WHEN IS A RESERVATION NOT A RESERVATION?

When is a reservation not worth the paper it's printed on? When is a reservation just a way for one airline to have your money, interest free, and not deliver. Book on AIR TRAN and let the troubles begin.

A year ago I made the decision not to spend Christmas 2009 in Maine. I wanted something completely different, break the mold, welcome the new. Los Angeles was the most obvious choice as my closest friend lives there and we usually spend some "holiday" time together.

Searching for competitively priced airline travel tickets began in early July, 2009. AIR TRAN consistently offered the best pricing. Portland to Baltimore, Baltimore to Los Angeles. Outbound and inbound time schedules worked for me. Although I had never flown AIR TRAN, they advertised winning some air travel award. "Can't be all bad," I thought! (Oh, yes it can!)

My reservation, with confirmed seat assignments (costing me extra,) was made and paid for on July 29,2009.

Plans for "Christmas in LA " were underway. A weeks worth of holiday festivities planned. Presents were purchased, packed and shipped early as not to get lost in the holiday mailing madness. Everything was received at appointed LA destination before Thanksgiving. All I had to do was work until the 19th, pack my bags and be gone.

The first glimpse of a problem presented itself when I attempted to print boarding passes on the evening of December 19. The AIR TRAN site informed me that the flight had been cancelled and directed me to call 800airtran (800.247.8726.) Following their directions I did just that. The menu options NEVER GAVE ME THE CHOICE to speak to a live person, and after much listening to their check-in and baggage information, THE CALL WAS DROPPED! This happened three times, totally sixteen minutes of listening to the same tape. After multiple attempts to get the information "they" directed me to get from their 800 line, I learned that my departing flight from Portland was on time. Since it left at 6:15 am, I needed to grab whatever sleep I could because the 3:30 am alarm buzzer would come early.

At 4:30 am on December 20, 2009 I stood at the AIR TRAN counter. My bag was weighed and checked and the Boarding Pass for Seat 16F, PWM to BWI, was in my hand. The Boarding Pass for Seat 15F, BWI to LAX, was not forthcoming. "We can only get you to Baltimore." Three hours later I left the Portland Jetport with confirmed seats on flights scheduled for Dec. 21.2009.

Same drill next morning. Standing before the AIR TRAN counter crew at 4:30 am, I'm notified that Flight 430, Portland to Baltimore is running two hours late because the crew was late getting in. I asked, "How am I going to make my Baltimore to LAX flight, #60, which departs Baltimore at 9:20am?" I'm told they won't hold the plane because it's already over-sold and that they can't get me to LA until December 25, 2009. To put it mildly, I'm in shock. My entire Christmas has been shipped to Los Angeles. I wasn't the only "Reserved" AIR TRAN passenger in shock. A college student was told they couldn't get him to his destination until Dec. 23. Another gentleman was told ,"Nothing for two days!" My guess is that the percentage of displaced AIR TRAN passangers is significantly high. FAA, where are you?

To add insult to injury, AIR TRAN refuses to return my money, which they've now had the use of, interest free, for five months. I'm told to collect from the travel insurance. To date, they have ignored my request to FAX me the necessary documentation I need to make the insurance claim. Any communication with AIR TRAN CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS BEEN TOTALLY UNSUCCESSFUL. During a phone call at 7:25am on December 24, 2009 a supervisor named Janice told me to call AIR TRAN PUBLIC RELATIONS. That number is 866.247.2428.

Whoever you are, the person who paid more money for Seat 15F, AIRTRAN flight #60, BWI to LAX on December 20, 2009, I hope you had a very Merry Christmas. I've learned the hard way that with AIR TRAN, a reservation isn't really a reservation. I believe the AIR TRAN practice is frought with negligence.

Portland's Most Recognized Tree

Some would say it's not a tree at all. It doesn't have roots that tap the ground. It doesn't have boughs that sway in our strong Northeast'r winds. It doesn't have leaves that greet each new May and depart with the chills of autumn. It's but strings of lights that announce the holiday season from Thanksgiving to New Years.

