they are too numerous to count..Also read all the > responses that he has gotten… > In June, when we booked our spur of the moment cruise to Alaska, I posted to > the alt.culture Alaska group for some information and noticed all these > posts that had nothing to do with Alaska and made a comment to that effect > saying that I had come there for information…After we returned I got to > chatting with a woman who had moved to Alaska and whose parents were coming > to visit her and she asked what she could take them to see… I told her of > our visit to Anchorage and the things that we did as well as renting a car > and driving to Talkeetna and our scenic train ride to Seward to catch the > Statendam. > When I returned to alt.culture Alaska on August 18, I saw that mcsav40 was > still railing on with his tirade shown below: > FOR OIL-VENEZUELA > THE EVENTS OF BUSH & THE CIA TO OVERTHROW > A "DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED" PRESIDENT OF A > FOREIGN COUNTRY (VENEZUELA)THROUGH A COUP > IN 2002 RIGHT UP TO TODAY HAS FAILED. > THE AMERICAN TAX-PAYERS "PAID FOR THIS TERRORISM" >  VIA THE CIA TRAINING CAMPS IN FLORIDA FOR THESE > "TERRORISTS" AND IS CLEAR PROOF OF THE FASCIST > GOVERNMENT WE, AMERICANS HAVE…THE REASON FOR ALL > OF THIS KILLING…WHAT ELSE..OIL! > WHY DOES THE "AVERAGE REPUBLICAN" CONTINUE TO > "SUPPORT THIS FASCIST PRESIDENT"? IS IT BECAUSE > THEY "LOVE TERRORISM, AS LONG AS IT ISN’T DIRECTED > "AT THEM"? OR IS IT BECAUSE THEY ARE STUPID? > WHICH EVER.. > THE "SUPPORTERS OF BUSH ARE THE CLEAR "SUPPORTERS > OF THE BIGGEST TERRORIST IN THE WORLD TODAY" AND > "THE WORLD" IS OUT FOR REVENGE AGAINST THE U.S.A… > AND I’M ALL FOR IT". THE U.S. CITIZENRY BETTER GET > RID OF "OUR TERRORIST", OR THE WORLD WILL AND IT > WILL BE LEGALLY JUSTIFIED IN TAKING "YOU" WITH HIM. > READ THE FOLLOWING & TAKE ACTION.SYLVIA > (1)3-06-04-CIA CAMPS IN FLORIDA, TRAINING TERRORISTS > FOR COUPS > http://www.counterpunch.org/nimmo03062004.html > (2)4-15-02-THE PROSTITUTES & TERRORISTS: U.S. MEDIA & >  CIA–THE COUP > http://www.counterpunch.org/reilly0415.html > (3)8-15-04-WHAT CHAVEZ IS ACTUALLY DOING TO HIS PEOPLE! > http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/081604Z.shtml > (4)8-16-04-CHAVEZ WINS THROUGH DEMOCRACY–NOT BUSH > TERRORISM > http://www.counterpunch.org >  PLEASE EXCUSE CAPS-NERVE DAMAGED ARM > So, I responded with: > I think that more than your arm is nerve damaged. > Another one going into my kill file. > So now he/she (as posters replying to him/her have also called him/her > "Sylvia," has decided to retaliate with those absurd accusations that I have > never cruised and it is all a fantasy of mine. Little did he know that he > was posting to a group that not only had the travel agents with whom Ed &  I > booked cruises, but that there were quite a few in this group who were on > these cruises with me reading his falsehoods.. > I know that I do not have to explain to those of you who know me, but just > in case anyone is reading this drivel and does not > know me… > I guess that because I said that I would adopt Gayle Kortright (who lives in > Wisconsin) so she could go on the Empress of the Seas with me, he now > believes that I said that I am from Wisconsin! Oh well, as you can see for > yourself, he is rather confused.. > –Jean<~~sorry you had to endure this ruckus…;-(

Response:

>Welcome Group, >I won’t be long here. I have had the unfortunate >experience of being attacked by one of your Oldest >members, who IS A CON-ARTIST and thought you all >should know it.

Interesting claim, coming from an anonymous troll with forged addresses. So, how’d you get that burr so far up your butt?  Did she actually call your bluff on something? — dillon When I was a kid, I thought the angel’s name was Hark and the horse’s name was Bob.

Response:

>Welcome Group, >I won’t be long here. I have had the unfortunate >experience of being attacked by one of your Oldest

Sylvia Sullivan is just about what Jean described as far as the alt.culture.alaska newsgroup goes.  Note that last we knew Sylvia was living somewhere in Washington state, though she did live in Alaska for a dozen years or so, most recently in Valdez. She apparently did work at some time as a paralegal, though it is pretty obvious from her articles that she is no longer able to do that type of work. Sylvia ran for governor of Alaska in 1998, and garnered 5th place in a 5-way race, getting 2% of the vote. This URL has a picture of Sylvia,   http://www.ourcampaigns.com/cgi-bin/r.cgi/RaceDetail.html?&RaceID=204… Ms. Sullivan ran on the Alaska Independence Party ticket, however the party had disavowed her as a candidate.  That might speak better for her than for them though…  their problem was that she did not represent the ideology of the AIP (a somewhat wacko splinter party that advocates peaceful secession of Alaska from the US). The AIP isn’t really any further out there in the cosmos than Sylvia, but her angle from reality is different than theirs. Best advice I can give is 1) don’t respond to her, and 2) do read, just for fun, about every 10th article of hers because the logic she uses is absolutely hilarious. — FloydL. Davidson           <http://web.newsguy.com/floyd_davidson>

Response:

Nice hat she’s wearing. Perhaps it was purchased at the same place Dennis purchased his SUNNY<…..

Response:

> Nice hat she’s wearing. Perhaps it was purchased at the same place > Dennis purchased his > SUNNY<…..

Yeah? You, who look like an idiot in your boas, are now a fashion critic?

Response:

What 's a Zip Tie / Cable Cord and why use?

Question:

It’s a hell of a lot better then what you have added to the conversation. It’s funny, when you can’t attack the posts because they are true, you attack the poster.  Better get back to rehab and get the medication adjusted again. Your family must be so proud of you.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Goober Mike Cordelli continues in his role as our resident know-it-all. > Here the goob provides us with his intimate knowledge of worldwide baggage > screening techniques > Well, at least he’s entertaining (but alas, not very enlightening). > Carry something that looks like a bomb and will set off the chemical > scanners, say four or five road flares and some batteries and half a spool > of wire, and I bet they open the bag. > I didn’t say they break into all bags, they open the ones that the scanner > indicates need further examination, at least the ones they don’t blow up. > If you don’t carry explosives, or anything that looks like explosives, > then > they will probably never have to open your bags. > > > The world was scanning bags way before we started here, the only > > difference > > > was it wasn’t a huge deal when they had to break in to see if it was > > shampoo > > > or c4 in the bag, people accepted it. > > I do two or three international trips a year, and have never had any > problem > > with locking my bags or, for that matter, with foreign inspectors > breaking > > in to them. > > > > Oh, great.  I didn’t know that.  Do you know if it’s specific > countries, > > > or > > > > is throughout the EU? > > > > > And if the European people need to look in your bags they will > break > > the > > > > > locks.  They are screening bags too. > > > > > > No one else has mentioned it, so I will.  As an alternative to > zip > > > ties, > > > > > > there are now regular lockable locks that are "approved" by TSA. > > They > > > > are > > > > > > combination locks, but have a place for a key.  TSA has master > keys > > > and > > > > > can > > > > > > unlock these if they want to look in your bags; of course, they > will > > > > > re-lock > > > > > > them when they’re through. > > > > > > Right now the locks are on the expensive side, but they’re a > better > > > > > > alternative to plastic ties.  I bought a few at Brookstone, 2 > for > > $20. > > > > > > However, particularly for international travel, or travel where > your > > > > bags > > > > > > will be handled by strangers (like cruising), I prefer the > security > > > they > > > > > > provide. > > > > > > We just used these on two trips to Europe (one to Italy, the > other > > to > > > > > Spain) > > > > > > and they worked great.  Our various US-based airlines were, at > > first, > > > > > > reluctant to check our bags in locked (they hadn’t heard of > these > > new > > > > TSA > > > > > > locks), but after some explanation they took them.  No problems > at > > all > > > > > with > > > > > > security, and on the European end our bags, were, of course, > locked. > > > > > > > You may know them as wire ties. > > > > > > > See > > > > > > > http://www.musicsupply.com/PageMill_Images/ctie.jpg > > > > > > > for a drawing > > > > > > > They serve the purpose of sealing something, and they can’t > > usually > > > be > > > > > > > removed without cutting them (unless you buy the resalable > ones). > > > > > > > They are useful because instead of popping your locks, the > > security > > > > > people > > > > > > > can cut the tie, look in your bag, and put another tie back > on. > It > > > > gives > > > > > > > some people a sense of security that their bag is a bit more > > > difficult > > > > > to > > > > > > > open. > > > > > > > > We keep reading about using a zip tie or a cable cord to > secur > e > > > > > > > > luggage when you travel. My three questions are: (1) What > are > > > these > > > > > > > > items? Is a cable cord the same as a "bungie" cord (I know > what > > > that > > > > > > > > is!)? A zipe tie? (2) How exactly is a cable cord or zip tie > > > useful? > > > > > > > > and (3) where do you buy them? Thanks!

Response:

"Mike Cordelli"  wrote … > If you don’t carry explosives, or anything that looks like explosives, then > they will probably never have to open your bags.

The only time my bag was opened for inspection was when I packed a martini shaker. I guess it looked "suspicious"! Linda —– CruiseDiva.com http://cruisediva.com

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> >> > Personally I don’t see it to make the bags secure and keep somebody >out, > >if > >> > they want in it’s so easy to get in as has been discussed in many >news > >> > stories, way before all this security stuff. > >> > But often times securing the zipper is a move to keep it from coming > >open > >> > during handling, and many latches on hard cases are only securely >closed > >> > when they are locked. > >> > I see it as a way to keep the bag closed, not to keep people out. > >> You’ve also got to keep in mind that locks only keep honest people > >> honest, if they want in your bag to steal something, they will get > >> there regardless of what you do. > >> Lloyd > >Theft from baggage is usually a crime of opportunity, i.e. if the bag’s >open > >your chances are greater that someone will take something from it. > I guess you’ve never seen a bag on the carousel that is popped open or > ripped open.  As a matter of fact several news magazines have show > videos of baggage handlers slitting canvas bags, breaking locks or > hinges etc. > Thumper > To reply drop XYZ in address >As I said, theft from baggage is usually a crime of opportunity.  That there >are exceptions doesn’t mean anything in this context — it is still better >to lock your bags then leave them unlocked.

That’s your opinion. The opportunity is having a bag in your possession with no one watching. Thumper To reply drop XYZ in address

Response:

> We keep reading about using a zip tie or a cable cord to secure > luggage when you travel. My three questions are: (1) What are these > items? Is a cable cord the same as a "bungie" cord (I know what that > is!)? A zipe tie? (2) How exactly is a cable cord or zip tie useful? > and (3) where do you buy them? Thanks!

They also prevent your luggage from opening accidentaly and spilling your stuff all over an airport tarmac. Bchbound

Response:

Goober Mike Cordelli continues in his role as our resident know-it-all. Here the goob provides us with his intimate knowledge of worldwide baggage screening techniques Well, at least he’s entertaining (but alas, not very enlightening).

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Carry something that looks like a bomb and will set off the chemical > scanners, say four or five road flares and some batteries and half a spool > of wire, and I bet they open the bag. > I didn’t say they break into all bags, they open the ones that the scanner > indicates need further examination, at least the ones they don’t blow up. > If you don’t carry explosives, or anything that looks like explosives, then > they will probably never have to open your bags. > > The world was scanning bags way before we started here, the only > difference > > was it wasn’t a huge deal when they had to break in to see if it was > shampoo > > or c4 in the bag, people accepted it. > I do two or three international trips a year, and have never had any > problem > with locking my bags or, for that matter, with foreign inspectors breaking > in to them. > > > Oh, great.  I didn’t know that.  Do you know if it’s specific > countries, > > or > > > is throughout the EU? > > > > And if the European people need to look in your bags they will break > the > > > > locks.  They are screening bags too. > > > > > No one else has mentioned it, so I will.  As an alternative to zip > > ties, > > > > > there are now regular lockable locks that are "approved" by TSA. > They > > > are > > > > > combination locks, but have a place for a key.  TSA has master > keys > > and > > > > can > > > > > unlock these if they want to look in your bags; of course, they > will > > > > re-lock > > > > > them when they’re through. > > > > > Right now the locks are on the expensive side, but they’re a > better > > > > > alternative to plastic ties.  I bought a few at Brookstone, 2 for > $20. > > > > > However, particularly for international travel, or travel where > your > > > bags > > > > > will be handled by strangers (like cruising), I prefer the > security > > they > > > > > provide. > > > > > We just used these on two trips to Europe (one to Italy, the other > to > > > > Spain) > > > > > and they worked great.  Our various US-based airlines were, at > first, > > > > > reluctant to check our bags in locked (they hadn’t heard of these > new > > > TSA > > > > > locks), but after some explanation they took them.  No problems at > all > > > > with > > > > > security, and on the European end our bags, were, of course, > locked. > > > > > > You may know them as wire ties. > > > > > > See > > > > > > http://www.musicsupply.com/PageMill_Images/ctie.jpg > > > > > > for a drawing > > > > > > They serve the purpose of sealing something, and they can’t > usually > > be > > > > > > removed without cutting them (unless you buy the resalable > ones). > > > > > > They are useful because instead of popping your locks, the > security > > > > people > > > > > > can cut the tie, look in your bag, and put another tie back on. > It > > > gives > > > > > > some people a sense of security that their bag is a bit more > > difficult > > > > to > > > > > > open. > > > > > > > We keep reading about using a zip tie or a cable cord to secur > e > > > > > > > luggage when you travel. My three questions are: (1) What are > > these > > > > > > > items? Is a cable cord the same as a "bungie" cord (I know > what > > that > > > > > > > is!)? A zipe tie? (2) How exactly is a cable cord or zip tie > > useful? > > > > > > > and (3) where do you buy them? Thanks!

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > Personally I don’t see it to make the bags secure and keep somebody out, >if > > they want in it’s so easy to get in as has been discussed in many news > > stories, way before all this security stuff. > > But often times securing the zipper is a move to keep it from coming >open > > during handling, and many latches on hard cases are only securely closed > > when they are locked. > > I see it as a way to keep the bag closed, not to keep people out. > You’ve also got to keep in mind that locks only keep honest people > honest, if they want in your bag to steal something, they will get > there regardless of what you do. > Lloyd >Theft from baggage is usually a crime of opportunity, i.e. if the bag’s open >your chances are greater that someone will take something from it.

I guess you’ve never seen a bag on the carousel that is popped open or ripped open.  As a matter of fact several news magazines have show videos of baggage handlers slitting canvas bags, breaking locks or hinges etc. Thumper To reply drop XYZ in address

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> > Personally I don’t see it to make the bags secure and keep somebody out, >if >> > they want in it’s so easy to get in as has been discussed in many news >> > stories, way before all this security stuff. >> > But often times securing the zipper is a move to keep it from coming >open >> > during handling, and many latches on hard cases are only securely closed >> > when they are locked. >> > I see it as a way to keep the bag closed, not to keep people out. >> You’ve also got to keep in mind that locks only keep honest people >> honest, if they want in your bag to steal something, they will get >> there regardless of what you do. >> Lloyd >Theft from baggage is usually a crime of opportunity, i.e. if the bag’s open >your chances are greater that someone will take something from it. > I guess you’ve never seen a bag on the carousel that is popped open or > ripped open.  As a matter of fact several news magazines have show > videos of baggage handlers slitting canvas bags, breaking locks or > hinges etc. > Thumper > To reply drop XYZ in address

As I said, theft from baggage is usually a crime of opportunity.  That there are exceptions doesn’t mean anything in this context — it is still better to lock your bags then leave them unlocked.

Response:

> Carry something that looks like a bomb and will set off the chemical > scanners, say four or five road flares and some batteries and half a spool > of wire, and I bet they open the bag. > I didn’t say they break into all bags, they open the ones that the scanner > indicates need further examination, at least the ones they don’t blow up. > If you don’t carry explosives, or anything that looks like explosives, then > they will probably never have to open your bags.

Mike, I’ve had TSA open my bags in the US, sometimes for fairly inocuous reasons (I usually carry an extension cord with me) and sometimes for no discernible reasons.  I’ve never had my bags opened in Europe or Asia. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > The world was scanning bags way before we started here, the only > difference > > was it wasn’t a huge deal when they had to break in to see if it was > shampoo > > or c4 in the bag, people accepted it. > I do two or three international trips a year, and have never had any > problem > with locking my bags or, for that matter, with foreign inspectors breaking > in to them. > > > Oh, great.  I didn’t know that.  Do you know if it’s specific > countries, > > or > > > is throughout the EU? > > > > And if the European people need to look in your bags they will break > the > > > > locks.  They are screening bags too. > > > > > No one else has mentioned it, so I will.  As an alternative to zip > > ties, > > > > > there are now regular lockable locks that are "approved" by TSA. > They > > > are > > > > > combination locks, but have a place for a key.  TSA has master > keys > > and > > > > can > > > > > unlock these if they want to look in your bags; of course, they > will > > > > re-lock > > > > > them when they’re through. > > > > > Right now the locks are on the expensive side, but they’re a > better > > > > > alternative to plastic ties.  I bought a few at Brookstone, 2 for > $20. > > > > > However, particularly for international travel, or travel where > your > > > bags > > > > > will be handled by strangers (like cruising), I prefer the > security > > they > > > > > provide. > > > > > We just used these on two trips to Europe (one to Italy, the other > to > > > > Spain) > > > > > and they worked great.  Our various US-based airlines were, at > first, > > > > > reluctant to check our bags in locked (they hadn’t heard of these > new > > > TSA > > > > > locks), but after some explanation they took them.  No problems at > all > > > > with > > > > > security, and on the European end our bags, were, of course, > locked. > > > > > > You may know them as wire ties. > > > > > > See > > > > > > http://www.musicsupply.com/PageMill_Images/ctie.jpg > > > > > > for a drawing > > > > > > They serve the purpose of sealing something, and they can’t > usually > > be > > > > > > removed without cutting them (unless you buy the resalable > ones). > > > > > > They are useful because instead of popping your locks, the > security > > > > people > > > > > > can cut the tie, look in your bag, and put another tie back on. > It > > > gives > > > > > > some people a sense of security that their bag is a bit more > > difficult > > > > to > > > > > > open. > > > > > > > We keep reading about using a zip tie or a cable cord to secur > e > > > > > > > luggage when you travel. My three questions are: (1) What are > > these > > > > > > > items? Is a cable cord the same as a "bungie" cord (I know > what > > that > > > > > > > is!)? A zipe tie? (2) How exactly is a cable cord or zip tie > > useful? > > > > > > > and (3) where do you buy them? Thanks!

