Cheers and Jeers: April 21, 2008

April 21, 2008 04:48 am

— CHEERS: to both Allegiant Air and Myrtle Beach Direct, airlines flying out of Plattsburgh International Airport directly to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Fla., and Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Tampa, St. Petersburg, respectively, for delivering what they promised. A couple who recently flew Allegiant to Orlando reported to us that the flights were prompt and inexpensive and the service courteous. One Canadian man told this couple he would have paid more than $2,000 for him and his wife to fly round-trip, and instead was paying less than $500. We frankly wonder how long the attractively -- some would say astonishingly -- low prices can hold, with the cost of fuel continuing to rise. But it will be a bargain nonetheless. We've not heard a discouraging word about the prices or the service since they were inaugurated around the first of the year. Free parking at the airport continues to be a large magnet for customers. Canadians say they have to pay handsomely to park in airports in their country, and this adds to the already substantial savings here.
JEERS, however: to a worker at Plattsburgh International who was brusque and intimidating one day last week while warning passengers that two of them had parked cars in front of the terminal and the vehicles had better be moved, or else. This announcement was barked over the public-address system without an initial request that the cars be reparked. Several customers expressed surprise that such an authoritarian tone was used when a polite "please" would have done the trick. The airport is counting on prices, service and courtesy to put it over the top in a competitive field. Such reprimands are at odds with the spirit of the whole venture.
CHEERS: to the Lake Forest walking club, which has "arrived" in the Beverly Hills, Calif., after a long, cold winter. The club, comprising residents of the Lake Forest Senior Retirement Community, up to age 98, regularly walks, under the guidance of Executive Director Carmen Carpentier, inside and, when possible, outside the building. Distances are recorded. Carpentier suggested they walk with a destination in mind, first New York City and, upon completion of that cakewalk, Beverly Hills. A large wall map is filled in as the journeys are under way. When the group reached Chicago, they celebrated with Chicago pizza; at Denver, they had Denver steaks. In Beverly Hills, they popped the champagne cork. The regular walking helps hearts, but, just as important, it keeps these dedicated seniors limber and as agile as the years will allow. Last summer, the club won an award from the American Heart Association for their efforts. They are now looking for new places to visit.