SEPTEMBER Q&A WITH ANDREW RISCH, ADVERTISING COORDINATOR
In our September 2018 issue, Andrew Risch discussed all things fall — including the extended voting season for our annual GT Tested Reader Survey — and the nostalgia of the season. This begged the question: What are some of your favorite autumn memories?

My family and I tend to vacation in the fall. Whether on their school break or just before the semester starts, we try to go somewhere for a long weekend and enjoy the outdoors. It’s always a fun time to connect after a busy summer.
ALEXIS WALKER, via email

Autumn always makes me think of when I was a kid and my family and I would go apple picking and buy fall decorations for the house. It’s also a great time to get out hiking and camping.
JEFFERY WALLIS, via email

We are a camping family, so the fall makes me think of my family’s annual trip to camp in upstate New York. Now we go back occasionally and stay around the Finger Lakes and visit the different wineries.
COURTNEY THOMPSON, via email

DANCIN’ IN SEPTEMBER
Our magazine is celebrating 15 years, and our September 2018 issue is another reason to revel in that fact, according to one GT Advisory Board member and avid long-time reader.

The September issue is the best I have read in 15 years. Congrats!
MARK LANE, via email

UNITED’S LATEST BAGGAGE FEE HIKE
In our Sept. 25 issue of This Month in Aviation with Harriet Baskas, Baskas discussed the price hike across most major airlines. United Airlines, JetBlue, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, WestJet and Air Canada recently raised their fees for checked bags and for overweight and oversized bags.

This is why I prefer Southwest Airlines. No baggage fees at all for two checked bags. And the seats are roomier.

Thanks, United, for validating my airline of choice: Southwest.
YVONNE “EV” LANELLI, via email

I think it stinks United raised its baggage prices. The whole airline industry should take a good look at the consumers who fly: It feels like someone is choking us every time we fly. It’s ridiculous to fly on an airline and be charged for everything, even to choose your seat. It’s also unfair a couple cannot sit together unless they decide to pay in advance for that privilege. I am angry and ready to fight, not fly.
GLORIA AUGUSTYN, via email

It seems the fees just won’t quit. Every time I go to book a flight, I’m paying a bit more for something but getting less.
JACK KRAUFF, via email

HURRICANE RELIEF SEASON
In our Sept. 26, eFlyer USA newsletter, we discussed all the airlines and travel organizations donating funds and contributions to the devastating effects of Hurricane Florence in the Carolinas. After environmental damages only marginally improved, even two weeks after the storm, water levels continued to rise. Top travel organizations announced they would contribute to Hurricane Florence relief efforts taking place in the Carolinas, including Delta Air Lines donating $500,000 to the American Red Cross to benefit the agency’s hurricane relief efforts — in addition to a $1 million grant to the Red Cross as an Annual Disaster Giving Program. Our readers responded.

It’s great if these airlines actually donate the money they say they are going to. It seems too often everyone rushes to claim they are donating and contributing to aid efforts after a natural disaster but leave the job unfinished.
WENDY SULLIVAN, via email

It’s an expensive and dangerous time of year for regions in harm’s way of a hurricane. It’s nice to know big travel corporations pitch in also, even if the lack of tourism to that area could harm their business.
JONATHAN WILDE, via email

We have a home in North Carolina and we were very lucky with Hurricane Florence, but we have a lot of friends who were not so lucky. I’m happy to know so many companies are stepping up to help.
JENNIFER CRAWFORD, via email

UNDER PRESSURE
In our Sept. 26 eFlyer Asia, we discussed the recent Jet Airways’ flight crew forgetting to pressurize the cabin, causing 150 passengers to experience serious discomfort, including 30 passengers reportedly bleeding from their ears and mouths. This sparked a few letters from readers.

I hadn’t realized something so simple as a switch controlled the pressure of an airline cabin. I’m glad there weren’t more serious injuries; that airline should be sued for neglect.
ANGELA DISSOLVE, via email

They were lucky to have had so many passengers healthy enough to hop on the next flight after turning around. The entire situation could have gone way worse, but still, such a silly mistake and easily avoided with a more experienced crew.
JACK ROBBINS, via email

JETBLUE GOING GREEN
In our Sept. 26 issue of eFlyer USA, we discussed the renewable jet fuel more frequently used on JetBlue flights and other airlines, thanks to a few Airbus deliveries. This inspired a reader to write in.

In this political and environmental climate, I think it is a novel and well-appreciated effort seeing these big corporations work to cut carbon footprints. If an easy, costeffective and eco-friendly swap can be made, we should — wherever possible. Happy to hear this renewable jet fuel is becoming more mainstream; may take another look at JetBlue.
SIMON BAKER, via email

Q&A WITH KATIE SKRZEK, VICE PRESIDENT / DIGITAL DIRECTOR
I have been on a cruise once, with two of my friends after college to Key West and the Bahamas. Though my experience is limited, I’m intrigued by the variety of options currently available, particularly river cruises and those to cold-weather destinations like Alaska.

Cruising fans, do you have a favorite type of cruise? Email us: letters@globaltravelerusa.com