Response:

Carry something that looks like a bomb and will set off the chemical scanners, say four or five road flares and some batteries and half a spool of wire, and I bet they open the bag. I didn’t say they break into all bags, they open the ones that the scanner indicates need further examination, at least the ones they don’t blow up. If you don’t carry explosives, or anything that looks like explosives, then they will probably never have to open your bags.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The world was scanning bags way before we started here, the only > difference > was it wasn’t a huge deal when they had to break in to see if it was > shampoo > or c4 in the bag, people accepted it. > I do two or three international trips a year, and have never had any problem > with locking my bags or, for that matter, with foreign inspectors breaking > in to them. > > Oh, great.  I didn’t know that.  Do you know if it’s specific countries, > or > > is throughout the EU? > > > And if the European people need to look in your bags they will break > the > > > locks.  They are screening bags too. > > > > No one else has mentioned it, so I will.  As an alternative to zip > ties, > > > > there are now regular lockable locks that are "approved" by TSA. > They > > are > > > > combination locks, but have a place for a key.  TSA has master keys > and > > > can > > > > unlock these if they want to look in your bags; of course, they will > > > re-lock > > > > them when they’re through. > > > > Right now the locks are on the expensive side, but they’re a better > > > > alternative to plastic ties.  I bought a few at Brookstone, 2 for > $20. > > > > However, particularly for international travel, or travel where your > > bags > > > > will be handled by strangers (like cruising), I prefer the security > they > > > > provide. > > > > We just used these on two trips to Europe (one to Italy, the other > to > > > Spain) > > > > and they worked great.  Our various US-based airlines were, at > first, > > > > reluctant to check our bags in locked (they hadn’t heard of these > new > > TSA > > > > locks), but after some explanation they took them.  No problems at > all > > > with > > > > security, and on the European end our bags, were, of course, locked. > > > > > You may know them as wire ties. > > > > > See > > > > > http://www.musicsupply.com/PageMill_Images/ctie.jpg > > > > > for a drawing > > > > > They serve the purpose of sealing something, and they can’t > usually > be > > > > > removed without cutting them (unless you buy the resalable ones). > > > > > They are useful because instead of popping your locks, the > security > > > people > > > > > can cut the tie, look in your bag, and put another tie back on. It > > gives > > > > > some people a sense of security that their bag is a bit more > difficult > > > to > > > > > open. > > > > > > We keep reading about using a zip tie or a cable cord to secur e > > > > > > luggage when you travel. My three questions are: (1) What are > these > > > > > > items? Is a cable cord the same as a "bungie" cord (I know what > that > > > > > > is!)? A zipe tie? (2) How exactly is a cable cord or zip tie > useful? > > > > > > and (3) where do you buy them? Thanks!

Response:

>My wife’s clothes are expensive — replacing them would cost many multiples >of maxium liability that the airlines have for lost or destroyed bags. > PTRAVEL, > You’ve obviously been traveling under a halo. I need to follow you around! > I’ve lost so many bags (well, the airlines have lost them) over the years, > on your theory, I should not wear anything of value when we travel!

I’ve never, in all my years of travel, had a bag permanently lost, and only twice had bags delayed because they were misplaced. > But I > still take all of my good stuff and don’t shed a tear when it turns up missing. > Between what the air carrier will pay, your travel insurance claim, any credit > card backup coverage that applies and your homeowners, you can pretty well > recoup all losses, unless you’re talking couture items, which would probably > be scheduled anyway, then voila, covered.

My credit card provides $1,000 of coverage.  Airline liability for domestic US flights is limited to $1,200.  International flights are subject to the Warsaw Convention and pay a certain amount per pound.  I don’t recall the amount, but given the limitations on weight for check-in luggage, the maximum works out to less than the $1,200 max liability for US airlines.  We don’t buy travel insurance, so I’m not sure what their maximum liability is. My homeowners insurance excludes things like furs and jewelery unless scheduled and, in any event, insures only against theft but not loss (unless scheduled). I’m not sure what you mean by couture.  My wife doesn’t wear one-of-a-kind designer items, but she shops at the high end stores and travels with quite a few thousand dollars worth of clothes. When we were in Italy in November she bought a fur coat which I absolutely refused to check.  We transfered most of her carry-on items to my bag or checked luggage and the coat just fit in her roll-aboard. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Diana

Response:

>My wife’s clothes are expensive — replacing them would cost many multiples >of maxium liability that the airlines have for lost or destroyed bags.

PTRAVEL, You’ve obviously been traveling under a halo. I need to follow you around! I’ve lost so many bags (well, the airlines have lost them) over the years, on your theory, I should not wear anything of value when we travel! But I still take all of my good stuff and don’t shed a tear when it turns up missing. Between what the air carrier will pay, your travel insurance claim, any credit card backup coverage that applies and your homeowners, you can pretty well recoup all losses, unless you’re talking couture items, which would probably be scheduled anyway, then voila, covered. Diana

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Personally I don’t see it to make the bags secure and keep somebody out, if > they want in it’s so easy to get in as has been discussed in many news > stories, way before all this security stuff. > But often times securing the zipper is a move to keep it from coming open > during handling, and many latches on hard cases are only securely closed > when they are locked. > I see it as a way to keep the bag closed, not to keep people out. > You’ve also got to keep in mind that locks only keep honest people > honest, if they want in your bag to steal something, they will get > there regardless of what you do. > Lloyd

Theft from baggage is usually a crime of opportunity, i.e. if the bag’s open your chances are greater that someone will take something from it.

Response:

> Personally I don’t see it to make the bags secure and keep somebody out, if > they want in it’s so easy to get in as has been discussed in many news > stories, way before all this security stuff. > But often times securing the zipper is a move to keep it from coming open > during handling, and many latches on hard cases are only securely closed > when they are locked. > I see it as a way to keep the bag closed, not to keep people out.

You’ve also got to keep in mind that locks only keep honest people honest, if they want in your bag to steal something, they will get there regardless of what you do. Lloyd

Response:

> The world was scanning bags way before we started here, the only difference > was it wasn’t a huge deal when they had to break in to see if it was shampoo > or c4 in the bag, people accepted it.

I do two or three international trips a year, and have never had any problem with locking my bags or, for that matter, with foreign inspectors breaking in to them. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Oh, great.  I didn’t know that.  Do you know if it’s specific countries, > or > is throughout the EU? > > And if the European people need to look in your bags they will break the > > locks.  They are screening bags too. > > > No one else has mentioned it, so I will.  As an alternative to zip > ties, > > > there are now regular lockable locks that are "approved" by TSA. They > are > > > combination locks, but have a place for a key.  TSA has master keys > and > > can > > > unlock these if they want to look in your bags; of course, they will > > re-lock > > > them when they’re through. > > > Right now the locks are on the expensive side, but they’re a better > > > alternative to plastic ties.  I bought a few at Brookstone, 2 for $20. > > > However, particularly for international travel, or travel where your > bags > > > will be handled by strangers (like cruising), I prefer the security > they > > > provide. > > > We just used these on two trips to Europe (one to Italy, the other to > > Spain) > > > and they worked great.  Our various US-based airlines were, at first, > > > reluctant to check our bags in locked (they hadn’t heard of these new > TSA > > > locks), but after some explanation they took them.  No problems at all > > with > > > security, and on the European end our bags, were, of course, locked. > > > > You may know them as wire ties. > > > > See > > > > http://www.musicsupply.com/PageMill_Images/ctie.jpg > > > > for a drawing > > > > They serve the purpose of sealing something, and they can’t usually > be > > > > removed without cutting them (unless you buy the resalable ones). > > > > They are useful because instead of popping your locks, the security > > people > > > > can cut the tie, look in your bag, and put another tie back on. It > gives > > > > some people a sense of security that their bag is a bit more > difficult > > to > > > > open. > > > > > We keep reading about using a zip tie or a cable cord to secure > > > > > luggage when you travel. My three questions are: (1) What are > these > > > > > items? Is a cable cord the same as a "bungie" cord (I know what > that > > > > > is!)? A zipe tie? (2) How exactly is a cable cord or zip tie > useful? > > > > > and (3) where do you buy them? Thanks!

Response:

The world was scanning bags way before we started here, the only difference was it wasn’t a huge deal when they had to break in to see if it was shampoo or c4 in the bag, people accepted it.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Oh, great.  I didn’t know that.  Do you know if it’s specific countries, or > is throughout the EU? > And if the European people need to look in your bags they will break the > locks.  They are screening bags too. > > No one else has mentioned it, so I will.  As an alternative to zip ties, > > there are now regular lockable locks that are "approved" by TSA.  They > are > > combination locks, but have a place for a key.  TSA has master keys and > can > > unlock these if they want to look in your bags; of course, they will > re-lock > > them when they’re through. > > Right now the locks are on the expensive side, but they’re a better > > alternative to plastic ties.  I bought a few at Brookstone, 2 for $20. > > However, particularly for international travel, or travel where your > bags > > will be handled by strangers (like cruising), I prefer the security they > > provide. > > We just used these on two trips to Europe (one to Italy, the other to > Spain) > > and they worked great.  Our various US-based airlines were, at first, > > reluctant to check our bags in locked (they hadn’t heard of these new > TSA > > locks), but after some explanation they took them.  No problems at all > with > > security, and on the European end our bags, were, of course, locked. > > > You may know them as wire ties. > > > See > > > http://www.musicsupply.com/PageMill_Images/ctie.jpg > > > for a drawing > > > They serve the purpose of sealing something, and they can’t usually be > > > removed without cutting them (unless you buy the resalable ones). > > > They are useful because instead of popping your locks, the security > people > > > can cut the tie, look in your bag, and put another tie back on. It > gives > > > some people a sense of security that their bag is a bit more difficult > to > > > open. > > > > We keep reading about using a zip tie or a cable cord to secure > > > > luggage when you travel. My three questions are: (1) What are these > > > > items? Is a cable cord the same as a "bungie" cord (I know what that > > > > is!)? A zipe tie? (2) How exactly is a cable cord or zip tie useful? > > > > and (3) where do you buy them? Thanks!

Response:

Oh, great.  I didn’t know that.  Do you know if it’s specific countries, or is throughout the EU?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> And if the European people need to look in your bags they will break the > locks.  They are screening bags too. > No one else has mentioned it, so I will.  As an alternative to zip ties, > there are now regular lockable locks that are "approved" by TSA.  They are > combination locks, but have a place for a key.  TSA has master keys and > can > unlock these if they want to look in your bags; of course, they will > re-lock > them when they’re through. > Right now the locks are on the expensive side, but they’re a better > alternative to plastic ties.  I bought a few at Brookstone, 2 for $20. > However, particularly for international travel, or travel where your bags > will be handled by strangers (like cruising), I prefer the security they > provide. > We just used these on two trips to Europe (one to Italy, the other to > Spain) > and they worked great.  Our various US-based airlines were, at first, > reluctant to check our bags in locked (they hadn’t heard of these new TSA > locks), but after some explanation they took them.  No problems at all > with > security, and on the European end our bags, were, of course, locked. > > You may know them as wire ties. > > See > > http://www.musicsupply.com/PageMill_Images/ctie.jpg > > for a drawing > > They serve the purpose of sealing something, and they can’t usually be > > removed without cutting them (unless you buy the resalable ones). > > They are useful because instead of popping your locks, the security > people > > can cut the tie, look in your bag, and put another tie back on. It gives > > some people a sense of security that their bag is a bit more difficult > to > > open. > > > We keep reading about using a zip tie or a cable cord to secure > > > luggage when you travel. My three questions are: (1) What are these > > > items? Is a cable cord the same as a "bungie" cord (I know what that > > > is!)? A zipe tie? (2) How exactly is a cable cord or zip tie useful? > > > and (3) where do you buy them? Thanks!

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Note that there was a discussion about the Brookstone TSA-approved locks on > Cruise Critic within the past few weeks. It appears not all airport security > folks have been equipped with the master keys…the end of the story for > that frustrated traveler, IIRC, was that Brookstone refunded the money for > what proved to be a lock broken by security. > As an aside, I don’t really undertsand the desire to lock luggage. I keep > my jewelry and other valuables in my hand carry bags, as everyone should > do w/ re: items that a lost baggage claim recovery could never replace. What > are y’all stowing in your checked luggage that is more precious than a perfectly > fitted bra, which I think most ladies will agree is worth its weight in

gold? My wife’s clothes are expensive — replacing them would cost many multiples of maxium liability that the airlines have for lost or destroyed bags.  I travel with a fairly expensive ($500+) tripod, as well as some clothes that would be quite expensive to replace (one good suit or, when we travel over New Years, a tuxedo). And, of course, when we return, our bags are filled with all of our overseas purchases (usually, we wind up buying a cheap bag just to bring the stuff back). – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Diana Ball<—- Maybe I’m not packing the right stuff?! > near Houston, TX > http://www.dianaball.net > NCL Sea – W. Carib – Holidays 99 > RCI Explorer – E. Carib – Holidays 00 > RCI Rhapsody – W. Carib – Holidays 01 (back-to-back) > NCL Star – Hawaii – June 02 > Dawn Princess – Alaska – July 02 > Star Princess – Mex Riviera – Holidays 02 > RCI Serenade – Transatlantic 08/03 (maiden voyage) > RCI Mariner – E Carib – Holidays 03 >No one else has mentioned it, so I will.  As an alternative to zip ties, >there are now regular lockable locks that are "approved" by TSA.  They are >combination locks, but have a place for a key.  TSA has master keys and > can >unlock these if they want to look in your bags; of course, they will re-lock >them when they’re through. >Right now the locks are on the expensive side, but they’re a better >alternative to plastic ties.  I bought a few at Brookstone, 2 for $20. >However, particularly for international travel, or travel where your bags >will be handled by strangers (like cruising), I prefer the security they >provide. >We just used these on two trips to Europe (one to Italy, the other to Spain) >and they worked great.  Our various US-based airlines were, at first, >reluctant to check our bags in locked (they hadn’t heard of these new TSA >locks), but after some explanation they took them.  No problems at all with >security, and on the European end our bags, were, of course, locked. >> You may know them as wire ties. >> See >> http://www.musicsupply.com/PageMill_Images/ctie.jpg >> for a drawing >> They serve the purpose of sealing something, and they can’t usually be >> removed without cutting them (unless you buy the resalable ones). >> They are useful because instead of popping your locks, the security people >> can cut the tie, look in your bag, and put another tie back on. It gives >> some people a sense of security that their bag is a bit more difficult > to >> open. >> > We keep reading about using a zip tie or a cable cord to secure >> > luggage when you travel. My three questions are: (1) What are these >> > items? Is a cable cord the same as a "bungie" cord (I know what that >> > is!)? A zipe tie? (2) How exactly is a cable cord or zip tie useful? >> > and (3) where do you buy them? Thanks!

Response:

Personally I don’t see it to make the bags secure and keep somebody out, if they want in it’s so easy to get in as has been discussed in many news stories, way before all this security stuff. But often times securing the zipper is a move to keep it from coming open during handling, and many latches on hard cases are only securely closed when they are locked. I see it as a way to keep the bag closed, not to keep people out.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> As an aside, I don’t really undertsand the desire to lock luggage.

Response:

We keep reading about using a zip tie or a cable cord to secure luggage when you travel. My three questions are: (1) What are these items? Is a cable cord the same as a "bungie" cord (I know what that is!)? A zipe tie? (2) How exactly is a cable cord or zip tie useful? and (3) where do you buy them? Thanks!

Response:

The cable ties that are being refereed to are non reusable plastic ties that are used to temporarily seal off your bags so it can be seen if anyone has cut them & looked through your luggage.  To me, it only provides a faults sense of security about you bag being opened.  #1 rule is not to put anything in your checked luggage that you wouldn’t want to lose – That’s want a carry on is for.  Most hardware stores carry them. Also available at Kmart. The bungie cords being talked about are heavy elastic cords used to strap luggage together.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> We keep reading about using a zip tie or a cable cord to secure > luggage when you travel. My three questions are: (1) What are these > items? Is a cable cord the same as a "bungie" cord (I know what that > is!)? A zipe tie? (2) How exactly is a cable cord or zip tie useful? > and (3) where do you buy them? Thanks!

Response:

> We keep reading about using a zip tie or a cable cord to secure > luggage when you travel. My three questions are: (1) What are these > items? Is a cable cord the same as a "bungie" cord (I know what that > is!)? A zipe tie? (2) How exactly is a cable cord or zip tie useful? > and (3) where do you buy them? Thanks!

1) They are thin plastic strips that are used to tie cables (i.e. computer stuff) together. One end is pointed, the other has a hole. You wrap it around the cables (or through the lock holes on luggage), pass one end thru the hole and pull tight. There are ridges on strip and in hole and once pulled thru, it locks tight. 2)People use them in place of locks on their luggage because of the new rules. 3) Places like Radio Shack should have them, or the electronics sections of stores.

Response:

You may know them as wire ties. See http://www.musicsupply.com/PageMill_Images/ctie.jpg for a drawing They serve the purpose of sealing something, and they can’t usually be removed without cutting them (unless you buy the resalable ones). They are useful because instead of popping your locks, the security people can cut the tie, look in your bag, and put another tie back on. It gives some people a sense of security that their bag is a bit more difficult to open.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> We keep reading about using a zip tie or a cable cord to secure > luggage when you travel. My three questions are: (1) What are these > items? Is a cable cord the same as a "bungie" cord (I know what that > is!)? A zipe tie? (2) How exactly is a cable cord or zip tie useful? > and (3) where do you buy them? Thanks!

Response:

No one else has mentioned it, so I will.  As an alternative to zip ties, there are now regular lockable locks that are "approved" by TSA.  They are combination locks, but have a place for a key.  TSA has master keys and can unlock these if they want to look in your bags; of course, they will re-lock them when they’re through. Right now the locks are on the expensive side, but they’re a better alternative to plastic ties.  I bought a few at Brookstone, 2 for $20. However, particularly for international travel, or travel where your bags will be handled by strangers (like cruising), I prefer the security they provide. We just used these on two trips to Europe (one to Italy, the other to Spain) and they worked great.  Our various US-based airlines were, at first, reluctant to check our bags in locked (they hadn’t heard of these new TSA locks), but after some explanation they took them.  No problems at all with security, and on the European end our bags, were, of course, locked.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> You may know them as wire ties. > See > http://www.musicsupply.com/PageMill_Images/ctie.jpg > for a drawing > They serve the purpose of sealing something, and they can’t usually be > removed without cutting them (unless you buy the resalable ones). > They are useful because instead of popping your locks, the security people > can cut the tie, look in your bag, and put another tie back on. It gives > some people a sense of security that their bag is a bit more difficult to > open. > We keep reading about using a zip tie or a cable cord to secure > luggage when you travel. My three questions are: (1) What are these > items? Is a cable cord the same as a "bungie" cord (I know what that > is!)? A zipe tie? (2) How exactly is a cable cord or zip tie useful? > and (3) where do you buy them? Thanks!

