Review Detail

(This review is written on behalf of CCL). Fairchild AFB has significant construction ongoing that looks to have long-term impact well into the Fall. Be aware of many detour signs, and they will occasionally change positions. When we called before arriving, they had no space available. On base we learned they had so many families with RVs trying to stay there, and we saw many of all sizes parked adjacent to the construction sites with no facilities. It was noisy and unsafe for children, pets, and retirees who live with physical balance issues. We stayed off base for our 6-week stay in the Spokane area, and the base had no change in these conditions. The Fairchild AFB construction may not be completed by the end of this year. For service dogs: Recommendation of a local veterinarian that accepts walk-ins, even when arriving a few minutes before closing: VCA Manito Animal Hospital, 509-448-1444. Dr. B was excellent. Do NOT use the on-base veterinarian clinic even though retirees are entitled to free veterinarian care there. The 3 "techs" working there are by far "substandard" and should not be used. They could hardly answer basic questions and definitely do not pay attention to what you say on the telephone before making any appointment and refused to even "talk" to us until we filled out all the check-in paperwork, which took over 15 minutes. Not one had any concept what an international health certificate when I asked on the phone if they had a USDA-certified vet for an exam to obtain an international health certificate for our service dog. They insisted I make an appointment. Required their check-in, then they said the vet was not there that day and only comes in twice a week.Then they finally said that the vet was present only two days a week, and not that day. For car rentals: If you plan to use any car rental company located at the Spokane Airport, be prepared for most construction with very confusing and missing signs. In our frustration, I was dropped off at the "exit" driveway, walked into the counters and got told that 'Yes, you need to drive into the Exit driveway to get into all the rental cars.' All employees of the company we used, as well as those for two companies on the adjacent counters, acknowledged they knew about the poor signs for weeks and did nothing to make it easier on future patrons. They seemed oblivious to reporting the problem to airport management, maintenance people, or their own management. They expressed no concern for safety of current or future patrons. For museums: there are almost no exhibits, artifacts, or information about the Native Americans from that area even though the city was named after a Native American tribe. For restaurants and shopping: good local restaurants and stores are everywhere, and the national chains are readily available. The worst experiences of bad "customer service" and derision toward disabled veterans all occurred on base (across several trips on base) or in Spokane by people who appeared to be in their 20s. In contrast, we spent must time in the various suburbs east of Spokane to the Idaho state line, and we had excellent customer service and congenial people throughout the suburbs.