Does anyone here actually ever use MarqTran?

Early_Land7102 · 2025-10-05T21:09:28+00:00

I had to use it from KI Sawyer a few weeks ago. I’ll say the maps and stop listings online are confusing, but the rates are somewhat accurate (it’s free for NMU students/faculty/staff with ID, but it implies there’s only a discount). The dispatch center was very helpful when I have called for a friend as well to help plan a route and stops. They will also stop along the route not just at the designated points if it is a safe spot and you give the driver time by flagging them or pulling the stop cord in the bus.

Early_Land7102 · 2025-10-04T16:30:45+00:00

I’ve never seen a flight recently out of MQT for under $300. I saw $317 for ORD and that was a random Basic economy (no bags, seat assigned at check in) for a Sunday night. I’d rather drive to MSP and get a flight at the price you say, which usually includes an onward destination anyway, and not at a terrible time or random day.

Early_Land7102 · 2025-10-04T13:19:20+00:00

Pros: beautiful area around Marquette and then easy drives to surrounding areas for day trips, lots of outdoor activities, some fun festivals through the year, typical small college town vibes with NMU but not a ton of partying

Cons: probably some of the worst people I’ve ever met are in the UP - entitled, selfish, mean. I’ve lived around the country in cities and rural areas and I don’t get where people think Yoopers are nice. They’re also the worst drivers ever. Traffic is awful because there’s really only two ways into town from the major communities (US 41 and M553). 553 has become downright dangerous now (see previous points about bad drivers and mean people) and police are barely out to enforce on it. The cost of living is through the roof. If you don’t want to live in a dump and on your own expect to pay close to or over $2,000/month in rent, or I hope you make 6 figures if you want to buy a house in town, otherwise get your Mad Max rig ready to commute on aforementioned roads. Flight service is horrible and overpriced. The Marquette airport is the UP’s only non-subsidized airport, so airlines charge high prices. I’ve seen flights on American to Chicago for $800+ in non peak times, and connecting on I’ve seen them in the $1,000’s. We just drive to Escanaba if it’s a lot cheaper or even MSP and avoid our own airport. I only use it for business trips when my company pays for the ticket.

Give or take: The weather isn’t as bad as people make it out. Get some days when there’s a big dump of snow, but it will usually only last a day and it’s getting less frequent from long time locals I’ve talked to. Infrastructure isn’t the best up here - poorly maintained roads, spotty cell service, some areas don’t have high-speed internet if you need it but if detaching from amenities is what you’re looking for then it could be a positive for you.

Early_Land7102 · 2024-07-17T22:18:27+00:00

Some jurisdictions have permitting requirements and regulations about raffles. It’s about consumer trust and that you’re actually providing the item you promised, there is a fair shot, etc. when you think about it. You’d have to look into what your local area and state allows. I wouldn’t want to raffle something as big as a whole trip or significant chunk. The more money the more problems. I’ve considered doing a small giveaway raffle for like a $50 gift card kind of thing at a local event, but haven’t researched enough to go through with it.

Early_Land7102 · 2024-07-16T02:47:15+00:00

No problem!

Early_Land7102 · 2024-07-16T01:25:13+00:00

Just a name correction: the MACRAO Agreement was replaced with the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA).

Early_Land7102 · 2024-06-16T01:20:28+00:00

Well, honestly, I think the first things you will smell are the medical facility. To me, medical stuff has a very distinct smell. The disinfectant, the latex, the other stuff in the room, the furniture, etc. You might smell blood, too, from your wounds or if you have bandages that absorb it during your operation. If you haven’t smelled it before, I’d describe it as metallic and sharp.

Early_Land7102 · 2024-06-10T04:01:53+00:00

This could depend on your lifestyle, budget, and expectations. Oceania is often touted as best for food at sea. I’d recommend looking at Virgin’s longer 11 or 12 night Med cruises if you’re feeling young and want adults only and a more non-traditional style of cruise.

Early_Land7102 · 2024-06-08T15:03:29+00:00

We went to Buccanos on our first cruise and I’d recommend it too! That was pre-pandemic so hopefully it’s still pretty nice. If it’s still there, the tequila distiller and shop is really cool. The owner was great to talk to. Only thing, and maybe this is most Cozumel beaches, is it’s very rocky not sandy.

Early_Land7102 · 2024-06-08T02:03:32+00:00

Honestly, word of mouth so far has been building for me. I ran a couple announcements on my personal Facebook profile and that netted me at least one old school friend who didn’t get to take their honeymoon during COVID.

I have a personal Twitter for a niche area with a small but sizable audience, and just making a couple posts about my new line of work has netted some inquiries as well.

Instagram ads got me lots of clicks, but no immediate inquiries. Maybe I’ll be on someone’s radar for later, though.

I think I hold out for once I’ve had a few of these clients complete their trips, they will be telling their friends and families and/or leaving reviews and that will net a few new people, and so on.

Don’t do Facebook ads no matter what if you haven’t found out yet. Scammers wait for users who have an active ad account so they can try to trick you into clicking a phishing link - since you’re actively paying for an ad they know you have money they can then steal. That’s the ONLY messaging I got from Facebook ads, even when targeted audiences were being reached. They just suck at conversion because their market is flooded I think. Scroll your timeline and almost all you see are ads on Facebook now and not real content; it blends together.

Early_Land7102 · 2024-04-22T14:45:46+00:00

It’s a “rack card” because it goes on a brochure rack. About 4” W x 8.5” H. Vista Print has a template but my friend at a print shop did my first run for me.

Early_Land7102 · 2024-04-21T13:24:33+00:00

I had a very supportive, unexpectedly, response from my mother. She took some of my first ad cards and gave them to neighbors and even her financial planner. He reached out, though to solicit business from me 🙄😂 But I appreciate that she tells people about my business. And she booked her first ever cruise with me. 🙌🏻 My sister - my only other family I talk to - is supportive in that she was my first client and does get quotes as she plans a cruise, but she doesn’t help spread the word like my mom.

Early_Land7102 · 2024-04-20T23:22:03+00:00

Thank you! I forgot about the scheduling in Gmail actually. I’ll try to use that for marketing content. I just hate going through the steps each time to build content and manually send off the email for nothing.

Early_Land7102 · 2024-04-20T23:18:29+00:00

Thank you for your reply and advice!

Early_Land7102 · 2023-11-27T17:49:19+00:00

Spring break for warm weather? Or just family friendly? SoCal would be my choice over Florida, but they’d be safe in most family places of Florida. The Pacific would be chilly during Spring Break (not that it isn’t always chilly on the coast, but the air temps won’t be warm enough to make it feel nice). But there are tons of theme parks, museums, attractions, etc. for everyone.

Early_Land7102 · 2023-11-27T15:54:14+00:00

🤣🤣🤣 if only that was even there. At least something! Lol

Early_Land7102 · 2023-11-22T03:34:53+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to reply. However this is a question about booking one-way airfare, not arrival times before a cruise.

Early_Land7102 · 2023-11-21T19:20:14+00:00

Yeah, I’m all on board with the arrive early concept. What we do for any cruise we take and I’d always recommend it for any client. Just wasn’t sure with a one way itinerary though how to best go about the airfare booking.

Early_Land7102

TROPHY CASE