Kathi (Klimes) just helped me set up the travel for my trip to Zim in August. Very helpful and pleasant to deal with. Thanks Kathi.

Mike

Mike, she makes it appear almost easy....

Good luck and get that bull ele...

Mike

I used Kathi in 2004. She was a gem.

Kathi has also been helping me get ready for my July '07 safari. She's been great!

I've been keeping an online journal that talks about all of the preparations I've been making for this safari; the latest chapter "10-Airline Reservations" talks a good bit about my experience with her.

http://www.wingshooters.net/hunting/africa/africa.htm

I'm using her in '08....this from reading all the recommendations her on AR. As a side note...I met her and her husband in Reno last month...both are very nice and it was a pleasure spending a bit of time with them.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI

She is working our travel plans for July as I type. Great to work with.

She has also dropped the ball. But, did belly up and said so. Who among us is pure?

You getting any thing for free, BTW? Just asking.

DB

Dungbeetle,

I pose a question to you (I am really curious and I bet a few others who read here are too).

Why do you suppose a person got something for free for speaking up in a positive way on a business transaction? "Just asking."

Seems like a very negative comment for something that turned out positive for someone else.

Kathi has made the travel arranements for my trip to Namibia this May. I am very pleased with the way she has handled my flights and will give her my business in the future.

quote:

Originally posted by Aspen Hill Adventures:
Dungbeetle,

I pose a question to you (I am really curious and I bet a few others who read here are too).

Why do you suppose a person got something for free for speaking up in a positive way on a business transaction? "Just asking."

Seems like a very negative comment for something that turned out positive for someone else.

Fair question(s), Ann.

Your're a "peddler' too, like the rest of the "so curious that you just bet on", well you should be so in your game. you just mentioned and packing the ball for? Vested interest? No one who ever hunted via you got it for "free", right?

Maybe so. Maybe not. You make your living, I'll make mine, we'll both do well, I hope.

Have you ever had things gone "tits up" and what did you do about it?,,,aside from bringing JudgeG (favorite Son) hunting with you? Did I mis-read that a while back from Don? Could be. Another thread, maybe?

Heck, let's play, Ann!

This whole website (I love it) has become a playground for those like you.

Peddlers.

No offence meant. I mean that. But you asked.

BTW, didn't I did say that Kathi stood up, explained it and made it right? She did. All is good on that.

Where are your "Hunting Reports" (here), by the way?
DB

Dungbeetle,

What a fitting name, well at least the first part. What did beetles ever do to you to deserve to be so insulted by having you adopt their moniker?

One, I am not getting anything for free. Like all travel agents I am sure that Kathi's fee is paid by the companies she books with.

Two, do you speak as poorly and incoherently as you write, or have you been drinking?

Three, you are right, this whole website has become a playground for folks like you, a-holes that have to chime in with some asinine, insulting comment that was completely unwarranted.

Have a great day.

Mike

P.S. I can understand why you do not use your real name. If I had a personality like yours I would not want anyone to know who I was either.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Dungbeetle,

What a fitting name, well at least the first part. What did beetles ever do to you to deserve to be so insulted by having you adopt their moniker?

One, I am not getting anything for free. Like all travel agents I am sure that Kathi's fee is paid by the companies she books with.

Two, do you speak as poorly and incoherently as you write, or have you been drinking?

Three, you are right, this whole website has become a playground for folks like you, a-holes that have to chime in with some asinine, insulting comment that was completely unwarranted.

Have a great day.

Mike

P.S. I can understand why you do not use your real name. If I had a personality like yours I would not want anyone to know who I was either.

1. Agree. She's good, even great but has fu'k up (your money, remember?) You gotta a problem with that? Kathi made it right but no one is infallible, therin lies the difference.
2. Could be but not yet. Mostly , yes. There ya have it.
3. Totally agree, you included. Keep on sucking up.

Your ps: I do understand why you don't anyone to know who you are either. But we're all ok with that.

Lastly, apologies to the beetles I have offended. Least of all, you. I'm better off with the "dung" part of things. Keep on 'rollin'.

'Have a good day", you say? Got other plans.

Back to the still.

DB

I didn't know Kathi before I joined AR. Had never met her before January 2007. She handled my travel for my Zim hunt and all my silly assinine rookie questions in 2005. She helped me far beyond any way she had to, or was "paid" to. She became my friend very quickly.

I was very happy to meet her and her husband at SCI Reno this year, as a matter of fact, they were the big reason I went.

And no, DB, I didn't anything free, other than a friend.

Kathi has handled the travell arrangemnt for a number of shooters here, and she did a great job of it.

And no, I do NOT get anything free from professionals that do offer services or products on this site.

