Who are these people calling from Cleartrip.com

Getting too many emails from India lately regarding something very interesting and fishy going on at one of India’s leading on line travel portal Cleartrip.com. I called up one of the user who reported similar incident as others. As I’ve already told you that it is very interesting as well as fishy also. Interesting because these guys at Cleartrip are using state-of-the-art technique to reach out their customers and fishy because they are reaching out to them when customers are about to buy a travel product from Cleartrip.

I was very confused with all the narratives given to me and I decided to experience it myself. I got very suspicious after what happened with me, anyone will be. I was indeed going to buy eight return air tickets from New Delhi to Goa. I hit on Cleartrip website and voila! Their rates were cheapest among other top Indian players like Yatra and Makemytrip. After choosing both departure and arrival flights I filled out traveller’s details and my details with my mobile number and hit the next button. I was on payment page which gave me options like paying by Credit Card, Net Banking or Debit Card. My mobile phone rang and ye lo! It was call from one of the Cleartrip sales executive!

CT: “Sir you are trying to book eight return tickets for Goa as I can see”.

SC:   Oh yeah, I was about to pay for them using net banking.

CT:  I’m sorry sir, but our payment gateway is giving some problems so I’ll do it manually for you if you can provide me with your Credit Card number.

SC:   I don’t have any Credit Card thats why I’m using net banking. Is it really not working, you mean transaction will fail?

CT:   Yes sir, thats why I called you.

In the meantime I clicked the pay button on my Net Banking page and transaction was successful. My PNR number was blinking on the screen and the person whom I was talking to before few seconds was not on other side of line any more. What technology man? I don’t know why this man called me while I was about to buy a travel product on their site and why he was pushing me not to use net banking and instead pressing hard for using my Credit Card? Why did he lied that their payment gateway is not working and transaction will not succeed? Whether Cleartrip is aware of such practice is regular feature at their call centers?

I must tell you one more thing in the end that it is not just one in million incident, it is common practice these days and Cleartrip must come forward with some kind of explanation sooner or later.

What did I forgot to tell you? Oh yes, while I was busy talking to Cleartrip sales executive over phone, in the meantime the return flight I chose got sold out and I was given Go Air 20:35 return flight to Delhi.

PNR of trip discussed above is 7EFNIJ. Airline was Go Air and booking date was Tue, Jan 4, 2011 at 7:01 PM

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Bed & Breakfast owners are preparing for a flurry of guests this summer

Over the last 10 years, the humble B&B has slowly been dipping into the luxury market. There are still plenty of cheap and practical B&Bs around, but there are increasing numbers of “boutique” ones aimed at the sort of holidaymaker who views accommodation not just as just a bed for the night, but as part of a holiday experience.

Breakfasts are key to winning guests and clinching bookings. That’s where these Bed & breakfasts really stand out against hotels giving them run for their money. With more Europeans choosing to take their holidays in France, Italy & USA this year, bed-and-breakfast owners across these destinations are being run off their feet preparing for a flurry of guests as the summer season gets under way.

Here’s a look at some options available on the worldwide web where you can search for enormous bed & Breakfast possibilities around the world. Hotel Paris, a famous B&B site offer the gamut for travelers. As you can imagine, rates vary based on amenities. But there are deals for the budget-conscious, or you may feel a splurge coming on because you saved on airfare or gas. Special packages that include deals at nearby attractions or wineries are the best bargains. Hotel Rome is famous keyword for travelers thronging to Italian cities of Rome, Venice & Florence. Another interesting source for travelers planning to visit US this summer is Hotel New York which keeps first hand knowledge of Boutique Hotels in & around New York. I liked their reviews though and the site is very neat and simple.

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Travelling to Paris in these hard times? Try bed & breakfast to match the economy

One of the most ideal choice for short term as well as long stay during these difficult times is to use bed & breakfast. Believe me, it is more than value for money and it is not even hard to find a good Bed & Breakfast in Paris these days, thanks to this unique site Hotel Paris which can arrange bed-and-breakfast accommodation in Paris and getting good reviews from it’s customers.

