Preferred seat charges can add hundreds of dollars to families' travel costs

 

Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood asking the Department of Transportation to provide guidelines to US airlines to make sure that families are not charged more to sit together.

 

"As a parent, I know firsthand how stressful traveling can be with young children. It's appalling to require a parent to pay more just to sit with their young child," Braley said. "Iowa families are already forced to pay higher prices for airline tickets due to increased fares at smaller airports, so these new fees place an unnecessary burden on Iowa families." 

 

Last week, an Associated Press article detailed how families traveling this summer could be forced to pay higher ticket prices to ensure that parents are able to sit with their children. Airlines continue to add fees, and one of these is to make window and aisle seats available only to frequent travelers or to those willing to pay more for preferred seating. This means that as airlines set aside more preferred seating for frequent travelers, parents often have to pay for these preferred seats to make sure that they are able to sit together as a family. Braley joins Sen. Schumer (D-NY) in calling for rules to ensure that families are able to sit together when flying.

 

Braley wrote to Secretary LaHood in December 2011 over concerns that airlines are moving to an increasingly less family friendly business model. The press release and a copy of this letter can be seen here.

 

The full text of Braley's most recent letter to Secretary LaHood follows. A copy of the letter is also available via the following link: http://go.usa.gov/dCo

 

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May 31, 2012

 

The Honorable Ray LaHood

Secretary, Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Ave., NW

Washington, D.C. 20590

 

 

Dear Secretary LaHood:

 

As you know, I wrote you six months ago asking you to investigate media reports that suggested airlines were moving to a less family friendly business model. I've attached a copy of that letter. I was deeply disturbed to learn that airlines plan to charge families more just to allow parents the basic ability to watch and care for their children. Several of the major airlines are increasing their fees for aisle and window seats. These increased seat prices place a significant hardship on traveling families. Many families are now being forced to sit a part from each other on an airplane, unless they pay extra money for an aisle or window seat.

 

As a parent, I know firsthand how stressful traveling can be with young children.  It's appalling to require a parent to pay more just to sit with their young child.  Furthermore, Iowa families are often forced to pay higher prices for airline tickets due to increased fares at smaller airports.  This being said, I urge the Department of Transportation to require airlines to instate a family exemption for seat fees.  By requiring airlines to have a family exemption, it will ensure that parents are not separated from their young children when they are traveling.

 

I ask that you please respond to my letter within 10 business days with an answer on whether or not the DOT will begin requiring airlines to institute a family exemption rule. Thank you for your attention to my request and please feel free to contact me if I can provide further assistance.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Bruce L. Braley

 

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Prestigious award based on consistent outstanding customer reviews

Davenport, IA - Hotel Blackhawk has just been named a 2012 TripAdvisor ® Certificate of Excellence Award Winner.

The prestigious award honors hospitality excellence and is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveler reviews on TripAdvisor ®, and is extended to qualifying businesses worldwide. Approximately 10 percent of accommodations listed on TripAdvisor ® receive this prestigious award.

To qualify for the Certificate of Excellence, businesses must maintain an overall rating of four or higher, out of a possible five, as reviewed by travelers on TripAdvisor. Additional criteria include the volume of reviews received within the last 12 months.

"TripAdvisor is pleased to honor exceptional businesses for consistent excellence, as reviewed by travelers on the site," said Christine Petersen, president of TripAdvisor for Business. "The Certificate of Excellence award gives highly rated establishments around the world the recognition they deserve. From exceptional accommodations in Beijing to remarkable restaurants in Boston, we want to applaud these businesses for offering TripAdvisor travelers a great customer experience."

"We are pleased to receive this award from TripAdvisor," said Hotel Blackhawk General Manager Tim Heim. "We strive to offer our customers a hip and historic experience, and this accolade is evidence that our hard work is translating into positive traveler reviews on TripAdvisor."

TripAdvisor® is the world's largest travel site, enabling travelers to plan and have the perfect trip. TripAdvisor ® offers trusted advice from real travelers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features with seamless links to booking tools. TripAdvisor ®-branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 50 million unique monthly visitors, and over 60 million reviews and opinions.

Hotel Blackhawk re-opened December 15, 2010. The hotel retains its 95-year-old historic character while featuring modern conveniences throughout the 130 guestrooms and extended-stay suites, eight meeting rooms and up to 300-person banquet capacity in the signature Gold Room.

Other features include wireless internet, a fitness center, business center, swimming pool, hot tub, Spa Luce (lu-CHAY), Milan Flower Shop, the Bix Bistro restaurant, the Beignet (been-YAY) Done That coffee shop and Blackhawk Bowl & Martini Lounge. The hotel is part of the Summit Hotels & Resorts group (www.summithotels.com) and the Historic Hotels of America network (www.historichotels.org).

