I enjoy Trade Publications. I subscribe to a variety of publications in both electronic form and in traditional print. I’ve always enjoyed reading and learning about the industry, and have promoted learning as much as you can about any subject that interests you. There has never been a time in our history when so many mediums are available for someone to learn and develop a skill or a trade.

I’ve enjoyed the way suppliers and trade associations have embraced training, enabling me to learn about the industry. From seminars and webinars; from a training call or port of call via ship inspections, the variety of ways to learn and develop in this industry is abundant.

I’ve seen many changes within the industry over the last several years when it comes to doling out credentials in the industry. I’ve also supported the upgrading of requirements for FAM eligibility from both suppliers and associations.

One thing that hasn’t changed much are the Travel Agents who think they “own” the industry.

I was walking home with the kids and my neighbor on Thursday and we stopped in the culdesac to chat a bit longer. While talking, I opened up my mailbox to get the mail with my monthly issue of Travel Agent Magazine in the mix. I typically look forward to each and every publication and wanted to see this months “cover”. When I saw the cover, I smirked, shook my head and commented “Good grief”.

My neighbor who was standing in front of her mailbox ask me what the comment was for, and I held up the front of the publication to show her. She asked “What’s that all about?” and I simply commented that the man in the mask…is supposed to depict someone like me.

She laughed and asked “That’s suppose to be YOU?!” and I responded, “No, not me specifically, but someone like me because of the company I work with.”

I told her of the issues Travel Agents have had for years concerning “card mills” and downright phobias regarding MLM’s and what we have presumably done to disgrace, embarrass, and ruin their reputations as “Professionals”. You wanna know her reaction?

“And that’s their answer?”

Yep, afraid so. I went on to tell her about forums and blogs these “Professionals” hang out on to discuss all the wrongs, all the injustice, all the problems they can think of on a daily basis. How at one time I had befriended some of them, and because I’m not willing to change host agencies or simply get out all together, I’m now an outcast and seen as the man in the mask. (And then some.)

“How does that make you feel?” she asked. I thought about it, for say… a nanosecond, and replied with “How’s it suppose to make me feel?” I went on to ask a couple of more questions, like how someone I don’t even know, or more importantly doesn’t know me, should own any feelings one way or the other? I asked if she see’s any connection to me and the man in the mask. Do I look and act like that to her?

She thought that was a strange question based on the look on her face, because we happen not only to be neighbors, but friends. To think an article or even this cover will cancel out years of friendship does sound a bit over the top. I’ve heard that if you join and MLM that you can kiss your family and friends goodbye, because you have to hound them about joining the MLM you’re involved in, (any MLM) and they eventually get fed up with the constant badgering and eventually disown you.

It’s been over 4 years now, and I’m still waiting for THAT shoe to drop.

It’s not that I haven’t heard story after story about MLM’s destroying friendships and families. There are those who can’t fathom being unemotional or unattached to an attack like what’s depicted in the picture. Family especially, would want to protect those they are closest too from being “stained” in this way. I might be the same way when I was far less secure about my own abilities and worth.

But I have to wonder, why after all this time, all this energy, all the “talk” about how bad things are, just why a professional publication would even think that an article like this is a good idea. What some in our industry have categorized as “card mills” have been around for over a decade now, and the industry is only a small fraction closer to resolving this so called problem and embarrassment than they were back then.

There have been suppliers, (who by the way are the ones who grant these FAM’s and perks not the Agents or Associations) who have taken a stand in some form or fashion. Sandals for example, was one of the first I can think of who would provide a complimentary night or nights based on production. Doesn’t really matter which host you’re associated with; if you produce, you’re rewarded. The concept isn’t much different from a frequent flier program, which provides anyone who supports a particular airline is granted perks like free airfare. It’s also why I like the Carnival requirements that came out a year ago January. A minimum of 5 full paying cabins (double occupancy) are required, BEFORE you’ll be considered to partake in a FAM with them.

But for some reason, that’s not good enough for some, as you can clearly see in the comments section of the digital format of this cover story. There are those who simply can’t get over their own hang ups about “their” industry to see that someone is there on a FAM because they earned it. We’re participating in an industry seminar with them because we have a desire to learn. We join in on a summit because we want to expand our knowledge.

Instead, they snub their nose at the supplier because they welcome anyone who produces, regardless of what Host Agency, or so called “card mill” they may be associated with, as if the supplier would even care who they consider “worthy”.