Response:

Note that there was a discussion about the Brookstone TSA-approved locks on Cruise Critic within the past few weeks. It appears not all airport security folks have been equipped with the master keys…the end of the story for that frustrated traveler, IIRC, was that Brookstone refunded the money for what proved to be a lock broken by security. As an aside, I don’t really undertsand the desire to lock luggage. I keep my jewelry and other valuables in my hand carry bags, as everyone should do w/ re: items that a lost baggage claim recovery could never replace. What are y’all stowing in your checked luggage that is more precious than a perfectly fitted bra, which I think most ladies will agree is worth its weight in gold? Diana Ball<—- Maybe I’m not packing the right stuff?! near Houston, TX http://www.dianaball.net NCL Sea – W. Carib – Holidays 99 RCI Explorer – E. Carib – Holidays 00 RCI Rhapsody – W. Carib – Holidays 01 (back-to-back) NCL Star – Hawaii – June 02 Dawn Princess – Alaska – July 02 Star Princess – Mex Riviera – Holidays 02 RCI Serenade

Travelocity's Fare Finder

Question:

I want to add my name to that list, I have had some great experiences with the deal detector.  I got a great deal on a flight to New Orleans recently using the orbitz detector thing.  It is really easy to use too

Response:

Does anyone know if there is such a flight search engine similiar to Travelocity’s fare finder or dream maps that searches only for first and buisness class air?  For example, last May work sent me from Florida to Italy, and, after getting the tickets, I found out that if I had adjusted my dates slightly (which wouldn’t have been a problem for the job) I could have flown business class instead of coach for less money. Thanks in advance

Response:

www.orbitz.com/dealdetector  & use their "bonus days" option. Bob The Internet Travel Guru (TM) www.InternetTravelTips.com

Does anyone know if there is such a flight search engine similiar to Travelocity’s fare finder or dream maps that searches only for first and buisness class air?  For example, last May work sent me from Florida to Italy, and, after getting the tickets, I found out that if I had adjusted my dates slightly (which wouldn’t have been a problem for the job) I could have flown business class instead of coach for less money. Thanks in advance

Response:

Agreed.  I’ve had some great luck with the Orbitz deal detector. Having tried similar features on other sites, I’ve found orbitz more effective with better rates. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > www.orbitz.com/dealdetector  & use their "bonus days" option. > Bob > The Internet Travel Guru (TM) > www.InternetTravelTips.com > Does anyone know if there is such a flight search engine similiar to > Travelocity’s fare finder or dream maps that searches only for first > and buisness class air?  For example, last May work sent me from > Florida to Italy, and, after getting the tickets, I found out that if > I had adjusted my dates slightly (which wouldn’t have been a problem > for the job) I could have flown business class instead of coach for > less money. > Thanks in advance

Response:

I gave it a try, but I couldn’t find where to tell it to look only for first and business class only. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Agreed.  I’ve had some great luck with the Orbitz deal detector. >Having tried similar features on other sites, I’ve found orbitz more >effective with better rates. > www.orbitz.com/dealdetector  & use their "bonus days" option. > Bob > The Internet Travel Guru (TM) > www.InternetTravelTips.com > Does anyone know if there is such a flight search engine similiar to > Travelocity’s fare finder or dream maps that searches only for first > and buisness class air?  For example, last May work sent me from > Florida to Italy, and, after getting the tickets, I found out that if > I had adjusted my dates slightly (which wouldn’t have been a problem > for the job) I could have flown business class instead of coach for > less money. > Thanks in advance

Response:

Oops, I guess I like that word "only"… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I gave it a try, but I couldn’t find where to tell it to look only for >first and business class only. >Agreed.  I’ve had some great luck with the Orbitz deal detector. >Having tried similar features on other sites, I’ve found orbitz more >effective with better rates. >> www.orbitz.com/dealdetector  & use their "bonus days" option. >> Bob >> The Internet Travel Guru (TM) >> www.InternetTravelTips.com >> Does anyone know if there is such a flight search engine similiar to >> Travelocity’s fare finder or dream maps that searches only for first >> and buisness class air?  For example, last May work sent me from >> Florida to Italy, and, after getting the tickets, I found out that if >> I had adjusted my dates slightly (which wouldn’t have been a problem >> for the job) I could have flown business class instead of coach for >> less money. >> Thanks in advance

Response:

Delta/NWA/Cont alliance may save my status–also Lounges

Question:

The newest ‘elite’ rules by Delta must have been aimed at me.  I have been elite for year, but always just barely made it.  For example, if it took 25 segments I would often get just that, 25.  But I liked the status, shorter lines, occassional upgrades.  But their new rules are aimed at folk like me.  I won’t pay extra for a more expensive fare, so I won’t get the mileage bonus, or even full mileage sometimes.  So I am destined to lose my status, which is what Delta planned for those on the edge like me. But now this new alliance changes everything.  I also fly Northwest, and sometimes Continental.  I can apply my miles from those flight toward delta.  I’m still trying to understand how miles are accumulated and counted towards elite status.  The best I can tell is I will get actual miles flown, regardless of the fare (unless its first or biz class).  But even so, this should be able to put me over the top.  I’ll lose my mile accumulation and status on the other airlines, but it is less important to me. Another question I have involves the lounges.  The price increased so much I finally let my Crown Room membership lapse.  But now I’m thinking, if you have a NWA World Club Card, or a Continental President’s Club Card, it will get you into the Crown room.  A new art will have to be born of looking for the best special, price, or promo to get you a card into any of those 3 clubs.   Anyone know the best promotion?  I have heard the President’s Club is the best deal financially, but I know all of them at times will have promos with entry specials, short term freebies, reduced costs.  I’d love to hear. Email me your response directly, as well as posting. Bruce

Response:

>But now this new alliance changes everything.  I also fly Northwest, >and sometimes Continental.  I can apply my miles from those flight >toward delta.  I’m still trying to understand how miles are >accumulated and counted towards elite status.  The best I can tell is >I will get actual miles flown, regardless of the fare (unless its >first or biz class).  

  Not quite.  For elite qualification *on Delta*, deeply discounted   economy fares on CO and NW will only count 50%, same as Delta’s insULT   fares.  For elite qualification *on Continental or Northwest*, however,   these fares (on CO and NW only, not on DL) count 100%, at least for   the time being.   If you expect to fly CO or NW on discounted economy fares, it probably   makes sense to consider abandoning DL’s program and joining CO’s or   NW’s instead (they should match your Delta status for the first year).   When flying Delta, insULT fares will still only count 50% for the   purposes of elite qualification, but at least your low fares on CO   and NW will count 100%.   This is all explained in gory detail here:   http://www.delta.com/skymiles/about/medallion_updates/qualification_c…   http://www.nwa.com/features/dlpartner.html   http://www.continental.com/onepass/news/air/air_20030612_01.asp >Another question I have involves the lounges.  The price increased so >much I finally let my Crown Room membership lapse.  But now I’m >thinking, if you have a NWA World Club Card, or a Continental >President’s Club Card, it will get you into the Crown room.  A new art >will have to be born of looking for the best special, price, or promo >to get you a card into any of those 3 clubs.   Anyone know the best >promotion?  I have heard the President’s Club is the best deal >financially, but I know all of them at times will have promos with >entry specials, short term freebies, reduced costs.  

  Presidents Club is the best deal financially if you have no elite   status, but if you are Silver elite, the prices of all three clubs   are the same, and if you ever become Platinum, Delta will give you   Crown Room membership for free, while CO and NW will still want $250   each year.  Also, you can use miles to pay for Crown Room membership,   but not for Presidents Club or WorldClub.   I rarely see any promotions for Presidents Club (they used to send a   few free passes with elite credentials every year, but not this year).   Northwest may throw in a few thousand bonus miles with a new WorldClub   membership, but nothing really impressive.

Response:

> Another question I have involves the lounges.  The price increased so > much I finally let my Crown Room membership lapse.

For a non-airline specific lounge programme, see www.prioritypass.com – I’ve been a member for years and get good value out of it.

Response:

gave his patented inaccurate and false information, as usual. Bruce wrote, >Another question I have involves the lounges.  The price increased so >much I finally let my Crown Room membership lapse.   >I have heard the President’s Club is the best deal financially,

Generally speaking, but there are conditions for which this is not true, compared to other Lounge Programs, because the MEMBERSHIP FEE structure for CO’s President’s Club is VERY complicated, much more so than the fee structure for Delta’s Crown Room Club.  See: http://www.continental.com/travel/airport/lounge/rates.asp?SID=194751… http://www.delta.com/prog_serv/crown_room/cr_enroll/index.jsp >but I know all of them at times will have promos with >entry specials, short term freebies, reduced costs.  

Very true. Now come’s Vitaly’s fiction and fantasy: >   Presidents Club is the best deal financially if you have no elite >   status,

Bollocks!  False and misleading. One-year membership fees for President’s Club are: *>    Annual   375 USD   325 USD   275 USD   250 USD                 no status   Silver    Gold     Platinum and contradicted HIMSELF later (about "best deal"): >   if you ever become Platinum, Delta will give you >   Crown Room membership for free,

This part is true, ONLY for Platinum Madallion status on Delta, for single-membership, but whether it’s financially more favorable than CO’s LIFETIME status rate of $3,115 or $1,510 (62 yr or above), depends on how many years it takes for one to earn the Crown Room Madallion status and when the Life Time rate is purchased, as well as the age of the passenger at the time of the purchase. >   while CO and NW will still want $250  each year.

False and misleading.  See the webpage I referenced, the paragraph above, and the fact that CO has a THREE YEAR rate of $640 (less than $220 each year) for Platinum, and higher rates for Gold, Silver, and General memberships, while there is no such options for Crown Room’s membership rates. — Bob. P.S.  I chose the 3-yr for $640 rate, rather than the Life Time rate of $3,115 because:  (a) it would take almost 15 years at 3-yr rate to exceed $3,115 and (b) I could SWITCH to the senior rate after 6 years, say, which is 2 times $640 plus the senior Life Time rate of $1,510 (totalling $1,280 + $1,510 = $2,790) which is still less the PRESENT Life Time rate of $3,115, not to mention the interest earned by $1510 in 6 years, OR the possibility that CO may go belly up before the next 6 years.  :-)   It’s all a simple case of cost-benefit analysis.  But to do such an analysis, one needs the FACTS, and not Vitaly’s FICTION.

Response:

>>   Presidents Club is the best deal financially if you have no elite >   status >Bollocks!  False and misleading.

  Here are the annual prices for someone with no status:   Presidents Club   $375   WorldClub         $400   Crown Room        $475 (or 70,000 miles)   Since $375 is less than $400 and less than $475, Presidents Club is   the best deal financially if you have no elite status, which is exactly   what I wrote above.  This is true even after taking the $50 initiation   fee into account.   Next time you feel like typing some nonsense in response to my post,   do yourself a favor and read what I wrote before responding. >   while CO and NW will still want $250 each year. >False and misleading.  See the webpage I referenced, the paragraph >above, and the fact that CO has a THREE YEAR rate of $640 (less than >$220 each year) for Platinum

   … which would be free on Delta.

Response:

> >>   Presidents Club is the best deal financially if you have no elite >>   status >Bollocks!  False and misleading.

My post speaks for itself.   Vitaly quoted me OUT OF CONTEXT, completely misrepresented what I had to say through his omission and clever editing, and wrote, >   Next time you feel like typing some nonsense in response to my post, >   do yourself a favor and read what I wrote before responding.

I couldn’t have said it better about Vitaly’s posts.  It’s all deja vu! I had "discussions" with Vitaly Shmatikov in rec.travel.air many times before.  In the latest one, in April 2003: On the subject of "Continental AIrlines Business First Class", Vitaly made numerous FALSE CLAIMS about Continental Airlines as well as calling me a "flying newbie" (forgetting that I had told him I had been a OnePass member at least 10 years longer than him, and had been a CO Platinum ever since the present FF Program started in 1999), I finally offered him a wager ($10,000 of mine against $1,000 of his that a particular statement of his about CO Business First can be proven FALSE) to put up or shut up. It’s ALL in the archives, easily retrievable via groups.google.com. Of course he didn’t put up, and continued to mouth dance.  So, when another poster took his position, I wrote, RF>  Would you care to take a part (or whole) of the wager I offered RF>  the weasel (who obviously is not taking it)? That was when Vitaly went into a series of groundless ad hominem attack on me about me being a "compulsive gambler", including: ===> in one post (April 22), by Vitaly Shmatikov:   Bob, dearest, you seem to be suffering from a fairly advanced case of   compulsive gambling.  You must seek help before you destroy yourself.   Compulsive gamblers are really very sick people, but you can recover   if you follow to the best of your ability a simple program that has   proved successful for thousands of other men and women with a compulsive   gambling problem.  Contact Gamblers Anonymous or call 1-800-GAMBLER   (I understand that your state has a Council on Compulsive Gambling   as well). ===> in another post (April 22), by Vitaly Shmatikov:   Bob, your compulsive gambling problem is quite serious.  Please, for   your own sake and for the sake of those who love you, do something about   your addiction.  Call Gamblers Anonymous Metro-Atlanta Helpline, their   number is 770-237-7281.  If this is a toll call for you and you are   short of money, call Southeastern Helpline toll-free at 800-313-0170.   They will help you, I promise It wasn’t until weeks later that I realized Vitaly must have been a compulsive gambler HIMSELF, having undergone treatment, because I discovered this post of his, posted three years ago, in RTA: Vitaly>   HP 2118   LAS-LAX   12:47am – 1:51am Vitaly>   HP 2644   LAS-ONT   12:36am – 1:28am Vitaly>   HP 2856   LAS-SFO   12:41am – 2:01am Vitaly>   HP 2631   LAS-OAK   12:50am – 2:11am Vitaly>   HP 2775   LAS-SMF   12:40am – 1:57am Vitaly>   HP 2796   LAS-PDX   12:52am – 3:00am Vitaly>   HP 2878   LAS-SEA   12:54am – 3:12am Vitaly>   HP 6218   LAS-PSP   12:30am – 1:30am Vitaly>   HP 6159   LAS-SBA   12:24am – 1:29am Vitaly>      (the last two are Mesa flights) Vitaly> Vitaly>  You can also throw in these for good measure: Vitaly> Vitaly>  HP  465   LAS-PHX   12:02am – 1:04am Vitaly>  HP  619   LAS-PHX   12:49am – 1:48am Vitaly>  HP 2435   LAS-TUS   12:48am – 1:54am Vitaly>  HP 2532   LAS-RNO   12:51am – 2:03am Vitaly> Vitaly>  I’ve flown on several of these flights, and can attest Vitaly>  that they’re very real :-) Wasn’t this a Freudian slip about his gambling habits, and why he knew so much about compulsive gamblers and sources for their heop? — Bob.   Kung-Fu Master (people call me Miyagi :-) and Archivist http://www.winternet.com/~mikelr/flame41.html http://www.winternet.com/~mikelr/flame22.html

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > It wasn’t until weeks later that I realized Vitaly must have been a > compulsive gambler HIMSELF, having undergone treatment, because I > discovered this post of his, posted three years ago, in RTA: > Vitaly>   HP 2118   LAS-LAX   12:47am – 1:51am > Vitaly>   HP 2644   LAS-ONT   12:36am – 1:28am > Vitaly>   HP 2856   LAS-SFO   12:41am – 2:01am > Vitaly>   HP 2631   LAS-OAK   12:50am – 2:11am > Vitaly>   HP 2775   LAS-SMF   12:40am – 1:57am > Vitaly>   HP 2796   LAS-PDX   12:52am – 3:00am > Vitaly>   HP 2878   LAS-SEA   12:54am – 3:12am > Vitaly>   HP 6218   LAS-PSP   12:30am – 1:30am > Vitaly>   HP 6159   LAS-SBA   12:24am – 1:29am > Vitaly>      (the last two are Mesa flights) > Vitaly> > Vitaly>  You can also throw in these for good measure: > Vitaly> > Vitaly>  HP  465   LAS-PHX   12:02am – 1:04am > Vitaly>  HP  619   LAS-PHX   12:49am – 1:48am > Vitaly>  HP 2435   LAS-TUS   12:48am – 1:54am > Vitaly>  HP 2532   LAS-RNO   12:51am – 2:03am > Vitaly> > Vitaly>  I’ve flown on several of these flights, and can attest > Vitaly>  that they’re very real :-) > Wasn’t this a Freudian slip about his gambling habits, and why he > knew so much about compulsive gamblers and sources for their heop?

Actually, it sounds like he lives near LAS and flies to the other places. This sounds more likely than living near all of the other places and flying to LAS.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Another question I have involves the lounges.  The price increased so > much I finally let my Crown Room membership lapse.  But now I’m > thinking, if you have a NWA World Club Card, or a Continental > President’s Club Card, it will get you into the Crown room.  A new art > will have to be born of looking for the best special, price, or promo > to get you a card into any of those 3 clubs.   Anyone know the best > promotion?  I have heard the President’s Club is the best deal > financially, but I know all of them at times will have promos with > entry specials, short term freebies, reduced costs.  I’d love to hear. > Email me your response directly, as well as posting. > Bruce

The American Express Platinum Card allows access to NWA, Continental and Delta lounges (provided you are flying on a ticket with the airline whose lounge you want to access.)  The annual fee for the card is $395, but if you are a Fidelity Brokerage client and put $5000 in a money market fund you can obtain the (Fidelity) Amex PC for "only" $320.  The "catch" with this arrangement is that at the end of your billing cycle your MM fund is debited (in full) automatically for all the charges made. [You do not have to keep the $5000 in the account once the card is received, but of course, you must have a sufficient balance to cover monthly debits.]  Now (since June 18, 2003) having a lounge access card for any one of these airlines gives access to all three, diminishes the "bargain" value of the Amex PC a bit.  [There are piles of other goodies one gets with the card, many (most?) may not be useful to everyone...; but the Member's Reward program is a free add-on, which should be of value to everyone.]

