| OCR Text |
Show 4T The Salt lake Tribune Sonday.July 24, 1983 What are benefits, risks of charter flights? by James Yenckel Washington Post Writer WASHINGTON The traveler was grumbling. She and her husband had recently returned to Washington from a vacation in Europe on a budget charter flight from Paris, and for them it had not been a happy experience. For one thing, the flights departure was delayed for four hours, and during the tedious wait in the airport they could find no one to explain what was going on. And p then, though they understood the flight was back to Washington, it landed first in Boston where, after clearing customs, they encountered another long delay. Again, they had difficulty getting an explanation. It ruined our vacation, she says. After 10 days of relaxing, we were so miserable coming back. r Frequent travelers probably wont consider a delay, even on a scheduled airline flight, extraordinary. But whnt really agitated the couple was not having anyone to turn to for information when the complications arose. The charter company, Travel Committee Inc. of Baltimore, appeared to have no counter or staff at either Paris or Boston airports. There was no charter operator you could complain You got no feeling of being a to, says the woman. customer." In response, Norma Guard, a spokesman for Travel Committee, says the charter was flown by Pan American, and that airline's staff was responsible for flight information. Pack the Plane The couple was among the tens of thousands of Americans annually who sign up for public charter flights and tours, where the idea is to pack the plane as full as possible to keep the cost low. One estimate is that 25 percent of last summers vacation travelers to Europe booked on a airline, a substantial chunk of the transatlantic business. And, based on reports from travel agents and the Civil Aeronautics Board, most of them were at least satisfied enough not to make any complaints. Off the top of my head, says Dean Witt of CAB's office of congressional, community and consumer affairs, I dont think that the percentage of complaints on charter operations is any greater than that for scheduled service. The attraction of a charter flight, of course, is bargain rates, which may save travelers up to hundreds of dollars on airfare and tour packages. For example. Travel Committee is offering a limited number of $451 round-tri- p charters weekly to London from Baltimore-Wash-ingto- n airport, compared to $549 advertised by Trans d World Airlines. However, any ticket-buye- r is to comparison shop; in the face of competition, scheduled airlines have been cutting rates. non-sto- four-hou- well-advise- The fact is, says Witt, charter flights are very reasonable transportation. For the thousands who have been transported without any problems, its a real beneficial segment of the industry. But complaints do get filed, sometimes because passengers misunderstand the nature of the charter business. They expect the same kind of service from charters they get from a scheduled airline, and that isnt necessarily so. There are those who think theyre going first class, who werent pampered, and they beef, says H. William Cordes, vice president of consumer affairs for the America Society of Travel Agents. If they were properly prepared by a travel agent for the possible inconvenience, then they would be able to absorb it, and they dont complain. Cordes office heard complaints last summer about a n charter operators who were often simply inaccessible to passengers or travel agents who had made reservations. Some ticket-holderhe says, could not get through by phone to cancel until it was too late to avoid a cancellation penalty fee. It was frustrating. half-doze- s, Pay For travel agent, who estimates What You As one Washington 60 percent of his vacation clientele books on charters, advises customers; You get what you pay for. Should you consider a charter? And how do you find out who is flying where for what price? The answer to the first question is really up to you once you know what you get and dont get from a charter. In years past, some charter firms operated on fairly shaky financial ground, and there were reports of travelers abroad whose flights home were suddenly canceled because the firm went out of business. In the late 70s, however, the CAB introduced regulations aimed at eliminating many of the problems. Now, explains Witt, any firm entering the public charter business must obtain some form of surety bond in the amount of the total fare collected for each flight Or, if the charter is part of a regular series, the bond is $10,000 per flight but passenger payments are to be placed in a bank escrow account Passengers write out their check either to a travel agent or the escrow account but not to the charter firm. The