We’ve run into the same problem most recently with Debbie Maier and Mailpound. Ms. Maier took the time to come to a Red Carpet Event to roll out a new private labeled e-marketing site for YTB to help our company promote and sell more travel to our clients. While the site does have a listing of FAM’s associated with it, the main purpose of this site is to enable Travel Agents to send out promotional e-mails and marketing materials to clients to actually sell travel. When she came to the Home Office she was, and I quote, “completely – blown – away” over the passion YTB has for this industry.

And because she now provides this service to YTB, and has seen first hand that YTB is a real travel company, she and her company have now been black listed. There are “Professionals” who are not only promoting that other agents send her an e-mail that “they know” who she’s working with, but if any of the e-mails or comments are like the ones I’ve seen…she’ll need to shower after being vomited on by this outspoken and obnoxious group of “legitimate agents”.

That’s the game plan, to make life as uncomfortable as possible in the hope that they just throw in the towel because the backlash isn’t worth it.

Based on a webinar that I know happened last week, there may be more of this kind of tactic coming from this group. The same day YTB was promoting Princess Cruises, (a Sail-A-Thon to sell full fair cabins, not FAMS) another group was planning how to get more of these types of “cover stories” out there to media outlets to warn the public about the masked men and women who are involved in what they’ve deemed to be undesirable Host Agencies. I know that these Associations are the be all and end all for some, and there have been Agencies associated with many of them to add credibility. (We saw how well that worked out, didn’t we?)

While I was invited to this little gathering with these very prominent and important people and associations in the industry, I declined the offer. I asked the question of how this type of behavior would make me a better person, a better Travel Agent, and a better Leader, but like most of the questions I ask, they were left unanswered. (Ignored was more like it.)

They are welcome to do what they do, and I’ll do what I do. That’s promoting a rebroadcast of the Princess Sail-A-Thon this afternoon at 4:00 pm Eastern to sell more cruises. It’s far more productive, supports the hand that feeds me, (and them) and helps bring the truth to light.

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I have some sad news that I found out late yesterday afternoon. Phil Davidoff of Davidoff Associates has left us. You may remember both Phil and Doris from this past National Convention or a Seminar @ Sea they hosted this past December. Their understanding and acceptance of the YTB model won praise from many in our company and I am saddened to see him go so soon.

He past away Thursday morning in his home in Boca Raton, FL from pneumonia. He was 68.

Phil Davidoff, CTC, CTIE, MCC, was a leading travel industry professional who was also active in travel and tourism marketing, education and training. He was President of VALU Travel Marketing, Inc., the travel industry’s only consultiumsm from 1992 to 1997 and is co-founder and owner since 1969 of Belair Travel & Cruises and Fan Club Cruises in Florida. He was president of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) from October 1990 through September 1992 and had served as vice-president and president-elect prior to that. He also served on ASTA’s staff as Vice President Education & Training from 1982-1984.

Phil was a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC), Certified Travel Industry Executive (CTIE) and Life Member of The Travel Institute (formely ICTA) and had earned the Master Cruise Counselor (MCC) designation from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). He also served as a member of the tourism faculties of The George Washington University and Northern Virginia Community College.

Phil was a co-author with his wife of more than 40 years, Doris, of many books, and had been a presenter of a variety of seminars for many travel organizations.

Phil was chosen as 1991 Travel Person of the Year by Travel Agent magazine and was co-recipient with his wife, Doris, of Travel Trade magazine’s 1991 Travel Agent of the Year award. He was also co-recipient, with his wife, of the first annual Achievement Award from the Society of Travel & Tourism Educators in 1988. Phil served as a Director-at-Large on the Board of Directors of the Travel Industry Association of America from 1991 through 1993.

Phil held a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and had completed extensive graduate studies in Human Resource Development at The George Washington University.

Doris Davidoff told Travel Weekly she will phase out the cruise business and continue consulting. Phil is also survived by two sons, a daughter and five grandchildren.

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I wrote on Monday about Paul Henderson, who like me is getting just a little tired of the nonsense filling our in boxes, and the witch hunt that’s going on in our industry right now. There are those who believe that we as a group of MLM’ers can not call ourselves “Travel Agents”. The reality of the issue however is that not one association or group has been able to outline for us what type of qualifications are necessary to provide us with the proper definition or qualifications to be considered a “Travel Agent”.

IATA enables you to carry their card with a paid commission level of $5000. CLIA just upgraded their qualifications with training and a minimum of 25 cruise sales.  Others have their own hoops to jump through such as a business license, or an approved host that you need to align yourself with.

Yet we are still left without one clear definition as an industry that everyone can agree on (or at least reference too) to become a real live “Travel Agent”.

