Assault on Travel Agencies Unabated

James Flanigan stated a very real fact: No industry was hit as severely as travel [“Hotel Industry’s Plan Confirm Recovery--and More,” March 31]. But within the industry, travel agents have been battered on all fronts. During the days following Sept. 11, we did most of the airlines’ work--for no profit--simply out of the desire to assist during a crisis.

Yet the airlines’ assault on U.S. travel agencies continues unabated. Their actions draw little attention. The major U.S. air carriers recently dropped commissions to U.S. travel agencies to zero.

We travel agents are told we cannot band together--that’s a violation of antitrust laws. Yet, all major airlines announce the same policy within days and that’s not collusion?

Maureen O’Crowley

Lomita