Do the Computerized Car Controls Give Renters Headaches?

A frequent traveler was so flustered by the controls of the rental car he picked up that he wanted to return the car almost as soon as he got it.

He is among many knowledgeable travelers who complain about the confusion, frustration and time lost trying to figure out how to operate their rental vehicles.

Controls and functions vary among models and are often unlike their own cars. Reaching for the glove box can also be a waste of time for renters because operating manuals are often missing.

Too many buttons ????

It can take several minutes just to figure out how to start the car not to mention controlling the radio or air conditioner.

Not long ago we rented a Ford CMAX Hybrid and it took us the entire two days of the rental to began to figure out the controls. About a month later we rent another CMAX and found that we had only scratch the surface, and there was no owners manual in the car. We are frequent renters and are considered to have above average intelligence but some of the controls in the new cars can be daunting. 

A few days ago I was standing at the rental counter returning a vehicle and the man who had just pick up his rental came back in and said,  "There is no key! How do I start the car."  The rental agent explained that you put your foot on the brake and push the button and the car starts.  Sounds so simple but when you are use to turning a key....

According Enterprise Rent-A-Car, their operations involve employee interaction during the selection of a vehicle, which provides more one-on-one time with customers to review vehicles overall.

Enterprise Holdings' car rental customers also can also use smartphones to scan QR codes, located on key tags, to launch an OnRamp Concierge site. She says it has information about features for most vehicles in the company's fleets, though it's not as detailed as owners manuals.

Enterprise Holdings' policy is to have an owners manual in the trunk of each car. 

Hertz says it has an owners manual in every vehicle. Hertz spokesperson says the company "prides itself on ensuring its customer-service employees have the tools available to address any vehicle operating questions."

Avis and Budget say that agents will assist if customers have questions or can't figure out how to work any of the features.

Dollar and Thrifty say they try to ensure employees are kept up to date about their fleet's various options and educate them before bringing in new vehicles.

The best solution is if you are going to rent a car make sure you add an extra fifteen to twenty minutes to your schedule to familiarize yourself with the essentials (mirrors, lights, windshield wipers, seat positioning and emergency flasher) to safely operate the vehicle. Everything else should  be able to be figured out as you go.

Call Rawhide Travel and Tours and start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Devils Tower National Monument Wyoming

A geologic feature protrudes out of the rolling prairie that surrounds the Black Hills. The site is considered Sacred to the Lakota and other tribes that have a connection to the area. Hundreds of parallel cracks make it one of the finest traditional crack climbing areas in North America. Devils Tower entices us to explore and define our place in the natural and cultural world.

Over 20 tribes have a cultural affiliation with Devils Tower. Many tribes have stories about how the Tower was created. Most of the stories talk about a bear using its claws to score the Tower's sides.

Devils Tower is American's first national monument, created by President Theodore Roosevelt under the Antiquities Act in 1906. In 1916, the National Park Service was organized and the monument was placed under its jurisdiction.

The monument remains open 24 hours a day, and normally 365 days per year. This is subject to change due to inclement weather which may cause... delays opening the roads or even complete closure because of the most severe weather. The current schedule for the Visitor Center and the Natural History Association Book Store located at the top of the hill and at the base of the tower will be open daily, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily.

Hiking trails meander for approximately 8 miles through Devils Tower National Monument. The popular 1.3 mile paved Tower Trail circles Devils Tower itself. Other longer trails traverse tranquil forests and meadows in the monument. All trails are open through they are not maintained. Please use caution when out exploring the Monument. Deer and turkey are both abundant this year. Watch for fox and an occasional bobcat.

Circle of Sacred Smoke Sculpture:
The circle of sacred smoke sculpture honors the American people as a gesture of world peace by sculptor Junkyu Muto. The sculpture is designed to help raise visitor awareness of the importance of the tower to over twenty affiliated tribes. It is the third of seven works planned by the sculptor around the world. The first two are located at Vatican City and Bodhi, India. The sculpture represents the first puff of smoke from a newly lit pipe. The sculpture is accessible by road or by trail from the prairie dog town.

The Park Service also asks that you help to preserve the primitive nature of the area by following Park regulations. Please remember to avoid smoking in non-designated areas and do not litter. Also remember that pets are not permitted on the trails, but may be walked in the parking areas as long as they are on leash.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Update: Rawhide Travel and Tours Holiday Tree

This month our little holiday tree is planning his summer vacation and is try to pick from the many exciting experiences Disney resorts offer.

Part of what makes Disneyland so magical is the fact that children and adults alike can enjoy a day full of fun intertwined with fantasy. The excitement of exhilarating rides, life size characters, spectacular shows, and delicious treats will bring a smile to anyone's face. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes to make each magical day at Disney Resorts possible.  Here are a few fun facts.