For more, visit www.hotelblackhawk.com or find us on www.facebook.com (Search: Hotel Blackhawk).

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News from the Iowa State Fair

DES MOINES, IA (05/15/2012)(readMedia)-- The 2012 Iowa State Fair will celebrate its "Fairlicious" foods with a limited number of 3 ½ foot tall concrete ice cream cones on display throughout the grounds during the Fair, August 9-19. Individuals, clubs and companies are invited to showcase their artistic talents and love of the Fair by painting one of these sculptures.

To enter, submit an entry form along with a written description and detailed drawing of the proposed paint design. Entry forms can be downloaded from the Iowa State Fair web site: http://www.iowastatefair.org/fair-attractions/contests/. All entries must be received or e-mailed to tcook@iowastatefair.org by May 31.

Selected applicants will be contacted by June 15. Pending selection, a $125 entry fee is due at ice cream cone pick-up. Following the Fair, the artists will get to keep their painted sculptures.

A panel of judges will award prizes based on originality, creativeness and overall look in both the professional and novice divisions. Participants will be judged in the "professional" category if 25 percent or more of their income comes from graphic design or is artistry related.

Winners will receive a prize package including an Iowa State Fair plaque, Fair admission tickets, parking and Fair food tickets. The first, second and third place winners will also receive $150, $100 and $50 cash prizes, respectively. Artists' names will be displayed alongside their painted sculpture during the Fair.

Send entries to:

Tonya Cook, Special Events Director

Iowa State Fair

PO Box 57130

Des Moines, Iowa 50317-0003

Or e-mail all materials to tcook@iowastatefair.org

For questions about the contest, contact Tonya Cook at 515-262-3111, Ext. 215 or tcook@iowastatefair.org.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2012 Iowa State Fair, August 9-19. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit www.iowastatefair.org.

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WINTERSET, IOWA - On May 25 & 26 the John Wayne Birthplace will be celebrating the legendary actor's birthday with a lavish salute to the enduring 1952 film classic, "The Quiet Man." In addition to big screen presentations of the film at Winterset's vintage Iowa Theatre, the weekend will include the Midwest premiere of the Loopline Film documentary "Dreaming The Quiet Man" by Dublin director Se Merry Doyle, live stage performances of "Maurice Walsh's The Quiet Man" by Frank Mahon, the Inisfree Race Meet (a 5K run/walk), breakfast at the Winterset firehouse, traditional Irish music at the Little Dublin Irish Pub, guided tours of the John Wayne Birthplace home, "Pie Squared," a pie tasting event on the historic Courthouse square, corned beef and cabbage at the Pheasant Run tavern, a special Birthplace Museum Benefit Dinner and auction, and rides on an authentic horse-drawn Irish jaunting car like the one featured throughout the movie.

Hailed as director John Ford's greatest triumph, the "The Quiet Man" stars John Wayne as an American boxer who, after accidentally killing an opponent in the ring, returns to his Irish birthplace to forget his troubles. Instead he falls in love with the fiery Maureen O'Hara and their ensuing onscreen romance became a Hollywood legend. The picture received Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Cinematography. But the real star of the picture, according to O'Hara, is Ireland itself, a fact not lost on organizers of this event.

The original Quiet Man story was written by popular Irish author Maurice Walsh and, using the same source material, Chicagoan Frank Mahon wrote an award-winning stage adaptation of the tale, "Maurice Walsh's The Quiet Man." Mahon's play has been presented throughout the United States and Ireland and will be performed by The Winterset Stage theater company throughout
the weekend.

The documentary "Dreaming The Quiet Man" includes interviews with Maureen O'Hara, John Wayne's daughter Aissa, directors Martin Scorsese and Peter Bogdanovich and surviving bit players in Ireland who worked in the film. Much of the documentary takes place at the actual sites in Ireland where "The Quiet Man" was filmed 60 years ago and where very little has changed.

A highlight of the celebration will be a Benefit Dinner program ($100 per person) to help raise funds for the planned John Wayne Birthplace Museum. Hosted by the actor's daughter, Aissa Wayne, the evening will include traditional Irish food, a performance of music from "The Quiet Man" score, an auction of "Quiet Man" collectibles and memorabilia and a performance by the acclaimed Shannon Rovers pipes and drums.

For further details on the event and dinner reservations visit the John Wayne Birthplace website:
http://www.johnwaynebirthplace.org/birthday

For further information contact Brian Downes, Executive Director: (515) 462-5817
downes@johnwaynebirthplace.org