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Fieldtrips Chatboard

Tour Company Problems

by socaliforniamagistra

Mar 11, 2010

Honestly, you're being rather cynical: I don't work for that tour company.

I also don't travel internationally with students and I was making some suggestions and illustrating with my personal experience.

I did mention that some of my colleagues were traveling without a company and had saved a great deal of money.

I al...See More

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Wanda I teach at a small college. I felt slightly sleazy before I began this process (of receiving my trip at a reduced cost or "free" based upon the number of enrolled travelers). Then I went on a trip that I paid for, and even without a full-time tour guide (I went to England and did all the planning for four English teachers, including booking fights,...See More

Apr 16, 2013

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NECT Travel Voucher

by Jon

Mar 25, 2010

NETC Travel Voucher worth $200, good through 10/15/10. Offering at discount. Save some money.

Jon

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Field Trip Idea - TV Station

by field tripper

Mar 28, 2010

We just came from a field trip to our local television news station. It was one of the best field trips ever! The kids got to watch a live taping of the 11am news, they got to sit in the studio and see the anchors and broadcasters do their work. They also got to sit in the control room, where the director and technicians control the whole boardcast...See More

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Madrid, Paris.. Student Tour

by Charles Worthen

Apr 5, 2010

There were 15 persons in our group, 5 Adults and 10 Students...After Flying all Night, We spent the first day of tour waiting and laying around in Londons, Hethrow Airport (91/2 hours) 7:30am to 4:55pm.. Tired , Sleepy and Hungry plus no Bath, We missed the first day of our tour because EXPLORICA was too Cheap to get us out on an EARLIER... on anot...See More

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EF, Explorica, Passports and the Dishonest Teachers

by Lorna Mail

Apr 18, 2010

I've travelled with all of those companies for 20 years. More and more I hear of many colleague teachers who do not tip the Tour Directors for the wonderful job they do! The most terrible cases are those teachers who collect the money from the students and they pocket most of it. This information is going around the world more and more among Tour D...See More

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gail On 10/06/10, Debbie Fremming wrote: > On 4/28/10, Verity wrote: >> Adam has made a good point about my ability to pick and choose. I >> have been in the business a long time and so I have a lot of repeat >> business. The company I started out with did not allow tipping at >> all and paid us well, so I was spoiled. I can a...See MoreOn 10/06/10, Debbie Fremming wrote: > On 4/28/10, Verity wrote: >> Adam has made a good point about my ability to pick and choose. I >> have been in the business a long time and so I have a lot of repeat >> business. The company I started out with did not allow tipping at >> all and paid us well, so I was spoiled. I can also negotiate my >> contracts with many tour operators, especially if I am requested by >> a group. New tour guides are not in the same position and >> unfortunately, many good ones leave because they do not make enough >> money. The tour companies should have the gratuities > automatically >> added into the trip and if the guide or bus driver does not > do a >> good job, they should be let go. One of my companies sends me > a >> separate check for the gratuity after the trip is completed and >> they have received a good report. I've been reading a lot about >> teachers complaining about their pay. Most of them are > members of >> unions which try to negotiate better contracts for them. We're >> mostly independent contractors and working seasonally, but are >> entirely at the mercy of the companies and the teachers. The >> companies are not interested in protecting their guides. They >> should imagine what it is like to be a professional guide on > duty >> 24 hours with the responsibility of a group of students and get >> paid less than minimum wage. Waiters and waitresses are treated >> better. >> >> On 4/24/10, Adam wrote: >>> Its nice that Verity can pick and choose the tour company he (or >>> she) works for, and settles only for those who pay a "decent daily >>> fee." Unfortunately, in these troubles times, most of us cannot >>> pick and choose companies and we have to go with the work that is >>> offered. I agree with what both Verity and Lorna have to say. We >>> work long hours, and as with any service industry, are at the >>> mercy of the teachers for our tips. I believe that dishonest >>> teachers are few and far between, but they are out there. I wish >>> there was a way of letting the kids (and their parents) know that >>> a tip was not received, especially when one was collected from >>> them. I've been lucky to have worked with wonderful teachers who >>> have been extremely generous with the tip and hopefully forums >>> like this will educate and reinforce the need for gratuities to be >>> given to reward hard work. >>> >>> >>> On 4/20/10, Verity wrote: >>>> I am a tour guide who has been 'stiffed' by many of my groups >>>> and it is not due to the quality of my guiding. The tour >>>> companies that tell the teachers to tip are paying us poorly >>>> to begin with and our income is really based on the tips and >>>> the number of people on the bus. Spending one to two weeks >>>> 24/7 with a group, giving them the best service possible, and >>>> then not getting anything, is disgusting. And you can't >>>> complain to the companies because they don't care. The bus >>>> drivers want us to bring groups to more souvenir stops to >>>> make up some of the slack with commissions. I take pride in >>>> my work so I now only work for companies that pay me a decent >>>> daily fee, regardless of the number of people on the bus. But >>>> believe me, it is not only with North American teachers >>>> because this system was started by European companies for >>>> European teachers. I was even fired by an Australian company >>>> when I confronted an Aussie teacher, after a three week trip, >>>> who gave no tip to either me or my bus driver and the teacher >>>> said that she thought the tip was included, when it clearly >>>> wasn't. >>>> >>>> On 4/18/10, Lorna Mail wrote: >>>>> I've travelled with all of those companies for 20 years. >>>>> More and more I hear of many colleague teachers who do not >>>>> tip the Tour Directors for the wonderful job they do! The >>>>> most terrible cases are those teachers who collect the >>>>> money from the students and they pocket most of it. This >>>>> information is going around the world more and more among >>>>> Tour Directors and Travel Companies with evidences. If some >>>>> teachers are doing this, we should not be surprised that >>>>> the reputation of Northamerican teachers is becoming what >>>>> it is now!! This is mostly embarassing especially >>>>> considering that we, teachers get so many benefits and >>>>> stipends and advantages, that I will not mention here! So >>>>> those teachers are destroying the reputation of many others >>>>> who do this with passion. They steal the money of their >>>>> students and the tip of their Tour Director. And this is a >>>>> crime!! >>>>> Lorna