Walt's Disneyland opening-day dedication speech ("To all who come to this happy place, welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here, age relives fond memories of the past, and here, youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America, with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.") If you've ever sat around waiting for a train at New Orleans Station at Disneyland, you may have noticed ticking sounds coming from the telegraph office. You are actually hearing the first few lines of Walt Disney's speech from opening day at Disneyland in 1955 being ticked out on the telegraph.

Walt Disney once said, "I love the nostalgic myself. I hope we never lose some of the things of the past." So he created Main Street, U.S.A. to make sure we could always embrace those wonderful feelings of days gone by. From the decor in the old-time specialty shops to the music in Central Plaza to the taste of the ice cream sundaes, Main Street is pure Americana.

Disneyland's Magic Kingdom is 100 acres - 7 acres smaller than Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. Disneyland has only 85 acres of entertainment area. The original size of the area purchased by Walt was 165 acres and when Disneyland opened it was only 55 acres of entertainment area.

It's Not a Small World, After All . . . Covering 40 square miles, Walt Disney World 
Resort is about the size of San Francisco or two Manhattan islands. Of the more than 25,000 
acres, less than 35 percent has been developed with a quarter designated as a wilderness 
preserve. 

A Cast of Thousands . . . around 62,000 to be more precise. That’s how many people it 
takes to create the magic at the Vacation Kingdom. Not surprisingly, Walt Disney World Resort is the largest single-site employer in the United States

Smile! . . . With millions of visitors annually, it’s no wonder the Disney parks are among the 
most photographed places in the United States. On any given day, Disney’s PhotoPass 
photographers take between 100,000 and 200,000 photos of guests at Walt Disney World Resort. The PhotoPass service allows guests to view, share and order their Disney photos online and create Disney products such as PhotoBooks and mugs.

Call Rawhide Travel and Tours and start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com. 

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com 

In the News: TSA Drops Effort to Allow Small Knives on Planes

The head of the Transportation Security Administration announced Wednesday he would drop his effort to allow small knives and some sporting equipment in carry-on luggage on planes. The U.S. Transportation Security Administration was pressure from airline executives, unions, lawmakers, relatives of victims of terrorist attacks and its own employees to keep the ban on carrying pocket knives onto U.S. airliners.

The decision to retain the knife ban was confirmed in a TSA statement e-mailed today by spokesman David Castelveter.

“The flight attendants were right to push back hard on the issue, and the CEOs were right to join hands with the flight attendants,” William Swelbar, an aviation research engineer at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said.

The policy, announced in March, would have eased restrictions on carrying on knives with blades less than 2.36 inches (6 centimeters) long, as well as hockey sticks and golf clubs. Pistole had argued that baggage screeners should concentrate on explosives that could bring down a plane rather than small knives. The agency had also justified the change as an attempt to match U.S. rules with those in other parts of the world and better reflect intelligence on active terrorist threats.

The decision was widely praised by groups that opposed Pistole's effort. The 90,000-member Coalition of Flight Attendant Unions was a major opponent to the change, holding rallies and lobbying lawmakers.

Call Rawhide Travel and Tours and start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com 

Unusual Places: Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina

Located in Los Glaciares National Park in southwest Santa Cruz, this massive glacier is one of only three Patagonian glaciers that is actually growing. Glaciologists have not yet been able to agree on the cause for the growth.  The glacier is 155 square miles and remains one of the most popular tourist attractions in Argentina. Visitors can sign up for a trek tour to walk across the massive glacier, located only two hours away from the city of El Calafate by bus.

Due to its size and accessibility, Perito Moreno is one of the major tourist attractions in southern Patagonia. It is less than two hours by bus from El Calafate, and many tour companies run daily visits. A large visitor center at the site features a walking circuit which allows visitors to view the southern flank and the east facing edge of the glacier.

In recent years, trekking tours on the ice have gained popularity. The two standard tours are a "mini-trekking" option, consisting of a short walk of about an hour and a half, and a "big ice" version, which is usually about five hours. Tour companies generally provide crampons to customers.

The show is never-ending. You can watch the detachment of ice blocks of different sizes from a short distance, hear the roar they produce, and then watch them turned into wonderful floating icebergs.

Walking on the glaciers or going along Lake Argentino to see the front of the other Glacier, Upsala, is an unique experience.

Looking for that uniquely different vacation destination. Call Rawhide Travel and Tours today 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com. We can help!

Presented By:

Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc

6008 West Bell Rd # F105

Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793

(602) 843-5100 

rawhidetravel.com

Travel Tips: Disneyland

Walt Disney once said, "Disneyland is going to be a place where you can't get lost or tired unless you want to." While Walt may have been a little optimistic, here are some tips that may help you come as close to his ideal as you can.

No matter which park you're going to, take very good care of your tickets. Disneyland does not replace lost tickets, even if you have a copy of them. If you buy in advance, pack them in your carry-on luggage, and keep them safely tucked into a secure pocket or use a lanyard while you're in the park. A luggage tag that opens easily is also a good place to stow tickets and fast passes.

Dress for less stress. Wear comfortable shoes. Bring warmer clothing for evening. Even in summer, it can get chilly after dark.

