Travel News Site Skift Launches: An Interview With Cofounder Jason Clampet

by Grant Martin on

Skift, a new travel news site from paidContent founder Rafat Ali and Frommers alum Jason Clampet, launches today. I sat down with Jason this past weekend to get an update on the launch and to see how the product is shaping up.

Breakfast at La Bonbonniere, 8th Avenue, New York City

Grant Martin: Kind of loud out here, no?

Jason Clampet: It’s nice outside. I wanted to take advantage of the weather.

GM: Alright, well I guess I can transcribe this on the fly. How are things coming together at Skift? Can you give us a profile of the site in a nutshell?

JC: Sure. Things are going really well. We want Skift to be the daily homepage of the travel industry. Additionally, it’s also a great resource for people who don’t necessarily work at an airline or a tour company but are really engaged in travel – either on the consumer or the business side.

We cover travel in a few different ways: through content aggregation, where we pull in stories and link to the original source; curation, where we cultivate stories from around the web and provide a small excerpt – the Skift take; syndication, where we have deals with AP, Reuters and a host of other sites; and then complete, original reporting. Our first hire was a news editor, Dennis Schaal.

GM: Didn’t he used to work for Tnooz?

JC: Yeah. He’s on staff with us now. He’s going to focus on original reporting, and the rest of the news spectrum will be filled in with aggregation, syndication and curation.

GM: And that will be selectively filtered in through the Skift staff?

JC: Right. Curation and aggregation we do through something called PublishThis – through WordPress – it allows us to discover stories faster than through Google.

GM: Travel news through, that market is fairly competitive, isn’t it? What are you doing that’s different from Tnooz and sites like travelllll?

JC: Both those sites are great, but they’re niche – Tnooz is more for the tech brains in travel, Travelllll is really blogger focused.

So that’s why I actually don’t think it is that competitive right now. Travel media isn’t in the same place that business or entertainment news is right now. Fifteen years ago, Entertainment Weekly launched and everyone said, “who cares about box office reports?” Now it’s one of Time Inc.’s biggest brands. With Skift we’re telling stories that view travel as a much larger segment then just OTAs or inventory management so that we can connect with stories that really matter to them. We think that’s where most travel media fails these days. More coffee?

GM: Sure. And that makes sense – from this altitude at least. So how is it going to make money? Content is difficult to sell.

JC: For the first six months we’re really focusing on building it as a media brand – we’re not getting into the page view business – but we’ll be looking for sponsors whose needs closely align with who our users are. We’ll also have data services that will be subscription based, and that will be a large part of our revenue.

GM: Your co-founder, Rafat, started paidContent and is part of the brains behind this operation. What’s it like working with him?

JC:He makes a good cup of coffee! You know, the thing that Rafat did at paidContent was that he saw where the content media business was moving before most other people did, and he’s bringing that same perspective to travel with Skift. His insights into the travel industry have really illustrated some of the connections that aren’t being made and the opportunities lost. And we plan on taking advantage of that.

GM: So is this operation funded by his previous ventures or by external sources?

JC: Primarily external. We raised money largely from seasoned media vets who see the opportunity in the field.

GM: As far as editorial then, with whom are you working to build content?

JC: Outside of the aggregated content, we’ll probably also work with some freelancers. I’d really love to find a hotel expert in the Gulf States and also Asia. Most people of the people that we’re going to look to as contributors, though, are going to have a business background.

GM: So where should people send pitches?

JC: You can send them to jc[at]skift.com

GM: Great. Good luck with the launch.

JC: Thanks Grant.

Paris Transport Board Launches Campaign To End Rudeness

by Jessica Festa on

Often thought of as a rude culture, the French don’t have the best reputation when it comes to politeness. However, the Paris transport authority, RAPT, is attempting to put an end to this with a new poster campaign showing locals how their actions appear to onlookers.

According to news.com.au, the campaign features large posters depicting Parisians as animals, as the people around them stare in shock (shown right). To allow everyone to voice their frustrations, RAPT has also created a website where people can submit their own captioned photographs.

Are they creating this campaign completely based off stereotypes? Not according to data. A recent RAPT survey found that 97 percent of passengers had witnessed “uncivil” behavior on Paris public transport. This comes two years after a separate survey completed by tourists voted Parisians the rudest people in Europe. Additionally, in 2007 a report by the Committee for Modernization of the French Hotel Trade found that 25 percent of customer complaints were caused by rude service in France.

Do you think this campaign will help or hinder rudeness in France?

[Image via RAPT]

Out-Of-State Moving Checklist: Tips For Relocating And How To Survive The Drive

by Laurel Miller on

As I mentioned in a recent post, I’m currently en route moving from Seattle to Boulder, Colorado. This isn’t my first out-of-state relocation, by any means, and at this point, I’ve got it down to a science, after the movers haul away what I can’t cram into my car.

Because summer is peak moving season, I thought I’d share some tips with y’all to make your pre-move checklist and journey less painful. Even if you don’t have time to make a relaxing road trip out of it, there are still ways to fit in a bit of sightseeing or leisure time.

Before you move:

Reputable moving companies always offer free estimates (the cost is based on weight, so hold that yard sale before you make an appointment).

If you’ve had a good experience with a long-distance mover before, see if they have an affiliate in your new hometown; it also pays to check reviews and get a few other estimates before hiring a company.

Make a list of all accounts and the like that require address updates, and get it taken care of. Likewise, cancel/transfer utilities if necessary.

Tune up your car or get a full service; be sure to tell them you’re moving out-of-state and to perform a thorough road safety check that includes tire pressure and wear assessment and windshield wiper replacement (if needed).

