Read this week’s issue online or subscribe to the RSS feed.
In this issue …
• Excuse me, you’re in my seat!
• “I’m normally not the type of person to complain, but …”
• Year of the Fee: what’s in it for you?
• Ask the Armchair Traveler: how to score a cheap rental car
• XL seatmates
• My little wizard
• How to reach yours truly
• Support this site
This issue of Elliott’s E-Mail is underwritten by skoobadesign.com, designers and makers of some of the most acclaimed, innovative carrying cases and travel accessories for laptop computers and other tech gear. Skooba Design’s products have been named “best buy” by major independent consumer magazines, as well as leading technology, travel and general interest publications. Elliot’s E-Mail Subscribers get 20 percent off, plus free shipping (UPS Ground/48 States) on all Skooba Design orders of $50 or more. Just enter coupon code enter ELLIOTT20 at checkout. Some restrictions apply. Here are the details.
FIRST | Random thoughts about the week in travel
Excuse me, you’re in my seat! If you’ve ever sat next to someone on a plane who claims the armrests — or more — then you don’t want to miss this week’s newsletter. Starting with a Travel Troubleshooter column about someone who loses half her seat to an XL passenger, to blog entries about travelers of size, to archived columns on the “space invaders” problem, I’ve got every angle of this issue covered. Plus, there’s a new videocast, a column about new luggage fees, and much more.
Burning question … what’s your favorite airline? The latest airline report card is out, but I want your opinion. What’s your favorite carrier, and why? Send me a note and please don’t forget to include your full name, city and occupation.
Speak up! The “comments” section of the blog is buzzing with discussions. Join in and you could win a cool prize. Every month, we’re giving away a free subscription to Expertflyer to the reader with the most comments. How do you comment? Just scroll to the bottom of the article or blog posting and start typing — it’s easy!
Elliott’s E-Mail is also underwritten by Priceline.com, the leading travel service for value-conscious leisure travelers. With both Name Your Own Price and everyday fixed low prices, no other travel service gives more ways to save on their airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, vacation packages and cruises. No one does deals like Priceline.com!
BLAZIN’ HOT BLOG POST | What’s burning up my bandwidth this week?
“I’m normally not the type of person to complain, but …” — Airline passengers put up with a lot these days, including bad food, cramped conditions, high ticket prices, and the ever-present fear of being detained by the TSA. But they draw the line when it comes to their seats. JOIN THE DISCUSSION — leave your comment!
SIGHTINGS | Noted Elliott appearances online and offline
Hey, where’s my airline seat? — Half of Julie Liening’s airline seat is missing. An extra-large passenger is sitting in it, forcing her to lean into the aisle or sit on the passenger’s lap. Not a comfortable way to fly nor, for that matter, a safe way to fly. But when Liening asks her airline for compensation, she’s turned down. What’s next? (From The Troubleshooter)
Year of the Fee: what’s in it for you? — Let’s assume, for a moment, that you can’t stop 2008 from becoming the Year of the Fee. Let’s assume you’ll cheerfully pay every fuel surcharge, resort fee, excess luggage fee and security fee they throw at you. But here’s a question no one else seems to be asking: What’s in it for you? (From MSNBC.com)
Would a site map help your small-business site? — You can’t imagine taking a long road trip without a map. Why build a Web site without one? Site maps are simple visual representation of your site’s content. Think of it as a book’s table of contents. But instead of listing chapters, indexes, and bibliographies, a site map can offer a birds-eye view of your site, with links to your “About” page, products, terms and conditions, and blog. (From Office Live)
Elliott’s E-Mail is also underwritten by Cheapflights.com, which lets you search and compare flights to find the lowest-priced airfare for your next trip. Get the details at Cheapflights.com.
BLOGGED | New posts on Elliott’s Blog
Ask the Armchair Traveler: how to score a cheap rental car — The Armchair Traveler reveals his secrets for scoring a cheap rental car. (Here’s a high-definition version.) (From Elliott Blog)
Disabled? To the back of the plane! — When Rosa Parks refused to go to the back of the bus in 1955, she made history. When Randall Ulrich and his wife were instructed to move 11 rows back by a JetBlue flight attendant, did they have a similar case? (From Elliott Blog)
Warning: airlines dodging new European consumer protection laws — Think you’re protected by European consumer laws like EU 261/2004, which forces air carriers to compensate passengers in the event of a delay or cancellation? Think again. A report by the UK watchdog Air Transport Users Council concludes airlines have found a clever way around the rule. (From Elliott Blog)
A closer look at the best and worst airlines of 2007 — Here’s an important footnote to the airline industry’s annus horribilis. A closer look at the Transportation Department’s 2007 report card shows some carriers were likelier to lose your luggage, deny you boarding, get you to your destination late and provoke a written complaint. And some airlines were above it all. (From Elliott Blog) HOT POST!
13,168 airline complaints in 2007 — is that a new record? — You don’t have to be a travel expert to know that 2007 was a bad year for airline service. But just how bad wasn’t clear until this morning. That’s when the government released its official numbers for domestic airlines, showing that in almost every major category, airline service is circling the drain. (From Elliott Blog)
Invoke Rule 240, get yourself arrested — The next time your flight is delayed or canceled, you might want to think twice before whipping out your airline’s contract of carriage and demanding compensation. Airline employees don’t tolerate passengers with attitude — especially those invoking the legendary “Rule 240.” (From Elliott Blog)
Elliott’s E-Mail is also underwritten by FirstClassFlyer.com, the only tool you need to fly first class for the price of coach — or close to it. Looking for free and purchased upgrades, two-for-ones and a fast-track to elite status strategies? Look no further than FirstClassFlyer.com
FLASHBACK | A retrospective from the Elliott archives
XL seatmates. More on space invaders.
Size does matter — Oversize airline passengers, meet your dietician. Its name is Southwest Airlines. The no-frills carrier last week began enforcing a rule that compels overweight customers to buy a second ticket if they can’t fit in the standard 18 3/4-inch-wide seats. (From Commentary)
Space invaders — So I’m wedged into seat 20F on an MD 80, waiting to take off from Dallas/Fort Worth last week, when suddenly it hits me: I asked for an exit-row seat, and I got this. (From The Travel Critic)
POSTCARDS | The latest from Elliott’s personal photoblog
I added a few lights to my very cramped studio. The kids were kind enough to help me test them.
My future’s so bright … — Iden takes off his sunglasses for a moment to offer them to his photographer.
My little wizard — Erysse can’t keep her hat on. Otherwise, she would look like a wizard. That’s OK. She’s having a good time, taking Daddy’s studio for a test spin.
TALKBACK | How to sound off about this site
Read something you disagree with? Got a story idea or a gripe? Here’s how to be heard:
• Send me an e-mail. I’m at elliottdotorg on every major e-mail provider — AOL, Gmail, Hotmail and Yahoo. I’m also reachable at the same e-mail address I’ve always had, of course.
• Call me. My direct phone number is (407) 699-9529.
• Send me an instant message on Gmail.
• Shoot me a note or chat by video on AIM.
• Skype me. My username is christopherjelliott.
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• See me on Flickr.
• Find out what I’m doing now on Twitter.
• Post a response below an article, in the “Comment on this article” field.
• Contact me with this handy feedback form.
Please note: Unless you specify otherwise, all e-mails, letters and phone conversations are considered “on the record.” That means your name could be used in a future article.
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Christopher Elliott is the author of Scammed: How to Save Your Money and Find Better Service in a World of Schemes, Swindles, and Shady Deals. Critics have called it “eye-opening” and “inspiring” — it’ll “grab your attention and won’t let go.” Order your copy now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or iTunes.
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