PARIS SNATCH
Tony Long's unhappy experience of public transport in Paris (Traveller letters, August 9-10) is in total contrast to my recent experience.
On the Metro there were public warnings of potential pickpockets and the need for careful attention to the security of personal belongings. I saw helpful and courteous French military patrols in the Metro stations. I believe Metro travel in Paris is safe and secure providing one keeps a close watch on personal property.
Margaret English
While I sympathise with Tony Long after he was robbed on the Paris Metro, I also believe some travellers take things too casually.
The Paris Metro is the absolute best way to get around this amazing city and I believe it is even easier to use than the London Underground. However, on advice from locals, every time we used the Metro, we went into full paranoia mode, both donning jackets with inside zip pockets, where wallets, important papers and jewellery went every time. Anyone who carries their wallet in an outside pocket (or worse, in a bum bag) is asking to be robbed.
Peter Moore
DISPUTED RETURN
In Adelaide recently I hired a car from a major car rental company for the day to attend a seminar. My role in the seminar ended early so I returned the car to the airport to take the early flight.
An employee of the rental car company met me at the car park. "There is $30 penalty for early returns." He explained it was the company's new policy.
I replied that I would never rent from his employer again and that the average disgruntled customer tells 15 others.
However I intend, via social media, to make it my mission to increase that average.
Steven Ball
LETTER OF THE WEEK
Earlier this year I spent 12 hours travelling through the most beautiful countryside I have ever seen. I was aboard the train from Oslo, Norway, to Myrdal and then on the fantastic Flam Railway. From Flam I took the ferry on the Naeroyfjord to Gudvangen, followed by the coach from Gudvangen to Voss, and, finally, the train from Voss to Bergen.
I spent two nights in Bergen and the next day took the train back to Oslo. The total cost of this travel was $260. The cost, for the same trip, on the "Norway in a Nutshell" website for this route was $415. I had exactly the same conditions and handling as travellers having bought the "minipris" fare for Oslo to Myrdal and for Bergen to Oslo in advance though do note that these discounted train fares are neither refundable nor changeable.
Kathleen Phillips
CLIPPED WINGS
The letter "Talking Turkey" (Traveller letters, August 2-3) and its opening line matched the draft of my own letter - and my frustration with Turkish Airlines.
In my case, it was the late arrival of my Turkish Airlines feeder flight into Istanbul being met with zero - and I mean zero - attempt to enable a successful Turkish Airlines international connection. The beautiful and generous Turkish care and hospitality is certainly missing in its airline.
Is it not standard practice for an airline to do everything possible to expedite connections? They even do it in the US!
Katrina Hall
