The Department of Transportation yesterday claimed to be a leader in the administration’s open government initiative, which is supposed to transform the federal bureaucracy into a “transparent, collaborative, and participatory government” that touches the lives of citizens.
From the category archives:
Elliott Blog
Only a few weeks ago, Palm Coast Travel, one of three large travel agencies the state of Florida last year alleged had sold unlicensed insurance, seemed to have everything going for it. The state’s investigation into its activities appeared to have hit a dead end. The company, which runs the site Smartcruiser.com, had sued one of its customers and me in an effort to silence its critics. And it was issuing an average of one press release a week, touting its Better Business Bureau rating and obsession with customer service. But late last week, in an unexpected twist, Florida regulators filed an amended notice of intent to issue a cease and desist order with more detailed charges against Lake Worth, Fla.-based Smolinski and Associates, Inc., which, in addition to doing business as Palm Coast Travel and Smartcruiser.com, also operates under the name Smart Travel Group, Smart Cruiser Holdings and Tripsmart. Any way you read the latest allegations, it’s clear that Florida’s Department of Financial Services has no intention of letting this case fade away. (Here’s the first notice, for comparison purposes.)
Now there’s a headline I never thought I’d write. In one short week, it seems I’ve offended sadomasochists and great white sharks with my commentary. I feel an apology is in order.
If you’re holding a nonrefundable airline ticket, the rules are clear: You can get credit, valid for a year from the date of your booking, by informing the airline before your trip. That’s what British Airways’ ticket rules say.
Here’s a problem that would seem easy to fix on paper, but is much more difficult in practice: Last summer, Anthony Buono began getting bills from Enterprise for toll violations. Bills he didn’t recognize. And for good reason — they weren’t his.
Maybe there’s something in the water in Orlando, but the Transportation Security Administration just can’t stay out of the news there.
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry at this story. In the olden days — before “no waivers, no favors” — fees were routinely overlooked by helpful ticket agents. But in the era of ancillary revenues, where airline employees are evaluated based on the amount of money they collect from passengers, even a few dollars can be cause for celebration.
Michele Keller was all set to take a dream vacation to the Dominican Republic through Apple Vacations last year, when her significant other fell ill. After he took an unexpected turn for the worse, she learned that the insurance on her vacation didn’t cover her the way she though it would. Now she’s holding a voucher for a vacation she’s never likely to use.
I take a dim view of travel clubs that charge an annual fee for access to special prices. Typically, these schemes only benefit the company offering them. But is Spirit Airlines’ $9 Fare Club in the same category?
The “Comet” is not an amusement park ride. It’s the real thing — a full-length rip-roaring, 15-curve bobsled run at Utah’s Olympic Park in Park City. And I’ve got the bruises to prove it.
The wireless signal from the Gogo Inflight Internet service is coming in loud and clear, but I’m not buying it. Not this time. My MacBook Pro has a pathetic two hours of battery life at best, and the flight from Orlando to Salt Lake City takes twice as long.
I’ve been following today’s announcement about Apple’s new iPad, and wondering what all of this means for travelers.
Air travelers seem to delight in poking fun of people who ride the bus, but as someone who has driven coast-to-coast on Greyhound a time or two, I can tell you it was safe, efficient and inexpensive. Oh, and really long.
As of this month, visitors to the United States who don’t require a visa must fill out a Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). No one seems to like ESTA, which has been called expensive and unnecessary. But has anyone bothered to take the look at the actual questions on the form?
The food may be terrific at Mama’s Fish House in Maui, but on a recent visit to the restaurant, Marie Ochadleus claims she got a lot more than that. Someone stole $2,500 worth of personal items from her cars, and she believes the business is responsible for her loss.
Sign up for my 
