Which Airline Is There For You? Which Isn't?

Contributing Editor Carl Unger believes that every trip is worth taking. He loves an extended trip to Europe as much as he enjoys exploring the towns and landscape near home. Basically, you'll find him wherever there is good food, fresh air, and plenty of stories to bring home.

Carl has been writing for SmarterTravel since 2005. His travel writing has also appeared on USA Today and the About.com Boston travel guide.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "It's not revolutionary, but a small Moleskine notebook is my one travel must-have. It's great for noting things you want to remember and it takes up hardly any space in your bag."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "Japan. I'd love to take a month off and visit the cities, temples, and countryside. I'm fascinated by the country's juxtaposition of ancient traditions and modern ambitions."

Travel Motto: “Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” –Terry Pratchett

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Window."

See recent posts by Carl Unger

This Sunday, we’ll be releasing the results of our first annual Editors’ Choice Awards, in which we’ll honor the airlines and providers that give customers the biggest bang for their buck. In the days leading up to the big reveal, we want to get your thoughts on some of the categories.

Good communication is at the center of our Best Use of Social Media category. After all, with the advent of social media outlets such as Twitter and Facebook, airlines have more channels than ever to communicate with customers. Add in traditional phone services, and there’s really no excuse for poor customer relations.

So here’s what I want to ask you: Which carriers are there when you need them? Do you have a story about a problem or complaint that was (or was not) resolved by your carrier using Twitter, Facebook, or a blog? Which carriers make you feel like you’re speaking to a brick wall? Leave a comment below with your thoughts, and check back Sunday to see who wins our Best Use of Social Media category!

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