Response:

Transportation to Dock in NY

Question:

We  arrived in NY on Rotterdam this morning. Since we live on LI we took a limo directly home. The handout HAL distributed said Pier to JFK 45 min to 1 hour approximately $40. Pier to Laguardia 30 to 45 minutes – approximately $35, and Pier to Newark 30 to 45 minutes and approximately $50. We usually prefer to arrive a couple of days before sailing on cruises that don’t leave from NY, to assure that weaher screw ups with the airlines won’t result in our missing the ship. NY can also have some special problems – we sailed on Fleet day last year – the Navy had several ships at the dock – and security has the whole place in a grid lock – also there’s some parades that can cause trouble going cross town – and may necessitate leaving extra time. Although our experience with the pier in NY have always been positive, it seems to be a efficient operation.                                                                 Val Kraut

Response:

Are those prices per person?  That seems quite high for a bus ride.  I think for two people, it would be cheaper to take a cab. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->We  arrived in NY on Rotterdam this morning. Since we live on LI we took a >limo directly home. The handout HAL distributed said Pier to JFK 45 min to 1 >hour approximately $40. Pier to Laguardia 30 to 45 minutes – approximately >$35, and Pier to Newark 30 to 45 minutes and approximately $50. We usually >prefer to arrive a couple of days before sailing on cruises that don’t leave >from NY, to assure that weaher screw ups with the airlines won’t result in >our missing the ship. NY can also have some special problems – we sailed on >Fleet day last year – the Navy had several ships at the dock – and security >has the whole place in a grid lock – also there’s some parades that can >cause trouble going cross town – and may necessitate leaving extra time. >Although our experience with the pier in NY have always been positive, it >seems to be a efficient operation. >                                                                Val Kraut

Response:

I believe these were for a Taxi. Hence total charge for a small party. I don’t think there are convienent buses from the dock  and the amount of luggage would be a problem anyway.                                                         Val Kraut

Response:

> Are those prices per person?  That seems quite high for a bus ride.  I

think for two people, it > would be cheaper to take a cab.

Those are taxi prices. We paid approximately $35 from LaGuardia last December and the drive time was about 40 minutes. Taxi prices are per taxi, not per person. Linda CruiseDiva.com http://cruisediva.com

Response:

I wasn’t thinking of a city bus.  I thought I’d see about buying transfers from Celebrity. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I believe these were for a Taxi. Hence total charge for a small party. I >don’t think there are convienent buses from the dock  and the amount of >luggage would be a problem anyway. >                                                        Val Kraut

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I guess it depends on how comfortable you are. >I decided after the fact not to pay Princess the $80-90 per person >transfer fee (and had it refunded) and took cabs from Laguardia.  The >Princess shuttle was right there when we lended, but everyone had to >wait for all the passengers to get there, then the "bus" had to make >it’s way through traffic which that day was bumper to bumper. >We got right into a cab, the driver took shortcuts, and we were at the >dock an hour ahead of the shuttle – and when we got there we got to >walk right up to the counter to process – not as part of a large >group.  The cab ride cost $35. >Sure my knuckles were a little white while in the cab, but for half >the price I got over it :-)

Hi BJ, I went to NYC for an inaugural/christening on a Celebrity ship. Celebrity transferred us in a bus and, unfortunately, the bus took all of the shortcuts.  Going through alleys in a bus at 40-miles an hour made my knuckles a little white, to say the least. <;+) Best regards, Ray LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL 800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905 http://www.lighthousetravel.com

Response:

Half price sounds good to me. I have ridden in cabs in other big cities in the US, also Latin America, the Caribbean, and Italy.  It’s all the same.  You are driven by a maniac who doesn’t speak English.  I can deal with a New York cabby. BTW, even in Melbourne Australia, the cab drivers were all Indian and the 7-11 was run by a Pakistani. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I guess it depends on how comfortable you are. >I decided after the fact not to pay Princess the $80-90 per person >transfer fee (and had it refunded) and took cabs from Laguardia.  The >Princess shuttle was right there when we lended, but everyone had to >wait for all the passengers to get there, then the "bus" had to make >it’s way through traffic which that day was bumper to bumper. >We got right into a cab, the driver took shortcuts, and we were at the >dock an hour ahead of the shuttle – and when we got there we got to >walk right up to the counter to process – not as part of a large >group.  The cab ride cost $35. >Sure my knuckles were a little white while in the cab, but for half >the price I got over it :-) >Good luck! >BJ >I found a good deal on a Bermuda cruise out of New York on Traveloicty.   >The problem is that it cannot be purchased with airfare.  Therefore, it >does not come with transfers.  I don’t mind arranging my own air >transportation.  But, I have no idea what to do about getting to the >ship. >Which airport should I fly into? >How far is it to the dock?  How long does it take to get there? >What transportation is available to the dock?  How much does it cost?

Response:

I guess it depends on how comfortable you are. I decided after the fact not to pay Princess the $80-90 per person transfer fee (and had it refunded) and took cabs from Laguardia.  The Princess shuttle was right there when we lended, but everyone had to wait for all the passengers to get there, then the "bus" had to make it’s way through traffic which that day was bumper to bumper. We got right into a cab, the driver took shortcuts, and we were at the dock an hour ahead of the shuttle – and when we got there we got to walk right up to the counter to process – not as part of a large group.  The cab ride cost $35. Sure my knuckles were a little white while in the cab, but for half the price I got over it :-) Good luck! BJ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I found a good deal on a Bermuda cruise out of New York on Traveloicty.   >The problem is that it cannot be purchased with airfare.  Therefore, it >does not come with transfers.  I don’t mind arranging my own air >transportation.  But, I have no idea what to do about getting to the >ship. >Which airport should I fly into? >How far is it to the dock?  How long does it take to get there? >What transportation is available to the dock?  How much does it cost?

Response:

I found a good deal on a Bermuda cruise out of New York on Traveloicty.   The problem is that it cannot be purchased with airfare.  Therefore, it does not come with transfers.  I don’t mind arranging my own air transportation.  But, I have no idea what to do about getting to the ship. Which airport should I fly into? How far is it to the dock?  How long does it take to get there? What transportation is available to the dock?  How much does it cost?

Response:

>Which airport should I fly into? >How far is it to the dock?  How long does it take to get there? >What transportation is available to the dock?  How much does it cost? >You can fly into JFK or LGA but I feel Newark takes less time to get to the

port because its closer to the West side.As Soon as you get through the Lincoln Tunnel you are only about 10 blocks away. You can take a Cab or arrange for a car Service. There are buses to Port of Authority , where you can get a cab but with a lot of luggage this would be hard. My guess is that a cab would cost between $30-$40 from Newark.From Newark its about 25-30 minutes at most, maybe less depending upon traffic.   Diane Giambalvo Travel Consultant GalaxSea Cruises And Tours East Brunswick, NJ 1-800-357-9393 http://www.galaxseaeb.com

Response:

You can still probably arrange transportation from the cruise line, give them a call.  We have done it when we didn’t purchase cruise line air. Transportation option from the airports is available at www.panynj.gov, click on the airport, then ground transport. Figure about 30 from LaGuardia, 40 from Newark, and 1:15 from Kennedy, assuming the best of conditions.  If taking a taxi, $35 top $50 or so, again based on traffic. Kennedy is a fixed fee to anywhere in Manhattan, the other two are not. With luggage and the rest, a taxi is the best option, or a car service. Public transportation from Kennedy or LaGuardia to Manhattan isn’t an option at all.  You could take the train from Newark into Penn Station, then a taxi to the ship, but it’s not worth it with luggage. A car service will save you the taxi wait on the return.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I found a good deal on a Bermuda cruise out of New York on Traveloicty. > The problem is that it cannot be purchased with airfare.  Therefore, it > does not come with transfers.  I don’t mind arranging my own air > transportation.  But, I have no idea what to do about getting to the > ship. > Which airport should I fly into? > How far is it to the dock?  How long does it take to get there? > What transportation is available to the dock?  How much does it cost?

Response:

I found a good deal on a Bermuda cruise out of New York on Traveloicty.   The problem is that it cannot be purchased with airfare.  Therefore, it does not come with transfers.  I don’t mind arranging my own air transportation.  But, I have no idea what to do about getting to the ship. Which airport should I fly into? How far is it to the dock?  How long does it take to get there? What transportation is available to the dock?  How much does it cost?

Response:

>Which airport should I fly into? >How far is it to the dock?  How long does it take to get there? >What transportation is available to the dock?  How much does it cost? >You can fly into JFK or LGA but I feel Newark takes less time to get to the

port because its closer to the West side.As Soon as you get through the Lincoln Tunnel you are only about 10 blocks away. You can take a Cab or arrange for a car Service. There are buses to Port of Authority , where you can get a cab but with a lot of luggage this would be hard. My guess is that a cab would cost between $30-$40 from Newark.From Newark its about 25-30 minutes at most, maybe less depending upon traffic.   Diane Giambalvo Travel Consultant GalaxSea Cruises And Tours East Brunswick, NJ 1-800-357-9393 http://www.galaxseaeb.com

Response:

You can still probably arrange transportation from the cruise line, give them a call.  We have done it when we didn’t purchase cruise line air. Transportation option from the airports is available at www.panynj.gov, click on the airport, then ground transport. Figure about 30 from LaGuardia, 40 from Newark, and 1:15 from Kennedy, assuming the best of conditions.  If taking a taxi, $35 top $50 or so, again based on traffic. Kennedy is a fixed fee to anywhere in Manhattan, the other two are not. With luggage and the rest, a taxi is the best option, or a car service. Public transportation from Kennedy or LaGuardia to Manhattan isn’t an option at all.  You could take the train from Newark into Penn Station, then a taxi to the ship, but it’s not worth it with luggage. A car service will save you the taxi wait on the return.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I found a good deal on a Bermuda cruise out of New York on Traveloicty. > The problem is that it cannot be purchased with airfare.  Therefore, it > does not come with transfers.  I don’t mind arranging my own air > transportation.  But, I have no idea what to do about getting to the > ship. > Which airport should I fly into? > How far is it to the dock?  How long does it take to get there? > What transportation is available to the dock?  How much does it cost?

Response:

I guess it depends on how comfortable you are. I decided after the fact not to pay Princess the $80-90 per person transfer fee (and had it refunded) and took cabs from Laguardia.  The Princess shuttle was right there when we lended, but everyone had to wait for all the passengers to get there, then the "bus" had to make it’s way through traffic which that day was bumper to bumper. We got right into a cab, the driver took shortcuts, and we were at the dock an hour ahead of the shuttle – and when we got there we got to walk right up to the counter to process – not as part of a large group.  The cab ride cost $35. Sure my knuckles were a little white while in the cab, but for half the price I got over it :-) Good luck! BJ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I found a good deal on a Bermuda cruise out of New York on Traveloicty.   >The problem is that it cannot be purchased with airfare.  Therefore, it >does not come with transfers.  I don’t mind arranging my own air >transportation.  But, I have no idea what to do about getting to the >ship. >Which airport should I fly into? >How far is it to the dock?  How long does it take to get there? >What transportation is available to the dock?  How much does it cost?

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I guess it depends on how comfortable you are. >I decided after the fact not to pay Princess the $80-90 per person >transfer fee (and had it refunded) and took cabs from Laguardia.  The >Princess shuttle was right there when we lended, but everyone had to >wait for all the passengers to get there, then the "bus" had to make >it’s way through traffic which that day was bumper to bumper. >We got right into a cab, the driver took shortcuts, and we were at the >dock an hour ahead of the shuttle – and when we got there we got to >walk right up to the counter to process – not as part of a large >group.  The cab ride cost $35. >Sure my knuckles were a little white while in the cab, but for half >the price I got over it :-)

Hi BJ, I went to NYC for an inaugural/christening on a Celebrity ship. Celebrity transferred us in a bus and, unfortunately, the bus took all of the shortcuts.  Going through alleys in a bus at 40-miles an hour made my knuckles a little white, to say the least. <;+) Best regards, Ray LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL 800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905 http://www.lighthousetravel.com

Response:

Half price sounds good to me. I have ridden in cabs in other big cities in the US, also Latin America, the Caribbean, and Italy.  It’s all the same.  You are driven by a maniac who doesn’t speak English.  I can deal with a New York cabby. BTW, even in Melbourne Australia, the cab drivers were all Indian and the 7-11 was run by a Pakistani. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I guess it depends on how comfortable you are. >I decided after the fact not to pay Princess the $80-90 per person >transfer fee (and had it refunded) and took cabs from Laguardia.  The >Princess shuttle was right there when we lended, but everyone had to >wait for all the passengers to get there, then the "bus" had to make >it’s way through traffic which that day was bumper to bumper. >We got right into a cab, the driver took shortcuts, and we were at the >dock an hour ahead of the shuttle – and when we got there we got to >walk right up to the counter to process – not as part of a large >group.  The cab ride cost $35. >Sure my knuckles were a little white while in the cab, but for half >the price I got over it :-) >Good luck! >BJ >I found a good deal on a Bermuda cruise out of New York on Traveloicty.   >The problem is that it cannot be purchased with airfare.  Therefore, it >does not come with transfers.  I don’t mind arranging my own air >transportation.  But, I have no idea what to do about getting to the >ship. >Which airport should I fly into? >How far is it to the dock?  How long does it take to get there? >What transportation is available to the dock?  How much does it cost?

Response:

We  arrived in NY on Rotterdam this morning. Since we live on LI we took a limo directly home. The handout HAL distributed said Pier to JFK 45 min to 1 hour approximately $40. Pier to Laguardia 30 to 45 minutes – approximately $35, and Pier to Newark 30 to 45 minutes and approximately $50. We usually prefer to arrive a couple of days before sailing on cruises that don’t leave from NY, to assure that weaher screw ups with the airlines won’t result in our missing the ship. NY can also have some special problems – we sailed on Fleet day last year – the Navy had several ships at the dock – and security has the whole place in a grid lock – also there’s some parades that can cause trouble going cross town – and may necessitate leaving extra time. Although our experience with the pier in NY have always been positive, it seems to be a efficient operation.                                                                 Val Kraut

Response:

Are those prices per person?  That seems quite high for a bus ride.  I think for two people, it would be cheaper to take a cab. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->We  arrived in NY on Rotterdam this morning. Since we live on LI we took a >limo directly home. The handout HAL distributed said Pier to JFK 45 min to 1 >hour approximately $40. Pier to Laguardia 30 to 45 minutes – approximately >$35, and Pier to Newark 30 to 45 minutes and approximately $50. We usually >prefer to arrive a couple of days before sailing on cruises that don’t leave >from NY, to assure that weaher screw ups with the airlines won’t result in >our missing the ship. NY can also have some special problems – we sailed on >Fleet day last year – the Navy had several ships at the dock – and security >has the whole place in a grid lock – also there’s some parades that can >cause trouble going cross town – and may necessitate leaving extra time. >Although our experience with the pier in NY have always been positive, it >seems to be a efficient operation. >                                                                Val Kraut

Response:

I believe these were for a Taxi. Hence total charge for a small party. I don’t think there are convienent buses from the dock  and the amount of luggage would be a problem anyway.                                                         Val Kraut

Response:

> Are those prices per person?  That seems quite high for a bus ride.  I

think for two people, it > would be cheaper to take a cab.

Those are taxi prices. We paid approximately $35 from LaGuardia last December and the drive time was about 40 minutes. Taxi prices are per taxi, not per person. Linda CruiseDiva.com http://cruisediva.com

Response:

I wasn’t thinking of a city bus.  I thought I’d see about buying transfers from Celebrity. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I believe these were for a Taxi. Hence total charge for a small party. I >don’t think there are convienent buses from the dock  and the amount of >luggage would be a problem anyway. >                                                        Val Kraut

Response:

Anyone familiar with Roadpost for international wireless?

Question:

Hi – now (since the last 6 months or so) there are several phone companies in india which provide national roaming on pre paid cards. I can tell you the company names in mumbai/bangalore if you happen to visit these places. Any phone card seller can advise you on this. These cards cost less than 10 cents/Rs 5 per minute (anywhere in india). I will not work outside india. So if you are cost conscious, and intend to talk a lot, go for it. Good luck, Praty (reply on group only) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> $49/year subscription > $25 one-time setup charge > Local and incoming calls in most countries:  .79/minute > International calls:                                      1.59/minute > Voicemail:  $15/year > I like the idea of having a single telephone number that will work world > wide, and the yearly subscription charge isn’t all that much more than > buying separate SIMs everywhere.  The rates are also much better than what I > can get if I subscribe for a month or two at a time to one of the US GSM > carriers. > Beware of the "single phone number".  It will cost you  AND your peers DEARLY > to receive calls since someone across the street from you in India will have > to dial to the USA to reach your number, and then you have to pay for that > call to come back to your present location in india. > From a cost point of view, prepaid cards in various countries is the best. But > sometimes can be inconvenient. > If single phone number is what you need, then subscribe to a US GSM carrier. > Get an unlocked tri-band phone. And when in countries with cheap pre-paid, you > just use your US SIM card to setup call forwarding to your current pre-paid > phone number. Local people can call you on your current prepaid phone number > (no long distance charges), while those in the USA can call you on our regular > US-based GSM number and you pay long distance. > And in countries where pre-pauid doesn’t work, then you pay the high roaming > costs of the US GSM carrier but you have the service you need.

Response:

Roadpost will give you a UK or Swiss phone number.  You might want to look at a company like kall8.com or accessline.com which will give you a US 800 number which can be forwarded to an international destination and changed over the web to the number you are currently using. Stu

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > $49/year subscription > > $25 one-time setup charge > > Local and incoming calls in most countries:  .79/minute > > International calls:                                      1.59/minute > > Voicemail:  $15/year > > I like the idea of having a single telephone number that will work world > > wide, and the yearly subscription charge isn’t all that much more than > > buying separate SIMs everywhere.  The rates are also much better than > what I > > can get if I subscribe for a month or two at a time to one of the US GSM > > carriers. > Beware of the "single phone number".  It will cost you  AND your peers > DEARLY > to receive calls since someone across the street from you in India will > have > to dial to the USA to reach your number, and then you have to pay for that > call to come back to your present location in india. > I’m not expecting any calls which would originate in India.  My office in > California will need to call me, my clients may need to call, mother my need > to reach me, etc.  I might make local calls within India, e.g. restaurant > reservations, etc., but since I don’t know anyone there, I don’t expect to > receive any local-originated calls. > We’ll also be spending time in China.  Unlike India, we have friends and > family there, so I’ll probably pick up a SIM.  However, SIMs are very, very > cheap in China and, unlike India, it is not carved up into small wireless > jurisdictions that require different SIMs for each city. > From a cost point of view, prepaid cards in various countries is the best. > But > sometimes can be inconvenient. > India is really problematic for a couple of reasons.  First, you have to > show proof of residence to buy one, or else have a local pick it up for you. > However, the biggest problem is that a SIM which works in Delhi may or may > not work in Jaipur or Agra, etc. > If single phone number is what you need, then subscribe to a US GSM > carrier. > Not an option.  Neither T-Mobile nor Cingular (the two GSM carriers in the > US) have adequate national coverage. > Get an unlocked tri-band phone. > I already have one.  I picked up a Motorola Timeport P250 on eBay for about > $100 early last spring.  Nice phone, small and reliable.  My wife took it > with her through China and Hong Kong, and it worked great, with better sound > quality than most of the land line phones to which she had access. >And when in countries with cheap pre-paid, you > just use your US SIM card to setup call forwarding to your current > pre-paid > phone number. Local people can call you on your current prepaid phone > number > (no long distance charges), while those in the USA can call you on our > regular > US-based GSM number and you pay long distance. > I can do the same thing with my non-GSM US phone, i.e. I can forward it to > any number I want. > And in countries where pre-pauid doesn’t work, then you pay the high > roaming > costs of the US GSM carrier but you have the service you need. > Roadpost gives me much cheaper service.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> $49/year subscription > $25 one-time setup charge > Local and incoming calls in most countries:  .79/minute > International calls:                                      1.59/minute > Voicemail:  $15/year > I like the idea of having a single telephone number that will work world > wide, and the yearly subscription charge isn’t all that much more than > buying separate SIMs everywhere.  The rates are also much better than what I > can get if I subscribe for a month or two at a time to one of the US GSM > carriers. > Beware of the "single phone number".  It will cost you  AND your peers DEARLY > to receive calls since someone across the street from you in India will have > to dial to the USA to reach your number, and then you have to pay for that > call to come back to your present location in india.

