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Time Traveller
Dollar Thrifty Europe Managing Director Tom Knopek takes a trip down
memory lane


Tom Knopek, managing director of Dollar Thrifty Europe, began his travel career on just £80 a month. Here, he looks back at the highs and lows and reveals what happened when he asked for a pay rise...

What was your first job in travel?

My first job was probably my best job. I was a Club 18-30 rep in Ibiza. It was 1983 and Ibiza was very relaxed, like a hippie culture. nothing like now. My boss was John Bond, the current owner of Jetset. He paid me £80 a month. I once asked him for a pay rise and he told me: "Tom, in travel not everyone gets to become a millionaire, but now and again we all get the chance to live like one."

John was correct on both counts. The travel industry has been very good to me. I go back to Ibiza every year with a couple of mates who. also worked there for Club 18-30. It really is a special place.

What was the high point of your career?

There are lots, all for very different reasons, but one of the best would be working with Alun Cathcart at Avis Europe. He terrified me because he knew everything, and probably still does, a real gent. I likened him to Sir Matt Busby. There was a great team spirit at that time and most of my old leisure team are still there. But the highlight has to be becoming managing director at Dollar Thrifty Europe, because basically it's my responsibility. Someone said to me how do you fancy running a little part of our company, you cannot get any greater compliment than being given complete responsibility. Someone must trust me. I hope I don't sound arrogant by saying I haven't let them down.

What was the low point?

The collapse of ILG in 1991. The day it collapsed I was in Mallorca with all the overseas staff. Basically we were stranded and we had to be repatriated by Dan Air. One of the overseas managers (who is now a chief executive of a PLC Travel company) actually took the intercom from the air hostess and sang 'we'll meet again' to the, now, unemployed staff. Most of the people on that plane are working with him today, 20 years later.

What's your biggest regret?

I have no regrets, not one

What would you be doing now if you weren't in travel?

Before I worked in travel I was a bus driver in London, number 14, so I have no formal profession. I would like to imagine I would be doing something useful, but the truth is I have no idea.


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