Check your car emergency kit (you do have one, right?), and make sure you’ve got replacement oil of the correct weight, and windshield cleaner, as well as flares and jumper cables. And replace your spare tire if it’s more than 6 to 10 years of age or has been stored in extremely hot conditions.

If you have pets, make sure they’re up-to-date on rabies and other required vaccinations, and check on requirements in your new state. If they’re not good travelers (especially crucial for cats), you may need a sedative prescription from your vet; it’s a good idea for your furry friends to have a physical before you depart. And be sure to keep cats in a carrier in transit; trying to extricate a tabby from beneath your feet while flying down the highway is not fun, believe you me.Give your houseplants to a good home, or make sure they can fit in your car. Moving companies won’t transport them.

Update medical insurance if you have a PPO; most carriers have affiliate providers in other states, but you need to apply and qualify to get a good rate.

There’s usually a window in which your movers will arrive at your new home. Be sure to load anything essential to your existence in your car: basic cooking equipment, utensils, medication, etc. Also, pack valuables like passports, extra checks, tax records and other essential and/or private documents, just in case some of your belongings go missing during the move.

I’ve asked all of my previous movers what’s considered a proper gratuity. All of them have told me that while they never expect it, it’s very much appreciated, but so is buying them breakfast or lunch. Movers work long, hard hours, often for paltry pay. If your move is nearly bankrupting you, you’d be surprised how far a round of coffees and breakfast burritos go. And always offer to get them water or soft drinks while they’re working. You’ll find their gratitude is matched only by the extra care they take with your belongings.

En route

Even if you have a new job to start the second you arrive, plan time for breaks. It’s hard to start work when you’re dead. By the same token, road fatigue really takes a toll. Don’t sleep in truck stops, the side of the road, or parking lots. Even if money is tight, spring for a cheap motel, or at least a campground, and get a good night’s sleep. It pays to make reservations if you’re traveling in isolated regions.

The worst thing about moving, in my opinion, is the deadly boredom of certain routes. I will do literally anything to avoid Interstate 80 through Nevada. Anything. Research beforehand, and try to plan routes with great scenery, or some redemptive attributes – even if it’s just a great roadhouse burger – to look forward to. For mapping, I love Rand McNally; don’t rely solely on GPS, which may not take road repairs and other delays and detours into account.

Keep an emergency stash of No-Doz or energy drinks in your glove compartment, but avoid driving if at all possible when exhausted. Even a 10-minute catnap can work wonders.

Avoid driving at night, and ladies, study up on what to do if you have a breakdown en route. Do not get into a stranger’s car, under any circumstances. Wait in your car with windows up and door locked until police or a tow truck arrive, and ask to see proof of credentials. A little caution is worth appearing a bit paranoid. Keep your cellphone charged, have an emergency roadside plan (if you don’t have AAA, many car insurance companies offer it, free of charge), and have a back-up plan if you don’t have phone service. Always let someone know your route, estimated ETA, and where you plan to stop along the way (even if that plan changes).

Pack a jug of water and snacks to minimize unnecessary stops and to tide you over in the event of a breakdown or other delay.

Upon arrival
You’re likely to have a different set of movers offload your belongings. So yes, you’ll need to tip again, and up the ante accordingly, depending upon how far they’ve driven. A follow-up with the company’s office with praise or constructive criticism is always appreciated. If damage is incurred, be sure to fill out the paperwork before the movers depart; it’s also your responsibility to be there to check off that all of your items are delivered from their master list.

[Photo credits: stress; Flickr user bark; truck, Flickr user Scrap Pile; melon, Flickr user Tempesttea; road, Flickr user TheFriendlyFiend]

Disabled Veteran Accuses Airline Of Animal Cruelty And Verbal Abuse

by Jessica Festa on



Paws and Stripes founder and disabled veteran Jim Staneck had a very disturbing experience with United Airlines in Virgina’s Dulles International Airport. According to Staneck, not only did staff ask him if he was “retarded,” they also kicked his service dog, Sarge.

The incident occurred during a hectic time, when there were a lot of flight cancellations and delays. After spending 48 hours in the airport, Staneck approached a United Airlines’ staff member to ask for help. The veteran suffers from a brain injury that makes it difficult for him to concentrate under stress, and was having trouble understanding the new itinerary.

“He said, ‘Just read it,’ and I said, ‘Sir I can’t read it,’ and he said, ‘What are you retarded?'” Staneck recalls. “Prior to this I told him I have a brain injury and PTSD, I’m a disabled vet, this is my second night here; I need help.”

To hear Staneck’s side of the story live, check out the video above. It’s also worthwhile to go through the comments left under the video on Life With Dogs, as it appears many are trying to rally a ban of United Airlines until all guilty parties are fired.

What do you think?

Passengers Horrified At Needles Found In Their Airline Food

by Jessica Festa on

And you thought your worst airline meal nightmare was getting runny eggs or stale bread? Passengers onboard four different flights from Amsterdam to the United States on Delta Air Lines were horrified to find sewing needles in their turkey sandwiches.

In total, six sandwiches were found to have needles, including two separate flights to Atlanta, one to Seattle and one to Minneapolis, where the passenger was injured but declined medical attention.

According to News.com.au, the meals were made by Gate Gourmet to be given to business class passengers on Delta flights. Christina Ulosevich, Gate Gourmet’s spokeswoman, has stated no other airlines operating out of Amsterdam have filed similar complaints. The company is launching their own personal investigation into the matter. Moreover, Delta is adding extra security to make sure this doesn’t happen again.

The airline stated, “Delta is taking this matter extremely seriously and is cooperating with local and federal authorities who are investigating the incident. Delta has taken immediate action with our in-flight caterer at Amsterdam to ensure the safety and quality of the food we provide on board our aircraft.”

[image via Andrei Dimofte]