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From: Frank F. Matthews on 29 Oct 2007 23:00


midcopkg(a)fone.net wrote:
> On Oct 26, 11:50 pm, DevilsPGD <spam_narf_s...(a)crazyhat.net> wrote:
>
>>In message <RZmdnVUcMdfOF7zanZ2dnUVZ_rfin...(a)comcast.com> mrtravel
>>
>><mrtra...(a)a.a.a> wrote:
>>
>>>Not that I disagree with some of the other stuff you are saying, but
>>>when it is 3 or 4 in the morning where you are, it is NOT 3 or 4 in the
>>>morning in most other places.
>>
>>True. However, it is statistically likely that when I am searching for
>>a flight between a couple smaller cities that are relatively close,
>>there aren't a whole ton of Aussies searching that route.
>>
>>Well that, plus I described how I identified that no one else was
>>searching that same route through Travelocity at that moment.

>>You can get more with a kind word and a 2x4 than just a kind word.
>
>
> Travelocity is no better than any other travel site, really. I just
> saw an article by a guy who was a travel agent and fired for no
> apparent reason. So he's getting revenge by posting everything he has
> learned on the inside for the general public to see. It's amazing
> what he's telling, how to get cheaper everything! There are so many
> tricks to the travel biz and he's doing this on purpose. But there is
> no way he can be shut up. See it at: www.columbinetravel.biz and see
> what you think too. I'll use his tips from now on to get cheaper
> everything.

Right. $25 for lots of promises & no examples.

From: Frank F. Matthews on 29 Oct 2007 23:03


TEP wrote:

>>are you seriously telling me that it isn't technically feasible to show
>>the actual price of the fare
>
>
> Well, Yes, I think we are. Between any 2 airports (more if one is doing a
> multi-city search), there are multiple airlines and a variety of possible
> connections. Imagine the time it would take if sites like Travelocity (but,
> insert Orbitz, Expedia, etc.) had to go to each possible airline's website
> and insert the paramters of your search in order to arrive at possible
> itineraries and prices and then display them in some matrix for you to look
> at. Thus, to speed things up to the user, these sites build a large
> database a few times during the day and use that for conducting searches.
> (Refernce my use of "real-time" in my prior post.)
>
>
>
>>with one more click of the button, I get the ACTUAL frigging price 2
>>seconds later?
>
>
> Yes, this can now happen quickly as you have identified a specific flight on
> a specific day that can then be input into an airline's database to get a
> real-time quote. If the fare still exists, fine--otherwise this is when you
> get the message that the fare no longer exists.

The common complaint is that they do not then use the information to
alter their data but continue to display information which they now know
to be wrong.

>> This is a simple BAIT and SWITCH!
>
>
> Well, you are right. These sites are not upfront with the user on how the
> seach is actually performed.
>
>
>>I used to think they were industry leaders
>
>
> The industry leader is Orbitz.
>
>
From: midcopkg on 30 Oct 2007 04:54
On Oct 26, 11:50 pm, DevilsPGD <spam_narf_s...(a)crazyhat.net> wrote:
> In message <RZmdnVUcMdfOF7zanZ2dnUVZ_rfin...(a)comcast.com> mrtravel
>
> <mrtra...(a)a.a.a> wrote:
> >Not that I disagree with some of the other stuff you are saying, but
> >when it is 3 or 4 in the morning where you are, it is NOT 3 or 4 in the
> >morning in most other places.
>
> True. However, it is statistically likely that when I am searching for
> a flight between a couple smaller cities that are relatively close,
> there aren't a whole ton of Aussies searching that route.
>
> Well that, plus I described how I identified that no one else was
> searching that same route through Travelocity at that moment.
>
> --
> You can get more with a kind word and a 2x4 than just a kind word.

Travelocity is no better than any other travel site, really. I just
saw an article by a guy who was a travel agent and fired for no
apparent reason. So he's getting revenge by posting everything he has
learned on the inside for the general public to see. It's amazing
what he's telling, how to get cheaper everything! There are so many
tricks to the travel biz and he's doing this on purpose. But there is
no way he can be shut up. See it at: www.columbinetravel.biz and see
what you think too. I'll use his tips from now on to get cheaper
everything.

From: branman on 30 Oct 2007 11:12
On Oct 29, 5:50 pm, "TEP" <t...(a)nospampleasecomcast.net> wrote:
> Well, Yes, I think we are. Between any 2 airports (more if one is doing a
> multi-city search), there are multiple airlines and a variety of possible
> connections. Imagine the time it would take if sites likeTravelocity(but,
> insert Orbitz, Expedia, etc.) had to go to each possible airline's website
> and insert the parameters of your search in order to arrive at possible
> itineraries and prices and then display them in some matrix for you to look
> at. Thus, to speed things up to the user, these sites build a large
> database a few times during the day and use that for conducting searches.
> (Reference my use of "real-time" in my prior post.)

Sorry, I don't buy it. I can imagine exactly what would be required
from a techincal and design perspective. I work in this area and I can
tell you that what I am suggesting is not only feasible, it isn't even
taxing from a hardware, software, throughput, etc. perspective.
Moreover, I have a fairly extensive background in business and I can
say, with at least some certainty, that the reason these sites don't
show you the complete fare upfront has more to do with studies that
have likely shown customers simply book the 'adjusted' fare rather
than spend all day clicking back and forth on their browsers. My guess
is that they have developed revenue models that support their current
setup. I'm saying that it is a short-sited strategy--after using
Travelocity, I now go to the lowest quoted airline and book directly
with them. Anyhow, I'll get off my gripe-box for now.... I've put it
out there... Regards all.



From: TEP on 30 Oct 2007 11:18

> Sorry, I don't buy it. I can imagine exactly what would be required
> from a techincal and design perspective.

You can "imagine" it, but that doesn't make it true. To quote from here
(http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-tr-internet7aug07,1,6658401.column?coll=la-headlines-technology),
"Current technology doesn't allow checking every possible airfare
combination and holding every one of those fares while the customer decides
whether to purchase the ticket."


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