Las Vegas

Let me begin by asking all my readers to say a special prayer for my friend Bobby Heenan, who is having health problems. Usually, while everyone looks the other way when somebody is in need, my readers have come through for all that I have asked and then some. Bobby has given his all for our business; now, it is time for us to give back to him.

This past week we lost another of our flock, Mike Davis. No words can express someone's loss. He was a great combatant in the squared circle and will be missed. R.I.P. Mike.

The time is drawing nearer, and I for one can't wait to enter the Grand Ballroom of the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. This will be the third straight year that the Riviera has been the crowning centerpiece of the biggest reunion that the Cauliflower Alley Club has had.

We anticipate a sellout to see many, many superstars like Red Bastien, Killer Kowalski, Penny Banner, Juan Hernandez and The Intelligent Sensational Masked Destroyer, to name just a few. We also look forward to rubbing elbows with fans and friends that come to be a part of this gala event. To be there will leave many memories, as have banquets in the past.

To be a part of this gathering takes a lot of diligence and planning from the Board of Directors of the Cauliflower Alley Club. They gathered a couple of months ago to finalize the event to take place in February. Many came from far away to be a part of this gathering and to make sure that all attending would have a good time bringing back memories from the past.

I will be at the Ballroom around 11 p.m. on Thursday evening to meet and greet all that are there. I plan on bringing pictures to share and the biggest smile Las Vegas has ever seen. I will also be in the ballroom most of Friday and Saturday.

I would have been in around 8 p.m. but the kind folks at American Airlines were kind enough to show me why they are as powerful as they are. I had planned a flight to leave Toledo at 3:30 p.m. and go to Chicago and then on to Las Vegas arriving around 7 p.m. All was in order, as I had been checking the prices and flights on the Internet for a couple of weeks. When there appeared to be no changes in the prices online I did what I normally did … sit down and call for reservations.

American Airlines had me for a customer since the early 60's and have given me pretty good service on the flights I have flown with them. Of course, I use other airlines, but I am going to pick on American for a couple of reasons.

Number one, they were the unfortunate victim of a multi-terrorist plan on September 11, meant to put fear into the hearts of the folks here in the good old U.S.A. Those terrorists did such a bang up job on four aircraft that crashed at different sites and killed a lot of people that most Americans had a fear of flying any further.

Number two, the airline industry was devastated by the action and suffered very heavy financial losses. Some were forced out of business because of no one using them as carriers. Some laid off many of their crews with no plans of short-term recovery.

I used common sense and tried to do my part to keep the industry going and show that I was not going to be intimidated by the actions of terrorism.

I took my family to Las Vegas and back at the end of September and enjoyed the flights aboard Northwest. They have an uncanny way of making you feel wanted and appreciated. I also did a flight to Florida, for business, in mid-December and will be returning in late March to conclude that matter.

As I mentioned, I was to take American Airlines (the first choice of hijackers) for this trip to Las Vegas. You might want to think very seriously about any future flights you might consider booking with this airline. When I called about a ticket for the flight, I was told that the price on the Internet ($329.00) had been sold out.

They then went on to tell me that they had some seats available on the same flight, in the same seats that were not available at a lower cost … for $475 … an increase of 50% over the Internet price. If not, I might consider using an alternative airline to get there.

I guess the fine folks at American Airlines showed me who was the boss and how they can gouge the public at will. They apparently know what their product is worth to someone that cared about them and their survival in a very competitive industry. Maybe someday, someone will do something about their pricing techniques and policies.

I put a search on the Internet to Delta Airlines, and they had the same service that left Toledo about three hours later and returned me home about two hours earlier then American. I secured the reservation for $246, saving myself $80 over what I was willing to spend, and Delta was very happy for my business. They will be the same airlines that my wife and I will use on February 11 to go to the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

I guess the moral of this story is … businesses that work and reside in glass towers shouldn't throw bricks or agitate old wrestling managers that used to carry bricks in their briefcase...

Percival A. Friend, Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers