A hotel cleanliness checklist and an unappealing menu at LAX

I liked the column in the Travel section [“Here’s a Closer Look at the Hotel Inspection Process,� On the Spot by Catharine Hamm, Nov. 25] about hotel inspections. I used to travel a lot and understand that housekeeping personnel are always under a great deal of pressure to do their job well and completely. Thus, the explanation of what AAA does was very informative.

The information is a great checklist for us travelers to use to inspect a room upon arrival and/or where to use our anti-bacterial wipes (or whatever else) to help prevent getting germs from previous guests.

Larry Ishii

Chino

Cheap eats at LAX

I must be in the minority, but when I am at LAX I want only a quick, cheap something to eat, not a high-priced experience that would be better in a lower-stress environment [“Elevated Eating at LAX,� by Mary Forgione, Nov. 18]. I miss the McDonald’s in Terminal 7. Breakfast there was my rare indulgence of fast food. Now the choice in T7 is an expensive bagel or a walk to Terminal 8 for Carl’s Jr.

There are all sorts of great restaurants in the international terminal, but airlines generally serve a meal on such flights. I want to spend my money when I get to my destination, not on a local meal.

The only choice for a quick, simple bite is an egg thing at Starbucks.

Also, what about that $3 water? If LAX is trying to enhance the terminal experience, what about $1 water kiosks and Wi-Fi in all areas, especially the Terminal B baggage claim.

Harlan Levinson

Los Angeles

Medical transit

Shame on the New Jersey ambulance company telling Kate Neiswender that it is not responsible for charges [“Free for $937,� Letters, Nov. 18]. As described, it is benefiting from “similar stories all the time� that their patients do not expect to be charged for medical attention transportation.

Seems like its ambulance drivers’ “silence is golden.�

John Loggins

Rancho Palos Verdes

‘Fake’ gin joint

I can’t believe the Travel section wasted newsprint and ink for an article about a fake Rick’s in Casablanca, Morocco [“We’ll Always Have Rick’s,� by Bob Drogin, Nov. 11]. What a disservice to any reader who loves to travel and see interesting historical places around the world.

Even if this had been the actual Rick’s from the movie “Casablanca,� it still wouldn’t have been worth an article. This was a fake that opened more than 60 years after the film opened.

To make matters worse, the article encourages readers to spend $286 a night on a Sofitel hotel in Casablanca when $70 a night will get you a fantastic room in a charming Moroccan hotel in the center of the city or in one of its interesting neighborhoods.

When it comes to this particular travel piece, I must quote John McEnroe: “You cannot be serious!�

Martin Fine

West Hollywood

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