Erected on the roof of the B&M Baked Bean factory, lights strung to resemble a stylized tree with a glowing star atop, remind all those traveling Route 295 North that the holiday season has arrived. One can hear many voices exclaiming, "The bean factory tree is lit!" And so the holidays have"officially" begun in this seaside city on Casco Bay.

I can't find any official record of exactly when the tree was erected, but it's been glowing since I arrived in Portland twenty-seven years ago. If a reader knows, please share your information.

As the pace of celebration accelerates, let the bean factory tree bring a glow to your life. Enjoy it from one of Portland's viewing sites, or slow down and "honk" good cheer as you travel north on 295. Our most recognized tree is worthy of acknowledgement and the employees of B&M, baking our Saturday night beans, will like hearing from you.

HONK FOR THE BEAN TREE!

GIFTING: BEYOND ORDINARY

Not found at mall stores, off-price shopping centers, boutiques, sophisticated cyber-space sites or on Main Street, USA, my celebrated gifts for 2009 were found at gallery openings, museum visits or chance encounters at artisan gatherings.

Deck the halls with hand blown ornaments and objects of art from Ben Coombs, internationally acclaimed glass blower whose hot-shop just happens to be located in Portland, Maine. Ben has introduced an affordable collection or colorful, swirling glass Christmas tree balls, tear-drops, candy canes, petite buoys and other assorted shapes that will add dazzle to the simplest of trees. Once the season is over, display a few in light infused areas. Rainbows of color may stream across a room when least expected! Ben's ornaments and fine art glass pieces can be found at Portland Glassblowing Studio, 24 Romasco Lane,(in the back of the old Nissean Bakery building) Portland, Maine. 207.409.4527. In 2010, ornaments and such will be available at http://www.cascobayglass.com/ Become a collector!

From glass to woven sweet grass, an Indian summer visit to the Abbe Museum in Bar Harbor, Maine introduced me to the finely woven baskets by members of Maine's Wabanaki tribe. The freshly harvested sweet grass, from which the baskets are woven, emitted the perfumed scent of a sweet, Maine, August day. Selecting the very affordable candy basket for $30 to the intricately created acorn basket for $130, the signed baskets of all shapes and sizes, indigenous to the Native American culture, are treasures. The weavers who create product for the shop also have their work on exhibit in the galleries. Gift a candy basket holding a package of tea from the Native American Tea Company. There's a soothing idea sure to please...and a percent of after tax profits from the tea supports scholarships at Sitting Bull College in South Dakota. See more at http://www.abbemuseum.org/.

Now for the quirky and really original! I found Aimsel's album cover, spiral bound books last season but was shopped out. Re-found them this year and was ready to purchase. Every one has a favorite group that recalls very special moments. Re-live them again, and keep sacred notes or drawings in these journal/sketch books. My memory will be dancing with images of graduate school days at Emerson College in Boston. FAME, the movie and hit sound track, was fresh on the big screen and so Emersonian. Have a special request, contact Aimsel at aimselponti@yahoo.com. Be in the moment with the best of the past! "I want to live forever....!" Or if you recognize the line, "We forgot about the flowers," this is your gift of choice. Nothing but fun and creative endeavors...almost guaranteed.

FINALLY! Just found these high-tops with custom knit sweaters! PRETTY SNEAKY! Seriously. Katie Worthing creates customized hand knit "sweaters...booties" for high-top sneakers. Now is this cool or what?I can see them walking down Melrose Avenue in West LA! Or how about Winter Carnival in Quebec City. There's no stopping the cozy, hip beat of these PRETTY SNEAKY sneakers! In the chill of winter, keep your toes toasty. http://prettysneaky.etsy.com/ or prettysneaky@hotmail.com

If you're still stuck for "What to Give," give some thanks for all the wonder that abounds.

Happy Holidays to all. I'm LA bound for a breath of Pacific air and Palm Desert light.