Jason's Job Blog

1 MIN AUSTRALIA-JAN 15

►

Honestly I don’t even know where to start. I began writing a couple of weeks ago before the floods hit Queensland, Australia. For those of you that don’t know what I am talking about, just Google it and you will see what I mean.  At the time I began writing, you would have read something very different and upbeat. I am in the travel industry and excited (and still am) that Oprah is going to show the world how amazing Australia is. I went “Down Under” and filmed all over Australia (you can see the quick recap of my trip in the video above), and I loved everything about my trip. Then things began to change, in late December heavy rains began to fall and by the following week, more than half the state of Queensland was flooded, resulting in the worst floods in Australian history.

This brings me to a story that I read this morning about an incredibly brave young boy, named Jordan Rice. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503543_162-20028375-503543.html <http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503543_162-20028375-503543.html> you see, Jordan is one of those rare people that impacts millions because of his bravery and love. This story has impacted me in an incredible way. To love his younger brother so much that he gave his life…could you imagine making that choice? Could you imagine making that decision at 13 years old?

Most people in America might not know where Queensland is, or even about the flood in Australia. First of all, Australia is about the same size as the United States, and Queensland, a state in Australia, is much larger than the state of Texas (as you can see here). If the State of Queensland was a country, it would rank as the 25th largest in the world.

So when I began writing, it was supposed to be a rah-rah for Oprah. Now I am asking for your help; for a country that can really use a hand. The worst is behind us all and now its time to look towards the future, and help our mates in Australia.

Click on the link below to find out how you can help our friends in Queensland and also enter for your chance to win a trip to Australia.
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Queensland-Recovery-Trip-Giveaway.html?soid=1100985143259&aid=i6JOo41zKLQ

If you have any questions, please email me directly at jasonmesnick@duatravel.com or call 1-800-788-6685. We have experts waiting .

oprah

►

If you haven’t heard by now that Oprah is going to Australia then you need to get your head out of the gutter. According to CNBC “The Oprah Effect” says, “If you’re lucky enough to create a product she loves – a mention on her show just might make you a millionaire!” CNBC also says, “The Oprah Winfrey Show” reaches 44 million people each week. And those numbers translate into big sales for the products Oprah recommends.

In Seattle we have felt the Oprah effect a couple of times. First it was Ezell’s fried chicken, and then it was Beechers Macaroni & Cheese. Now the little company I work at Down Under Answers is about to feel the boom. It is said Oprah has Ezell’s chicken flown to her in Chicago when she has a craving. Also, Oprah also says of Beechers Macaroni & Cheese, “The best part [is] it comes frozen,” she says. “All you have to do is heat it up, and you’ve got yourself some good eatin’ from Beecher’s.

You know when the entire country of Australia (which is less than Oprah’s weekly audience) is talking about it; it’s a huge deal. My wife Molly said to me the other day “if I could ever get tickets to Oprah, I would fly to Chicago in a heartbeat”. I guess, I just never have realized the power of Oprah. Well, my new friends in Australia are about to.

There are so many misconceptions about Australia that I am sure “The Big O” will talk about. What sticks out in my mind is that people say Australia is too expensive and just too far. As for being too expensive, that is just not true. There was a time when Australia was one of those once in a lifetime trips. I have recently seen packages that include airfare and hotels for $999. That is less than a trip to Hawaii! Americans need to realize that it’s not a once in a lifetime trip anymore. You could actually go time and time again. Now lets address the distance issue, yes its far, but did you know that if you are flying from Los Angeles it will take roughly the same amount of time to fly to Italy as it does to Australia (and everybody goes to Italy). If you have ever thought about going to Australia its time you go. There is no time like the present and its more affordable than ever.

Well I will get off my high horse for now and see what Oprah has to say.

Here’s to exploring the world, Oh… and if you have a comment email me directly at Jason@duatravel.com

Talk to you soon

J

Hey everyone… here is a cute pic of me getting attacked by my little vampire. Also another of some friends doing an Australian Halloween (where they don’t even celebrate it)

TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA

TAZ

Taz Final Mac

►

I had some free time during my trip to Iowa today, so I decided to go to the Field of Dreams. Check out my home-run! It is one of my favorite movies.