Hotel Paris has a very wide choice of accommodation options that caters for all budgets. When calculating accommodation costs in Paris, assumes you’ll spend from Euros 20 per person per night in a hostel and at least Euros 35 for a wash-basin-equipped double in a budget Hotel Paris (count on anything up to Euros 65 if you want your own shower). Bear in mind that you may be charged up to Euros5 to use communal showers in budget hotels. If you can’s go without your daily ablutions, it is often a false economy staying at such places.

Hotels Paris offer some of the best value for money of any midrange budget accommodation in this bustling European Capital. Hotels at this level always have en suite bathrooms; all rooms listed in this section have showers or baths unless noted otherwise. These hotels charge between Euros 65 and Euros 150 for a double and are generally excellent value, especially at the higher end.

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Pasadena, Crown of the Valley and a City with Conscience

A group of 27 settlers met on a knoll beside the Arroyo Seco to picnic and subdivide their 4,000 acres of land, launching a new village under the California sunshine. The land, purchased for $25,000 had been platted in 15-acre parcels. The following year, seeking a native American name with a pleasant sound, the newcomers named their colony “Pasadena,” from a Chippewa word suggesting “Crown of the Valley.”

Pasadena is situated on a broad alluvial slope below the San Gabriel Mountains. From its earliest years, the town of Pasadena has been richly endowed by nature. The abundant sunshine, dramatic mountains, and sparkling streams invited settlers to a near-paradise.

Pasadena is a sophisticated city but still fringed with large natural areas: the Arroyo Seco on the west, Eaton Canyon on the east, and the San Gabriel Mountains to the north. Parks and native plant gardens preserve gems of nature within the city. A broad canopy of street trees now gives Pasadena a green and shady aspect. Today the city is nearly built out and has about 146,000 residents. With annexations over the years, its area has grown to about 22 square miles.

Today’s Pasadena offers a host of lodging options With 2,500 guestrooms. Pasadena is home to five major hotels, four of which are within walking distance of the Pasadena Convention Center. The city also has 11 quaint motels and inns. The staff at the Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau can assist you in selecting and booking the right hotel for your meeting or event. All of Pasadena Hotels evoke the splendor of days gone by. Today, these restored and elegant resort hotels feature grand getaways to spoil, pamper and indulge guests in luxurious surroundings.

Technorati Tags: Pasadena,Pasadena Hotels,Arroyo Seco,California sunshine

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Now a flying school in Arizona does American School of Aviation act

Hi Guys

Thank you for putting up your experience. I am of the opinion that most of the flying schools are scams and an awareness should be created among interested individuals. I am in a similar predicament as you guys. I joined a flying school in Arizona in June and had to withdraw from the school in November as the training was deficient. In spite of having a signed contract I haven’t received the balance back.i. e$23000 which I was to receive on 1 Jan 2009. The school I was training in ain’t bankrupt as yet.

However I am determined to get my deposit back. I would really appreciate if somebody could give me inputs as to how to go about it….

Cindy

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We may have made our mistakes along the way, but we are also humans with a limited capacity… and ASA was a business!

At least we do not deserve to be stoned all the way. Our main goal was the quality of training, we may have made our mistakes along the way, but we are also humans with a limited capacity… and ASA was a business, a successful business for 6 years in a row. but if the US and countries governments still can’t solve the fuel problems, why did people think we can? Consider this, Six months ago, we went to all the students saying you have to pay an additional $6,000 to $8,000 more for your training, what would have been the response? i personally went to UAE, China to get more profitable business so your families does not have to come up with the additional funds.

I am surprised, that Sasha Puri, Vikram Pawar, Suraj Chopra and Ameya Kameth did not mention to any one, that they paid their tuition in Gurgaon and that ASA in California never got a penny out of it?!! Specially that 3 of them already graduated, now was ASA out to Scam student? How about each one who paid the $2,000 deposit in Gurgaon? And the US never got a penny of it, but all of you got the credit on your account?

Now every one is going after the management, fine, put your self in Prince’s shoes and he admits he is an AW!!

On New Year’s Day, Juana opens up the school and is feeding the fish in the tank; guess what she found in there?
A: HUMAN POOP!!

On a weekend evening, a drunken student pulls the fire alarm (Accidently!!) who had to leave the house to baby sit the reset of the students?

