Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Mariel Wamsley Entry Title: Lured by Luxury Vacations, They Were Stuck With Debt Entry Credit: Rukmini Callimachi, Derek M. Norman Judge Comment: This is solid investigative reporting into the deceptive lure of a vacation club that carries the name recognition of a familiar hotel brand. It’s a deep dive into what happens after the sales pitch where alcohol freely flows and the contract terms are too tiny to read. Showing the impact on a range of travelers induces a stomach-sinking feeling that would have many readers saying, "There but for the grace of God go I."
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: The Washington Post Entry Title: ‘Barely surviving’: Some flight attendants are facing homelessness and hunger Entry Credit: Natalie Compton Judge Comment: What an eye-opener! This story peers behind the curtain to reveal the hidden side of what seems like a glamor job: early-career flight attendants who face poverty wages and a long road to seniority and better pay. It pulls together disparate sources and pokes into all aspects of this topic – and might leave you feeling guilty about any complaints you’ve ever made while flying.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Vivian Song Entry Title: ‘Am I now a walking target?’: The Canadians boycotting travel to the United States because of Trump Entry Credit: Vivian Song Judge Comment: This is excellent, anecdote-rich reporting on a timely issue. By combining statistics, news reports and plentiful stories from travelers and travel companies, this piece puts the quandary of Canadian tourists into a relatable perspective without throwing political bombs.
Place Name: Honorable Mention Contestant Name: Wall Street Journal Entry Title: ‘Can’t Wait to Be Home.’ The Final Moments of American Airlines Flight 5342 Passengers Entry Credit: Valerie Bauerlain, Scott Calvert, Allison Pohle, Louise Radnofsky Judge Comment: This story goes right to the heart and gives personality to the faces of a national tragedy, called the worst U.S. air disaster in decades. The writers did excellent work getting final quotes and messages from the families of the crash victims. The piece also eloquently tapped into the shared human fear of the fleeting possibility that such an extraordinary tragedy could intervene on any ordinary flight.
