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

October 16, 2001

> Inside

* Will Feds Make the Skies Safer?
* Traveling with AOL
* Survey Solved
* Talking Your Way into a Discount
* Print Your Itinerary
* Going Back to School
* Afraid to Fly
* Best Bargains are in the Cards
* To Your Health
* Is it Safe to Fly?
* Two Words About Airline Security
* Don't Do This to Circumvent Lines
* How to Fly Standby

> This Week in Travel

** Will Feds Make the Skies Safer?
When a Senate committee last week voted to federalize airport security, you could almost hear travelers breathing a collective sigh of relief. The steps are sure to make the skies safer, right? Maybe - and maybe not. It's true that just about every civilized country has federalized its airport security, but the bureaucrats will probably do little more than provide a psychological deterrent to criminals. They won't stop fanatics on a suicide mission. The only certainty is that the measure, if passed, will raise airfares by at least $2.50 per ticket. - CE

> By the Way

** Traveling with AOL
Do you rely on AOL for Internet connections when you travel? If so, I want to hear from you this week. What do you like about AOL? What do you dislike? Do you find that there are enough points of presence (also called "nodes") when you travel overseas? How about the expense? Write to me with your comments at feedback@elliott.org, and please remember to include your full name, city and what you do for a living.

** Survey Solved
Last week some of you tried to take our anonymous survey to help improve the new Ticked.com/elliott.org newsletter and Web sites, but you noted that the poll didn't work. Good news: it's fixed. Just click on http://38.148.250.3/cgi-win/client.exe?readers,welcome,ad9331a,1304 (If the URL breaks up in your e-mail program, you have to cut and paste the address into your browser.) Then, when you get to the page, click the "submit" button and the survey will start. Good luck!

** Talking Your Way into a Discount
What's the biggest discount you've ever talked your way into, either at a hotel, car rental company or for a cruise? I'm interested in hearing about how your persuasive words got you a better deal. I'm also interested in the view from the other side of the counter. What's the most persuasive pitch you've ever heard as a ticket agent or travel counselor? E-mail feedback@elliott.org and please include your full name, city and contact information.

> Elliott's Cheap Travel Tip

** Print Your Itinerary
If you use e-tickets and travel frequently, here's a strategy that will help you save time, courtesy of reader Jeff Bushee. Take advantage of the short lines at the airport now and ask your ticket agent to print not only the itinerary for today's flight, but future flights as well (especially if you're traveling around Thanksgiving). Bushee says they can do it and they will if they're not busy. With a paper ticket you can skip long lines next time you're at the airport and go straight to the gate. Got a moneysaving tip? Send it to tip@elliott.org

> Our Sponsors

** CruiseMates
How have recent events affected the world of cruise ships? Most ships scheduled to sail abroad next near are being re-deployed to North America, creating a glut of cabins and some of the lowest cruise fares ever. Get the latest perspective on cruise bargains, ship security, new itineraries and cruise industry news at http://www.cruisemates.com. Or subscribe to our newsletter here: http://www.cruisemates.com/linkto/newsletter.html

** Readers Like You
If you care about quality travel industry coverage and want to support the leading consumer advocacy Web site, you can become an underwriter, too. It's easy, it's painless and it's totally anonymous. Just click on http://www.amazon.com/paypage/P34Z3D2F0Z734N for details.

> Elliott's Commentary

** Going Back to School
I used to hate autumn as a kid. The end of summer meant the beginning of school - and nine months of misery for this below-average student. But I got over it. During college, fall meant escaping my summer job and returning to the world of so-called "higher" education. After graduation, it just meant the end of the warm weather. This year is different. For travelers who use technology, this autumn is a "back to school" event of sorts. Many of us are preparing to learn how to use a new computer operating system, Windows XP. Others will discover new sources of information that will help us have a better trip. In The Travel Technologist at http://www.elliott.org/technology/2001/backtoschool.htm

** Afraid to Fly
Flying is dangerous - so why does my boss want me to hit the road? A reader wants to know if it's unreasonable for his supervisors to ask him and his wife - both of whom travel for work - to take flights after the Sept. 11 terrorist incidents. Columnist Christopher Elliott understands the fears, but is the employer out of line? Get the irreverent answer to this common question. In The Travel Troubleshooter at http://www.elliott.org/ask/2001/crafraid.htm