Students playing cricket in the parking lot, using the school’s furniture as goals..
For God Sake, we had to teach students to take a shower before showing up for class!!

Add to that, dealing with the FAA, Mechanics, India, lawyers, accountants, airport management for every little thing that students do!!

Parents, how do I tell a father, that your son is drinking every night and I have an arrest warrant for him? How do I tell your parents, your son is not showing up for lessons because the schedule is too early?! How do we tell them, your son is too busy with the bank teller and does not have time to study?!! Etc…

Here is what happened,
April last year 2007, Gurgaon was shut down costing a lot of money
July, was the last KFA interview
November, KFA staff came to visit to expand the relationship, instead, students complained about the housing and God knows what else, so they did not give a damn and cancelled the tie up!!
Still in November, 17 Students panicked and left the school creating more negative publicity.

Here is a quick lesson in business, if your current customers are pushing your new customers away for whatever reason, you run out of money and eventually your business runs out!!

ASA lost the market in India, even though, over 200 students graduated form there, all of the sudden, every one forgot that fact!!
November, I go to UAE to get some business, I got one student
March I got to China to get some business, it takes time
April I go to Egypt to get some business, we got 3 .

All of that and the FAA is on our tail to shut us down, in 2007, we had 109 inspections, and my question to them, if we were so bad, why did not you shut us down?!! And if we were not so bad, why did you inspect us 109 times?
I still do not have an answer to that, the FAA alone, costed 20% of Prince’s work week just to entertain them!! Why is it, that none of the students asked them that question?

I am sorry the management had to be strict as we did not have time to baby sit adults who were suppose to be in the air lines in a matter of months, I hope your future captains will make sure to tuck you in your seat before you fly!! Our main goal was to make you a pilot because we truly believed that one day thought out your career, the only thing that will save your life is your training, and that was our priority number 1.

They took our airplanes, cars and our house is about to be taken, but no one can take this from us
Our safety record is 100%, 98% of our graduates are successfully employed and satisfied with the training.

Reny Kozman

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Options Abound in Massage Education

For years, research has shown the physical and mental health benefits of massage therapy. Massage can relieve pain, reduce stress and lift mood, which is especially important during the short, dark days of winter. In older days it was advisable to travel far away (whichever was nearer to your country) countries for Massage therapy. For Instance, Arab world preferred Kerala (India) while other asian countries relied upon famous Thai massage. Europe swears by the Swedish Massage but not anymore. You are not required to spend huge amount of money for massage therapy holidays anymore.

Massage therapy has come a long way. The thing about massage therapy is that it’s an industry that keeps growing because of the diversification. There’s always going to be a need for people who are dealing with health issues or need physical therapy. Mobile massages are now growing. An employer can ask for chair massages for their employees.

Massage therapy is one of the best know means of manipulating the body with the hands and other tools in a manner that relieves tension, exercises muscles and provides therapeutic stimulation to the body. This brief explanation is by no means all inclusive or respective of the many different types of massage therapy techniques, formulas, formats and the like that are used today in countries around the world. Whether you are considering a career in massage therapy by joining one of massage therapist school or simply wish to earn continuing education units to maintain your current massage credential, there are all sorts of options when it comes to enrolling in a massage program. Unlike years past, when school schedules lacked flexibility, today’s massage education may frequently be tailored to the individual needs of the student.

Thanks to the advent of the Internet and the huge advances made in online learning in recent years, it is entirely possible to attend much of massage school online. This benefit spills over into continuing education as well, allowing bodyworkers to earn credits in continuing education from the comfort of their own home or office. The perks of enrolling in online massage classes are many, whether the course is part of one’s primary massage education or a class offered as continuing education with special arrangements in one of the  massage schools.

Massage certification—National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB), NCETM or Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx)—continues to become more prevalent nationwide as states choose to regulate their massage licensing more stringently with the utilization of massage exams. Choosing a quality school, as well as a quality practice exam program, becomes imperative to pass the rigorous massage exams offered in your state. The spa industry is one of the main sources of employment for a massage therapist, whether just out of massage school and trying to build a client base or decades into the business and enjoying the spa environment.

