A
Dear Editor,
My family of four had a baggage allowance of two bags per person, but while collectively our weight allowance was under the limit, the airline wanted to charge us per person. Is this fair?
—Bob
A: Baggage allowances are a constant source of frustration for travellers, and none more so than the division of baggage allowances for a family. There was a time when a friendly smile and a knowing look might have saved you from a penalty, but not now when there's little wriggle room given to the desk staff. Airline travel has gone budget almost right across the board, so if you want ease of passage(通道)you have to pay for it and you have to plan in advance. You need to weigh your luggage before the flight and, if you’re with your family, you have to learn to share that weight around before you get to the airport. Sad but true.
Dear Editor,
I put some of my finest smalls into a hotel laundry and they’ve come back shrunk and the wrong color. The Austrian hotel told me that they were laundered by an outside company and it was at my own risk. What can I do?
—Helen
A: As a rule, one should be cautious about putting good quality clothes into a hotel laundry, unless it has a good reputation or you’ve had previous experience there. As a guest, you may have signed a waiver (弃权声明书), but even if you did you still can chase it up with the hotel management or its international head office, if it’s part of a chain. There’s also a facility to chase up consumer concerns across the European Union even when you get home. You should contact the UK European Consumer Centre and they’ll help you fight your case, so don’t despair. But remember to be very careful with your smalls next time — perhaps you should take a good supply to avoid potential laundry damage.
21. What does the editor think of Bob’s problem?
A. It’s serious. B. It’s complex. C. It’s frustrating. D. It’s pretty rare.
22. The editor seems to suggest Helen .
A. bear the consequence (后果) herself B. have a talk with the hotel staff again
C. ask the outside company to pay for her loss
D. turn to the UKEuropean Consumer Centre for help
23. Both the two letters’ writers _______.
A. met problems when traveling by plane B. had trouble with their consumer rights
C. decided to accept the editor’s advice D. failed to enjoy their journey