Over the last couple of years YTB has made many changes in order to legitimize it’s model in the industry and become a respected member of the industry. We’ve listened to and responded accordingly. Some call it “reactionary” and that’s okay, because it’s the first step for some in noticing that changes ARE being made. Before any of this mess erupted back in October of 2007 with Royal Caribbean terminating it’s agreement with YTB, during a Funshine “Travel” Trade Show no less, YTB rolled out E-Campus, a course designed by one of the industries leading educators, Marc Mancini. YTB also revamped it’s certification program to First Class Training, and with that, changed both the level of commission percentages, and qualifications to book directly with vendors with it’s First Class Training Program. When you enter the industry with YTB you are an Affiliate, and without the proper training via either YTB or an indsutry associations no title of “Travel Agent” is bestowed upon you.

In addition to training, the company has made numerous changes in the way it actually books travel and helps customers secure the services we offer. The Convergentware upgrade with direct connections to GDS, suppliers and vendors has eliminated the need to “glean” numbers, and since we have enough staff now to handle our own calls in our expanded Home Office, the primary number in the help section is now directing customers to our own support center instead of pawning the responsibilty off on vendors.

In addition to the changes YTB has made, we’ve seen changes from suppliers such as Carnival Cruise lines, who implimented a minimum booking policy in eary 2008 before enabling anyone to enjoy a discounted cruise with them. We’ve also seen changes from Assoications such as CLIA who now requires not only training but actual production in order to have the privilege of carrying their card. While I’ve heard of rumblings of a loophole with this, YTB as a company, nor do I support or promote such a loophole.

This above snapshot of changes should provide for many that both YTB and the industry is serious about being a player in this industry. I for one am pleased with the response both the industry and the company has made. There are a select few however who either don’t want to talk about the issues or are incapable of communicating effectively what the real issues are.

I was amused this morning to find a comment, which I approved. In a very roundabout way, this TA finally got to the bottom of his issue after several days of comments and an entire post yesterday.

The real phobia for him and for the rest of this small group is “recruiting”.

I don’t know why it took so long or why he needed to go off on a tangent about Delta Airlines being the first to start cutting commissions in 1995, or that online companies such as Travelocity, Orbitz, Expedia and Priceline have call centers to support their initial design of self service booking. My guess is that he needed to show how smart he was and attempt to point out how little I know, thus disqualifying me as someone who is worthy of recruiting anyone into the industry the right way. If he feels that works for him, I have no problem with it, but he could have saved himself a couple days of ranting and badgering, and needless reading by me and just come right out and told everyone that he can’t stand the recruiting aspect and we need to dispose of it in order for him to personally accept me or YTB into the fold of brethren.

I suspect however that he certainly feels better now that he’s been able to vomit on two separate blogs.

Now that he’s fianally been able to get the real issue of the matter, he’s asked me to participate in a webinar that’s coming up at the end of the month. While I’m not sure if he’s cleared this with those who initially set this puppy up, but regardless if he actually has or not, I politely declined the offer to join the group and have chosen to participate instead in a Sail-a-thon with Princess Cruise Lines later that evening.

Be that as it may, I have to wonder why he feels this would benefit me or anyone else in the Travel Industry resolve the issue of “qualifications” and finally be considered a “Travel Agent”.

Here’s the outline of this little seminar and you tell me if this looks like it’s designed to talk about qualifications or if it helps the industry resolve the real issue here.

Card Mills.  Instant Agent Programs. MLM Travel Companies.  These entities spring up relentlessly, convincing consumers that anyone can be a travel agent. Card Mills disparage the professionalism of traditional travel agents and misrepresent industry “benefits” as a reason for joining.

Too often, travel agents are left without the tools necessary to successfully educate consumers and market effectively against the Card Mills.

No longer.

Join Richard Earls, publisher of Travel Research Online, in a webinar that will turn the tide by providing traditional travel agents with effective strategies, press releases and marketing tools to educate their clients on the fallacies of the card mill phenomenon.

You will receive materials after the webinar that will assist you in combatting Card Mills in your own communities.

A panel of experts will assist travel agents with arresting the Card Mills in their tracks.

By the way…the emphasis here is not mine, it’s theirs. This seminar is nothing more than the “witch hunt” that both Paul Henderson and I both abhor. Why on God’s green earth would I have any interest learning how to spew negative propaganda about a company that I support? There is nothing about this recruiting message that talks about the issue of qualifications, training, or customer support to enable me to be a better travel agent.

What it does appear to teach however is how belittle me in press releases, marketing tools, and seminars. (Something that I’ve grown quite accustom to, and expect as a rebuttal to what I write here.)

Oh Joy!

According to some, I’m the one who doesn’t offer “value”, and I’m being ridiculous for not wanting to spend my afternoon rolling in this very large pile of horse dung.