We allow that, free of charge, unlike other sites, which only allow those who pay to post there products, for the sole purpose of the benefit of our members.

Come to think of it, AR's sole purpose is to encourage hunting, shooting, and the general enjoyment with firearms.

Sadly, we have a few people who think one cannot do anything without expecting something back in return.

Very sad indeed.

As in most walks of life, one comes across people he has never met, who will gladly help in any way they can.

While others will never do that without having their palms open for somethning in return.

I don't peddle anything here. I've never used Kathi.

However, thanks to our our little shit rolling Dungbeetle I most certainly will use Kathi.

Thanks DB !

SC- Sportsman

That's a crackerjack of a journal you're keeping, thanks for posting it. I was going to do one myself (off line) but I got to lazy.... I leave for my first safari a month after you return from yours so don't drag your feet in it's completion.

I intend to give Kathi Klimes a call, not sure if it was the Dung entertainment or your journal that convinced me.

over the years i have had airlines booked with a lot of agents, as well as my clients ...kathi is a small operation and that means good personal service and attention to detail , she cares and takes an interest in who you are and what your needs are.. i have only started using her service for clients recently but have known her for years and she is great.

the biggest thing is that she does what she says she is going to do... thats all i expect... if more people did that in business and the service industry we would all be better off !!!

quote:

Originally posted by RayRay:
SC- Sportsman

That's a crackerjack of a journal you're keeping, thanks for posting it.

Thanks RayRay, I appreciate the compliment! I've fallen behind and dragged my feet on it several times already, but am working hard to bring it up to date as quickly as I can.

Saeed, Very well said, and thanks for continuing to offer all of us this forum.

I used Kathi in 2005. My one and only African trip (so far) and she was a delight to deal with. We had several pleasant conversations. She brings a very personal touch into her business, which is often lacking in todays world.

DB,

You totally missed the point and always want to twist something to an attack. I wonder why your life is so negative?

I never used a travel agent before for any of my travels but decided to use one on my last trip to Africa since we were tracveling with 6 people all on different schedules.

I used Kathi based on comments here on AR and she did a first rate job. So good in fact that she handled a trip for myself and 4 others to Rome and Tuscanny and did a great job on that also. My wife thought it went so well she used Kathi to handle a corporate getaway to Mexico for her staff and spouses, pulled that one off as well.

Didn't get paid or get anything to say it.

Kathi arranged a trip for me and I couldn't be more satisfied. I travel a lot internationally but usually the arrangements are made through Corporate Travel so I have some basis for saying that she provides a service far superior to what I get from the Company. She is a bulldog when it comes to tenacity.

From what I have read here, Kathi seems to do a great job. I recommend my clients to use a particular agent, but I don't think any client has ever mentioned this much satisfaction. I believe I will start telling all my clients to use Kathi. How do I get hold of her? If anyone can provide contact information, I will be happy to send my clients her way.

By the way, I don't get anything in return for the recommendation. The only thing I ever want in return is a great service offered to my clients. In my opinion, a satisfaction from a client with the service received is priceless!

I know of a few people on here that won't be using her again , me included.

Zahir,

You can reach Kathi at:

kathi@wildtravel.net
1-708-425-3552

Mike

P.S. How is the new baby? Hope Mom and baby are doing well.

Mike,

Thanks for the information! The baby (Emils Hasans) and iveta are doing great. She says hello. We are in Europe now, and we will head to TZ on the 10th. Thanks for asking.

Zahir

I understand that she is cute like her mother -- thank goodness for that.

Mike

There’s plenty of information on most of the businesses that offer services on this board, do a search and you can find it. Unfortunately, only those that have received good service mostly give the reviews. If you do post anything negative, get ready for the attacks by those who believe that since they were pleased with the service, its impossible that anyone else could have been less fortunate. An example, although extreme and I hate to bring it up, is the sheephunter thread. A lot of posters will not post negative information because of that episode.

I would suggest that if you want to use a service offered on the board, ask for input from those with experience by PM. You will get a much better picture of what to expect. A lesson I learned the hard way.

Kathi's the best.

I used Kathi's services when I found out she and her husband also hunt Africa and have first hand experience of what to expect on a day-to-day basis. Everything there and back went smoothly. She accommodated my needs, but then again, I'm not very demanding.

I'm sure some clients could find a way to blame their travel agent about the roughness of the TP in the economy class restroom.

A few years back I had Kathi flake on me. I was not the only one to receive less than perfect service....

That said, she seems to be getting rave reviews as of late. Maybe I will try her again.

Jason

I for one have never used Kathi, although I have conversed many times and she's always returned my calls promptly. I am impressed. For the record, Kathi does not advertise here. She's nice enough to post information for us here.

