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In this issue …
• Travel is funny. Travel is tragic.
• Spirit Airlines eliminates its customer service department
• 5 cures for Regional Jet Stress Syndrome
• More gas stations pulling cash-price scam at the pump
• Come to think of it, air travel really is a hoot
• How to reach yours truly
• Support this site
This issue of Elliott’s E-Mail is underwritten by ExpertFlyer, which empowers the frequent flier like no other site. Get the details here.
FIRST | Random thoughts about the week in travel
Travel is funny. Travel is tragic. Like life, travel is full of ups and downs. It can be funny, like last week’s “debut” of the fake airline Derrie-Air. And it can be tragic, like when you come home from assignment to find that a dear friend has died. This week, I share some of both with you.
Burning question … coming home from vacation to a disaster? What’s the worse thing you’ve ever come home to from a vacation or trip? This week, I have my own sad story to share with you, but I’m writing a column about the subject, and I’d like to include yours, too. Send me a note and please don’t forget to include your full name, city and occupation.
Get it. Daily. Want to get e-mail updates from this site daily instead of weekly. Why not sign up for my free daily update newsletter? Here are the details. (But you’ll want to keep this subscription, otherwise you’ll miss half the fun!)
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BLAZIN’ HOT BLOG POST | What’s burning up my bandwidth this week?
Spirit Airlines eliminates its customer service department — Although Spirit Airlines denies reports that it’s on the verge of making massive cutbacks, there’s evidence the no-frills discount carrier is quietly dismantling its customer service department. And the worst may be yet to come. (From Elliott Blog) JOIN THE DISCUSSION — leave your comment!
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.
SIGHTINGS | Noted Elliott appearances online and offline
No place to park — or sleep — Sandra Ferguson makes a reservation at a San Jose, Calif., hotel through ParkSleepFly.com. But when she tries to check in, the hotel has never heard of her. Does ParkSleepFly.com owe her a refund for the $180 she has to spend for long-term parking? (From The Troubleshooter)
5 cures for Regional Jet Stress Syndrome — If you’re reluctant to fly, maybe you’ve got Regional Jet Stress Syndrome. RJSS is an anxiety disorder that develops after exposure to undersize aircraft and all the ups and downs that come with it. (From MSNBC.com)
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
BLOGGED | New posts on Elliott’s Blog
Customers pressure Hertz to change refueling policy — and it does — Sometimes, companies do listen to their customers. Case-in-point: Hertz. For the better part of the last week, I’ve been corresponding with the car rental company about its poorly-disclosed and questionable refueling policy. (From Elliott Blog)
More gas stations pulling cash-price scam at the pump — Here’s a warning for anyone who pays for their gas with a credit card: Read the terms of your sale very closely. More gas stations are tacking on a surcharge for anyone who pays with plastic. (From Elliott Blog)
Dead friends, destroyed homes and the other dreadful things we come home to — Castor probably died quickly. (From Elliott Blog)
USA Today story triggers battle of the airfare gurus — Can’t we all just get along? Not if you’re an airfare expert — and not if USA Today is quoting you. (From Elliott Blog)
United, US Airways together at last — on list of most complained-about airlines — The on-again, off-again merger between United Airlines and US Airways may be off for now, but the two airlines are together at last — at the top of the Transportation Department’s list of most complained-about airlines. (From Elliott Blog)
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!
ON TRIPSO | Blog postings from the last honest travel site.
Come to think of it, air travel really is a hoot — Seems that somewhere between $100-a-barrel oil and $15 surcharges, we lost our sense of humor about air travel. But this summer, as we endure America’s overcrowded airports, there’s lots to laugh about. (From Tripso)
As as fuel prices skyrocket, drivers demand: “I want my EV!” — Electric car activists are shifting their campaign to persuade Detroit to go electric into high gear. (From Tripso)
With regulation imminent, cellular lobbyists plea with travelers: Don’t text and drive — Here’s a tip from your friends in the cellular industry lobby: Don’t text and drive this summer. Please. (From Tripso)
More toll roads: a perfect solution for desk-bound editorial writers — Is the solution to worsening traffic more toll roads? That’s the answer Connecticut’s The Day seems to come up with in a controversial editorial. (From Tripso)
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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.
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