charter firm does not get the money until the trip is completed. This seems to be working, but occasionally, says Witt some charter firms do get off the track. Some you cant trust to the extent you would like to. Public charters are different from affinity charters, in which an organization arranges a flight for its mem- pre-pai- Olympic Arts Festival for whole person by Margo Miller Boston Globe Writer With the worlds athletes getting all the attention, it may not have "come to your attention that the charter for the Olympic Games re-quires the host to provide a cultural component along with the sports facilities. Out in Los Angeles, theyre busy million arts festival planning a $10 so that the whole person will be served by the 1984 Olympics. The festival will run July 1 through Aug. 12 (1984) at a number of locations in and around Los Angeles. International in scope, with some 20 foreign countries sending more than 50 performing ensembles and at least 12 exhibitions, the festival will also showcase California and American arts. Ticket information .will be released in November. To put yourself on a mailing list, write: Olympic Arts Festival, Los Angeles Olympics Organizing Committee, Los Angeles, Calif. 90084. Here is some idea of who may perform. England's Royal Opera will make its first trip ever to the United States next July, with Sir Colin Davis conducting all 11 performances of the three repertory works. Jon Vickers will sing the title role in Britten's Peter Grimes. Puccinis Turandot has Gwyneth Jones in the title role, Leona Mitchell singing her first Liu, and Placido Domingo The Magic as Calaf. Mozarts Flute lists Stuart Burrows, Helen Donath, Thomas Allen, Carla Del Re and Robert Lloyd. An experimental opera, Civil War, by Robert Wilson and composer Philip Glass may represent the United States. Still in the planning stage, the $3 million production has the subtitle A Tree Is Best Measured When It Is Down. It begins and ends in the jungle, takes a trip into space and the characters include any number of famous people (and animals). All the worlds a stage, and several European theater troupes may bring their productions of Shakespeare. These tentatively include a Georgian-languag- e version of Richard III by the Rustaveli Players of the Soviet Union Frances Theatre du Soleil would do Richard II. "Twelfth Night" and both parts of Henry IV. Italy's Piccolo Tea-trMilano has suggested "II Dance companies i EUROPEAN v7 0 Vy DELIVERY Order Your New Volkswagen for Delivery in Europe. Free Ocean Shipping to U Thru when Ordered McDonald at Volkswagen 3711 So. Ph. 262-640- 1 State S EXPERIENCE THROUGH JOIN THE TRAVEL AGENT ON A UNIQUE CRUISING THE PANAMA CANAL consider to Seating may be more crowded than you are used flight a Baggage wont be checked from connecting to a charter or vice versa. You must allow time to retrieve your suitcase from the connecting flight and check it with the charter. As the departure date approaches, the charter operator may reduce the price of a ticket to fill the rest of the plane. Passengers who have already paid are not entitled to the cheaper rate. All charter flights and tours are subject to changes You may cancel with a refund only in the case of four major changes, specifically a change in the departure or return date, "unless the date change results from a a flight delay; a change in the departure or return city, in an increase or m in a the hotels tour, change package price, if it is more than 10 percent of what you paid. e last-minu- te Simplest Way The simplest way to find out what public charters are available is to check with a reputable travel agent Most subscribe to Jax Fax Travel Marketing Magazine, a monthly listing of thousands of flights. (The magazine is aimed at travel industry professionals, but a years introductory subcription is $12 from Jet Airtransport Exchange Inc., 280 Tokeneke Rd., Darien, Conn. 06820.) Also, flights frequently are advertised in newspapers and magazines. Jax Fax includes listings from a number of U.S. cities to about 80 U.S. and foreign destinations. The most heavily traveled route is to Europe. There are considerably fewer listings for South America and the Pacific. To protect yourself on a charter offering: Ask your travel agent about the firm's performance record or phone CAB's consumer affairs office at 7 for the complaint record. (202) Read the operator-participacontract closely before paying any money. It spells out what you are buy- can-cellat- er I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I B B B B B B B B B nt ing. Charters can be a wise travel investment when you find one within your price range, and if you can be flexible in your travel plans," says the CAB. Just be sure you know the conditions for the trip youre buying before you pay for it LEISURE TOURS TRAVEL CLUB JOIN NOW And Receive Monthly TRAVEL BULLETINS ZION, LAS VEGAS HOUDAY Sp. 12 4 Day Includes Transportation, three nights accommodations on the stnp at The Hacienda HoteT Taxes . Tips Fully escorted with A $105 Dbi. Occ. YELLOWSTONE TETON ADVENTURE 4 doys3 nights Aug. 9th A Aug 23rd Tour Aecommcaattors includes Transportation Old Faitnfui Canyon 1 West YeMowstore & Nat I Park Teton Grand Areas Ja xsor Wyoming lae $145 JACKSON FLOAT TOUR 3 Days Aug. 12th X Spt. 3rd 2 Nights Includes Transportation. Accommodations Jack Aerwt Tram Car nde to the top of the River Float Trip Melodrama Theatre. Tout Grand Teton Natl Park son. Wyo Tetons. 