I do find it serendipitous that while this group of professionals attempt to educate the world that all we do is focus on recruiting so anyone can be one of these Travel Agents, the lead company they will be talking about and slandering is actually doing what they should do…selling travel and supporting the hand that feeds them.

Now there’s a novel idea!

I’m sorry gang, but I have to state for the record once again. I don’t find this “get together” the least bit productive, or see how it answers any of the issues we talked about on Monday.

The answer is still “no thanks”.

But that just me.

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I picked up on a story Monday that I thought might be a good topic for today’s post but didn’t realize how timing would play out with President Obama speaking to the Nation last night. I’ve got to admit, our new President is one of the most eloquent speakers I’ve seen in some time. I can appreciate a well delivered speech when I see one and he needs to get Congress on his side when he submits his tax and spending plans to Congress on Thursday.

Last week, President Barack Obama signed the sprawling $787 billion economic stimulus package into law, saying it will help the struggling U.S. economy but warning that the recovery process will be challenging. I would agree with the warning, because it will end up costing over $1 Trillion when it’s all said and done. (It needs to be paid back, you realize that?) The Market reacted to the news by selling off and savvy investors realize how much this bailout will hurt when it’s time to pay it back.

Right or wrong about this stimulus package being good or bad, bailing out America seems to be a hot topic these days and there are large numbers who appear to want a piece of the action, including the ASTA. I don’t know if you saw this editorial cartoon in Travel Weekly the day after the inauguration, but it spoke volumes about how demanding and desperate this industry is. I’ve had it up to here with all this talk about how everything is fine and things are “great” when actions certainly don’t provide a very good foundation to those statements. With all the victim talk we’ve read about day after day, the mud slinging and spin on the “issues” with Travel MLM’s, Agencies either downsizing, or disappearing overnight, and involuntary bankruptcy filed by Agents themselves things aren’t as rosy as some claim. Things have gotten so bad for the industry that after decades of fighting to keep banks out of the industry, all of the sudden Agents are willing to look the other way.

And now we find out that the ASTA DID have it’s hand out for part of the $787 billion to stimulate there struggling model once again.

“The inclusion of a direct lending program in the House-passed version of this bill raised hope among ASTA’s small business travel agents,” said Chris Russo, ASTA president and chair. “Sadly, Congressional negotiators, meeting behind closed doors, chose to remove the direct lending provision mere hours before the bill was complete. Whatever small cost savings they achieved came at the expense of the small business community.”

In a letter sent last week, Russo asked President Obama to call for the swift passage of legislation to expand the authority of the Small Business Administration to lend directly to small business owners.

Based on what I heard last night, they’ll be given another shot at even more money to be spent by this new administration next year.

But I have to ask why the ASTA even needs this money in the first place when everyone is telling me that business is better than ever? Some certainly know how to talk the talk, but when it comes to walking the walk we get this? Very odd don’t you think?

The ASTA is still pitching (or promoting) how important they are to the Travel Agent community after this failed attempt to help the industry while even they admit that “the brand damage from the old days when ASTA was perceived as too political”. The ASTA claims agents need an “attitude adjustment” (finally, something we can agree on!) but Agents need the ASTA to help them.

To be fair, I have seen a couple of issues they’ve been helpful in over the last year, but apparently it’s not enough for the majority of the Travel Agent community to shift their perceptions concerning how this organization can help them. Honestly, I’ve come to the conclusion most of these agents who don’t join are just more comfortable about complaining than they are about effective change, so this plea by the ASTA in this article will fall on deaf ears. In addition, most agent don’t truly understand what leverage can do to benefit them. Instead, most ridicule the concept and poke fun at it being only an MLM concept.

It is however comforting to see that even the ASTA is having difficulty getting their message across to a group who believes they know better, and not willing to change their flavor of Kool-aid, because it sounds too much like MLM.

Maloney said that ASTA now has some 200 Premium members and 4,000 Core members, a number that he said “we can grow,” if agents are aware of the range of services they can get from ASTA for “77 cents a day” – the per diem cost of annual Core membership.

This “.77 cents a day” is taken directly from MLM, (or so they think) and it doesn’t play well. Instead of seeing the benifit, they reject this concept because most have been trained to. (It’s also called brainwashing.)

Time will tell if this industry wakes up and pulls ITSELF out of this funk they’re in. I see people everyday who are making smart choices and even sacrifices today that will pay off for them in the long run. I promise you’ll see a good number of people who will come out of this extremely wealthy because of it.

I doubt it will be because of a handout or bailout, it rarely is.