I’m not expecting any calls which would originate in India.  My office in California will need to call me, my clients may need to call, mother my need to reach me, etc.  I might make local calls within India, e.g. restaurant reservations, etc., but since I don’t know anyone there, I don’t expect to receive any local-originated calls. We’ll also be spending time in China.  Unlike India, we have friends and family there, so I’ll probably pick up a SIM.  However, SIMs are very, very cheap in China and, unlike India, it is not carved up into small wireless jurisdictions that require different SIMs for each city. > From a cost point of view, prepaid cards in various countries is the best. But > sometimes can be inconvenient.

India is really problematic for a couple of reasons.  First, you have to show proof of residence to buy one, or else have a local pick it up for you. However, the biggest problem is that a SIM which works in Delhi may or may not work in Jaipur or Agra, etc. > If single phone number is what you need, then subscribe to a US GSM

carrier. Not an option.  Neither T-Mobile nor Cingular (the two GSM carriers in the US) have adequate national coverage. > Get an unlocked tri-band phone.

I already have one.  I picked up a Motorola Timeport P250 on eBay for about $100 early last spring.  Nice phone, small and reliable.  My wife took it with her through China and Hong Kong, and it worked great, with better sound quality than most of the land line phones to which she had access. >And when in countries with cheap pre-paid, you > just use your US SIM card to setup call forwarding to your current pre-paid > phone number. Local people can call you on your current prepaid phone number > (no long distance charges), while those in the USA can call you on our regular > US-based GSM number and you pay long distance.

I can do the same thing with my non-GSM US phone, i.e. I can forward it to any number I want. > And in countries where pre-pauid doesn’t work, then you pay the high roaming > costs of the US GSM carrier but you have the service you need.

Roadpost gives me much cheaper service.

Response:

I’m going to be travelling in India, Hong Kong and China shortly for a few weeks, and travel at least once a year to Europe.  I’ve been investigating wireless solutions. Usually, I just buy a prepaid SIM card in whatever country I find myself. However, it is a little difficult to do this in India, plus the India does not have good intra-country roaming. I’ve come across a company called Roadpost which, evidently, has some tie-in with Cingular (they gave me the phone number).  Roadpost sounds like a pretty good deal: $49/year subscription $25 one-time setup charge Local and incoming calls in most countries:  .79/minute International calls:                                      1.59/minute Voicemail:  $15/year I like the idea of having a single telephone number that will work world wide, and the yearly subscription charge isn’t all that much more than buying separate SIMs everywhere.  The rates are also much better than what I can get if I subscribe for a month or two at a time to one of the US GSM carriers. Has anyone had any experience with this company?  Is anyone aware of any better alternatives? Thanks!

Response:

> $49/year subscription > $25 one-time setup charge > Local and incoming calls in most countries:  .79/minute > International calls:                                      1.59/minute > Voicemail:  $15/year > I like the idea of having a single telephone number that will work world > wide, and the yearly subscription charge isn’t all that much more than > buying separate SIMs everywhere.  The rates are also much better than what I > can get if I subscribe for a month or two at a time to one of the US GSM > carriers.

Beware of the "single phone number".  It will cost you  AND your peers DEARLY to receive calls since someone across the street from you in India will have to dial to the USA to reach your number, and then you have to pay for that call to come back to your present location in india. From a cost point of view, prepaid cards in various countries is the best. But sometimes can be inconvenient. If single phone number is what you need, then subscribe to a US GSM carrier. Get an unlocked tri-band phone. And when in countries with cheap pre-paid, you just use your US SIM card to setup call forwarding to your current pre-paid phone number. Local people can call you on your current prepaid phone number (no long distance charges), while those in the USA can call you on our regular US-based GSM number and you pay long distance. And in countries where pre-pauid doesn’t work, then you pay the high roaming costs of the US GSM carrier but you have the service you need.

Response:

>Has anyone had any experience with this company?  Is anyone aware of any >better alternatives? > If you went with a true GSM provider, like T-Mobile, then things would > be even easier.

T-Mobile’s coverage in the US is inadequate for me — I travel too much for business and need uninterrupted wireless access.  Verizon provides that for me. Also, T-Mobile’s international roaming rates are dramatically higher than Roadpost. > You wouldn’t have to establish a relationship with any > other company as they have roaming agreements with a provider in > pretty much any country you’d want to visit. Of course, the roaming > charges vary. > With T-Mobile, you’d only need to make sure you had a world phone as > U.S. GSM operates on the 1900 mHz band and the rest of the world does > 800 mHz. They offer several from Motorola and Samsung at subsidized > prices. Nokia just released its first world phone, the 7210, but they > aren’t subsidizing it yet and it retails for about $250. > Cingular is GSM in some markets, but where they are, they’re swapped > spectrum with T-Mobile.

Cingular’s coverage is also inadequate, and their international roaming charges are worse the T-Mobile’s. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Most of their coverage area is TDMA. In a > matter of months, AT&T will be GSM nationwide, but of course their > roaming agreements might not be as expansive as T-Mobile’s. That > remains to be seen.

Response:

> With T-Mobile, you’d only need to make sure you had a world phone as > U.S. GSM operates on the 1900 mHz band and the rest of the world does > 800 mHz.

Actually 900 and 1800 Mhz.  Some also have 1900 Mhz.

Response:

We have two phones with Roadpost using their UK SIM and unlocked tri-band GSM phones from www.1worldgift.com.  I have no connection to either other than being a customer. So far the SIM has worked 100% as expected in the US, UK, Italy, Spain, Malta, and a hand full of other places in Europe.  The cost is high but not THAT bad considering other options that are available in the US. Pre-paid SIMs are likely to be less costly in some cases but you do have to buy them, keep them charged with time, communicate new numbers as you move from region to region, and then re-activate them if they expire between trips. We like having a fixed number that is valid any where in the world with GSM service (AFAIKT, i am sure there are some exceptions).  So, for us it is just what we need.  Note that buying a cell phone from Roadpost will really cost you a LOT of $s!  I suggest www.1worldgift.com or similar places that sell a good tri-band unit for ~USD100. Let me know if you have any more questions. -D – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I’m going to be travelling in India, Hong Kong and China shortly for a few > weeks, and travel at least once a year to Europe.  I’ve been investigating > wireless solutions. > Usually, I just buy a prepaid SIM card in whatever country I find myself. > However, it is a little difficult to do this in India, plus the India does > not have good intra-country roaming. > I’ve come across a company called Roadpost which, evidently, has some tie-in > with Cingular (they gave me the phone number).  Roadpost sounds like a > pretty good deal: > $49/year subscription > $25 one-time setup charge > Local and incoming calls in most countries:  .79/minute > International calls:                                      1.59/minute > Voicemail:  $15/year > I like the idea of having a single telephone number that will work world > wide, and the yearly subscription charge isn’t all that much more than > buying separate SIMs everywhere.  The rates are also much better than what I > can get if I subscribe for a month or two at a time to one of the US GSM > carriers. > Has anyone had any experience with this company?  Is anyone aware of any > better alternatives? > Thanks!

Response:

Hi – now (since the last 6 months or so) there are several phone companies in india which provide national roaming on pre paid cards. I can tell you the company names in mumbai/bangalore if you happen to visit these places. Any phone card seller can advise you on this. These cards cost less than 10 cents/Rs 5 per minute (anywhere in india). I will not work outside india. So if you are cost conscious, and intend to talk a lot, go for it. Good luck, Praty (reply on group only) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> $49/year subscription > $25 one-time setup charge > Local and incoming calls in most countries:  .79/minute > International calls:                                      1.59/minute > Voicemail:  $15/year > I like the idea of having a single telephone number that will work world > wide, and the yearly subscription charge isn’t all that much more than > buying separate SIMs everywhere.  The rates are also much better than what I > can get if I subscribe for a month or two at a time to one of the US GSM > carriers. > Beware of the "single phone number".  It will cost you  AND your peers DEARLY > to receive calls since someone across the street from you in India will have > to dial to the USA to reach your number, and then you have to pay for that > call to come back to your present location in india. > From a cost point of view, prepaid cards in various countries is the best. But > sometimes can be inconvenient. > If single phone number is what you need, then subscribe to a US GSM carrier. > Get an unlocked tri-band phone. And when in countries with cheap pre-paid, you > just use your US SIM card to setup call forwarding to your current pre-paid > phone number. Local people can call you on your current prepaid phone number > (no long distance charges), while those in the USA can call you on our regular > US-based GSM number and you pay long distance. > And in countries where pre-pauid doesn’t work, then you pay the high roaming > costs of the US GSM carrier but you have the service you need.

Response:

Roadpost will give you a UK or Swiss phone number.  You might want to look at a company like kall8.com or accessline.com which will give you a US 800 number which can be forwarded to an international destination and changed over the web to the number you are currently using. Stu

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > $49/year subscription > > $25 one-time setup charge > > Local and incoming calls in most countries:  .79/minute > > International calls:                                      1.59/minute > > Voicemail:  $15/year > > I like the idea of having a single telephone number that will work world > > wide, and the yearly subscription charge isn’t all that much more than > > buying separate SIMs everywhere.  The rates are also much better than > what I > > can get if I subscribe for a month or two at a time to one of the US GSM > > carriers. > Beware of the "single phone number".  It will cost you  AND your peers > DEARLY > to receive calls since someone across the street from you in India will > have > to dial to the USA to reach your number, and then you have to pay for that > call to come back to your present location in india. > I’m not expecting any calls which would originate in India.  My office in > California will need to call me, my clients may need to call, mother my need > to reach me, etc.  I might make local calls within India, e.g. restaurant > reservations, etc., but since I don’t know anyone there, I don’t expect to > receive any local-originated calls. > We’ll also be spending time in China.  Unlike India, we have friends and > family there, so I’ll probably pick up a SIM.  However, SIMs are very, very > cheap in China and, unlike India, it is not carved up into small wireless > jurisdictions that require different SIMs for each city. > From a cost point of view, prepaid cards in various countries is the best. > But > sometimes can be inconvenient. > India is really problematic for a couple of reasons.  First, you have to > show proof of residence to buy one, or else have a local pick it up for you. > However, the biggest problem is that a SIM which works in Delhi may or may > not work in Jaipur or Agra, etc. > If single phone number is what you need, then subscribe to a US GSM > carrier. > Not an option.  Neither T-Mobile nor Cingular (the two GSM carriers in the > US) have adequate national coverage. > Get an unlocked tri-band phone. > I already have one.  I picked up a Motorola Timeport P250 on eBay for about > $100 early last spring.  Nice phone, small and reliable.  My wife took it > with her through China and Hong Kong, and it worked great, with better sound > quality than most of the land line phones to which she had access. >And when in countries with cheap pre-paid, you > just use your US SIM card to setup call forwarding to your current > pre-paid > phone number. Local people can call you on your current prepaid phone > number > (no long distance charges), while those in the USA can call you on our > regular > US-based GSM number and you pay long distance. > I can do the same thing with my non-GSM US phone, i.e. I can forward it to > any number I want. > And in countries where pre-pauid doesn’t work, then you pay the high > roaming > costs of the US GSM carrier but you have the service you need. > Roadpost gives me much cheaper service.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> $49/year subscription > $25 one-time setup charge > Local and incoming calls in most countries:  .79/minute > International calls:                                      1.59/minute > Voicemail:  $15/year > I like the idea of having a single telephone number that will work world > wide, and the yearly subscription charge isn’t all that much more than > buying separate SIMs everywhere.  The rates are also much better than what I > can get if I subscribe for a month or two at a time to one of the US GSM > carriers. > Beware of the "single phone number".  It will cost you  AND your peers DEARLY > to receive calls since someone across the street from you in India will have > to dial to the USA to reach your number, and then you have to pay for that > call to come back to your present location in india.

I’m not expecting any calls which would originate in India.  My office in California will need to call me, my clients may need to call, mother my need to reach me, etc.  I might make local calls within India, e.g. restaurant reservations, etc., but since I don’t know anyone there, I don’t expect to receive any local-originated calls. We’ll also be spending time in China.  Unlike India, we have friends and family there, so I’ll probably pick up a SIM.  However, SIMs are very, very cheap in China and, unlike India, it is not carved up into small wireless jurisdictions that require different SIMs for each city. > From a cost point of view, prepaid cards in various countries is the best. But > sometimes can be inconvenient.

India is really problematic for a couple of reasons.  First, you have to show proof of residence to buy one, or else have a local pick it up for you. However, the biggest problem is that a SIM which works in Delhi may or may not work in Jaipur or Agra, etc. > If single phone number is what you need, then subscribe to a US GSM

carrier. Not an option.  Neither T-Mobile nor Cingular (the two GSM carriers in the US) have adequate national coverage. > Get an unlocked tri-band phone.

I already have one.  I picked up a Motorola Timeport P250 on eBay for about $100 early last spring.  Nice phone, small and reliable.  My wife took it with her through China and Hong Kong, and it worked great, with better sound quality than most of the land line phones to which she had access. >And when in countries with cheap pre-paid, you > just use your US SIM card to setup call forwarding to your current pre-paid > phone number. Local people can call you on your current prepaid phone number > (no long distance charges), while those in the USA can call you on our regular > US-based GSM number and you pay long distance.

I can do the same thing with my non-GSM US phone, i.e. I can forward it to any number I want. > And in countries where pre-pauid doesn’t work, then you pay the high roaming > costs of the US GSM carrier but you have the service you need.

Roadpost gives me much cheaper service.

Response:

>Has anyone had any experience with this company?  Is anyone aware of any >better alternatives? > If you went with a true GSM provider, like T-Mobile, then things would > be even easier.

T-Mobile’s coverage in the US is inadequate for me — I travel too much for business and need uninterrupted wireless access.  Verizon provides that for me. Also, T-Mobile’s international roaming rates are dramatically higher than Roadpost. > You wouldn’t have to establish a relationship with any > other company as they have roaming agreements with a provider in > pretty much any country you’d want to visit. Of course, the roaming > charges vary. > With T-Mobile, you’d only need to make sure you had a world phone as > U.S. GSM operates on the 1900 mHz band and the rest of the world does > 800 mHz. They offer several from Motorola and Samsung at subsidized > prices. Nokia just released its first world phone, the 7210, but they > aren’t subsidizing it yet and it retails for about $250. > Cingular is GSM in some markets, but where they are, they’re swapped > spectrum with T-Mobile.

Cingular’s coverage is also inadequate, and their international roaming charges are worse the T-Mobile’s. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Most of their coverage area is TDMA. In a > matter of months, AT&T will be GSM nationwide, but of course their > roaming agreements might not be as expansive as T-Mobile’s. That > remains to be seen.

Response:

> With T-Mobile, you’d only need to make sure you had a world phone as > U.S. GSM operates on the 1900 mHz band and the rest of the world does > 800 mHz.

Actually 900 and 1800 Mhz.  Some also have 1900 Mhz.

Response:

We have two phones with Roadpost using their UK SIM and unlocked tri-band GSM phones from www.1worldgift.com.  I have no connection to either other than being a customer. So far the SIM has worked 100% as expected in the US, UK, Italy, Spain, Malta, and a hand full of other places in Europe.  The cost is high but not THAT bad considering other options that are available in the US. Pre-paid SIMs are likely to be less costly in some cases but you do have to buy them, keep them charged with time, communicate new numbers as you move from region to region, and then re-activate them if they expire between trips. We like having a fixed number that is valid any where in the world with GSM service (AFAIKT, i am sure there are some exceptions).  So, for us it is just what we need.  Note that buying a cell phone from Roadpost will really cost you a LOT of $s!  I suggest www.1worldgift.com or similar places that sell a good tri-band unit for ~USD100. Let me know if you have any more questions. -D – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I’m going to be travelling in India, Hong Kong and China shortly for a few > weeks, and travel at least once a year to Europe.  I’ve been investigating > wireless solutions. > Usually, I just buy a prepaid SIM card in whatever country I find myself. > However, it is a little difficult to do this in India, plus the India does > not have good intra-country roaming. > I’ve come across a company called Roadpost which, evidently, has some tie-in > with Cingular (they gave me the phone number).  Roadpost sounds like a > pretty good deal: > $49/year subscription > $25 one-time setup charge > Local and incoming calls in most countries:  .79/minute > International calls:                                      1.59/minute > Voicemail:  $15/year > I like the idea of having a single telephone number that will work world > wide, and the yearly subscription charge isn’t all that much more than > buying separate SIMs everywhere.  The rates are also much better than what I > can get if I subscribe for a month or two at a time to one of the US GSM > carriers. > Has anyone had any experience with this company?  Is anyone aware of any > better alternatives? > Thanks!

Response:

> $49/year subscription > $25 one-time setup charge > Local and incoming calls in most countries:  .79/minute > International calls:                                      1.59/minute > Voicemail:  $15/year > I like the idea of having a single telephone number that will work world > wide, and the yearly subscription charge isn’t all that much more than > buying separate SIMs everywhere.  The rates are also much better than what I > can get if I subscribe for a month or two at a time to one of the US GSM > carriers.

Beware of the "single phone number".  It will cost you  AND your peers DEARLY to receive calls since someone across the street from you in India will have to dial to the USA to reach your number, and then you have to pay for that call to come back to your present location in india. From a cost point of view, prepaid cards in various countries is the best. But sometimes can be inconvenient. If single phone number is what you need, then subscribe to a US GSM carrier. Get an unlocked tri-band phone. And when in countries with cheap pre-paid, you just use your US SIM card to setup call forwarding to your current pre-paid phone number. Local people can call you on your current prepaid phone number (no long distance charges), while those in the USA can call you on our regular US-based GSM number and you pay long distance. And in countries where pre-pauid doesn’t work, then you pay the high roaming costs of the US GSM carrier but you have the service you need.

