This is not a travel blog, it’s a …

Let me start by saying this isn’t my site, even though it bears my name. It’s yours.

Always was.

Without you, I would have moved on to the next thing a long time ago. But your interesting questions and lively comments keep this site going. They keep me going.

Thank you for an amazing 15 years as a consumer travel advocate.

I wanted to let you know about some important changes coming to your site, and I wanted you to hear it from me first.

Maybe you’ve noticed an increase in the general-interest consumer advocacy content in my weekly newsletters. That’s no coincidence. A few months ago, I decided to broaden my mission to help all consumers, which led to the founding of a wiki and blog called On Your Side.

Why? Nothing sharpens your focus like a frivolous defamation lawsuit and subpoena served on you by a heavy-handed government agency. Add one healthy rescue complex to the mix, and it’s the only logical result.

In a few days, I’ll be taking the next step down that path by starting a related book project. I also have a new online advocacy column I’m about to begin. I’ll have details on both soon.

At the same time, I’m not abandoning travel. I’ll still be following important transportation-related issues here, but I’m going to shift some of my travel content to another site. (I can’t tell you where I’m going yet, except to say that you’ll immediately recognize the name.)

Along with these changes, I’ve been reflecting on what this means to me. I’m not as comfortable with the label blogger or journalist as I used to be. I prefer consumer advocate.

Time to come clean, then: I am biased, of course. I’m advocating for you.

There are some who think I should be holding myself to the same standard as a salaried beat reporter at a mainstream media organization. While it’s true that I strive to be as fair and accurate as my resources allow, anyone who thinks they’re reading a New Yorker article on this blog is still living in the 20th century.

I wanted to mention one other major change, and it’s the one I’m most excited about. As you know, I have three young children that I promised last year I would spend more time with. We’ve had several opportunities to travel with them (including next week, but more on that in a moment).

I’m happy to tell you that I’m involved in a really innovative social-media/online family travel project that is just getting underway, and will allow us to be together a lot. I hope you’ll join us for this adventure.

Many of you still remember the trip to Hawaii I wrote about last year. Well, I’ve been invited back next week to visit one of the islands I missed: Maui. I’ll be there with my six-year-old-son, Iden.

I want to thank American Airlines, Budget, Grand Wailea Resort, Kā‘anapali Beach Hotel, Maui Visitors & Convention Bureau and Sandi Yara for asking us to return to Hawaii.

If there’s anyone who knows how to survive 14 hours in economy class with a kindergartner, please .

Safe travels, and I’ll see you online.

(Photo: Rene Magritte’s The Treachery of Images)

  • Tom

    It’s all so experimental these days and I see you moving to the leading edge. Enjoy Kā‘anapali Beach — had a great time there a couple years back. Also, the 12 hour flight might be easier for your kindergardener than for you — at least he can squirm. Good luck and keep us informed.

  • http://www.cogitamusblog.com/2011/02/life-in-the-usa-a-photo-album.html Lisa Simeone

    Consumer advocacy is a noble, endeavor, Chris. You’ve already done a lot of it and I’m glad to know you’ll be doing more. Bravo, and best wishes.

  • Christopher Elliott

    Thanks, @Lisa and @Tom. I appreciate the kind words.

  • http://www.nomadicnotes.com/ James Clark

    The old saying of “a change is as good as a holiday” sounds like it literally will be for you. I look forward to seeing this new project.

  • http://www.singleparenttravel.net John Frenaye

    Congrats!

  • LadySiren

    Yay! Having more reputable folks out there advocating on consumers’ behalf is ALWAYS a good thing. You’ve done a remarkable job with the travel sector and I expect more good things with your broader focus.

    As for your canon of ethics, journalistic standards, or however you’d term it: I think you’ve always made a decent attempt at offering both sides of the story, however, for those who say you’re too biased…um, this is a BLOG. It’s not the WaPo, NYT, or WSJ. Blogs are by nature, citizen journalism, no? So if people don’t like what you say or how you say it, they’re free to go elsewhere.

  • frostysnowman

    These sound like great changes, Chris. Good for you!

    PS – we are also getting ready to fly to Maui with a 5-year-old this spring so I’ll be checking back to see if anyone actually provides any helpful tips for that long plane ride (also in economy). We are experienced flyers, but this will be our longest flight by far.