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“This economic environment is unprecedented, and our travel agent partners need our unprecedented support,” said Vicki Freed, senior vice president of sales for Royal Caribbean International, in a statement. “Like everyone, they are feeling the pain, and we need to help them through this.”

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There are times when I read or hear about something, and it just doesn’t sound right. I’ve been attempting to get my head around this California complaint off and on since the Convention. Something just didn’t fit. It’s a single state, with the help of Illinois who is still on the sidelines, and we’re still doing business in California. (More business by the way than any other state in the country I might add. ;-P)

If you’ve been involved in the Travel Industry for any length of time, you know who the major players are, who gets along with whom, who hates who, and who just doesn’t amount to squat in the Travel Industry. It’s no secret that the ASTA has put together quite a propaganda campaign against these so called “Card Mills”. Doesn’t matter that YTB now has minimum booking requirements before “cards” are issued, YTB is used because we happen to be the most visible in on the internet and in the trade publications. (Legislation YTB was able to overcome and win in California I might add.)

I had an opportunity to read the complaint that was filed some time ago and one term stood out for me that made me think of one particular organization right off the bat. Since I didn’t have anything substantial at the time, I passed it off as nothing more than a logical guess. However based on this organizations educational piece (choke) the complaint read very similar to the 2005 propaganda that is now being regurgitated oddly enough based on similarities to the California complaint.

Like many now who “think” they have the upper hand now that they have a complaint, it’s not surprising that this group feels safe in promoting their position on the issue, along with a few on the internet appear to be rather boisterous.

I do have to add that I also believe that this “announcement” from this group was also predicated by a need to “out” a former President of their organization for coming over and supporting the very company and model they feel is damaging their industry. (Please note: YTB didn’t make the connection or initial statement, a seasoned Travel Journalist did.)

Oh…did you hear the Davidoff’s are now going to conduct three classes on the company Seminar @ Sea? (Check the latest Travel Compass or my Newsletter this weekend.) Like Marc Mancini and his Geography Bowl down at Funshine in a few weeks, looks like this excuse about lack of training from the other side is just that, an excuse.

Unlike the above industry leaders who offer solutions instead of a steady stream of complaints, the ASTA has a rather long history in attempting to derail the MLM business model. The majority of damage however has been nothing more than propaganda that I suppose some people have taken heed in. With such a powerful force, and I use the term loosely, you would think they would have had more of an impact on ridding the travel industry of the “Card Mills” they report to have damaged them so.

Now we have documentation direct from the horses a… err mouth that they’ve already filed one suit some time ago in California, and while not directly implied, sure looks like they feel mighty proud of the weight they are pushing around once again in California.

I caught wind earlier in the week of the ASTA making claims to have filed a complaint with the FTC back in 2006 about this ever so popular “pyramid scheme” excuse everyone likes to throw out. (The e-mail was copied and pasted in the blue response at the bottom of this post.) It wasn’t until yesterday however that I finally got something a little more substantial.

And a whole lot more.

I want to address this complaint with the FTC as to why nobody every heard a word about this from the FTC, and highlight the excuse. (It’s pretty funny actually.) Here’s the gem as it’s worded from the ASTA.

“We also complained to the Federal Trade Commission, but our request for a trade regulation rule was denied in large part due to lack of support from the supplier community.”

I find it hysterical that they blame the suppliers, the very life blood of their business for letting YTB slip through the cracks. Had nothing to do with the fact that they couldn’t come up with valid complaint the FTC would listen too now would it? Nor could it be that are mistaken or more accurately don’t have a clue what a “pyramid scheme” actually is.

You can’t fit a square peg into a round hole. I do have to wonder however why they just didn’t announce a “do over” like they did in their past election.

Did the FTC not realize that this was the ASTA? Look, it doesn’t matter how big and bad you try to make yourself, you still have to prove your case in this country, (THANK GOD) before the Government will find you guilty and actually enforce action.

Why do you think we’re still doing business in California even with such a large amount of money up for grabs?

I often find a blurb from the SEC posted on the Internet concerning the FTC’s stance on pyramid schemes. Why do they use the SEC you might ask? Don’t really know, but my guess is that it “sounds better” than what the FTC has up concerning illegal pyramids.

Again…I need to add that the graphic the SEC has up concerning more participants than the world population has yet to happen in a single solitary MLM. Many of whom have been around for decades. (But don’t let that stop you from listening to a Zealot when they post something like this for you.)

So, the ASTA fails in getting the FTC involved, (as I’m sure many other Zealots have attempted to do) and they spend the next couple of years hitting up any State that would listen and finally found one desperate enough to file a suit. Call it whatever you want. Stupidity – greed – political advancement – I don’t care, but since the FTC, Florida and now Illinois have never stepped up to the plate, what do you think ol’ Gerry has in regard to this complaint?