** Best Bargains are in the Cards
When a massive thunderstorm diverted Stephanie Seacord's Columbus, Ohio-bound flight to Pittsburgh recently, she knew the fastest way to her destination would be on wheels. But she worried that high demand for rental cars at the airport could drive rates out of reach. Seacord phoned Hertz to check prices anyway. "When the reservationist asked me if I had a membership rate, I remembered the little card that came with my Professional Sports Car Club race credentials," she says. "So I mentioned it." Total cost: just $59. In The Travel Tightwad at http://www.elliott.org/tightwad/2001/cards.htm

** To Your Health
Barbara Sills can tell a good hotel from a bad one. The retired concert pianist from Verona, N.J., spent so much of her career traveling that she began describing herself as "part gypsy." But ask her about a good spa and you'll get a more tentative answer. Although she has visited some of the best-known resorts in the world - including the Golden Door, near San Diego, and the Hôtel de Paris, in Monte Carlo - she says that "you can never be sure what you're getting at a spa." She's right: When picking a spa, it's a good idea to be cautious. The $5-billion-a-year spa business is among the least-regulated but fastest-growing segments in the U.S. travel industry. Read more in Kiplinger's Personal Finance at http://www.kiplinger.com/magazine/archives/2001/October/spending/spa.html (Note: if this URL doesn't work, please cut and paste it into your browser.)

> Ticked.com Talk

** Is it Safe to Fly?
The question Terry Riley has received most often from both clients and the media during the past month is, "Is it safe to fly on commercial airlines today?" And without hesitation, his answer has been, "No. Absolutely not. And it won't be safe to fly tomorrow, next week, next month, or next year." You see, there is just no way in the world that thousands of machines, each composed of tens of thousands of parts, and each operated by human beings can, day in and day out, overcome the relentless force of gravity pulling each of them back to earth. It is simply impossible. Read more in this week's Err Travel at http://www.ticked.com/errtravel/2001/errsafe2fly.htm

** Two Words About Airline Security
Want to know why we are no safer in the skies today than we were 30 days ago? Two words: Tom DeLay. The Republican majority whip of the House of Representatives, DeLay is standing in the metaphorical schoolhouse door and refusing to consider legislation that would federalize airport security, writes Joe Brancatelli. Thirty days after this nightmare began, 30 days after hijackers attacked our country with commercial aircraft and killed thousands, DeLay doesn't think the federal government should secure the nation's airports and airlines. Read the rest of Brancatelli's column at http://www.zyworld.com/brancatelli/branc.htm

** Don't Do This to Circumvent Lines
It's been a common scene in recent days: long, long lines at airport security checkpoints. But one traveler who arrived at Baltimore-Washington International Airport just 30 minutes before her plane was scheduled to take off - and who was confronted by a line that snaked through the lobby - found an interesting way to cut her waiting time, reports Keith Alexander. An enterprising skycap who noticed the panic on her face told her that he could quickly get her to the front of the line. "I'll take care of you if you take care of me," he said. The skycap then rolled up a wheelchair and told her to sit. Read more of Keith Alexander's column at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A33846-2001Oct9.html

** How to Fly Standby
Many of us are faced more and more often with the prospect of being forced to fly "standby." Those who know the system are choosing to fly "standby" to give themselves more flexibility. The basic premise of today's airline pricing structure is "yield management." Seats are carefully parceled out to various price groupings providing the airline the best possible income per seat. That means that many prime full-fare seats are held until the last possible moment in the hopes that some big-spending person or corporation will pony up for a flight at the last moment. Read more in this week's "best of" Cheap Charlie at http://www.ticked.com/cheapcharlie/1999/chstandby.htm

> Other Sponsors

** The FrequentFlier Crier
Want to travel faster, safer, smarter, cheaper, better... and earn more frequent flier miles in the process? Every week, The FrequentFlier Crier delivers travel news you can use: frequent flyer program updates, special fares, industry news and trends. Sign up free at http://frequentflier.com/subscribe.htm

** The Alaska Travelgram
Find the secrets the airlines won't tell you about! Get the special prices that don't show up on the Web. Navigate the state with help from the EXPERT: Scott McMurren, a 23-year resident of the Last Frontier. Check the Web site for the hottest bargains: www.alaskatravelgram.com . Then subscribe to the Alaska Travelgram email newsletter...it's free.

** AirJet Airline News
After last week's terrorist incident, AirJet offered the most comprehensive coverage of the unfolding drama. No wonder it's the largest electronic airline news magazine on the Internet. News updated hourly at http://www.airlinebiz.com

> Your Opinion Matters

Read something you disagree with? Got a story idea or a gripe? Your opinion can make a difference. E-mail editor@elliott.org or call (305) 453-4781 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.

> Be an Underwriter!

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