"Frank F. Matthews" <frankfmatthews@houston.rr.com> wrote in message

> Are you saying the vaunted TAs don't do a good job?

They don't always work in my interest.
Their main job is to sell products that give them the maximum profit. They
certainly do it very well.
Spending time to get me the best deal possible or to compare all the
possibilities for Dublin to Chitose is certainly considered as a loss of
time for busy agencies. They prefer selling packages and flights at fixed
price or organising trips for large groups.
In certain shops, the staff at the counter is probably not allowed to
negociate additionnal flights and discounts and to make you an original
route.

Kuri