Based on recommendations of friends on this board, I think she does her level best to ensure clients have a smooth road to travel. I for one take umbrage with generalized derogatory comments without specifics.

I am sure that every business, no matter how renowned and full of well intentions, had or will have dissatisfied clients. Some take the picking flyshit out of pepper award whinning to new levels though. On another board a few months ago and on this very subject, I was burned at the stake for asking specifics. When all was said and done is was due to one or two phone calls that were not promptly returned.

Do your homework, make an informed decision and accept the fact that nothing or nobody's perfect. And if you do have an issue, I think most of us here are grateful if the facts and specifics are posted and not just generalities.

I think Kathi's done a great job as evidenced by the overwhelming support received here. jorge

quote:

Originally posted by jorge:
I for one take umbrage with generalized derogatory comments without specifics.

I am sure that every business, no matter how renowned and full of well intentions, had or will have dissatisfied clients. Some take the picking flyshit out of pepper award whinning to new levels though. On another board a few months ago and on this very subject, I was burned at the stake for asking specifics. When all was said and done is was due to one or two phone calls that were not promptly returned.

Do your homework, make an informed decision and accept the fact that nothing or nobody's perfect. And if you do have an issue, I think most of us here are grateful if the facts and specifics are posted and not just generalities.

jorge

Well said.

If people can post positive experiences, then they should be able to post negative experiences as well. And I am talking in general, not just concerning this thread. Unless we see both the postive and negative posted, the forum loses much of its value because we learn as much from someone else's mistake as from their positive experience.

I would not wish to see AR.com become like the 1911 forums where we are allowed to write, "My new XXX pistol is great!" but where, "My new XXX pistol jams every tenth shot" will get a guy banned for life.

I am in the process of working w/ Kathi right now and to this point she has certainly exceeded my expectations. This will be my first trip over and to simply say that she has been helpfull would be a diservice. Within hours of my initial email I had recieved a return email and phone call. There are still some outfits that have yet to reply to my initial inquery days later. Since, she has been in constant communication with updates on flight availability and pricing. I wish there were more out there like Kathi and based on my experience so far I will definitely use her in the future.

I have been on the phone with Kathi this morning putting the finishing touches on my Africian trip next month and she also booked a trip for me to Jackson Hole this summer. I told her about the flights and prices for the Jackson trip and she said why don't you book them yourself and save my fee ($25 per ticket). I told her my first dealing with her was in 05 when the DeCostes dropped the ball re lodging in Vic Falls and I called Kathi for one nights lodging she help me get a place at Russ's. How much could she have made on that business. I told her this and said I would gladly pay her fee as a thank you for that now and in the future.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Dungbeetle,

What a fitting name, well at least the first part. What did beetles ever do to you to deserve to be so insulted by having you adopt their moniker?

One, I am not getting anything for free. Like all travel agents I am sure that Kathi's fee is paid by the companies she books with.

Two, do you speak as poorly and incoherently as you write, or have you been drinking?

Three, you are right, this whole website has become a playground for folks like you, a-holes that have to chime in with some asinine, insulting comment that was completely unwarranted.

Have a great day.

Mike

P.S. I can understand why you do not use your real name. If I had a personality like yours I would not want anyone to know who I was either.

Mike,
Thanks for stating what I have trouble articulating. Life is too short to pick fights with "your friends" who let you post on this forum for free.

I am currently engaged in booking a trip with Kathi. In the past, I've done it myself, but this time, the deadlines are pretty tight, so I decided to give her a try. She's been working hard to find my the right flight where I can upgrade, getting me the right seat on the abominable AirCattleCar and, generally making the trip easy. I don't know why I didn't try this before.

All I can do is ad my voice to the chorus. I used Kathi for a trip to Zim in 04 and she did a fantastic job for me. Approx. 2 weeks prior to my trip I received a call from my booking agent telling me the PH had to cancel the trip. No sense getting into that, but Kathi who handled the travel arrangements immediately got on the phone with HHK and arranged a replacement trip for me in a few days. She didn't get paid anything else (except for the flowers I sent) for this extra service. I'm going back in May and of course I booked my travel arrangements with her.

I very much appreciate her posts and news topics she posts on here....I,m currently , and will be for a while involved in the { remain bolt trash and go on safari , buy a double and stay home.}mental arguement ... However ,as I haven,t been outside for a quarter century " I like it up here " and the world has got to be alot scarier place since I was there.....Booking with someone who can fill me in with all the do,s and don,t of getting to and from there is of utmost importance to me ....The personal service described here is what I,m interested in...and I appreciate Saeed allowing it ..,, But being able to tactfully discuss the negatives is important........And 500 you should just avoid the 1911 jamamatics for the poj,s they all are .. Get a S&W M&P.. Glock or XD