Topic starter
30/10/2007 9:56 pm
While I was out in Eugene, Oregon, I was on the Left Out Coast re: .org. I could read the exciting news but wasn't able to post anything. So, here are my thoughts, as I remember them: As DD would say, Wowizers! Looks like my major hope for the DQ, that someone would get to the decisionmakers/stockimploders and ask what in the world they were doing, is happening! As someone ??DV?? said, looks like Giersdorf was the genius behind the let the union/Congress sink the DQ plan, and now that the little old grass roots campaign, by the very people who also 're-eagled' the DQ, is shooting down that strategy, Giersdorf departs. Hopefully U. Jr. can see the value of the DQ to the company, not only by carrying her full load but as we've said by being the real flagship and standardbearer of the company. She draws more attention to their product than all their other shipboats combined! Hopefully they understand that now. And secondly, does anyone who looked at those 137 pix of the MQ ripped apart REALLY believe she will be renovated and restored to service by a company which is having to use next year's deposits to stay afloat this year??? Back in August '02 when the NATCHEZ passed the DQ during her first trip post-bankruptcy, Debbie played "I Ain't Down Yet" in the DQ's honor. Encore, Encore, let's hope!
31/10/2007 2:11 am
You said it first, Judy.
310 staterooms BEATS 386 staterooms, every time! And that 386 is based on the "Cruise Planner, 2008 season". I doubt we'll ever see 164 of those rooms again...
Maybe we finally got them to believe it. The DQ is the flagship!
Topic starter
31/10/2007 1:19 pm
Sorry that I've been so out of it, but do you think if we go back to our discussions about the DQ's value besides just carrying her pax, and formulate a letter itemizing her virtues and send it to U. Jr. that perhaps the company might become a bit more interested in fighting the good fight? I really don't think they know what a gem they own...
31/10/2007 2:42 pm
I guess I'd like the guy to ride her a bit and just absorb what we all call the experience. Get down to the passenger's level, shake their hands, buy 'em a beer, have a question and answer session with he doing the asking to the passengers. Sorta like what, what's his name, Richard Steven's (?) did with his largish family for Delaware North. I think it's very sad that it was reported that one high muckedy-muck employee was dumbfounded/shocked that there was a repeater with 40 cruises, when he was cruising on the AQ. How could he NOT know this, not reseach this before he went on board? I just think they know VERY little about the incredible uniqueness of this product that they paid big bucks for. And Judy, thanks for the compliment...getting the eagle back, I'd like to believe Deb and I had a small part to do with that. Damn proud of that, by the way...I was brutal toward that sign board, both here and in the comment cards.
I'd also bet money that the fact that the DQ, literially overnight became the darling of the reservation department, probably, hopefully got somebody's attention. And that somebody (read a major investor) had the clout to start the ball rolling in a better direction.. As I see it, the ol' gal in 2008 is more than 60% sold already. And, now that she's in danger of stopping, she consistantly can be counted on as we speak for 78 to 82 rooms sold, each and every day, this year. Consistant money in the bank, somebody had to notice. Speculation, but logical speculation, on my part.
Speaking of speculation, wanna speculate if the AQ 2008 is even 10% sold?
As for the letter explaining why we're all nuts about her, I think it's a great idea, though God knows how we would gather up all of everybody's passion...we could also formally invite him to read all the posts in this forum. There is some wonderful, very powerful, very moving stuff here. I agree, as somebody on the board stated a while ago, that people on dot.org should be writing the PR in the brochures.
Just a silly thought, how cool would it be to use the dot.org people as the brochure models, with real employees rather than just the select few that you see from time to time?
Topic starter
31/10/2007 3:57 pm
real people vs. models
Back in April 1979 we had 2 film crews on board: one with professional models for the brochure, and Sunset Films doing the promo video using real pax and crew. I was in the Engine Room scene, very briefly. Now, as to my idea about the DQ's value: I didn't mean to compile our likes, etc. I meant that at some point we were discussing that she not only carried her own weight, but that she also drew new customers to the company due to her fame, etc. I think that was in an early discussion about making the AQ the flagship. I'll see if I can find it. Speaking of the AQ, she's enroute upbound right now on her last trip of the season. I've missed both Davenport stops, being out of town, so I guess I'll truck on down to Muscatine and then put the cookies on board here at 15 about 5PM, webcam watchers! I have to admit that this year my feelings toward the AQ are different - I view her almost as 'the enemy' instead of the sister boat, and having so many new pilothouse/deck crew is different too. Its funny when I'm standing on the lock wall with the bag of cookies - in the old days (last year), the first crew member to see me would rush over to grab the bag, knowing what was within. This year, each trip has seen a new mate, and he just stands and looks at the Bag Lady. I have to explain what's in there each time. But there have always been a couple of PH crew from the past who made sure the delivery got to the right place! On to Muskrat....
01/11/2007 7:08 pm
You didn't have to explain the big bags while I was on the MQ. I told all of the deckcrew at mile 0 that we had cookies coming at Rock Island and the lady that brings them to us was to be excepted and granted pass aboard.
Jim Davis
Topic starter
01/11/2007 8:14 pm
You're darn right! Those were the good old days of last year --- I see you have been totally taken over by your new Harley lady, she's a cutie!
02/11/2007 4:57 pm
Sally still freaks out when I fire the bike up. Hopefully she will get over this so she can ride with me in the near future. And she loves chocolate chip cookies. Wonder where she gets that from? Look forward to seeing you next season. I may be tripping on the DQ if the operations department does right. As a metter of fact I look forward to seeing everyone. Being a captain on a towboat is just not the same as working a steamboat. All work and no fun makes Jim a very dull boy. Take care and stay in touch.