how many travel agents are on this board?

[binny]

I know there are so many things to consider!

I really like OSSN, CLIA is ok just not quite what I was hoping for I guess. I would really like it if they offered more support for home based agents.
Thats what I like about OSSN there is a lot of support. Im on my own totally. So I try to do a lot of bookings through Pleasant and TI and other wholesalers like that.

Thanks Dan, I had forgotten about that

 

[Sherlee]

Corporate agent since 1991. Just became a "Disney Specialist" last week!

 

[bubbleprincessmom]

I am now a homebased agent and LOVE it. I worked for a store front agency for 3 years but made a new friend at a disney "fam" trip last fall (surprise surprise surprise that I went on that one!) who hooked me up with her "host"agency and off I went. I've had some real great months but this one is really slow right now, but in fairness to my business with my husband being deployed soon I haven't been marketing myself like I did in the spring. For those of you considering the field just remember there is alot more to the job than planning trips. Theres airlines to deal with, changes to tickets, reports to be filed, and the occasional debit memo (which knock on wood I haven't ever gotten one) to contend with. There are those folks who want something for nothing, you spend hours and hours on a trip plan for them to have them say .... we were just trying to find out if we could even afford it....if thats the case let me know that up front and I can give you a ball park estimate without spending two days of my time doing it and work on someone else who is really going to go somewhere. And if you think "oh I can travel for free".....forget it!!! Those days are long gone!!!!

 

[binny]

Hi Sherlee and bubbleprincess!

Bubbleprincess are you in OSSN or CLIA as well?

 

[leahannpen]

Originally posted by bubbleprincessmom
For those of you considering the field just remember there is alot more to the job than planning trips. Theres airlines to deal with, changes to tickets, reports to be filed, and the occasional debit memo (which knock on wood I haven't ever gotten one) to contend with. There are those folks who want something for nothing, you spend hours and hours on a trip plan for them to have them say .... we were just trying to find out if we could even afford it....if thats the case let me know that up front and I can give you a ball park estimate without spending two days of my time doing it and work on someone else who is really going to go somewhere. And if you think "oh I can travel for free".....forget it!!! Those days are long gone!!!!

Invest in Tylenol! LOL!!

 

[binny]

Tylenol???
dont you mean something stronger? lol

actually I really enjoy it. I know I havent been at it as long as some of you but I still find it fun for the most part.

Of course, so far Ive had mainly great clients and lots of referrals so the ones who have called me almost always book so thats very nice. I dont get a lot of shoppers, a few but not the majority.
Knowck on wood

 

[nuke]

I've been a TA since I was 18 years old. (It's a long time) lol I took off 6 years to be in the Navy, came back and got right back into it. Did corporate for quite a few years but am now doing 100% leisure. I have an accounting degree but I can't bring myself to quit travel and do anything else. It gets in your blood and doesn't let go.

I've often thought about going home based but didn't know how those things worked.
I'm a NCL, Sandals, Marriott, RCCL, etc. etc.etc but especially DISNEY Specialist. I am happiest booking a Disney trip but I do everything. Just finished a two month ordeal booking a two week FIT Honeymoon to Italy.

Business is slow lately but since I'm in an agency I get a paycheck regardless. We are so busy in the Winter and Spring that Summer and Fall seem like we are sitting around twiddling our thumbs when in reality we are doing okay.

 

[leahannpen]

Nuke, I too started this crazy business when I was 18. I'm 31 now. I've actually worked at the same place all these years. So I also get a paycheck regardless, but things are sure slow these days!

Wowzers, a 2 week FIT in Italy...UGH!!! LOL! Those are the type of things I don't enjoy. I'm not great at the European FIT type stuff.

By the way, I am a CDK Graduate also. That was a fun course! I knew almost everything without reading the book!

I just think this business has finally burned me out.

 

[Jynohn]

I used to be a flight attendant, and when I had to stop flying due to inner ear problems, I thought becoming a travel agent would be the next best thing. I seriously considered doing it, and looked into several schools, including Johnson and Wales University. The only thing that stopped me however was all the discouragement I was getting from people telling me that everyone is booking on the internet these days and there is no future in the industry.

I'd love it if some of you current agents could tell me how much truth there is to this. Is is still possible to make a decent living as a travel agent these days? Also, are the travel benefits really that greatly reduced? I really miss all the traveling I did when I worked for the airlines. Finally, what steps would you recommend to become a travel agent. I've seen many on-line certification programs, but don't know how legit these really are. I'm one of those weird people who really loves going to school, so I'd be leaning more towards Johnson and Wales, but cost is a consideration if the industry is no longer very lucrative.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

 

[nuke]

It depends on your version of a decent living. I consider it a secondary income. My DH earns the big bucks. you can do okay but you won't be rich.

 

[binny]

it really does depend on your definition of "living" is. lol

I dont think its all going to internet personally. Sometimes we can still get better deals than the internet. I was able to save 2 couples over 3 Thousand dollars over what they found on the internet for their trip to Jamaica.

Besides its nice to have someone in your corner if something goes wrong. KWIM?