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Premier Helicopters Launches cadet pilot program for Helicopters

Premier Helicopters LLC and ArcOne Charters India have launched a cadet pilot program for helicopter pilots in India.
As a precursor to the launch of its Indian operations in 2009, Premier Helicopters LLC USA has decided to launch a cadet pilot program to train dedicated and talented Indian candidates as helicopter pilots. After finishing this self sponsored program, the cadets will be given options to join Premier Helicopters in its operations in India or abroad based on certain conditions.

The program is restricted to 40 cadets only and is based on a selection exam conducted in New Delhi on the 21st of December 2008.The flight training will be in the company hanger in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

The requirements for the program are that the candidate (male or female) has to have cleared his/her 12th board examinations with physics and mathematics and should be above 18 years of age and medically fit as per DGCA requirements.

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Low airfare days are back again!

Air tickets prices should begin to decline in the near future due to the global financial crisis, industry experts are predicting, adding that the fall in prices should not endanger the financial stability of the airlines.

Airfare sales are coming at us from every which way. Virgin America has discount fares starting at $159 round-trip (including tax) this month between Los Angeles (LAX) and Seattle (SEA). A United Airlines sale brought up competitive fares to Austin, Texas, and elsewhere, but if you’re headed to New York (JFK) from LAX, try American Airlines, where you can score a return fare of just under $300 this month.

Apart from big airlines, low cost carriers are also learning to believe the fact that if they keep airline tickets prices too high than they are going to lose more passengers. Recent press release from European low-cost carrier Ryanair suggests that average airline tickets prices will come down by 15-20 per cent by the end of March 2009. Ryanair further added that airline will continue to attract customers from more conventional carriers, such as British Airways.

Today, the majority of airlines set prices using the yield management system, which involves computer adjustments of pricing on a daily basis, related to demand. Prices start at relatively low levels and rise as a flight fills – or drop if it doesn’t.

Very few airlines have adopted aggressive pricing strategies, as they work on recovering from the record high price of fuel earlier in the year that led to add fuel surcharges on to ticket prices.

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New generation travel sites and blogs of our times

New generation has arrived already unnoticed and making felt their presence very loudly! Mad-mad world of e-travel is no more governed by the Kayak or Expedia, not even by IAN’s brainchild Hotel dot com or rivals Booking dot com but bunch of novice bloggers.

The other day I was browsing huge possibilities of education travel market which is very popular business these days in India. It seems that Education Travel Agents or one can say Study Abroad Consultants are not very keen on spending lot of money on e-solutions and to be very frank it is not easy to offer anything of such kind on the WWW but still Global Study Resources has done a remarkable job of engaging few big travel companies along with Careerbuilder and hostelbookers to offer all services one student requires for study abroad drill on single web site.

Study Abroad Commission Junction, a wordpress.com blog is one of the best examples of how to bind the business communities together for one and only cause; ‘BUSINESS’. I really liked the design and whole concept of this unique blog which is proving out to be one of the most busiest platform for Study Abroad Agents, marketing managers of Language Schools, Colleges & Universities worldwide. Updated information about the worldwide study abroad workshops is available for Agents and educational institutes. Most interesting part of the blog is it’s posts which are some times very hard hitting and discuss very serious matters.

Travel blogs are not about travelogues or beautiful pictures any more. New age of travel bloggers can be seen reporting from the Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Destination On Time sent it’s reporter which I was told is founder of this blog to Bangkok to cover the deadly drama of Bangkok’s Airport siege last month.  They do offer online air and hotel booking also.

Honor of being one of the most popular travel blog in Scandinavia or at least Sweden goes to Viking Goes Traveling which enjoys high Swedish traffic ranks and affiliation with almost all the major online travel players of Sweden. I liked the name though!

Now comes the turn of very controversial travel blog which deals in very serious matters such as Human Trafficking, Illegal Border Crossings, Illegal Immigration and other controversial stories related with travel industry. Blog is very well affiliated and monetized mainly with Linkshare.

And finally last but not least a new kid on the block. A blog which deals mainly with media related stories has come up recently and doing remarkable job of addressing the cause. Blog’s title says it all; ‘WE WILL BE BACK AFTER SHORT COMMERCIAL BREAK‘.

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