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1998 Travel Critic Archives

This column first appeared online in 1997 as The Crabby Traveler on ABCNews.com. After Disney's takeover of ABC, it moved to CNN.com and was called Going Off. It ended its four-year run in October 2000.

So Long, Legroom
Good seats did a disappearing act in '98.
Read American Airlines' response to the column

You Gotta Fight
Travelers who don't know their rights get screwed

Avoiding the White Elephant
Stupid travel gifts abound this season

More Mile-High Madness!
Why airlines do nothing about air rage problem

Germs Fly Free
The viruses are incubating on your plane

What's in a Name?
If it's your airport, not much

The United Shuffle
California plane service is slow - United's is slower

Bugged by Airport Buggies
Those courtesy carts are coming after you

Dealing With Dirty Laundry
Hotels like to mark up laundry services

Smells of Travel
Travel really stinks

Clueing In Travelers
A new bill would shed light on bad industry practices

Top Airport Annoyances
What irritates you?

Lost in Cyberspace
Online maps aren't always so clear

Travelers' Tall Tales
Someone is after your kidneys

Expanding Horizons, Waistlines
A lot of corporate travelers are also corpulent travelers

Reaction to 'Can First Class'
Readers want to keep good seats. Can you blame 'em?

Lose First Class
Rip out the big seats to make room for the rest of us

Beware Hidden Car Charges
Agencies sock it to you unless you read the fine print

How Hotel Towels Disappear
And answers to other burning travel questions

Travel Agents Ticked Off
Retailers recoil at the suggestion they're running a scam

Trashing Travel Agents
Agents collect fees from everyone

Angling for Upgrades
What some frequent travelers won't do for a better seat

No Booze? No Way!
Don't stop the in-flight drinks, readers insist. OK, OK!

Keep the Skies Dry
How to stop violence

Dining Alone and Loving It
Eating solo doesn't have to be a traumatic experience

Protecting Your Turf on Airplanes
From leg-sprawlers to rude recliners, it's a space war

Breaking Out of Hotel Chains
Travelers turn to B&Bs for relief from old chains

Runway Run-Ins
There are more near-misses than they'd tell you

One-Way Ticket Rip-Offs
Airlines get creative with one-way ticket prices

In Praise of Ontario Airport
Flying to Southern California doesn't have to be hell

Can You Trust Travel Writers?
No - and here's why

Stuck With Seatmates
People do the most annoying things

Flying Sick
Airlines are cracking down on ailing passengers

Stop Airline Alliances
Carriers merge  into a monolithic unit

Mechanics Flame Crabby
Grease monkeys upset at El Crabby's allegations

Measure of the Airline
Clean toilets are the sign of a good carrier

Flight Attendants Snipe Back
Is there anyone I haven't offended yet?

Hotel Extras Add Up
Those concierge floors are really a rip-off

Shoved Off Southwest
One great airline has one great flaw

Airport Security Hassles
Common travelers are treated like common criminals

Lost Luggage Lament
Your bags disappear faster on some airlines

Creative Mechanical Delays
Why do airlines lie to us about the weather?

Miles With a Smile
Why you'd switch airlines

Takeout for Takeoff
Airline food sucks

Cabin Fever Rages
Mile-high madness about terrible flying conditions

The Great Minibar Markup
Your in-room bar is way too expensive

Forget Planes, Take the Train
Amtrak is better than an aircraft in some cases

Putting the Squeeze
New first class comes at a sacrifice

Hotels Pile on Perks
Pillow fluffers and cigar specials top the list

Dissing Denver International
Years after opening, DIA is still a disaster

Is Flying Hazardous to Your Laptop?
Then again, could just be an urban legend

> 2000 Travel Critic Archives
> 1999 Travel Critic Archives
> 1997 Travel Critic Archives