1 Tour Las Vegas, San shopping tour A Wild Angeles City Hollywood Disneyland with day Return Las Vegas Includes Transportation Diego City with Tijuana Animal Park ' Tour Los Full Farmer s Market $285 $135 RENO iivioes Carson C Tju Includes Round Trip Transportation. Amhak across the newiy completed Spanish Fork and Colorado Rocky Route Tour Denver A Old Central City Incudes ait transfers and morning accommodations Gryd Dbl. Occ. $179 TAHOE TOUR Aug. 15 A 22 on 7 accommocatons it r s Sc Snore Lake Tano jnd omptef une our re .an ty ADVENTURE 3 Days September 23rd & LAKE ransporjf $155 August 16th , Inc woes Transooitat'on Tour Z ons Nat Park & $95 10 Days $440 Dbl. Occ. 1 Wendover Wednesday 1 Day $10.00 Per Person Elko Tuesdays 2 Days $7.00 Per Person fly Saturdays 2 Days $13.50 Per Person Dbl. Occ. W.F. JOHNSON TRAVEL AGENCY Howard Johnson Hotel, Suite 101, 122 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101 Ph Dbl. Occ. Includes Transportation. Tour Ontario. Spokane. Grand Coulee Oam. Seattle. Seattle City two nights Portland, Ore Oregon coast to Eureka. Calif The famous Redwoods to San Francisco with SK'tseemg Return Reno. Nevada Dbl. Occ. Ail accommodations includes Transportation Tour Aaterton Lakes Natl Park Banff Natl Park Lake Lou'S Jasper Natl Park and to Cofumoia kre Fields Steamer to Varcouwr wth Sightseeing keiowna, Victoria Seattle Grand Coutee Dam. Spokane and much much mere $530 on Campus Two Plays of Vence FALL FOLIAGE West 10 Days Sept. 6th CANADIAN ROCKIES & PACIFIC NORTHWEST 11 Days August 8th obi. occ. Days Accommodations $ Cedar Breaks Gentlemen of Verona and Merchant Matinee Monachs Fully Escorted includes Transportation. Accommodations Tour Helena. Lethbridge, Regina. Winnipeg for three nights with Complete City Tour M S River Rouge Cruise. Rapid City, Spearfish for Passion Play. Mt Rushmore Custer State Park A More $5 10 24-- 3 August Elko Dbl. Occ. CENTRAL CANADIAN Dbl. Occ SHAKEPEAREAN FESTIVAL TOUR G.f C fy WINNIPEG WATERWAYS Dbl. Occ. SAN DIEGO & DISNEYLAND TOUR 7 Days Aug. 1 th unlimited ridetcket and nc lodes Transportation Accommodations 3ryce Canyon Nat Park North R m ot the a iyor witn Cape Royat A Zion Nat l Park Dbl Occ $145 BRYCE GRAND CANYON TOUR Aug. 1 5th A Sept. 9th 3 Days Aug. 8 8 B B B B 673-604- 363-792- NKVAOA. OVHMGMT PArruts to axo. SHOM PStCI DtSCOUMT CALL OS wwn roe complin itinh-A1AG tom roe AMTtAJt a holetv 2 ON THE LUXURIOUS ROYAL ODYSSEY! DEPARTURE JANUARY 10, 1984 -- 10 MARVELOUS DAYS. GROUP CRUISE EXCITING PORTS OF CALL: PACKAGE INCLUDES: CURACAO CARTAGENA PANAMA CANAL ARUBA CALDERA. COSTA RICA BALBOA (PANAMA CITY) ACALPULCO Round Trip Air from Salt Lake Cruise Accommodations All Shore Excursions All Tips and Portage A Credit towards purchases Plus much more . . . From $1848.00 Per Person Dbl. Occ. CALL TODAY FOR YOUR FREE BROCHURE AND IF YOU GIVE US YOUR DEPOSIT BEFORE JULY 29th, YOU WILL RECEIVE A $200.00 PER PERSON CREDIT AFTER FINAL PAYMENT. Ship Registered in Greece FOR YOUR CRUISE VACATION. TALK TO THE PROFESSIONALS. Fashion Village Square 273 West 500 South (Suite 7) P.O. Box F Bountiful, UT. 84010 5 (801) Serving the entire Salt Lake Valley Kra T IME OCJ f.'UIOS OTKSOT Traci Take a Fun Ship cruise to the Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines will pay your full round trip air fare. includes round trip airfare, 8 days and 7 nights Waikiki Beach Hotel, round trip transfers including baggage tips, flower lei greeting, memory album and more. Ilnnsanf llmiimim llnlidniis Virtually everything's included for the low price of your cruise Round trip air fare eight meals and snacks a day .a full gambling casino... live 292-040- six-ho- o invited or signed include: Les Ballets Africains from Guinea, the U.S. debut of the Pina Bausch Company from West Germany, the U.S.S.R.s Moiseyev Dance Company, Mexicos Ballets Folklorico, Canadas Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the London Contemporary Dance Theater. Japan may send the demon drummers from Kodo and the Sankai Juku Dancers, and China may send the Chendju acrobats and musicians. American companies may include Merce Cunningham, Twyla Tharp, Elliot Feld, Bella