Originally Posted By vbdad55 Dave as I travel a lot also- not as much as you personally ( but 3-5 trips per year to other major cities for my daughters volleyball team) , but far more work related. I have found the following: Hotels: Marriotts here ( courtyards and residence inns all I can talk to) to me have dropped in maintenance and upkeep significantly- to the point where I usually stay in the Hilton chain now when I can. This has been a progressive decline that I anf my family have noticed- as well as far less discounting so more money for less return. I am a Hiltons Honors and Marriot Rewards member so I was used to using both. On the other hand Hilton mid level chain and Embassey Suites have improved. NOTE: this is only domestic here as I have not traveled abroad recently) Some other smaller chains like Drury aslso seem to have improved Museums/Zoos- hit or miss here and Chicago has a ton of them and I usually visit in any city I travel to. Some are in virtual disrepair- clearly huriting for money- for those in better shape the cost to attend has multiplying at a very fast rate. $30+ dollars for entry to a museum seems steep to me Retaurants I also agree are hit and miss but I find more with smaller portions( not necessarily bad except costs have gone up at same time) - some chains moving to smaller menu's and / or buffets which is usually a sign of desparation. I know they are under pressure to turn tables over faster without losing the amount of money being spent. Buffets of course lower support costs. The higher end - family owned places I notice some little things leaving ( have to ask for bread or water for instance)- but overall quality still very high Car Rentals- I only use Hertz and hae not found any issues other than there are less discounts than in the past Six Flags here- well maintenance and food quality could not go lower so I guess no decline techincally there- and this year there are severely discounting AP's--( they had pre season ones on sale this year for $49 ! with one grocery store reducing another $10 ) - I personally think they are in serious trouble
Originally Posted By vbdad55 ^^^ btw- I have been in contact with Marriott often- getting 2 different trips compmed for issues we faced- that was not the intent of the calls, but the problems have been so prevalent i now avoid them if possible.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Wow - that sounds quite different. Of course my experience has been mainly based on Europe as I have not been to the US in 3 years.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 The question is what can we do about it? I try to treat people the way I would like to be treated. Sadly I am wondering if it is all in vane? -------------------- part of it - at least here, IMHO has been caused by the huge rift in the political parties- going back to CLinton and Bush and now Obama. And I know Dave you are anti conservatives - but I can tell you they are not alone to blame for the division-- I live it every day and live in a 100% democratic controlled state - which ranks 49th in financial stability, and in the bottom 10 in education etc..and is as nasty politically as anywhere. But I'm not here to debate one vs the other as to point out the constant bombardment on TV of negative adds from both sides- the flat out lying ( again both parties) - and the anger this has caused in conjunction with the quality of life dropping has made for an angry populace. I consider myself a moderate and vote cross party all the time- always have-- but I am rare comparatively. Crime- expecially gang crime is rising at an alarming date - 1000+ murders in Chicagoland last year- majority kids and gang related. It's a mean world woith less and less concern for life-- family values are not what they are touted to be by politicians, but a family ( or whatever makeup) is needed for kids to have supportive upbringings. This is a societal issue
Originally Posted By vbdad55 9:04a Wow - that sounds quite different. Of course my experience has been mainly based on Europe as I have not been to the US in 3 years ------------- yep, and me vice versa which is why I think we need both views to get an overall picture.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>yep, and me vice versa which is why I think we need both views to get an overall picture.<<< And that is what I love about LP, most of the time we do all share our experiences, and can look at the vectors to try to establish a picture. Sadly everything is not rosey in the UK either, far from. If we want to complain about dumbing down, toys are my biggest beef. People want them cheap, so we get land fill stuff that lasts five minutes and all the money is spent on licencing rather than supply chain and QA. Grrrrrrr.
Originally Posted By Christi22222 All this is why I did not find the movie "Idiocracy" to be funny. It was scary.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>I don't think so.<<<< I know he's being groomed for something... I think CEO is the most logical information I have gotten.
Originally Posted By Lee hisownself >>I know he's being groomed for something... << President. Wells' old job.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<^^^ You know, someone told me that last night!!! >> I don't remember much of last night ... sorta like what happens when a fanboi awakens in the bed of an Imagineer! ;-)
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>>I don't remember much of last night ... sorta like what happens when a fanboi awakens in the bed of an Imagineer! ;-)<<< Time flies when you have fun? Did I pronounce that right?