Nothing more than a very dry bone of contention.

While I know some laugh at this notion that a group or organization in the Travel Industry would have the kind of pull or clout to lobby Politicians. I find it interesting that we have a second article within the last week of more lobbyist throwing money at Politicians, although from the supplier end, but a cool $297K Q2 adds up to organizations getting exactly what they want through what ever Government agency (State or Federal) they think they can purchase.

Those who subscribe to my Newsletter know my stance concerning these suits being nothing more than a personal attack. A complaint filed in an attempt to slow or even destroy a company that is “growing to big too fast”. (The AG’s statement, not mine.) I realize that like terrorists, some flat out deny any involvement, and I’ve stated that I would agree some were not involved. (Not that smart, and not their mode of operandi.)

That doesn’t mean however that there is an organization that does have just enough clout (or money) to push something like this out into the public eye. Unfortunately for them, that’s about as far as their going to get based on the failures they’ve faced concerning past efforts. Which include the FTC, other states who never moved past the investigation mode and California Legislation that was merely a blip on the radar screen and clearly separated YTB from this notion of being nothing more than a “Card Mill”.

Oh, before I go. I did happen to send this “gem” up to the home office with an idea of getting everyone together on the Seminar @ Sea with the Davidoff’s and sending the ASTA a postcard from the Seminar entitled “Greetings from Cozumel”.

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WARNING: The content, topic and links in this post are not only inappropriate for children, but may also be extremely offensive to women. (And males with even an ounce of integrity or ethics.)

I’ve personally been called a lot of things in my life. I have also been ridiculed and scorned buy a group of individuals who are obviously upset I am involved with a company who is changing their industry without their permission. I don’t particularly mind the attention or ridicule; I’m a big boy and can handle anything that comes my way. If I didn’t like the heat, I should stay out of the kitchen.

Picking on me is one thing, but picking on an innocent, respectable, nurturing, woman, Mother, and Minister is another. With Mothers Day coming just around the corner, I’d like you to think of your own Mother for a moment. More than likely, if I or anyone else ever met your Mom, she would be much like the Mother I was introduced too some time ago. You can read about this Mother and Minister from her bio, and you like me, you would think that she is quite remarkable. As a Minister, you would believe that she is an honest, responsible individual with not only an understanding of the word integrity, but someone who lives with integrity and truth on a daily basis and certainly knows right from wrong.

However, she has one fatal, glaring blemish on her bio; that of being associated like me as a YTB RTA. That blemish makes her fair game to not only be called out, but publically scorned, ridiculed and dragged through the mud on a blog and forum by a bunch Thugs.

On Friday, April 25th, once former “friend” and “colleague” in the Travel Industry, John Frenaye posted an absolutely horrid article that called out this woman and accused her of being a liar. The post went on along with some 69 comments on Friday and Saturday until the comments got so out of line, even he closed them. Accusations ran ramped the entire day, as it so often does on the cesspool of bandwidth, that this Mother and Minister is someone without morals, ethics, or a shred of credibility simply because, like me, she’s proud of what our company has been doing in our industry. John and his band of Thugs used not only very belittling and demeaning language, but John himself used a very graphic picture of a child extruding his middle finger, giving this woman, Mother, and Minister “the bird”. Would you show your own mother the bird? We at one time assumed that John wouldn’t, but that idea or belief has now been proven wrong.

How anyone could get so emotionally charged concerning such an apparently innocent and non threatening woman may be in question right now, but evidently, John being the crazed, obsessed, and paranoid individual he is took exception of a post this woman made concerning YTB merging with a 27 year old company based outside of Clarksburg, West Virginia, American Destinations. Since this crackerjack Journalist couldn’t find a verifiable source to substantiate the post; that in his mind was justification to use a foul and offensive picture and words to match to drag this Mother through the mud.

If you’ve never had the pleasure of being introduced to John Frenaye, be truly thankful. He claims to be some sort of “New Breed” of Travel Agent and Journalist, and has been published over the years, and thus has gained the respect of a few followers and co-workers in the industry. As of late, John has lowered his Journalistic efforts and has spent an increasing amount of time researching (cough) and posting daily on his hideous blog of what he has found digging up what he considers “dirt” on our company and its Independent Contractors. I’m sorry, make that “RAT’s”, and no, that’s not a typo for RTA; it’s what he and his Goons call us. (Professional, don’t you think?)

