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ELLIOTT'S E-MAIL
The Last Honest Travel Newsletter
http://www.elliott.org

July 16, 2001

> Inside

* This Week: Stopping Air Rage
* Censored: Banned Summer Book
* Exclusive: Cell Phone Clampdown
* Thanks for the Advice
* Clarification
* 3G Threatens to Unravel Your Wireless World
* Morals Take a Holiday
* 3G Disaster?
* Alexander: Air Fare Seems More Healthful
* Brancatelli: Add Inches to Your Trip

> This Week in Travel

** Stopping Air Rage
Members of the International Transport Workers' Federation met with government officials to demand that more be done to stop the growing problem of air rage late last week. But the time for lobbying is arguably over - after all, there were more than 4,000 in-flight incidents last year - and now something must be done. But what? Here are a few ideas: 1) ban alcohol on board; 2) ban alcohol at the airport; 3) train flight attendants in self-defense, crisis management and hand-to-hand combat; 4) sedate passengers (yeah, that's right - put something in the water) and last but not least, 5) improve conditions in the main cabin. - CE

> Censored From the Sunday Travel Section

** Banned Summer Book
Speaking of air rage … here's a helpful book on the subject that you probably won't find written up in the Sunday travel section. It's Ted Celentino's thoughtful, at times irreverent tome, "Combating Air Rage: The Guide to Fighting Back for Extreme Business Travelers." Celentino is a real road warrior who writes about travel from an informed perspective. Because he dishes out advice that the airlines, hotels and car rental companies wouldn't approve of, don't expect to see him on the talk-show circuit anytime soon. But you can find the book online at either Amazon.com or Barnesandnoble.com.

> By the Way

** Exclusive: Cell Phone Clampdown
They're arresting passengers for chatting on a cell phone before takeoff. They're passing laws prohibiting motorists from using a handheld portable. What's next? What do you think of the latest restrictions on cell phone use? Is it a good idea or does it violate a user's rights? Please send your comments to feedback@elliott.org along with your full name and city of residence.

** Thanks for the Advice
To all the public relations professionals who weighed in with advice on how to increase Elliott's E-Mail circulation last week - thank you! The responses were useful, innovative, and at times even funny. It's not too late to get your answer in. If you know how to boost this newsletter's circulation, just send an e-mail to pr@elliott.org and please include your name and a phone number where you can be contacted.

> Elliott's Cheap Travel Tip

** Clarification
Several readers interpreted last week's cheap travel about forcing a hotel to sell its rooms as an encouragement to lie to a hotel reservationist. We regret having left some of you with that impression. For the record, we believe it is improper to lie or mislead anyone in an effort to secure a better price. Last week's tip may not have crossed the line, but it came close to doing so. In the future, we will strive to deliver the best moneysaving tips without compromising our integrity - or yours. Got a moneysaving tip? Send it to tip@elliott.org.

> Our Sponsors

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> Elliott's Commentary

** 3G Threatens to Unravel Your Wireless World
Hold on to your cell phones, folks. That wireless device in your hand is about to be rendered obsolete by technology you never asked for. It's called 3G - shorthand for third-generation mobile communications technology - and so far it's a disaster that's leaving customers reaching for their old analog phones. Read this week's Travel Technologist at http://www.elliott.org/technology/2001/3g.htm

** Morals Take a Holiday
On a recent transcontinental flight. I'm bored out of my mind staring at rock formations 30,000 feet below, when the attendant walks by with rental headsets-uncomfortable gray plastic headsets-for the in-flight movie. Five dollars. But here's my dilemma: I've brought my own pair of headphones. They're comfortable, made of foam. And they're free. What to do? What would you do? Would you pay the rental fee and use your headphones? Not pay the rental fee? Pay the fee and use the ugly plastic headset? From the archives of The Travel Critic at http://www.elliott.org/vault/critic/1998/morals.htm

> Audio Commentary

** 3G Disaster?
Should we embrace third-generation wireless technology - or be wary of it? That's the question commentator Christopher Elliott asks in his audio commentary. Find out the answer. Click on this week's Outtakes from the Laptop Traveler at http://www.elliott.org/audio/outtakes/2001/3g.mp3

> Other Voices

** Alexander: Air Fare Seems More Healthful
> Aloha Airlines passengers' favorite foods are milk and warm cookies. Chicken and turkey are the most requested meats on Continental Airlines. And vodka and red wine are the most popular alcoholic beverages overall. Yep. Believe it or not, some travelers out there have favorite airline meals, according to the International Air Transport Association, which represents 22 of the world's largest airlines. But is it any good. The Washington Post's Keith Alexander investigates. Click on http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/business/columns/workplace/businessclass/A44116-2001Jul10.html

** Brancatelli: Add Inches to Your Trip
It is almost 18 months since American Airlines began ripping coach seats out of every plane in its fleet to add as much as five inches of legroom for every coach passenger it flies. And fly American Joe Brancatelli has - 24 coach segments in the last four months - to decide whether a few more inches of seat pitch translates into any significant improvement in our lives on the road. And guess what? It does. Click on http://www.biztravel.com and go to News & Views for more.

** Heard a Rumor? Got News?
If you've come across any interesting travel or technology-related news, let us know at Elliott's E-Mail. We'll check it out. Send a note to editor@elliott.org or call (410) 626-9618.

> Other Sponsors

** IgoUgo's Real New York
Get the best of what locals and frequent visitors have to say about the world's most exciting city at http://www.igougo.com. IgoUgo, nominated as Best Travel Site by the Webby Awards, is now selling its first guidebook, IgoUgo's Real New York. Nothing's canned. Everything's up-to-date. It's written by real travelers, just like you. In IgoUgo's Real New York you'll find many New Yorks, seen through the eyes of some of the best IgoUgo guides. This is a detailed, interactive guidebook as rich in perspectives as the city itself... Click here for more info: http://www.igougo.com/guidebook/guidebook_ny.html

** Gayjet: For gay and lesbian travelers, and our friends
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Travelers: Visit http://www.gayjet.com Travel Professionals and Media: Visit http://www.mark8ing.com

** AirJet Airline News
This issue of Elliott's E-Mail is also underwritten by AirJet Airline News, the largest electronic airline news magazine on the Internet. News updated hourly at http://www.airlinebiz.com/wire/

> Your Opinion Matters

Read something you disagree with? Got a story idea or a gripe? Your opinion can make a difference. E-mail us at editor@elliott.org or call (410) 626-9618 with any comments, feedback or suggestions about anything in this newsletter. Your participation won't just make it a better service, but it could also improve travel.

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