Response:

I’m going to be travelling in India, Hong Kong and China shortly for a few weeks, and travel at least once a year to Europe.  I’ve been investigating wireless solutions. Usually, I just buy a prepaid SIM card in whatever country I find myself. However, it is a little difficult to do this in India, plus the India does not have good intra-country roaming. I’ve come across a company called Roadpost which, evidently, has some tie-in with Cingular (they gave me the phone number).  Roadpost sounds like a pretty good deal: $49/year subscription $25 one-time setup charge Local and incoming calls in most countries:  .79/minute International calls:                                      1.59/minute Voicemail:  $15/year I like the idea of having a single telephone number that will work world wide, and the yearly subscription charge isn’t all that much more than buying separate SIMs everywhere.  The rates are also much better than what I can get if I subscribe for a month or two at a time to one of the US GSM carriers. Has anyone had any experience with this company?  Is anyone aware of any better alternatives? Thanks!

Response:

Hi – now (since the last 6 months or so) there are several phone companies in india which provide national roaming on pre paid cards. I can tell you the company names in mumbai/bangalore if you happen to visit these places. Any phone card seller can advise you on this. These cards cost less than 10 cents/Rs 5 per minute (anywhere in india). I will not work outside india. So if you are cost conscious, and intend to talk a lot, go for it. Good luck, Praty (reply on group only) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> $49/year subscription > $25 one-time setup charge > Local and incoming calls in most countries:  .79/minute > International calls:                                      1.59/minute > Voicemail:  $15/year > I like the idea of having a single telephone number that will work world > wide, and the yearly subscription charge isn’t all that much more than > buying separate SIMs everywhere.  The rates are also much better than what I > can get if I subscribe for a month or two at a time to one of the US GSM > carriers. > Beware of the "single phone number".  It will cost you  AND your peers DEARLY > to receive calls since someone across the street from you in India will have > to dial to the USA to reach your number, and then you have to pay for that > call to come back to your present location in india. > From a cost point of view, prepaid cards in various countries is the best. But > sometimes can be inconvenient. > If single phone number is what you need, then subscribe to a US GSM carrier. > Get an unlocked tri-band phone. And when in countries with cheap pre-paid, you > just use your US SIM card to setup call forwarding to your current pre-paid > phone number. Local people can call you on your current prepaid phone number > (no long distance charges), while those in the USA can call you on our regular > US-based GSM number and you pay long distance. > And in countries where pre-pauid doesn’t work, then you pay the high roaming > costs of the US GSM carrier but you have the service you need.

Response:

Roadpost will give you a UK or Swiss phone number.  You might want to look at a company like kall8.com or accessline.com which will give you a US 800 number which can be forwarded to an international destination and changed over the web to the number you are currently using. Stu

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > $49/year subscription > > $25 one-time setup charge > > Local and incoming calls in most countries:  .79/minute > > International calls:                                      1.59/minute > > Voicemail:  $15/year > > I like the idea of having a single telephone number that will work world > > wide, and the yearly subscription charge isn’t all that much more than > > buying separate SIMs everywhere.  The rates are also much better than > what I > > can get if I subscribe for a month or two at a time to one of the US GSM > > carriers. > Beware of the "single phone number".  It will cost you  AND your peers > DEARLY > to receive calls since someone across the street from you in India will > have > to dial to the USA to reach your number, and then you have to pay for that > call to come back to your present location in india. > I’m not expecting any calls which would originate in India.  My office in > California will need to call me, my clients may need to call, mother my need > to reach me, etc.  I might make local calls within India, e.g. restaurant > reservations, etc., but since I don’t know anyone there, I don’t expect to > receive any local-originated calls. > We’ll also be spending time in China.  Unlike India, we have friends and > family there, so I’ll probably pick up a SIM.  However, SIMs are very, very > cheap in China and, unlike India, it is not carved up into small wireless > jurisdictions that require different SIMs for each city. > From a cost point of view, prepaid cards in various countries is the best. > But > sometimes can be inconvenient. > India is really problematic for a couple of reasons.  First, you have to > show proof of residence to buy one, or else have a local pick it up for you. > However, the biggest problem is that a SIM which works in Delhi may or may > not work in Jaipur or Agra, etc. > If single phone number is what you need, then subscribe to a US GSM > carrier. > Not an option.  Neither T-Mobile nor Cingular (the two GSM carriers in the > US) have adequate national coverage. > Get an unlocked tri-band phone. > I already have one.  I picked up a Motorola Timeport P250 on eBay for about > $100 early last spring.  Nice phone, small and reliable.  My wife took it > with her through China and Hong Kong, and it worked great, with better sound > quality than most of the land line phones to which she had access. >And when in countries with cheap pre-paid, you > just use your US SIM card to setup call forwarding to your current > pre-paid > phone number. Local people can call you on your current prepaid phone > number > (no long distance charges), while those in the USA can call you on our > regular > US-based GSM number and you pay long distance. > I can do the same thing with my non-GSM US phone, i.e. I can forward it to > any number I want. > And in countries where pre-pauid doesn’t work, then you pay the high > roaming > costs of the US GSM carrier but you have the service you need. > Roadpost gives me much cheaper service.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> $49/year subscription > $25 one-time setup charge > Local and incoming calls in most countries:  .79/minute > International calls:                                      1.59/minute > Voicemail:  $15/year > I like the idea of having a single telephone number that will work world > wide, and the yearly subscription charge isn’t all that much more than > buying separate SIMs everywhere.  The rates are also much better than what I > can get if I subscribe for a month or two at a time to one of the US GSM > carriers. > Beware of the "single phone number".  It will cost you  AND your peers DEARLY > to receive calls since someone across the street from you in India will have > to dial to the USA to reach your number, and then you have to pay for that > call to come back to your present location in india.

I’m not expecting any calls which would originate in India.  My office in California will need to call me, my clients may need to call, mother my need to reach me, etc.  I might make local calls within India, e.g. restaurant reservations, etc., but since I don’t know anyone there, I don’t expect to receive any local-originated calls. We’ll also be spending time in China.  Unlike India, we have friends and family there, so I’ll probably pick up a SIM.  However, SIMs are very, very cheap in China and, unlike India, it is not carved up into small wireless jurisdictions that require different SIMs for each city. > From a cost point of view, prepaid cards in various countries is the best. But > sometimes can be inconvenient.

India is really problematic for a couple of reasons.  First, you have to show proof of residence to buy one, or else have a local pick it up for you. However, the biggest problem is that a SIM which works in Delhi may or may not work in Jaipur or Agra, etc. > If single phone number is what you need, then subscribe to a US GSM

carrier. Not an option.  Neither T-Mobile nor Cingular (the two GSM carriers in the US) have adequate national coverage. > Get an unlocked tri-band phone.

I already have one.  I picked up a Motorola Timeport P250 on eBay for about $100 early last spring.  Nice phone, small and reliable.  My wife took it with her through China and Hong Kong, and it worked great, with better sound quality than most of the land line phones to which she had access. >And when in countries with cheap pre-paid, you > just use your US SIM card to setup call forwarding to your current pre-paid > phone number. Local people can call you on your current prepaid phone number > (no long distance charges), while those in the USA can call you on our regular > US-based GSM number and you pay long distance.

I can do the same thing with my non-GSM US phone, i.e. I can forward it to any number I want. > And in countries where pre-pauid doesn’t work, then you pay the high roaming > costs of the US GSM carrier but you have the service you need.

Roadpost gives me much cheaper service.

Response:

>Has anyone had any experience with this company?  Is anyone aware of any >better alternatives? > If you went with a true GSM provider, like T-Mobile, then things would > be even easier.

T-Mobile’s coverage in the US is inadequate for me — I travel too much for business and need uninterrupted wireless access.  Verizon provides that for me. Also, T-Mobile’s international roaming rates are dramatically higher than Roadpost. > You wouldn’t have to establish a relationship with any > other company as they have roaming agreements with a provider in > pretty much any country you’d want to visit. Of course, the roaming > charges vary. > With T-Mobile, you’d only need to make sure you had a world phone as > U.S. GSM operates on the 1900 mHz band and the rest of the world does > 800 mHz. They offer several from Motorola and Samsung at subsidized > prices. Nokia just released its first world phone, the 7210, but they > aren’t subsidizing it yet and it retails for about $250. > Cingular is GSM in some markets, but where they are, they’re swapped > spectrum with T-Mobile.

Cingular’s coverage is also inadequate, and their international roaming charges are worse the T-Mobile’s. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Most of their coverage area is TDMA. In a > matter of months, AT&T will be GSM nationwide, but of course their > roaming agreements might not be as expansive as T-Mobile’s. That > remains to be seen.

Response:

> With T-Mobile, you’d only need to make sure you had a world phone as > U.S. GSM operates on the 1900 mHz band and the rest of the world does > 800 mHz.

Actually 900 and 1800 Mhz.  Some also have 1900 Mhz.

Response:

We have two phones with Roadpost using their UK SIM and unlocked tri-band GSM phones from www.1worldgift.com.  I have no connection to either other than being a customer. So far the SIM has worked 100% as expected in the US, UK, Italy, Spain, Malta, and a hand full of other places in Europe.  The cost is high but not THAT bad considering other options that are available in the US. Pre-paid SIMs are likely to be less costly in some cases but you do have to buy them, keep them charged with time, communicate new numbers as you move from region to region, and then re-activate them if they expire between trips. We like having a fixed number that is valid any where in the world with GSM service (AFAIKT, i am sure there are some exceptions).  So, for us it is just what we need.  Note that buying a cell phone from Roadpost will really cost you a LOT of $s!  I suggest www.1worldgift.com or similar places that sell a good tri-band unit for ~USD100. Let me know if you have any more questions. -D – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I’m going to be travelling in India, Hong Kong and China shortly for a few > weeks, and travel at least once a year to Europe.  I’ve been investigating > wireless solutions. > Usually, I just buy a prepaid SIM card in whatever country I find myself. > However, it is a little difficult to do this in India, plus the India does > not have good intra-country roaming. > I’ve come across a company called Roadpost which, evidently, has some tie-in > with Cingular (they gave me the phone number).  Roadpost sounds like a > pretty good deal: > $49/year subscription > $25 one-time setup charge > Local and incoming calls in most countries:  .79/minute > International calls:                                      1.59/minute > Voicemail:  $15/year > I like the idea of having a single telephone number that will work world > wide, and the yearly subscription charge isn’t all that much more than > buying separate SIMs everywhere.  The rates are also much better than what I > can get if I subscribe for a month or two at a time to one of the US GSM > carriers. > Has anyone had any experience with this company?  Is anyone aware of any > better alternatives? > Thanks!

Response:

> $49/year subscription > $25 one-time setup charge > Local and incoming calls in most countries:  .79/minute > International calls:                                      1.59/minute > Voicemail:  $15/year > I like the idea of having a single telephone number that will work world > wide, and the yearly subscription charge isn’t all that much more than > buying separate SIMs everywhere.  The rates are also much better than what I > can get if I subscribe for a month or two at a time to one of the US GSM > carriers.

Beware of the "single phone number".  It will cost you  AND your peers DEARLY to receive calls since someone across the street from you in India will have to dial to the USA to reach your number, and then you have to pay for that call to come back to your present location in india. From a cost point of view, prepaid cards in various countries is the best. But sometimes can be inconvenient. If single phone number is what you need, then subscribe to a US GSM carrier. Get an unlocked tri-band phone. And when in countries with cheap pre-paid, you just use your US SIM card to setup call forwarding to your current pre-paid phone number. Local people can call you on your current prepaid phone number (no long distance charges), while those in the USA can call you on our regular US-based GSM number and you pay long distance. And in countries where pre-pauid doesn’t work, then you pay the high roaming costs of the US GSM carrier but you have the service you need.

Response:

I’m going to be travelling in India, Hong Kong and China shortly for a few weeks, and travel at least once a year to Europe.  I’ve been investigating wireless solutions. Usually, I just buy a prepaid SIM card in whatever country I find myself. However, it is a little difficult to do this in India, plus the India does not have good intra-country roaming. I’ve come across a company called Roadpost which, evidently, has some tie-in with Cingular (they gave me the phone number).  Roadpost sounds like a pretty good deal: $49/year subscription $25 one-time setup charge Local and incoming calls in most countries:  .79/minute International calls:                                      1.59/minute Voicemail:  $15/year I like the idea of having a single telephone number that will work world wide, and the yearly subscription charge isn’t all that much more than buying separate SIMs everywhere.  The rates are also much better than what I can get if I subscribe for a month or two at a time to one of the US GSM carriers. Has anyone had any experience with this company?  Is anyone aware of any better alternatives? Thanks!

Response:

Anyone familiar with Roadpost for international wireless?

Question:

I’m going to be travelling in India, Hong Kong and China shortly for a few weeks, and travel at least once a year to Europe.  I’ve been investigating wireless solutions. Usually, I just buy a prepaid SIM card in whatever country I find myself. However, it is a little difficult to do this in India, plus the India does not have good intra-country roaming. I’ve come across a company called Roadpost which, evidently, has some tie-in with Cingular (they gave me the phone number).  Roadpost sounds like a pretty good deal: $49/year subscription $25 one-time setup charge Local and incoming calls in most countries:  .79/minute International calls:                                      1.59/minute Voicemail:  $15/year I like the idea of having a single telephone number that will work world wide, and the yearly subscription charge isn’t all that much more than buying separate SIMs everywhere.  The rates are also much better than what I can get if I subscribe for a month or two at a time to one of the US GSM carriers. Has anyone had any experience with this company?  Is anyone aware of any better alternatives? Thanks!

Response:

> $49/year subscription > $25 one-time setup charge > Local and incoming calls in most countries:  .79/minute > International calls:                                      1.59/minute > Voicemail:  $15/year > I like the idea of having a single telephone number that will work world > wide, and the yearly subscription charge isn’t all that much more than > buying separate SIMs everywhere.  The rates are also much better than what I > can get if I subscribe for a month or two at a time to one of the US GSM > carriers.

Beware of the "single phone number".  It will cost you  AND your peers DEARLY to receive calls since someone across the street from you in India will have to dial to the USA to reach your number, and then you have to pay for that call to come back to your present location in india. From a cost point of view, prepaid cards in various countries is the best. But sometimes can be inconvenient. If single phone number is what you need, then subscribe to a US GSM carrier. Get an unlocked tri-band phone. And when in countries with cheap pre-paid, you just use your US SIM card to setup call forwarding to your current pre-paid phone number. Local people can call you on your current prepaid phone number (no long distance charges), while those in the USA can call you on our regular US-based GSM number and you pay long distance. And in countries where pre-pauid doesn’t work, then you pay the high roaming costs of the US GSM carrier but you have the service you need.

Response:

> With T-Mobile, you’d only need to make sure you had a world phone as > U.S. GSM operates on the 1900 mHz band and the rest of the world does > 800 mHz.

Actually 900 and 1800 Mhz.  Some also have 1900 Mhz.

Response:

We have two phones with Roadpost using their UK SIM and unlocked tri-band GSM phones from www.1worldgift.com.  I have no connection to either other than being a customer. So far the SIM has worked 100% as expected in the US, UK, Italy, Spain, Malta, and a hand full of other places in Europe.  The cost is high but not THAT bad considering other options that are available in the US. Pre-paid SIMs are likely to be less costly in some cases but you do have to buy them, keep them charged with time, communicate new numbers as you move from region to region, and then re-activate them if they expire between trips. We like having a fixed number that is valid any where in the world with GSM service (AFAIKT, i am sure there are some exceptions).  So, for us it is just what we need.  Note that buying a cell phone from Roadpost will really cost you a LOT of $s!  I suggest www.1worldgift.com or similar places that sell a good tri-band unit for ~USD100. Let me know if you have any more questions. -D – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I’m going to be travelling in India, Hong Kong and China shortly for a few > weeks, and travel at least once a year to Europe.  I’ve been investigating > wireless solutions. > Usually, I just buy a prepaid SIM card in whatever country I find myself. > However, it is a little difficult to do this in India, plus the India does > not have good intra-country roaming. > I’ve come across a company called Roadpost which, evidently, has some tie-in > with Cingular (they gave me the phone number).  Roadpost sounds like a > pretty good deal: > $49/year subscription > $25 one-time setup charge > Local and incoming calls in most countries:  .79/minute > International calls:                                      1.59/minute > Voicemail:  $15/year > I like the idea of having a single telephone number that will work world > wide, and the yearly subscription charge isn’t all that much more than > buying separate SIMs everywhere.  The rates are also much better than what I > can get if I subscribe for a month or two at a time to one of the US GSM > carriers. > Has anyone had any experience with this company?  Is anyone aware of any > better alternatives? > Thanks!

Response:

>Has anyone had any experience with this company?  Is anyone aware of any >better alternatives? > If you went with a true GSM provider, like T-Mobile, then things would > be even easier.

T-Mobile’s coverage in the US is inadequate for me — I travel too much for business and need uninterrupted wireless access.  Verizon provides that for me. Also, T-Mobile’s international roaming rates are dramatically higher than Roadpost. > You wouldn’t have to establish a relationship with any > other company as they have roaming agreements with a provider in > pretty much any country you’d want to visit. Of course, the roaming > charges vary. > With T-Mobile, you’d only need to make sure you had a world phone as > U.S. GSM operates on the 1900 mHz band and the rest of the world does > 800 mHz. They offer several from Motorola and Samsung at subsidized > prices. Nokia just released its first world phone, the 7210, but they > aren’t subsidizing it yet and it retails for about $250. > Cingular is GSM in some markets, but where they are, they’re swapped > spectrum with T-Mobile.

Cingular’s coverage is also inadequate, and their international roaming charges are worse the T-Mobile’s. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Most of their coverage area is TDMA. In a > matter of months, AT&T will be GSM nationwide, but of course their > roaming agreements might not be as expansive as T-Mobile’s. That > remains to be seen.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> $49/year subscription > $25 one-time setup charge > Local and incoming calls in most countries:  .79/minute > International calls:                                      1.59/minute > Voicemail:  $15/year > I like the idea of having a single telephone number that will work world > wide, and the yearly subscription charge isn’t all that much more than > buying separate SIMs everywhere.  The rates are also much better than what I > can get if I subscribe for a month or two at a time to one of the US GSM > carriers. > Beware of the "single phone number".  It will cost you  AND your peers DEARLY > to receive calls since someone across the street from you in India will have > to dial to the USA to reach your number, and then you have to pay for that > call to come back to your present location in india.

