FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Raymond M. Flynt, President
Travelers Aid International (202) 546-1127
info@travelersaid.org
PASSENGERS CAN CONTACT TRAVELERS AID BEFORE DEPARTING TO GET ANSWERS TO THEIR TRAVEL QUESTIONS
Washington DC, December 19, 2007 – With a record holiday travel season predicted, Travelers Aid encourages travelers to prepare ahead. Travelers Aid also wants the traveling public to know that the nonprofit network has “help desks” at 26 North American airports, 6 train stations and 10 bus terminals, to answer travelers’ questions, provide directions, and assist travelers in trouble. With fewer resources being devoted to customer service by the transportation industry, Travelers Aid expects to help a record number of passengers this holiday travel season. Last year, Travelers Aid assisted 6.5 million passengers in transportation centers.
Travelers can call Travelers Aid help desks AHEAD OF TIME to get the information they need in order to ensure a smooth trip, such as walking distances between gates, wheelchair availability, and protective travel services for the elderly or unaccompanied minors. Contact information can be found at www.travelersaid.org.
Travelers Aid also offers a handy communications feature called “E-HELP” on the home page of its Web site www.travelersaid.org which allows distressed travelers to type in a description of their problem and receive a prompt, individualized e-mail response from a member of the group’s trained staff.
"Furthermore,” notes Ray Flynt, president/CEO of Travelers Aid International, "even with the best of planning, problems can develop beyond the traveler’s control. That’s where Travelers Aid steps in – with high-touch customer service during the traveler’s journey. Travelers Aid and its 2,200 volunteers stand ready to help.” Services available range from reuniting families who have become separated, to providing emergency food or shelter to stranded passengers, and even emotional counseling.
TRAVELERS AID LOCATIONS IN NORTH AMERICAN TRANSPORTATION CENTERS
AIRPORTS
Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson
Chicago O’Hare
Dallas/Fort Worth
Denver International (NEW!)
Detroit Metro Wayne Co.
Houston (Hobby)
Houston (Bush Intercontinental)
Jacksonville
Las Vegas McCarran
Los Angeles (LAX)
Milwaukee
New York City (JFK)
Newark Liberty
Newport News/Williamsburg
Oklahoma CityOntario (CA)
Orlando
Phoenix Sky Harbor
Pittsburgh San Diego
San Francisco
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Tampa
Toronto, Canada
Washington Dulles
Washington Reagan National
# # #
About Travelers AidTravelers Aid, the oldest, non-sectarian social welfare organization in the United States, has become known as the “Number One name in airport customer assistance.” In 2006, TA assisted 6.5 million individuals at transportation centers and provided casework services to an additional 200,000 individuals in crisis. While each of its 51 member agency shares the core service of helping stranded travelers, many Travelers Aid agencies provide shelter for the homeless, transitional housing, job training, counseling, local transportation assistance and other programs to help people in their communities who encounter crises as they journey through life.
Travelers Aid International1612 K Street NW, Suite 206, Washington DC 20006P. (202) 546-1127 F. (202) 546-9112
www.travelersaid.org