J

Field of dreams

►

I have been lucky enough to fly international a bunch of times.  It has shown me that our domestic airlines suck. I know it’s harsh, and I am actually not talking about all of them. But seriously guys, you need to take some notes from our friends overseas. I can probably list 100 reasons why international flights are better than domestic, but let me just talk about some of my most recent flights. Am I crazy to say that I would rather fly from Seattle to New Zealand than from Seattle to LA?

I live in Seattle and actually enjoy flying Alaska Airlines. The people that work for there are nice, and they get me where I need to go with no snafus. But, they have a lot to learn from my friends at Virgin Australia, Qantas, or Air New Zealand.

Can you imagine going through security where agents smile and are nice to you? Or a flight attendant that actually says “please”? Yes, it does exist; just not here in the old U. S. of A.

Checking in for flights
I was with 3 friends in Sydney, looking dead ahead at a 2 hour check-in. Only issue was that our flight left in less than 2 hours. I politely went to a Qantas agent and explained the situation. Within 10 minutes they had me through the line. I could hardly believe it. Boo-yah! I wish is was that simple back home!

Security Line
OK who really likes waiting in long lines, taking off your shoes & belt, and TSA agents being rude and inconsiderate? Oh… sorry that was a flash back to my trip to Michigan last week. Let me give you the other side of the coin. How about an agent smiling and asking you how you are doing, and then even saying, “have a nice day”, and getting through security, all in less than 15 minutes? It may sound like a dream but yes my friends, it does exist. We all know safety is numero uno. But for goodness sakes people, can we just be nice like my friends in New Zealand!

Flight Experience
I hate flying domestically! There I said it, and honestly I do not feel any better. The worst part of the experience is the flight. I am not talking about the size of the seats, or even being squished in a middle seat. I am talking about how I am treated. I said before, Alaska Airlines does a good job. But United! Are you kidding me? You need to send your flight attendants to manners school. If you could do one thing it’s teach them to say, “PLEASE”. I had my seat yanked, my fellow passengers ignored, and my feelings hurt. If you want to know what its like to be treated well, try flying Air New Zealand. They have really figured it out. I mean its not rocket science is it? The crew on an Air New is actually nice to you. Sounds crazy doesn’t it.

I know the economy is tough but come on people, if you do not like your job then find something else to do (but I guess that’s an entirely different story). I will get off my soap box for now, but let me just say that when you take your next trip overseas you will finally find out what flying is all about.

Talk to you soon
Jason

This is a picture of one of those must do things in Australia, but the question is, “DO I LOOK LIKE A DORK?” I am asking because my son Tyler says I do.

Bungy

►

Call me crazy, but I did it again. It’s my third trip to Queenstown, back where Molly and I took our big leap of faith together (off the bridge that is).  During filming of the Bachelor, I was lucky to tandem jump off this same bridge with my future wife. But being back on my own I knew I had to jump again.

What makes a person jump off a bridge 4 times? Have you done it? Would you do it? Bungy jumping has always been on my “Awesome List “ or “Conquer List” (lets just not call it a bucket list. So when I am in Queenstown New Zealand I go see my friends at AJ Hacket Bungy.

Did you know that New Zealand is known as the birthplace of Bungy. Not only that, this very same Kawarau Bridge is known as the commercial starting point. I was told that over 300,000 people visit this bridge every year and only 30,000 do the jump. According to my calculations that is only 10%. I am no math wiz, but come on people, that is such a small number. I am not saying Bungy jumping is for everyone, but I think when you make it to Queenstown, New Zealand it is something you have to do. Notice I said when you get to Queenstown. I say this because of all of the places I have been, Queenstown is the most beautiful. Pictures do not do it justice.  You should see peoples faces glued to the windows of the airplane as you arrive on one of the most scenic flights in the world.

I challenge you all to do something a bit out of your comfort zone (even if its not jumping from a bridge). So, here’s to Queenstown, New Zealand and doing something a bit crazy.

P.S. – The first part of the video I just held a water proof camcorder and tried to point it at my face, the second one was my friend Ben standing across the way.

J