John spent an entire week, (assuming that he reads all YTB Blogs like he does mine on a daily basis.) attempting to find any type of documentation or verifiable source of what this woman posted as having any truth. He made a “quick call” to American Destinations, and sent several very demanding and demeaning e-mails to this Mother, Minister and RTA demanding proof of her findings. She simply responded that a Director had informed her of this information.

As it turns out, not only did a Director inform her, Director Jeanie Sharpless informed the rest of the company of this merger on a Company Training call on Monday, April 21, with the owner of ADI and former RTA Curtis Edwards and his son Nicholas, on a Company Conference call. (It is my understanding that Curtis and his family had to resign as RTA’s as their role with YTB has now changed.) These are recorded and archived in our back office, enabling me (and you) to listen to the call from Monday night. Many of you not only know of Jeanie, but respect and admire all she does for us in Training and educating us how to sell more and more Travel. ($414.5 Million worth of Travel in 2007) Are we to assume that Jeanie could be in fear of being labeled in the same category as Regina then? What about Curtis’s wife and Mother to Nicholas?

After listening to the archived Company call and then going back to this hideous post and reading the comments from these arrogant yet oh so shallow group of Thugs, I began to wonder who in their right mind would do something like this?

Vultures do this, wild dogs do this, hyenas do this, parasites do this, but human beings should certainly not be categorized in this class of life form who rip and tear into someone who they think is beneath them. But somehow, there it was, for the entire world to see, and being from such a low class of life, they appear to feel justified in their actions and accusations towards this woman, Mother and Minister because try as some obliviously made to defend and help Regina, not one RTA was able to provide the proof John felt he needed to inform him that her post was accurate and true.

Anything associated with YTB by the way is automatically either suspect or in question, no matter how valid or solid the information may appear to be. It’s MLM, and we MLM’ers are the problem, NOT someone like John and his Followers.

To me, and this is strictly my opinion, I have to question how anyone could be so obsessed and paranoid over our company to get them so constipated about who we are and what we do that they can’t find a strong enough laxative, cleanse, or enema to cure what ails them. After watching and dealing with s
uch arrogance and anger from this group for as many years as I have, I actually believe they truly enjoy their misery. Their anger and hatred towards anyone associated with our company, no matter what any individual’s motives are or how pure a human being may appear to be outside of YTB, if you’re in YTB, you are absolute scum.

While I understand that this class of life, especially John, feel justified in their actions, I have to wonder what single Moms would think of John’s post and graphic picture who have or are considering utilizing and purchasing travel services from Travels With Fred or his partnership with his Single Parent Travel web site and businesses. Did he ever stop to think how a Parent would feel about this post not knowing anything about YTB or this woman and Minister? Many people on the outside of his band of Thugs know nothing about YTB, although he is trying in vein to inform them. (With his false and misleading information no less.)

I’m betting he didn’t, but I’m also betting that the internet being the powerful source of research that it is, many single Mothers can and will Google John Frenaye and Single Parent Travel or Travels with Fred, and while they may not find the cesspool he calls a blog, (instead as of now finding something about the 10 Commandments of Travel??!!) they will begin to find this blog and post complete with a PDF copy of the post for download and a mirror of the blog’s source code as a copy of his handy work so the entire ordeal can be kept permanently for everyone to reference. (Just in case this post kicks him in the rear hard enough to relieve him of his apparent constipation.)

Again, I remind the readers how explicit the content of both links, as they are complete with graphic and comments but I firmly believe it may help his clients understand just what this man is made of. I think it’s only fair that John’s clients be allowed to judge on their own if John and Single Parent Travel might be a bad mix. Don’t you?

If they’re like me, or you, they would be terrified or at the very least ashamed to be associated with this filth, but not John, he’s standing by his convictions. He so certain this woman lied, and because she’s associated with YTB, anyone who finds this post will certainly side with him.

Are you as interested as I am to see how all this unfolds? Can you Just Picture It Now?

I wish I could express to John how badly he “stepped in it” this time. I’ve expressed to him personally when we actually communicated privately together how his anger, resentment, and obsession with this company have truly gotten the best of him. I’ve never been able to reach him in that regard, and now it appears that his unwillingness to listen could lead to some very unfortunate circumstances.

Going after someone like me is one thing, but going after a woman, Mother, and Minister the way he did with Regina is so far out of bounds, I can’t put it into words. (Imagine that, ME without words?!) I’m dumbfounded, stumped, and ashamed that I even associated with the likes of him and his band of Goons. This goes against every molecule, cell, and fiber of my being.

But that’s just me.

So, it’s come to this. It’s come down to me going public myself and saying to John, “Come here Boy…why don’t you come pick on someone your own size?”