There is a travel company that will add the school and the teacher to their liability insurance so you are covered and so is the school. The travel programs are really educational. They will also pay the teacher a 500.00 bonus at time of travel for spring deposits and bill the parents individually on payment plan through the summer. If you would like more information please email me. [email removed].

Jan 2, 2011

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alberto casanova On 4/18/10, Lorna Mail wrote: > I've travelled with all of those companies for 20 years. > More and more I hear of many colleague teachers who do not > tip the Tour Directors for the wonderful job they do! The > most terrible cases are those teachers who collect the > money from the students and they pocket most of it. This > info...See More

Mar 17, 2011

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NECT Travel Voucher

by Laurie

Apr 20, 2010

I have a $200.00 voucher that has to be used in the final payment before 10/15/10. I will take $150.00 for it. If anyone has any suggestions on how to sell this please let me know.

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NETC Travel Vouchers

by Marylena

May 13, 2010

Seven $900 NETC travel vouchers available as our Natick, MA High School Mexico trip was cancelled. Valid for NETC program departing by 12/31/2011. Willing to discount. Please let me know if you have any questions.

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Travel with Smithsonian Student Travel

by Trace

May 15, 2010

Has anyone traveled recently with Smithsonian Student Travel? We are scheduled to travel to Boston next spring and I would like to know about any experiences you may have had, not just the bad ones either.

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Jen B. Trace,

I used to travel to DC and other destinations with EF/SmithsonianStudentTravel and I have found better experiences with another company. Just like many people mention they promise a price that doesn't include much. I was told a price that was to be an all inclusive price for my kids, however, once I receive the itinerary the only me...See More

Aug 5, 2010

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Susan Trace, I have have traveled many times with Smithsonian/Go Ahead/EF Tours from Washington DC to New York, and Ireland/Scotland with adults and students. I agree with "obsserver" that it is the sourpuss that does the most complaining. After multiple trips and another one scheduled for March, the only problem I have ever had was with parents who want...See MoreTrace, I have have traveled many times with Smithsonian/Go Ahead/EF Tours from Washington DC to New York, and Ireland/Scotland with adults and students. I agree with "obsserver" that it is the sourpuss that does the most complaining. After multiple trips and another one scheduled for March, the only problem I have ever had was with parents who want a high end tour for low end prices and don't have the math skills to figure out why it would cost more to have 2 people in the room than it does for 4 people! Travel in confidence and ask for Emily!

