On Thursday, 11 December 2025, I and my wife were
returning from a 10-day cruise ported out of Galveston, Texas. It’s a good
drive home but Wichita Falls seemed like a good stopping point. I could get a little rest, a little middle of
the night work online, while my wife used the roll in shower and got some
sleep.
I caught a couple hours then went to the front desk,
not expecting to interrupt any check-ins. I noted the WIFI problem in general
terms to the clerk now on duty and she replied “meh” and that was it.
I said, “Ok, then if I’m not getting WIFI access, I’m
just going to grab a soft drink and sit in here for a moment to reframe my work
plan. I asked where the machines were. She eventually told me where the vending
machine was. I think the fact that I had not gone away after her indifference
to my WIFI issue upset her and I was supposed to go find signs and read them.
I came back into the lobby and proceeded into the
breakfast area. There was a sign that said it was closed. The young woman made
no preemptory comment when I told her my plan to get a soft drink and sit in
that area, until I sat in that area. I had violated the authority of the sign that
said breakfast was closed and promptly complied by moving into the lighted
lobby where there were no signs. I had barely seated myself when the clerk
admonished me for sitting in the lobby. It’s closed! You can’t sit there. I can
ban you from this hotel for 2 years. Wow!
I got this hotel at a good, off-season rate (not on the
Wyndham app), and had to wonder why run your guests off if you have to offer a
low rate just to get them here?
The logical fallacies abounded, but who puts a check-in
desk in a closed lobby? I knew not to engage this young lady enjoying her power
trip, but I am also not tolerant of blatant disrespect or for being blamed for another
person’s bad attitude. I have been gaslighted before.
The civil thing to do to resolve this fabricated
violation of my many wrongs was to speak to the manager. I knew it was the
middle of the night when I asked for the number. She made the point of
reminding me. I served as a Marine
Infantry officer for 20 years, a pastor for 18, and a newspaper executive for
another 5. Nobody forced me to those callings and assignments. If you take the
job where people stay overnight, work at night, or where problems may arise at
night, then being available as a manager during the night is just part of the
duty.
The young lady on a power trip gave me her manager’s
card. It rang at the front desk. She got an extended laugh out of that. At
least Wyndham gets some amusement from those they suckered into their system.
When I found out that the manager number was a ploy, I
asked the lady to call the police. She was shocked. She couldn’t figure out
why.
She called her manager and started talking as if she
was on the run from a dozen thugs with chains. She would step near her station
and then dart away behind a petition, then repeat. I think she was playing to
the cameras she said were running. I hope they were.
I’m wondering if her manager was thinking the National
Guard might be needed as the panicked voice continued. Remember, this voice kicked in when I said it
was time to call the police.
Her description of me opened my eyes to racial
profiling. I have been profiled before. As one of ten lighter skinned people in
western Kena around Langas/Eldoret—about 6 million people—I saw father’s
pointing at me. I was white and you just
don’t see too many white folks in those parts. Being a father, I would have
done the same and pointed out the unique to my son had roles been reversed.
The African people were not hateful. I was an enigma.
I got it. Roles reversed, I can’t say I would do much different.
The people at the Baymont (I’m including the unseen
manager) were up to no good. I don’t know what. Their objectives are obscure
when the I can have you removed from the hotel was among the first
things the clerk said after I reported the WIFI not working. I wasn’t going to
let this pitiful scam affect me. This young lady got excited when I asked for
the police.
She did ask me to leave and the police said that she
could do that. The police were professional and followed the law. We packed and
left at zero dark thirty.
I
get it. Some people are pissed at the world and even more upset at white
people. I addressed this with Geoffrey A. Ballotti, the Wyndham CEO. I knew that
the hotels were their own entity but still under the Wyndham brand. I also expected
that a senior executive, not Ballotti, would get back with me.
I
didn’t ask for a refund or threaten to sue the hotel and Wyndham for racial
profiling. I simply ask Mr. Ballotti, whom I now call No Balls Ballotti,
to say this was not the Wyndham way. Apparently,
it is. The Wyndham response was pitiful and leaves me to believe that racial
profiling is desirable among Wyndham executives and employees.
My
previous experience with Wyndham properties was average. They have earned top
honors in the bottom of the barrel category.
STEER
CLEAR OF WYNDHAM!