  • DSLibrarian

    Maui is our favorite vacation destination and we’ll be there again next month. You’ll have a great time And don’t miss a stop at Kihei Caffe for the best cinnamon rolls on the island!!

  • Wrona

    Chris, one note, since you are flying American, remember that they don’t provide food in economy on flights within the US. Make sure to either bring something from home or buy something in the airport to bring on the plane, as they may run out of food on the flight. Consider bringing some small bags of snacks from home – things that he doesn’t normally get that would be a treat for him.

    Also, think about bringing small toys or games that he’s never seen before – friends of mine buy small things at the dollar store and pull out a new toy/game every couple of hours, which helps pass the time.

  • MVFlyer

    Chris–congrats on 15 great years, and good luck on the new venture. We look forward to hearing about it.

  • LeeAnne

    It’s been a joy watching your career progress. I have felt safer as a traveler knowing that the “Don Corleone” of travel is out there, so that if I get REALLY screwed I can come to you for help. You have obviously perfected a means and method of customer advocacy, so it just seems like the logical next step to extend that out to other arenas. Just…don’t spread yourself too thin! We frequent travelers need to know you’re still there for us in case we get charged $800 for a pre-existing scratch on a rental car! :-)

    Looking forward to learning more details about these changes. And don’t let the naysayers stop you – keep up the pressure on the TSA! What they did to you was absurd, and what they are doing to US is horrific. It’s so good to know that someone out there in the media world actually sees this.

  • Lianne

    Thanks for all your hard work!

  • Joe M

    I like the direction you’ve been taking. While I do get tired of the topics every so often, I just take a breather and go do something else for a while.

    And everytime I hear somebody gripe about bias, I always think of what my science professors taught. Every scientist worth their salt wants to be unbiased and there is no such person. Everyone is shaped by their ideals and their experiences. All you can do is honestly search for your bias, acknowledge it, and account for it in your work.

    I think if you replace scientist with blogger, journalist, or any number of other professions it fits just fine.

  • mike

    a friend of mine recently flew from the west coast to hawaii with his 5 year old, and upon his arrival promptly posted to facebook to thank his ipad for keeping him sane during the flight. obviously he wasn’t the one using the ipad during the flight. of course this isn’t a luxury that everyone can afford.

  • Glen

    I’ll be in Maui too for three days at the end of the week next week. I’m glad I only have a five+ hour flight instead of 14 hours.

  • Carrie Charney

    Wow! New ventures AND more time with your family. You are one lucky, and capable, man. I wish you lots of luck and good fortune in your fresh endeavors.

  • Julie

    Good for you, great fit. I find myself giving your advice to friends who find themselves in need of some consumer advocacy. If I learned one thing, it’s that you (1) attempt to fix the problem at Point of Service and if that fails (2) state your case in writing (email!), succinctly to the right people!

  • JulieD

    Congratulations on branching out AND spending more time with your family! I have learned so much from reading this site, and can’t wait to learn more.
    As for being locked in an airplane with a kindergartner (I have one, too) , a fully charge iPad does wonders :-)

  • christophe

    I thought “spending more time with your family” meant with all of them, not just going away with just one of them :-)

    And, while the Ipad might seem to some to be a good idea, it won’t help you fill your promise to Iden : therefore, play with him (card games, small board games, …), make art projects with him (a nice drawing for mum and the rest of the family), talk to him, … Time will fly by !

  • DFW ROAD WARRIOR

    Chris,

    Congrats on all the new ventures that await you. I know they will be successfull and I look forward to following you.

    I once did a 7 hour trip with one of my three when they were younger and my suggestion is read to him. He will fall asleep giving you sufficient time to choose the next story.

    Have a great time in the islands!

  • y_p_w

    Have fun in Maui. Our trip a few years back was way too short.

    Consider going to Haleakala. I’ve heard that the sunsets there can be the most incredible anywhere in the world. I saw it during daytime, and it was quite interesting seeing the tour buses dropping off people who had started from the coast wearing shorts and t-shirts. I’m glad that I packed a jacket, because it gets cold at 10,000 ft.