GET the Insurance, I had a student break his ankle 4 days before we left one year and the MOM had a FIT!!! because they wouldn't refund her money. She made the choice not to buy the insurance even though I encouraged it. She would have gotten a full refund. Then she wanted me to push him in a wheelchair and threatened to file a handicapped discrimination suit against me! He wasn't handicapped, he was injured and the Dr. wouldn't release him to travel.

On 5/21/10, observer wrote: > Hi Trace, > > I really would not be concerned about it. The student travel > industry is so complicated trying to understand it all is not worth > your time. If you research any company online you will typically > find only negative responses. However, in comparison to the people > who are having great tours the percentage is miniscule. You can > have a really good tour, like the majority of people, and never > post anything about it. The people who are really pissed off tend > to write on boards like these. Although there are definitely some > legitimate complaints most of the time it is parents/teachers who > have no clue about travel. In the end, understand the general > guidelines of the company and have a great time! > > > > On 5/18/10, Trace wrote: >> Can you give me examples of what is not included? Has anyone had >> a good experience with EF/Smithsonian Student Travel? I am >> really concerned from all the negative I hear ...This did seem >> like the right choice. >> >> >> >> On 5/18/10, Molly wrote: >>> Trace, >>> >>> Be weary of these guys as they are really EF who has >>> rebranded themselves under the Smithsonian name. They >>> typically tell you it's going to be this amazing trip for >>> this low price but once you get on the trip you find out >>> almost nothing is included! I would check out other >>> companies if your letters have not been sent out yet! >>> >>> On 5/15/10, Trace wrote: >>>> Has anyone traveled recently with Smithsonian Student >>>> Travel? We are scheduled to travel to Boston next spring >>>> and I would like to know about any experiences you may have >>>> had, not just the bad ones either.

Jul 28, 2012

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What is the best student travel group?

by Trace

May 18, 2010

What is your favorite student travel group and why?

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Class Act Tours On 10/05/10, Porsche wrote: > They are similar in mission, but People to People Ambassadors are > focused on academic achievement. They only bring specific students on > their program and if I’m not mistaken by invitation only. Close Up > provides civic education and is geared to all schools as well as > individuals that are from a...See MoreOn 10/05/10, Porsche wrote: > They are similar in mission, but People to People Ambassadors are > focused on academic achievement. They only bring specific students on > their program and if I’m not mistaken by invitation only. Close Up > provides civic education and is geared to all schools as well as > individuals that are from all academic backgrounds. They try to give > all students the opportunity to come on program. They provide grants > and fellowships and will even help give you ideas for fundraising and > donations. Each year Close Up reps, staff and even officers build > relationships with teachers/administrators and districts. Majority of > their groups are through schools. Close Up’s major programs center in > DC, yes, but you can create your own program as well to include NY, > Williamsburg, Philly, Gettysburg and few others. You have the option > to persaonalize it to fit your needs. They have teachers that build > their classroom curriculum around these programs/current issues. They > have programs throughout the year and are less expensive. > > On 10/04/10, mslutheran wrote: >> Isn't Close Up like People to People Ambassadors in that they focus >> more on leadership seminars? It seems to me that most of their >> programs are not geared to whole school groups, but individual >> students that come from all over the country and world. I'm not >> knocking the programs, in fact, some of our students have been on >> both, and have benefited, but they're not really 'tours' and they're >> centered mostly in DC. >>

Hi! Of course I'm extremely biased because I've worked with Class Act Tours for over 25 years, but I truly feel you won't find an easier and more personable company to work with! When you call, we immediately connect you with a Personal Tour Coordinator whom you can contact 24/7 for any questions you may have during the trip planning process. We work with ALL kinds of budgets, keeping in mind that this is an EDUCATIONAL trip, geared towards student groups and it shows in our prices without compromising on quality. Our guides are AWESOME and I wouldn't work anywhere else~ [link removed]:)

Oct 8, 2010

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Debbie Bell On 5/18/10, Trace wrote: > What is your favorite student travel group and why?

I appreciate the hard work and superb service of TSA Tours, located in Tempe, Arizona. I have been leading student tours since 1986 and have had the opportunity to travel with CHA, Travel Selections, EF, People-To-People, International Grand Tours and finally...See More

Sep 2, 2011

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tour spain 2010

by joseph

May 20, 2010

If you are planning to see flamenco show in spain and stay overnight in Granada, then I recommend you to contact with [email removed].

regards joseph

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