Don't carry too much. You have to drag every ounce around all day. Go through your bag several times and remove all non-essentials. Put everything in your pockets if you can. You'll find rental lockers both outside and inside the park gates. Stow dry clothing, jackets, snacks, and so forth here so you don't have to carry them around all day. Rentals are for the day only, so be sure to remember to pick up your belongings as you leave. If you make purchase most shops will hold the purchase until the end of the day or if you stay at one of the Disney resort hotels you can have them delivered to your room.

Don't suffer Got a headache? Blister? Upset tummy? The First Aid Center can help.

In case it rains in Southern California. Umbrellas are hard to manage. Bring hooded rain gear and enjoy the park anyway. Lines will be shorter. However, a few rides may be closed.

Most shops, restaurants and even the food carts take credit and debit cards, so you may not need much cash. You can get currency exchange services, credit card advances and wire transfers at the Thomas Cook office in Downtown Disney. ATMs are inside each park (Chase Bank).

 The parking lots take credit cards, if you want to pay that way. WRITE DOWN your parking space number or use your cellphone or digital camera to take a picture of the place you parked. If you forget, ask Security and they'll help you find your vehicle.

Measure your child's height before you visit, and check the Disneyland and California Adventure ride descriptions so you'll know which rides they can go on. It could save a temper tantrum. The Cast Members know all the tricks, so don't even try to fool them and please don't ask for exceptions. The height limits are there to keep your kids safe.  Some couples with children too small or too young forego these attractions, while others take turns riding. Missing some of Disneyland's best rides is an unnecessary sacrifice, and waiting in line twice for the same ride is a tremendous waste of time. Instead, take advantage of the "switching off" option, also called the Rider Swap, Baby Swap or Child Swap. To switch off, there must be at least two adults. Adults and children wait in line together. When you approach the queue, tell the first ride attendant you see that you want to switch off. The worker will allow everyone, including young children, to enter the attraction. When you reach the loading area, one adult rides while the other stays with the kids. Attractions at some parks offer waiting areas for this purpose. Then the riding adult disembarks and takes charge of the children while the other adult rides. A third adult (or child who meets the minimum height or age requirement) in the party can ride twice, once with each switching-off adult, so that the switching-off adults don't have to ride alone. There is no cost to use the "switching off" option.

Disneyland is a great place for kids to learn how to navigate with a map. Let them find the way to the next attraction for you.

During the busiest, hottest time of day, go back to your hotel for a swim or a nap, being sure to get your hand stamped on the way out and keeping your paper ticket. Return later when it's cooler and you're rested.

There is a boarding kennel near the main entrance. Cost is $20(cash only) per pet per day. The kennel is for day boarding only.

If you need help in a language other than English, look for cast members wearing a small flag pin with your country's flag on it. They will speak your language.

A Disneyland rule: the early bird catches Indiana Jones. If you want to avoid lines, be at the entrance gates the minute the park opens: 8 A.M. in summer (10 A.M. for California Adventure). Disneyland is least crowded from opening until about 11:30 A.M. or so. Use that time to hit the popular rides like Jones and the Star Tours. The Magic Morning package offered to guests of the three Disneyland Resort hotels lets you into portions of Disneyland (usually two of the “lands”) an hour before the official 8 A.M. opening. 

Call Rawhide Travel and Tours and start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Montana

Located in southeastern Montana, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument memorializes the U.S. Army's 7th Cavalry and the Sioux and Cheyenne in one of the Indian's last armed efforts to preserve their way of life. Here on June 25 and 26 of 1876, 263 soldiers, including Lt. Col. George A. Custer and attached personnel of the U.S. Army, died fighting several thousand Lakota, and Cheyenne warriors.

The first memorial on the site was assembled by Captain George K. Sanderson and the 11th Infantry. Lieutenant Charles F. Roe and the 2nd Cavalry built the granite memorial in July 1881 that stands today on the top of Last Stand Hill. They also reinterred soldiers' remains near the new memorial, but left stakes in the ground to mark where they had fallen. In 1890 these stakes were replaced with marble markers. The bill that changed the name of the national monument also called for an "Indian Memorial" to be built near Last Stand Hill.

Things to do:
View the 25 -minute orientation video.
Explore the museum exhibits.
Walk up to the "Last Hill" A.K.A. "Custer's Last Stand".
Visit the Indian Memorial.
Walk the Deep Ravine trail, 1/4 mile self-guided walking tour.
Walk through the National Cemetery.
Drive the 4.5 mile tour road to the Reno-Benteen Battlefield, the second stage of the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Along the 4.5 mile tour road you will encounter a number of Interpretive waysides explaining the significant events at these area's.

Your visit to the Custer National Cemetery at Little Bighorn Battlefield is like a trip through time. You will relieve the drama of America's coming of age as you pass along the graves of known and unknown veterans of our of our nation's war's, women and children from isolated frontier posts, Indians, scouts, and Medal of Honor recipients.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com