By chance, you might be thinking that this Mother Regina isn’t capable of taking care of herself. Well, you might think again. I’m six foot and 215 pounds, and if my Mother who is five foot nothing found out that I picked on an innocent Mother and Minister the way John just did, she’d grab me by my ear, take me out to the back of the wood shed, and whip me with a long leather strap.

(Hmmm, anybody know John’s Mom?)

Dear John,

You owe this woman a public apology, and maybe you could even purchase and send her flowers for Mothers Day from her own web site if it you think it might help. But I don’t think your man enough… no make that human enough, to actually swallow that pride of yours and offer up something apologetic or sincere. You’re cold as ice buddy, and I have to question if someone like you even has a pulse let alone any remorse for what you have done to this Mother and Minister.

Furthermore, if you think you can offer up an apology just to get some sort of retraction or comment out of me, think again. You deserve every bit of what you have coming to you, and while Regina is a Christian woman who has forgiven you, you’re not going to be quite as lucky with me. I’ll still think you’re a “Tool” and you’re going to have to do considerably more than a simple apology or retraction in order for me to even entertain any idea of changing my belief that you are nothing more than the Coward, Fraud and Zealot that you are.

Just Picture It Now, I remind you that this woman you so blatantly attacked has the faith, character and strength to not only pray for you, but forgive you for what you have done. Kind of whittles down that big strong “man image” you try so hard to portray, don’t it?

I’ll leave you with this John…

I exchanged e-mail’s with Andy Cauthen earlier this week concerning your post and obsession over Hickory Travel Services, which by the way, you have absolutely no proof or documentation of. He has invited you and any of your other Thugs who care to up to the home office to discuss any issues you have with our Company. You have an open invitation to discuss directly with people who are responsible for and have lost complete control of rouge RAT’s like Regina Osei.

While I can’t promise, I bet they’ll even pick you up in the Company Jet. Not to show off, but to assure you that they’re on their way, since you are tracking every place this plane flies. This way you can be notified via e-mail just as soon as the flight plan has been filed.

Think about it…and if you’re man enough to take on someone your own size instead of a harmless, innocent woman, let me know. You know where to find me.

If not, you can go pound sand with the rest of your Goons. We’re taking over this industry our way, and there’s not a damn thing you can do about it Pal.

To the rest of the good, decent, hard working RTA’s in YTB;

It is my belief that we need to send a very strong message to John Frenaye. Please excuse my French here, but John is so constipated the man thinks his shit doesn’t stink.

So, if you are as appalled as I am over John’s behavior, I invite you to let the general public decide if John’s business is worth patronizing and let the chips fall were they may.

And we’re going to do it the only way we know best. “Word of mouth advertising”.

If
you have a blog I want you to write an article about how appalled you are over this lame stunt of John’s and his attack on an innocent Wife, Mother, and Minister, you’re colleague in YTB. I would also recommend for rankings that you point people to this very post. (The more links to this post and site, the more likely it will be found on the first page of the search engines.)

http://travel-pro.blogspot.com/2008/04/dear-john.html

If you know how to use tags, or keywords in you blog please insert the following:

John Frenaye, George Dooley, MSNBC, Tripso, Travels with Fred, Single Parent Travel, JVE Group, ASTA, Travel Agent Issues, Brick and Mortar, Home Based Travel Agent, MLM and Travel a Bad Mix.

If you participate in forums and other message boards, please post how appalled you are concerning John’s actions and in both cases let it be known to your Company is the “New Breed” of Travel Agent. Which happens to be legitimate and respectable business and can be found at http://www.ytb.com/.

I realize that many of you are Christian’s and may like Regina and Coach, turn the other cheek and simply pray for John, and forgive him. Please understand that praying for him will also help John and I commend you for beliefs and those actions as well.

This is your choice, but I also believe that something needs to be done concerning the Cancer we have among us.

To Regina and her family;

I’m sorry about all this. I can’t control John and his actions. Nobody can. I can’t tell you how much I admire and respect your decision to pray for and forgive John. I do agree with you, he is a troubled soul, and he certainly needs the hand of God to help him through his troubles.

I want you to know that you are not only remarkable, but loved throughout this company. I truly believe that. YTB is like family to me, and you are certainly part of it.

Please accept my sincere apology and feel the love and warmth I have for you at this very moment.

In closing, I’m not sure if I will post the rest of this week. I need to at least take a shower after swimming in this mud and filth of John’s. I also need to work on letting the anger and resentment I have towards John right now go. Airing my beliefs and feelings here certainly helps. We may find the “documentation” John needs to make the retraction he claims he’ll make. If so, I might inform all of you.

If not, try to have a great week in spite of the tone it has started.

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