What a Week!

File this under anything-can-happen-when-you-travel.

There was a ton of bad weather invading the US last week, which caused plenty of delays and cancellations, but the weather had nothing to do with a canceled flight scheduled from Rochester, New York to Atlanta. Apparently two flight attendants were fighting and the scuffle was enough for the pilot to call the whole trip off. Some passengers reported that the two flight attendants were actually engaged in a fist fight. Passengers trying to escape Rochester for warmer climates were pretty aggravated, and they had a difficult time making alternate travel plans due to the weather. Some passengers were trying to get married, others had non-refundable cruise tickets, and a few just wanted to enjoy some umbrella drinks on the beach.

Just as long as they weren’t planning on visiting a beach in Greece…

Violence broke out between police and protesters in central Athens Thursday as an estimated 30,000 people gathered as part of a nationwide general strike.

Riot police fired tear gas and percussion grenades after clashing with several hundred anarchists, who responded by throwing projectiles. Hooded youths representing Greece’s anarchist movement also attacked shop fronts, smashed the windows of one hotel and set a car on fire just off one of the city’s main streets. Flights have been grounded, public transportation has stopped, and ferry and rail service has been suspended.

Think that’s bad?

An American Airlines flight was recently delayed due to some stowaways on the airplane. The flight attendant told a passenger, "There are actually 50 roaches and they found a colony on a curtain between first class and the pilots."

According to a spokesperson for the National Pest Management Association, the places you'd most likely see cockroaches on board include "in the bins that hold the luggage or just around the humans that are traveling on the airliner. But they're also going to be looking for food sources so it would not be uncommon to find them in the galley where the meals are being prepared."

Did you know that roaches can live up to a month without their head?
I know, I wish I hadn’t read that either.

The troubles didn’t end with air travel, though.

Guests arriving at the Radisson Paraiso hotel in Mexico City were not expecting to see picket lines, and at the risk of losing their pre-paid reservations, made the uncomfortable decision to cross those lines. This decision, however, was not the only discomfort they endured, as striking workers not only picketed the hotel, they locked guests out as well.

The workers started the incident by running through the corridors and yelling “Fire!” Once all the guests were outside, they were not allowed back into the hotel.

For two days.

Even to retrieve medicine, money, passports or anything else.

You might be thinking these are isolated incidents, folks, but all this happened just last week. Truth is, you never know what can happen when you travel, and when you’re in a foreign country, things can be even hairier. Anyone who thinks they don’t need trip insurance because they are healthy, or will only be gone a short time, etc. are not immune to the crazy things that happen when you travel.

A trip insurance plan from Insurance Services Of America will protect you from the things that haven’t even occurred to you yet. Insurance Services of America’s policyholders need only make one quick phone call while our 24/7 travel assistance team handles the rest.

Give us a call before your next vacation and enjoy the trip!

800.647.4589

How I Spent My Spring Break

Dear Mom and Dad,



Spring Break is a blast, wish you were here. The ocean is just beautiful, and the water is so clear you can almost see the jellyfish before they sting you. Boy those little suckers really hurt! I think I might remember where I left my wallet, too. I sure hope so, cause for the past few days I have been existing on a diet of Chicklets that I purchased from one of the roadside natives here. I tell ya, people can be very friendly to tourists. Just yesterday, some people told me to take a hike. I thought that was very nice of them to suggest recreational activities. Unfortunately, since the airline lost one of my bags on the way down here, I didn't have my hiking boots, and when that lizard bit my ankle, it hurt almost as bad as falling down that hill afterwards.



Thankfully, my friends were able to assemble a makeshift stretcher to help me get back to the main road, and boy were we ever relieved when that nice man in the truck came by to give us a ride to the clinic. At least, I think it was a clinic. I mean, there were cots there with a bunch of sick people laying on them, and I really think that if we had waited just a little longer, someone would have assisted us eventually. I'm really not sure. I was kind of beginning to pass out from the pain and none of the people dressed like nurses spoke English. My buddy had his translation dictionary with him, and although he tried to get help, it seems the clinic wouldn't treat me unless I paid them first. Unfortunately, they did not accept Chicklets.



Don't worry about me though, my foot is still black but I am beginning to get the feeling back in my toes which is certainly a good thing when you're sleeping outdoors. There are some crazy insects around here! I sure wish the hotel wouldn't have lost my reservation.



You know what mom and dad? I've been thinking about how you told me to get trip insurance from Insurance Services of America. I guess I didn't think I would need it, but it sure would have been nice to have someone who could have gotten me a new hotel room, or some emergency cash when I lost my wallet, or bought me some new boots, or paid the clinic so they would treat me and get me back home safely. Just like you would have done yourself if you were here. For under 2 bucks a day, a travel medical plan could have protected me and given you peace of mind, too. But don't worry about me, mom and dad! I think I might be coming home soon. I found a company that does medical evacuations, and although it is a bit costly, at least I'll be safe. And I promise, I will totally pay you back the Fifty Thousand Dollars just as soon as I can.

See you guys soon,

Your Son.