Re: Passport trip

Posted by Kathleen S. Mueller, Director of Admissions on May 06, 1998 at 09:41:11:

In Reply to: Passport trip posted by Thomas Sprenkle on March 24, 1998 at 11:59:06:

This is Kathleen Mueller. I'm the Director of Admissions at Passports, and as such could have removed this unpleasant remark from Thomas Sprenkle (his real name is Elam Sprenkle) in a heartbeat.

Mr. Sprenkle is not a group organizer. He is a student participant in the Passports 1998 Spring program in question. Other student and teacher travelers in the same spring, 1998 program have given fine reviews to Passports.

The Hotel Achemede in Rome, a concern of Mr. Sprenkle's, has actually been requested by group organizers, citing its fine location, among other virtues. It is currently under renovation via a government plan geared toward the year 2000 festivities in Rome.

Mr. Sprenkle's courier (tour escort) was Frances Draxl, a woman whom I know personally, and whom certain group organizers have been known to "follow anywhere." She is a professional like none other. Many group organizers request Frances' services as a CONDITION of their ongoing business with Passports.
No group organizer has ever said an unkind word about Frances, whose expertise, knowledge (and sense of direction!) are well-known in student travel industry circles. Frances is, undoubtedly, one of the most highly-educated and skilled couriers in our employ.

We're understandably disappointed that Mr. Sprenkle would choose to post his remarks on our Internet site, knowing full well that this posting might hurt Passports, and the people who work (very hard!) for this company.

All this without contacting us FIRST!! However, that was his decision.

Passports will leave Mr. Sprenkle's posting in place indefinitely, hoping that he will find the time to meet with his group organizer and document his remarks in greater detail with her assistance.

Mr. Sprenkle is from Maryland. Anyone wishing to know how we REALLY treat people from Maryland should click on the "Going Places Newsletter" icon and read the article about the group from Maryland who wouldn't be going to Europe this summer were it not for Passports. That's the kind of company we are.