Lewitsky and Alwin Nikolais. Los Angeles own Aman Folk Dancers would perform dances of early California. Exhibitions tentatively include a show of French Impressionists, with 50 pictures lent by the Louvre, and art works inspired by the automobile. There may be a series of sports films, with athletics as a metaphor for the human condition. the big carriers have more flexibility in providing a substitute, especially at peak travel times when a small charter airline company may have all of us planes heavily committed. Other points the CAB says charter passengers should bers and they share the cost Affinity charters are not included under the consumer protecuon provisions of public charters. Seats are restricted to members and immediate families, and the flight can only be advertised among the membership, unless the organization files a prospectus with the CAB as a public charter. The prospectus for each public charter must include a participant contract spelling out all the condiUons for the flight, including refund policies, which can be fairly stringent The participant contract usually is the small pnnt on the travel brochure, and it is important that passengers read it because this is where one discovers how charters differ from scheduled flights. Some charter operators will make no refunds on airfare within 60 days of the flight Scheduled airlines also often have refund limitations on their special fares, but the penalty rarely is so stiff. Passengers canceling out on a TWA advance-purchas(APEX) ticket within 21 days, for example, lose only $50. Out of Lock bit a farther, charter passengers must Taking this show up at the airport on time (or hope their connecting flight is prompt), says the CAB. because if the charter takes off without them, youre probably out of luck. The only hope is if the charter operator takes pity and can fit a tardy passenger on a later trip. To avoid loss of money because of a due to an illness or a death in the family, charter passengers should consider purchasing trip cancellation insurance. Some charter operators recommend it strongly. Charter passengers should also be aware that the operator can cancel a trip (with full refund) up to 10 days before departure, usually because enough seats have not been sold to make the flight profitable. That can be a hotels blow to people who have made a lot of plans at home or who have no flexiabroad, a house-sittbility in their vacation schedule. Like any other flight," says the CAB, a charter is subject to delays, and certain regulations apply. On an international flight, the delay can be up to 48 hours before the charter operator must come up with substitute transportation or a refund. On a domestic flight, the delay need only be six hours. More Flexibility As a practical matter, passengers probably are better protected from extensive delays when their charter is flown by a large scheduled carrier (Pan American, United, American). If an aircraft has mechanical problems. entertainment nightly., dance bands ..parties... and dozens of shipboard activities You get value no land vacation can match' Every Saturday and Sunday the fabulous Fun Ships"- - Carmvale. Festivale and Mardi Gras depart from Miami for exotic Caribbean ports Pnie port pp' person tv.s- - : jn do ,rle occupancy plus m P.VMa Rn3'Seret cn,irgs is complete S0VJ mim. Maybe you think a Mexican resort is an expensive way to spend a vacation. EspecisIy if you fly there and back, and stay in a resort hotel right on the beach. Well if thats the way you think, now you can afford to think again. Because well send you to Mazatlan or Puerto Vallarta for 4 nights and 5 days in the sun. At a price that will make you as happy as the vacation will. So you might as well take the vacation youve always dreamed about. At prices that wont keep you awake nights. Call us weekdays between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. or Saturdays from 9 to 3. Mexico to GO Wrapped Mazatlan $ 363 Puerto Vallarta $ 4 1 5 EL CID RESORT - Deluxe FIESTA AMERICANA - Price includes round trip airfare, 5 nights hotel accommodations and round trip airport transfers, and more. Itmriepe cosmos Venice. Rome, Paris, London, the Alps, French and Italian Rivieras. London, Edinburgh, Dublin plus stays in Scottish and Irish Countryside. 17 Day Grand Tour ol Russia. $373 $498 $686 Per person, double occupancy. Airfare extra. FALL I OI IA4.I SEPT. S1.395 26-OC- T. 8,1983 SUPER VALUE DELUXE TOUR FULLY ESCORTED Join us on our very popular tour of the Northeast during the most beautiful time of year You will thrill at the sights and enioy the deluxe accommodations and meals A f.iEXICO,FnO:.1269 A. Dick (Per person, party of 2, from Salt Lake City) IFS Travel 1075 East 2100 South, 'Salt Lake City487-086- 1 F i r -- t Sevurity Placei I Deluxe I r |
