Mr. Peanut, Chicago & WDC Training

Well...went with a seasoned TD to Chicago with group of high school choir students. Challenge for the trip was a 16 yr old girl in wheel chair. Best advice, make sure you tell your driver to make sure he gets her off the bus as soon as he parks the bus. Also make sure the venues know you have a handicapped person. Look for ramps and seating for handicap. Went to see a play, had to make arrangement for her seating, she was seated away from the group. Theater only allowed to have 1 person seat w/her, but an aunt came along the the trip. I spoke with the seating supervisor and convinced her to let the aunt seat with them if the seats were unused after the intermission.


Was not with our training during this event, but one of the kids defaced something. The kids were detained by security. My trainer convince the company and the security to not press charges, but for the student to pay for the cost of clean up.

I also went on a training of Washington DC, Gettysburg, Baltimore, Mt. Vernon & Lauray Caverns with a group of TDs for the inauguration and for the spring season.
Don't think I'll get a tour group for the big event. Spoke to many seasoned TDs usually tour Chicago for the 1st year. But sales, customer service and marketing was also on the trip. Seems they're interested in my photographic services for the event.
Best advice for the big event, according to seasoned TDs make sure that you utilize the chaperones!! It's very important that they know what is expected of them when leading the students with the amount of people expected for the event!

Student Tour seems much easier as all we really do is to facilitate the tour. Chaperones pretty much care for the students and they handle their own luggage. Just watch out for chaperones who think they are on vacation.

For those working the Inauguration...congrats! It will be a challenge, but you will have support as there will be other staff members at the event if you run into some problem. Good Luck! Hope to see you there and or Texas!

If you have any questions, contact me...emilyhoward@mac.com or call me 248-880-8373

Hopefully I have this figured out...

Hello everyone! I have just caught up on all the blog postings. It's really exciting to see how many people have gotten something in such short time! When we got back from class, I sent out my resumes to several places and literally two hours later, was hired with Educational Tours, Inc. I have yet to actually tour with them but am lined up for 10 or so tours with them. I also went on tour of Springfield with Hemisphere and have a couple with them in the spring- all in Chicago. No winter Chicago tours... I have no idea why no one wants to visit here in the winter which is, sadly, beginning.

Like a few of you, I am going to work with EF Smithsonian for the inauguration and will train there Dec. 17-19. Thanks to Michael for all the info! Living in Chicago makes it even more exciting for me. I was involved in the campaign and went to Grant Park on the election so being in DC during the inauguration will be the icing on the cake.

I look forward to seeing you all in Texas. I know several of you opted out but who is still in?

Finally Seeing Some Action

I'm finally starting to see some action. Flamingo Tours out of Ft. Lauderdale has booked me as TD for two student groups coming to Charleston the last two weeks in March. Better yet....just got hired by Smithsonian Student Travel. Penny was hired by them as well. Thanks go out to Mike for letting me know they weren't requiring the DC guide license during the Inauguration or I probably would have just waited on symposium. I'll either be a TD during Inauguration or at least help out in some respect. I don't think they really have a handle yet on how many to expect. Last count they were looking for 6000 students. Anyway, hopefully I should get 1 tour a month in April and May as well. Can't wait to see you guys at symposium.