I’m not expecting any calls which would originate in India.  My office in California will need to call me, my clients may need to call, mother my need to reach me, etc.  I might make local calls within India, e.g. restaurant reservations, etc., but since I don’t know anyone there, I don’t expect to receive any local-originated calls. We’ll also be spending time in China.  Unlike India, we have friends and family there, so I’ll probably pick up a SIM.  However, SIMs are very, very cheap in China and, unlike India, it is not carved up into small wireless jurisdictions that require different SIMs for each city. > From a cost point of view, prepaid cards in various countries is the best. But > sometimes can be inconvenient.

India is really problematic for a couple of reasons.  First, you have to show proof of residence to buy one, or else have a local pick it up for you. However, the biggest problem is that a SIM which works in Delhi may or may not work in Jaipur or Agra, etc. > If single phone number is what you need, then subscribe to a US GSM

carrier. Not an option.  Neither T-Mobile nor Cingular (the two GSM carriers in the US) have adequate national coverage. > Get an unlocked tri-band phone.

I already have one.  I picked up a Motorola Timeport P250 on eBay for about $100 early last spring.  Nice phone, small and reliable.  My wife took it with her through China and Hong Kong, and it worked great, with better sound quality than most of the land line phones to which she had access. >And when in countries with cheap pre-paid, you > just use your US SIM card to setup call forwarding to your current pre-paid > phone number. Local people can call you on your current prepaid phone number > (no long distance charges), while those in the USA can call you on our regular > US-based GSM number and you pay long distance.

I can do the same thing with my non-GSM US phone, i.e. I can forward it to any number I want. > And in countries where pre-pauid doesn’t work, then you pay the high roaming > costs of the US GSM carrier but you have the service you need.

Roadpost gives me much cheaper service.

Response:

Roadpost will give you a UK or Swiss phone number.  You might want to look at a company like kall8.com or accessline.com which will give you a US 800 number which can be forwarded to an international destination and changed over the web to the number you are currently using. Stu

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > $49/year subscription > > $25 one-time setup charge > > Local and incoming calls in most countries:  .79/minute > > International calls:                                      1.59/minute > > Voicemail:  $15/year > > I like the idea of having a single telephone number that will work world > > wide, and the yearly subscription charge isn’t all that much more than > > buying separate SIMs everywhere.  The rates are also much better than > what I > > can get if I subscribe for a month or two at a time to one of the US GSM > > carriers. > Beware of the "single phone number".  It will cost you  AND your peers > DEARLY > to receive calls since someone across the street from you in India will > have > to dial to the USA to reach your number, and then you have to pay for that > call to come back to your present location in india. > I’m not expecting any calls which would originate in India.  My office in > California will need to call me, my clients may need to call, mother my need > to reach me, etc.  I might make local calls within India, e.g. restaurant > reservations, etc., but since I don’t know anyone there, I don’t expect to > receive any local-originated calls. > We’ll also be spending time in China.  Unlike India, we have friends and > family there, so I’ll probably pick up a SIM.  However, SIMs are very, very > cheap in China and, unlike India, it is not carved up into small wireless > jurisdictions that require different SIMs for each city. > From a cost point of view, prepaid cards in various countries is the best. > But > sometimes can be inconvenient. > India is really problematic for a couple of reasons.  First, you have to > show proof of residence to buy one, or else have a local pick it up for you. > However, the biggest problem is that a SIM which works in Delhi may or may > not work in Jaipur or Agra, etc. > If single phone number is what you need, then subscribe to a US GSM > carrier. > Not an option.  Neither T-Mobile nor Cingular (the two GSM carriers in the > US) have adequate national coverage. > Get an unlocked tri-band phone. > I already have one.  I picked up a Motorola Timeport P250 on eBay for about > $100 early last spring.  Nice phone, small and reliable.  My wife took it > with her through China and Hong Kong, and it worked great, with better sound > quality than most of the land line phones to which she had access. >And when in countries with cheap pre-paid, you > just use your US SIM card to setup call forwarding to your current > pre-paid > phone number. Local people can call you on your current prepaid phone > number > (no long distance charges), while those in the USA can call you on our > regular > US-based GSM number and you pay long distance. > I can do the same thing with my non-GSM US phone, i.e. I can forward it to > any number I want. > And in countries where pre-pauid doesn’t work, then you pay the high > roaming > costs of the US GSM carrier but you have the service you need. > Roadpost gives me much cheaper service.

Response:

Hi – now (since the last 6 months or so) there are several phone companies in india which provide national roaming on pre paid cards. I can tell you the company names in mumbai/bangalore if you happen to visit these places. Any phone card seller can advise you on this. These cards cost less than 10 cents/Rs 5 per minute (anywhere in india). I will not work outside india. So if you are cost conscious, and intend to talk a lot, go for it. Good luck, Praty (reply on group only) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> $49/year subscription > $25 one-time setup charge > Local and incoming calls in most countries:  .79/minute > International calls:                                      1.59/minute > Voicemail:  $15/year > I like the idea of having a single telephone number that will work world > wide, and the yearly subscription charge isn’t all that much more than > buying separate SIMs everywhere.  The rates are also much better than what I > can get if I subscribe for a month or two at a time to one of the US GSM > carriers. > Beware of the "single phone number".  It will cost you  AND your peers DEARLY > to receive calls since someone across the street from you in India will have > to dial to the USA to reach your number, and then you have to pay for that > call to come back to your present location in india. > From a cost point of view, prepaid cards in various countries is the best. But > sometimes can be inconvenient. > If single phone number is what you need, then subscribe to a US GSM carrier. > Get an unlocked tri-band phone. And when in countries with cheap pre-paid, you > just use your US SIM card to setup call forwarding to your current pre-paid > phone number. Local people can call you on your current prepaid phone number > (no long distance charges), while those in the USA can call you on our regular > US-based GSM number and you pay long distance. > And in countries where pre-pauid doesn’t work, then you pay the high roaming > costs of the US GSM carrier but you have the service you need.

Response:

Trip to Italy with Children

Question:

> the real shocker for me was the UK where although the pound is worth more > than the dollar in exchange, buys about the same in goods and services as > a dollar does in the US — very expensive place for an American to travel

Ditto, was in the UK this summer and very costly.

Response:

> Do you live in Italy? Siena, to whom you’re replying, does.

What is this romper room?

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > >> That is a crock.  Depends on what you are looking for.  Some >  cost > > >> more, some cost less. Pampers (that is the brand my youngest >  is in) > > >> cost the same here in Siena as it did in San Francisco (I >  compared > > >> prices last time I visited the folks).  You should not make >  blanket > > >> statements of things you obviously know nothing about. > > > If you knew anything then you’d know San Francisco has one of >  the > > > highest cost of living in the country.  Why don’t you go off >  and > > > compare pamper prices between San Francisco and Milan and see >  what > > > you come up with.  This is a ridiculous debate, overall costs >  in > > > Italy are higher than the US…I’m not about to sit and itemize >  with > > > you what costs more and what costs less, I have better things >  to do. > > > For the benefit of travelers going to Italy its very safe to >  tell > > > them to expect to pay more for things, if they find some things > > > cheaper then thats great. > > Do you live in Italy? Siena, to whom you’re replying, does. And I > > believe she used to live in the US (she obviously writes fluent > > English, so she almost certainly used to live in some > > English-speaking country). > > So who should I believe–you, who like me has been in Italy as a > > tourist, or someone who has lived in both places? > > Don’t bother answering my rhetorical question, I already know the > > answer–Siena–and especially since her viewpoint agrees with my > > own personal experience. > Actually, you shouldn’t believe either one – first, the comparison of > prices between countries is not simple or straightforward.  Here’s a > website that offers some generalizable (and statistically valid) > comparisons between the US and various other countries – > http://www.expatforum.com/Resources/icol.htm > WARNING – before spouting off about this and that regarding the data – > read the ASSUMPTIONS document – else risk looking extremely foolish. > Across the board, the cost of living (in effect, the cost of goods and > services) are higher in Europe than the US.  Italy is about 28% more. > The UK, about 40%.  The notable exceptions are the former eastern > block countries, although this is starting to change noticeably. > My experience?  Glad you asked – European with living (not just > touristing) experience in four countries (including the US). > Can you get a good deal on Pampers in Europe?  Not in my experience – > there’s nothing cheaper than Sams. > Can you get a good deal on gasoline?  Nope.  Can you get a good deal > on wine?  You betcha, as long as its not Californian.  However, > overall one should expect to pay more for living expenses, on average, > across western Europe than in the US. > amp > the real shocker for me was the UK where although the pound is worth more > than the dollar in exchange, buys about the same in goods and services as > a dollar does in the US — very expensive place for an American to travel

My experience as well – in fact, that’s the rule of thumb we’ve used since living in the UK.  My SO is an American and she still (even after 4 years) thinks in terms of dollars when evaluating "value for money".  The data supports this relationship as well, though over the past month or so the dollar has weakened a bit making the relationship a bit different – things are even MORE expensive in the UK. Well, that ends another fine thread.  Thanks for all for playing. amp

Response:

> the real shocker for me was the UK where although the pound is worth more > than the dollar in exchange, buys about the same in goods and services as > a dollar does in the US — very expensive place for an American to travel

Ditto, was in the UK this summer and very costly.

Response:

> Do you live in Italy? Siena, to whom you’re replying, does.

What is this romper room?

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > >> That is a crock.  Depends on what you are looking for.  Some >  cost > > >> more, some cost less. Pampers (that is the brand my youngest >  is in) > > >> cost the same here in Siena as it did in San Francisco (I >  compared > > >> prices last time I visited the folks).  You should not make >  blanket > > >> statements of things you obviously know nothing about. > > > If you knew anything then you’d know San Francisco has one of >  the > > > highest cost of living in the country.  Why don’t you go off >  and > > > compare pamper prices between San Francisco and Milan and see >  what > > > you come up with.  This is a ridiculous debate, overall costs >  in > > > Italy are higher than the US…I’m not about to sit and itemize >  with > > > you what costs more and what costs less, I have better things >  to do. > > > For the benefit of travelers going to Italy its very safe to >  tell > > > them to expect to pay more for things, if they find some things > > > cheaper then thats great. > > Do you live in Italy? Siena, to whom you’re replying, does. And I > > believe she used to live in the US (she obviously writes fluent > > English, so she almost certainly used to live in some > > English-speaking country). > > So who should I believe–you, who like me has been in Italy as a > > tourist, or someone who has lived in both places? > > Don’t bother answering my rhetorical question, I already know the > > answer–Siena–and especially since her viewpoint agrees with my > > own personal experience. > Actually, you shouldn’t believe either one – first, the comparison of > prices between countries is not simple or straightforward.  Here’s a > website that offers some generalizable (and statistically valid) > comparisons between the US and various other countries – > http://www.expatforum.com/Resources/icol.htm > WARNING – before spouting off about this and that regarding the data – > read the ASSUMPTIONS document – else risk looking extremely foolish. > Across the board, the cost of living (in effect, the cost of goods and > services) are higher in Europe than the US.  Italy is about 28% more. > The UK, about 40%.  The notable exceptions are the former eastern > block countries, although this is starting to change noticeably. > My experience?  Glad you asked – European with living (not just > touristing) experience in four countries (including the US). > Can you get a good deal on Pampers in Europe?  Not in my experience – > there’s nothing cheaper than Sams. > Can you get a good deal on gasoline?  Nope.  Can you get a good deal > on wine?  You betcha, as long as its not Californian.  However, > overall one should expect to pay more for living expenses, on average, > across western Europe than in the US. > amp > the real shocker for me was the UK where although the pound is worth more > than the dollar in exchange, buys about the same in goods and services as > a dollar does in the US — very expensive place for an American to travel

My experience as well – in fact, that’s the rule of thumb we’ve used since living in the UK.  My SO is an American and she still (even after 4 years) thinks in terms of dollars when evaluating "value for money".  The data supports this relationship as well, though over the past month or so the dollar has weakened a bit making the relationship a bit different – things are even MORE expensive in the UK. Well, that ends another fine thread.  Thanks for all for playing. amp

Response:

hotels in Budapest and on the Balaton Lake

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi guys, > please help us out here: We are thinking of going to Budapest and to the > Balaton Lake in mid-August. I’ve never been there, but my husband visited > Budapest 10 years ago, though only for 3 days, and he liked Budapest a lot. > Can you suggest some decent (but reasonably priced) hotels? Good > restaurants? Things that must be seen&done? > One more thing: as we will be driving, can you suggest something interesting > to see en route? We will be driving from Trieste, Italy, through Croatia (we > want to visit some relatives in Slavonija) to Budapest; then we will be > driving from Budapest to Lake Balaton, and then back to Trieste, Italy. > Thanks for the advice, > Elly

What do you call reasonable? you should be able to get a good double room for less than EUR150 at almost any of the big hotels, if you want cheaper there are lots options, but you need to remember that rack rate is just a point from which to negotiate. I’d recommend the Kempinski at the top end, and maybe the Helia as mid market (maybe EUR80 or less?). If you want cheaper, try one of Panzio’s – many are actually full featured hotels but without 24 front desks.Try calling a couple of different travel agents locally to see what they can do, but go for the big corporate ones, as they are more likely to have business deals that mean no need to haggle. Tourists always get charged more than business bookings, I’m afraid. What sort of food do you like? OK Italia (2 places) do really good Italian(ish) food very cheap, Shalimar does excellent Indian food and Leroy Restaurant is great for steaks and the like, as well as being priced. Personally, I’d pass on ‘trad Hungarian’ places, as the are very much targeted at tourists, but any hotel will recommend dozens of them. Gundel is the ‘top’ place if you want a Hungarian treat. Loads of buildings to see, of all sorts, but try to check out the museum of old statues (from Soviet era), just north of Heros Sq. BTW Beware of Grand Prix weekend – ALL the prices will be higher, obviously. Loads of wine places and historic stuff to see by the Lake – you shouldn’t have a problem with walk in’s to hotels, as long as you don’t mind moving two doors along if a place if full. If you are prepared to rough it a little bit, you can always rent a room in a house there. Have fun (and remember: take the car papers, and drive outside town with headlights) <switches to commercial mode> or…check out http://www.apartmentbudapest.com – not mine, but belongs to a friend

Response:

This last weekend in Budapest looked awesome… high speed boat racing returned to the Danube after more than 12 years. jay Tue, Jun 25, 2002 — Legend insists that as he finished his abject… Galileo muttered under his breath: "Nevertheless, it does move."

Response:

>  How is driving through Budapest? Is the traffic very heavy? I’d like to >  leave the car at the hotel’s parking and walk / use the public transport – >  what do you recommend in this situation?

I was just in Budapest a month ago, and I think that this is probably the best course of action.  I didn’t drive there, but it seeme that traffic itself wasn’t too much of a problem.  That said, many streets do not permit left turns, which I suspect would make driving difficult for one who was not already familiar with the city. And the public transport is quite good.  It is possible to get just about anywhere a visitor is likely to go without any difficulty. I’d recommend a pass for the length of time of your visit.  A 7-day pass (and it can be any 7-day period, not just a calendar week) is under EUR10, and is good on any transport within the city limits (metro, bus, tram, and HEV railroad).  It seems to me to make things very convenient, as the ticketing system (with short tickets, long tickets, tranfer tickets, etc.) seems complex, at least for a visitor. Don’t ride without a ticket, as ticket inspectors are very common (I was checked four times in one day). I can’t comment on taxis, as I never used them.  Even after midnight, the night buses seemed sufficiently frequent for my purposes (though one was completely packed full (the first part of my trip took place on the first step just inside the door, as there was no room to move any further into the bus). FWIW, I had no problem with pickpockets (though I don’t even own a moneybelt) or any other criminal activity.  The closes I got was the stand at the bottom of the funicalar that wanted HUF600 for a half- liter bottle of water. — hate spam? <http://www.cauce.org>            <http://www.byshenk.net/ive.been.spammed.html>

Response:

> How is driving through Budapest? Is the traffic very heavy? I’d like to > leave the car at the hotel’s parking and walk / use the public transport – > what do you recommend in this situation? > BTW, thanks for all the info! > Elly

personally, I enjoy it – but then I have to drive in London and hate that. Basically, its two big ring roads, with straight forward block layout in between. easy to navigate, almost no left turns at main roads but the one way zones are every other street, so you just drive up one and come back (if that makes sense). HOWEVER… car crime is not unknown, nice cars do go missing, as do stereos if they aren’t covered, AND driving at night can be a pain from frequest stops for the cops – they run drive by stops for everyone, looking for stolen cars and drivers who have been drinking (legal limit is ZERO, not 0.0008, but zero – its not worth it). Given that taxis cost about EUR 0.50 / km and that the centre is relatively small, I never drive at night, its not worth the hassle. Taxis do not get upset at short trips.  Public transport is good, you can get day / 3day etc passes good for metro / tram / bus etc, or buy a discount book of tickets. Lots of other people warn of pickpokets on the trams, but I’m not convinced – bigger problem is the metro where you must stamp you ticket yourself before you go down the tunnel – inspectors target tourists because they know the dont understand it – get a day / 3 day ticket and the problem vanishes. Walking is fine (but it will be hot). I use public transport until about 18h00 and taxis after. Enjoy it.

Response:

How is driving through Budapest? Is the traffic very heavy? I’d like to leave the car at the hotel’s parking and walk / use the public transport – what do you recommend in this situation? BTW, thanks for all the info! Elly – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Problems: watch out for pickpockets in the subways, and avoid taxis, which > will > fleece you. > I’m not going to comment on pickpockets (views well know!), but the taxis > are all now regulated, with a max per km travelled. It *is* possible to get > ripped off if you insist on getting in a large black Merc with no signs > except for promos for strip bars in the back window, and its possible to pay > over what the ‘good’ ones charge, but the days of monster taxi bills are > largely gone. Recommended (in my personal order): City Taxi, Fo Taxi, Esti > Taxi, Tele5, 6×6, BudaTaxi (there are others). Not recommended: anything > without a sign on the roof, or, more importantly, a price sticker in the > window and a licence on the dash. > BTW At Balaton, negotiate a price FIRST – prices are basically double out > side ‘home’ village, and bills can rise steeply in the countryside.

Response:

Two three-star hotels in the center of Budapest are the Nemzeti and the Emke. Nemzeti is more elegant in appearance and has an old-world charm.  Both are operated by the Pannonia chain.  Emke offers a buffet breakfast. Both are close to the Jewish quarter and the reconstructed synagogue.  There are many restaurants close by.  I remember one called the Carmel which had great food. There are many things to do and see, depending on your interests and tastes. Get a good guidebook and check it out. There are many interesting day trips out of Budapest.  I particularly liked Kesckemet, southeast of the city. Train and bus service are excellent. Problems: watch out for pickpockets in the subways, and avoid taxis, which will fleece you.

Response:

> Problems: watch out for pickpockets in the subways, and avoid taxis, which will > fleece you.

I’m not going to comment on pickpockets (views well know!), but the taxis are all now regulated, with a max per km travelled. It *is* possible to get ripped off if you insist on getting in a large black Merc with no signs except for promos for strip bars in the back window, and its possible to pay over what the ‘good’ ones charge, but the days of monster taxi bills are largely gone. Recommended (in my personal order): City Taxi, Fo Taxi, Esti Taxi, Tele5, 6×6, BudaTaxi (there are others). Not recommended: anything without a sign on the roof, or, more importantly, a price sticker in the window and a licence on the dash. BTW At Balaton, negotiate a price FIRST – prices are basically double out side ‘home’ village, and bills can rise steeply in the countryside.

Response:

Hi guys, please help us out here: We are thinking of going to Budapest and to the Balaton Lake in mid-August. I’ve never been there, but my husband visited Budapest 10 years ago, though only for 3 days, and he liked Budapest a lot. Can you suggest some decent (but reasonably priced) hotels? Good restaurants? Things that must be seen&done? One more thing: as we will be driving, can you suggest something interesting to see en route? We will be driving from Trieste, Italy, through Croatia (we want to visit some relatives in Slavonija) to Budapest; then we will be driving from Budapest to Lake Balaton, and then back to Trieste, Italy. Thanks for the advice, Elly

Response:

Hi guys, please help us out here: We are thinking of going to Budapest and to the Balaton Lake in mid-August. I’ve never been there, but my husband visited Budapest 10 years ago, though only for 3 days, and he liked Budapest a lot. Can you suggest some decent (but reasonably priced) hotels? Good restaurants? Things that must be seen&done? One more thing: as we will be driving, can you suggest something interesting to see en route? We will be driving from Trieste, Italy, through Croatia (we want to visit some relatives in Slavonija) to Budapest; then we will be driving from Budapest to Lake Balaton, and then back to Trieste, Italy. Thanks for the advice, Elly

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi guys, > please help us out here: We are thinking of going to Budapest and to the > Balaton Lake in mid-August. I’ve never been there, but my husband visited > Budapest 10 years ago, though only for 3 days, and he liked Budapest a lot. > Can you suggest some decent (but reasonably priced) hotels? Good > restaurants? Things that must be seen&done? > One more thing: as we will be driving, can you suggest something interesting > to see en route? We will be driving from Trieste, Italy, through Croatia (we > want to visit some relatives in Slavonija) to Budapest; then we will be > driving from Budapest to Lake Balaton, and then back to Trieste, Italy. > Thanks for the advice, > Elly

What do you call reasonable? you should be able to get a good double room for less than EUR150 at almost any of the big hotels, if you want cheaper there are lots options, but you need to remember that rack rate is just a point from which to negotiate. I’d recommend the Kempinski at the top end, and maybe the Helia as mid market (maybe EUR80 or less?). If you want cheaper, try one of Panzio’s – many are actually full featured hotels but without 24 front desks.Try calling a couple of different travel agents locally to see what they can do, but go for the big corporate ones, as they are more likely to have business deals that mean no need to haggle. Tourists always get charged more than business bookings, I’m afraid. What sort of food do you like? OK Italia (2 places) do really good Italian(ish) food very cheap, Shalimar does excellent Indian food and Leroy Restaurant is great for steaks and the like, as well as being priced. Personally, I’d pass on ‘trad Hungarian’ places, as the are very much targeted at tourists, but any hotel will recommend dozens of them. Gundel is the ‘top’ place if you want a Hungarian treat. Loads of buildings to see, of all sorts, but try to check out the museum of old statues (from Soviet era), just north of Heros Sq. BTW Beware of Grand Prix weekend – ALL the prices will be higher, obviously. Loads of wine places and historic stuff to see by the Lake – you shouldn’t have a problem with walk in’s to hotels, as long as you don’t mind moving two doors along if a place if full. If you are prepared to rough it a little bit, you can always rent a room in a house there. Have fun (and remember: take the car papers, and drive outside town with headlights) <switches to commercial mode> or…check out http://www.apartmentbudapest.com – not mine, but belongs to a friend

Response:

Two three-star hotels in the center of Budapest are the Nemzeti and the Emke. Nemzeti is more elegant in appearance and has an old-world charm.  Both are operated by the Pannonia chain.  Emke offers a buffet breakfast. Both are close to the Jewish quarter and the reconstructed synagogue.  There are many restaurants close by.  I remember one called the Carmel which had great food. There are many things to do and see, depending on your interests and tastes. Get a good guidebook and check it out. There are many interesting day trips out of Budapest.  I particularly liked Kesckemet, southeast of the city. Train and bus service are excellent. Problems: watch out for pickpockets in the subways, and avoid taxis, which will fleece you.

Response:

> Problems: watch out for pickpockets in the subways, and avoid taxis, which will > fleece you.

I’m not going to comment on pickpockets (views well know!), but the taxis are all now regulated, with a max per km travelled. It *is* possible to get ripped off if you insist on getting in a large black Merc with no signs except for promos for strip bars in the back window, and its possible to pay over what the ‘good’ ones charge, but the days of monster taxi bills are largely gone. Recommended (in my personal order): City Taxi, Fo Taxi, Esti Taxi, Tele5, 6×6, BudaTaxi (there are others). Not recommended: anything without a sign on the roof, or, more importantly, a price sticker in the window and a licence on the dash. BTW At Balaton, negotiate a price FIRST – prices are basically double out side ‘home’ village, and bills can rise steeply in the countryside.

Response:

How is driving through Budapest? Is the traffic very heavy? I’d like to leave the car at the hotel’s parking and walk / use the public transport – what do you recommend in this situation? BTW, thanks for all the info! Elly – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Problems: watch out for pickpockets in the subways, and avoid taxis, which > will > fleece you. > I’m not going to comment on pickpockets (views well know!), but the taxis > are all now regulated, with a max per km travelled. It *is* possible to get > ripped off if you insist on getting in a large black Merc with no signs > except for promos for strip bars in the back window, and its possible to pay > over what the ‘good’ ones charge, but the days of monster taxi bills are > largely gone. Recommended (in my personal order): City Taxi, Fo Taxi, Esti > Taxi, Tele5, 6×6, BudaTaxi (there are others). Not recommended: anything > without a sign on the roof, or, more importantly, a price sticker in the > window and a licence on the dash. > BTW At Balaton, negotiate a price FIRST – prices are basically double out > side ‘home’ village, and bills can rise steeply in the countryside.

Response:

> How is driving through Budapest? Is the traffic very heavy? I’d like to > leave the car at the hotel’s parking and walk / use the public transport – > what do you recommend in this situation? > BTW, thanks for all the info! > Elly

personally, I enjoy it – but then I have to drive in London and hate that. Basically, its two big ring roads, with straight forward block layout in between. easy to navigate, almost no left turns at main roads but the one way zones are every other street, so you just drive up one and come back (if that makes sense). HOWEVER… car crime is not unknown, nice cars do go missing, as do stereos if they aren’t covered, AND driving at night can be a pain from frequest stops for the cops – they run drive by stops for everyone, looking for stolen cars and drivers who have been drinking (legal limit is ZERO, not 0.0008, but zero – its not worth it). Given that taxis cost about EUR 0.50 / km and that the centre is relatively small, I never drive at night, its not worth the hassle. Taxis do not get upset at short trips.  Public transport is good, you can get day / 3day etc passes good for metro / tram / bus etc, or buy a discount book of tickets. Lots of other people warn of pickpokets on the trams, but I’m not convinced – bigger problem is the metro where you must stamp you ticket yourself before you go down the tunnel – inspectors target tourists because they know the dont understand it – get a day / 3 day ticket and the problem vanishes. Walking is fine (but it will be hot). I use public transport until about 18h00 and taxis after. Enjoy it.

Response:

This last weekend in Budapest looked awesome… high speed boat racing returned to the Danube after more than 12 years. jay Tue, Jun 25, 2002 — Legend insists that as he finished his abject… Galileo muttered under his breath: "Nevertheless, it does move."

Response:

>  How is driving through Budapest? Is the traffic very heavy? I’d like to >  leave the car at the hotel’s parking and walk / use the public transport – >  what do you recommend in this situation?

I was just in Budapest a month ago, and I think that this is probably the best course of action.  I didn’t drive there, but it seeme that traffic itself wasn’t too much of a problem.  That said, many streets do not permit left turns, which I suspect would make driving difficult for one who was not already familiar with the city. And the public transport is quite good.  It is possible to get just about anywhere a visitor is likely to go without any difficulty. I’d recommend a pass for the length of time of your visit.  A 7-day pass (and it can be any 7-day period, not just a calendar week) is under EUR10, and is good on any transport within the city limits (metro, bus, tram, and HEV railroad).  It seems to me to make things very convenient, as the ticketing system (with short tickets, long tickets, tranfer tickets, etc.) seems complex, at least for a visitor. Don’t ride without a ticket, as ticket inspectors are very common (I was checked four times in one day). I can’t comment on taxis, as I never used them.  Even after midnight, the night buses seemed sufficiently frequent for my purposes (though one was completely packed full (the first part of my trip took place on the first step just inside the door, as there was no room to move any further into the bus). FWIW, I had no problem with pickpockets (though I don’t even own a moneybelt) or any other criminal activity.  The closes I got was the stand at the bottom of the funicalar that wanted HUF600 for a half- liter bottle of water. — hate spam? <http://www.cauce.org>            <http://www.byshenk.net/ive.been.spammed.html>

Response:

VOX Clyde McCOY picture

Question:

I just came across this old Wah I have had for a about 16 years.  I traded a brand new morley wha-volume pedal for it because I like the sound.  I broke it out just 2 nights ago.  It is a Clyde McCOY Picture Wah. This is a picture of the model I have. http://utopia.knoware.nl/%7Etomh/wah/clypibot.JPG I am looking to find out more about it.   Can I get parts?  (it’s in good shape, I the plastic tensioner has dried up & I it could use the round gear, although it works fine as is) Do people collect these things to use or just to have? Is it really that hard to come by the picture model? How much might someone buy something like this for? THE CLYDE McCOY Wha Wha Pedal Thomas Organ Co. SEPULVEDA, CALIFORNIA PATs. Pending (Picture of Clyde I assume) Tells about unplugging for longest Bat. Life EP. No I923 Made in Italy It works great, I like the wide sweep and the high end tones you can get from it. If any one has any info. about this pedal, drop me an e-mail. Thanks

Response:

> I just came across this old Wah I have had for a about 16 years.  I > traded a brand new morley wha-volume pedal for it because I like the > sound.  I broke it out just 2 nights ago.  It is a Clyde McCOY Picture > Wah.

Made in Italy… probably has the Fasel inductor.  That is one of the keepers… worth hundreds of bux, as I’m sure you know. Go to geofex and learn more about wahs in general.  A quote from the link:  > The wahs with Clyde McCoy’s picture on the bottom plate  > and inductors marked "Fasel" are especially prized. and the link: http://geofex.com/Article_Folders/wahpedl/wahped.htm Enjoy your classic effect, others will drool.  And no, I don’t want to drop you an email, since you might just be trolling before the big sale (e-zbuy.com, eh?).  Massive crossposting killed. __ Steve .

Response:

> I just came across this old Wah I have had for a about 16 years.  I > traded a brand new morley wha-volume pedal for it because I like the > sound.  I broke it out just 2 nights ago.  It is a Clyde McCOY Picture > Wah. > Can I get parts?  (it’s in good shape, I the plastic tensioner has > dried up & I it could use the round gear, although it works fine as > is)

You may be able to get them, or crib them off other older wahs that are less valuable. > Do people collect these things to use or just to have?

Yes, the Clyde McCoy wahs are very collectible, especially to use, because they generally sound awesome. > Is it really that hard to come by the picture model?

They’re fairly rare, especially in good condition. > How much might someone buy something like this for?

$400+, depending on condition. They show up on eBay occasionally. For more information on these wahs, go to Analog Man’s website at http://www.analogman.com and follow the links. Kate Ebneter Collector of Noise Toys

Response:

> > I just came across this old Wah I have had for a about 16 years.  I > traded a brand new morley wha-volume pedal for it because I like the > sound.  I broke it out just 2 nights ago.  It is a Clyde McCOY Picture > Wah. > Made in Italy… probably has the Fasel inductor.  That is one > of the keepers… worth hundreds of bux, as I’m sure you know.

See below: It probably has a halo inductor in it. But it is worth quite a bit, especially if it’s in good shape. > Go to geofex and learn more about wahs in general.  A quote from > the link: >  > The wahs with Clyde McCoy’s picture on the bottom plate >  > and inductors marked "Fasel" are especially prized.

Alas, that’s incorrect: AFAIK, there aren’t any such wahs. The Clyde McCoy picture wahs have so-called "halo" inductors in them — and they are, indeed, especially prized. Kate Ebneter Collector of Noise Toys

Response:

Vox is making a reissue of that wah. http://namm.harmony-central.com/WNAMM02/Content/Vox/PR/Clyde-McCoy-Re… tml Jeremy

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I just came across this old Wah I have had for a about 16 years.  I > traded a brand new morley wha-volume pedal for it because I like the > sound.  I broke it out just 2 nights ago.  It is a Clyde McCOY Picture > Wah. > This is a picture of the model I have. > http://utopia.knoware.nl/%7Etomh/wah/clypibot.JPG > I am looking to find out more about it. > Can I get parts?  (it’s in good shape, I the plastic tensioner has > dried up & I it could use the round gear, although it works fine as > is) > Do people collect these things to use or just to have? > Is it really that hard to come by the picture model? > How much might someone buy something like this for? > THE CLYDE McCOY > Wha Wha Pedal > Thomas Organ Co. > SEPULVEDA, CALIFORNIA > PATs. Pending > (Picture of Clyde I assume) > Tells about unplugging for longest Bat. Life > EP. No I923 > Made in Italy > It works great, I like the wide sweep and the high end tones you can > get from it. > If any one has any info. about this pedal, drop me an e-mail. > Thanks

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I just came across this old Wah I have had for a about 16 years.  I > traded a brand new morley wha-volume pedal for it because I like the > sound.  I broke it out just 2 nights ago.  It is a Clyde McCOY Picture > Wah. > Made in Italy… probably has the Fasel inductor.  That is one > of the keepers… worth hundreds of bux, as I’m sure you know. > Go to geofex and learn more about wahs in general.  A quote from > the link: >  > The wahs with Clyde McCoy’s picture on the bottom plate >  > and inductors marked "Fasel" are especially prized. > and the link: > http://geofex.com/Article_Folders/wahpedl/wahped.htm > Enjoy your classic effect, others will drool.  And no, I don’t > want to drop you an email, since you might just be trolling before > the big sale (e-zbuy.com, eh?).  Massive crossposting killed. > __ > Steve > .

Thanks for the info, honestly I am not so sure I want to sell it, I think would rather get the couple of parts I am looking for and keep it.  $400 is not going to make me rich, and I have had it for a long time. The e-zbuy domain, yeh its an idea I had started and created this site for a friend.  He was going to sell "World of Products" sh** erahh stuff there.  I was going to get half of the profit of each item sold off the site.  Come to find out after shipping he makes almost nothing.  Any how, I am toying with the idea of re-vamping the site and trying to get people to post these kinds of items up there.   If anyone has an idea for this site and an auction/classified script let me know, I will work with you.  You bring the product, I can make the site.  Right now you can post all you want for free and re-post as needed.  It’s just not out there for people to find right now. As for trolling for the big sale, I guess I am more or less trolling for info.  I really never knew people took such in interest in guitar effects to collect (had I only known years ago)   I may start buying old effect that I come across locally and using this site to sell them or something.  Yet as you can tell I know nothing about them (when they were made, the value who made them, are they rare)  This VOX I have had for many years, I loved the sound so  I traded for it.  The kid I got it from only saw that it was old & he was getting a new morley Wha/Volume (a hendrix model, in his eyes he got the better deal)  I heard the wide sweep and tones that the morley could’nt hit, so I traded (like in 1987). If anyone has any parts for me on this I would greatly appreciate it. Looking for: Plastic tensioner (looped keeps tension on the vertical gear) Round gear (held in with a pin, the kid I got this off, adjusted it and did not consider the extra travel when you click down on the switch) I have improvised on both of these things and it works great, I guess I would rather have it right. Thanks Again

Response:

> Looking for: > Plastic tensioner (looped keeps tension on the vertical gear) > Round gear (held in with a pin, the kid I got this off, adjusted it > and did not consider the extra travel when you click down on the > switch)

The plastic tensioner is the same thing as a nylon cable clamp… check your local version of Rat Shak for that. The nylon gear is not a replaceable assembly… you buy the complete pot/gear assy and replace the whole thing.  Perhaps you can rig something by getting the assembly and stealing the gear… don’t know, haven’t had one worth fixing like yours.  Get ahold of Mike Fuller: www.fulltone.com and see if he’s got parts… I know he makes a really good replacement pot/gear. __ Steve .

Response:

> Can I get parts?  . . . plastic tensioner . . . round gear

Try http://www.fulltone.com/stpframe.html You can replace the pot with a high turns count model similar to the original for $30.  Comes with the gear.  You may be on your own for the tensioner.  Might try buying some plastic wire-holder clips at Radio Slack or another electronics store, then modifying it to work. Chris

Response:

I sell wah parts- new & used. Dunlop type (15 teeth) gear-          $3.00 via mail-  need to know if it is a "D" pot shaft or simply round (1/4") Nylon "clip"                              No charge with above purchase I am on vacation until Feb 1.  Call at that time. Tom Lanik North Star Audio 800 228-3538 http://www.rogermayerusa.com

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Made in Italy… probably has the Fasel inductor.  That is one > of the keepers… worth hundreds of bux, as I’m sure you know. > See below: It probably has a halo inductor in it. But it is worth quite > a bit, especially if it’s in good shape. > Go to geofex and learn more about wahs in general.  A quote from > the link: >  > The wahs with Clyde McCoy’s picture on the bottom plate >  > and inductors marked "Fasel" are especially prized. > Alas, that’s incorrect: AFAIK, there aren’t any such wahs. The Clyde > McCoy picture wahs have so-called "halo" inductors in them — and they > are, indeed, especially prized. > Kate Ebneter > Collector of Noise Toys

Well I opened it up again, I found a picture of something that looks like (inductor) http://members.chello.nl/~t.heertjes/Wah%20wah.html Down towards the bottom, it shows different inductors (who would have thought this stuff would be out here??)  Any how, the top one (Vox Clyde Mccoys / stickermodel italy/early crybaby wah) looks like the one in my wha, the board is layed out differently, but the it is round with a silver (tin) cap.  Halo I guess. Mark

Response: