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

September 15, 2001

> Inside

* Why?
* Note to Readers
* Have You Flown?
* Travel Sites Fail to Deliver
* No Other Voices
* Euro Rental Car Warning
* Air Travel Cautiously Resumes
* How Will This Change Travel?
* What if You Don't Want to Fly?
* High on High-Speed Access
* Fast Fiber

> This Week in Travel

** Why?
Did we know that security at U.S. airports was a joke? That America had enemies determined to humiliate it? Did we know how far they were willing to go? Did we ignore the warnings? Did we look for easy answers after it happened? Did we overreact? Will we retaliate at the wrong target? Will we make the same mistake again? Did the victims of this bizarre attack die in vain? This week, and in the weeks to come, let us all hope the answer to each of those questions is "no." - CE

> By the Way

** Note to Readers
You may have noticed the Elliott's E-Mail is transmitting a little early this week. There are two reasons for that. One is that in light of last week's news events, some of the information in this newsletter is very timely, and waiting until Monday to send it would have been impractical. I've also observed an unfortunate trend among travel content suppliers to cancel newsletters in a misguided effort to show their respect for the victims of the hijackings. At a time like this, I feel that travelers need more - not less - information. Elliott's E-Mail hopes to fill that information void where possible.

** Have You Flown?
Have you taken a commercial flight in the wake of last week's terrorism incident? If so, I'm interested in hearing how it went. Where did you go? What was security like? How long did your trip take? How did you feel about the additional precautions? Send your thoughts to feedback@elliott.org and please include your full name, city and contact information.

** Travel Sites Fail to Deliver
It was another tragedy of sorts. Last week, at a time when we turned to the Internet for help, many sites let us down. Predictably, the airlines reacted at a snail's pace after commercial air traffic abruptly stopped. Only one carrier, American Airlines, had posted a notice within an hour of the disaster. Biztravel.com promptly revoked its Biztravel Guarantee, hoping that the week's events would overshadow its cowardly retraction. And OneTravel.com, in an opportunistic attempt to drum up more business, pledged to donate 10 percent of next month's earnings to firefighters.

** No Other Voices
In an effort to spare readers of the clichés, hyperbole and excessively flowery prose that the travel industry's most popular commentators have resorted to this week, I've cancelled the 'Other Voices' feature. If you miss it, then just turn on your TV.

> Elliott's Cheap Travel Tip

** Euro Rental Car Warning
Several readers wrote in last week to warn of surprise surcharges and scant mileage allowances on the 'dirt-cheap' rental cars being offered in Europe. Which isn't to say you still can't get a good deal on a car rental on the Continent, just that you should read all the fine print very carefully before signing on the dotted line. Got a moneysaving tip? Send it to tip@elliott.org.

> Our Sponsors

** 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/wire/

** 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

** Air Travel Cautiously Resumes
If you're planning to travel by air during the next few days, anticipate lengthy delays, rigorous security checks, and a series of other unexpected inconveniences. For example, electronic tickets won't always work. In some cases, both a paper ticket and photo identification will be required for air travel. It's best to check with your carrier before you leave. If you want to be absolutely sure you won't have to stand in a long line at the ticket counter, ask your travel agent for a paper ticket or request one from the airline when you make your reservation. Click on http://www.elliott.org/ask/2001/crresume.htm

** How Will This Change Travel?
The tragic terrorist attacks that leveled the World Trade Center in New York and punctured a hole in the Pentagon have changed the way we will travel forever. But how? The government froze commercial airline travel as a first response - an unprecedented measure that practically guaranteed no further air assaults, but also grounded passengers and hampered an ailing airline industry. When planes start flying again, everything is likely to move at a dramatically slower pace. Lines at the airport will be longer, delays more protracted than before, and freedoms that we once took for granted may no longer be available to us. Point your browser to http://www.elliott.org/ask/2001/crchange.htm

** What if You Don't Want to Fly?
If you're having second thoughts about air travel in the aftermath of the tragic events in New York and Washington, rest assured. No one is going to force you to fly. And a refund may be available. Even though your airline ticket may come with every restriction known to you - and perhaps some of you aren't even aware of - your carrier is likely to be more than accommodating if you'd prefer not to fly. At http://www.elliott.org/ask/2001/crchange.htm

** High on High-Speed Access
Excuse me while I wipe the virtual egg off my face. I was wrong about business travelers not wanting high-speed Internet access in their hotel rooms, as I claimed in a recent column. More and more road warriors are looking for speedy connections, and they're willing to pay for the privilege. This wasn't always the case. Three years ago, when giddy newspaper headlines proclaimed that hotels were "fired up to get wired up," it was true that property managers were more or less the only ones excited about broadband. They couldn't seem to rewire the insides of their rooms fast enough during the go-go days of the Internet revolution. Read this week's Travel Technologist at http://www.elliott.org/technology/2001/high.htm

> Audio Commentary

** Fast Fiber
How do you find fast fiber - and do you really need it? Christopher Elliott has the answer in this week's audio commentary, plus other thoughts on high-speed Internet access. In Outtakes from the Laptop Traveler at http://www.elliott.org/technology/2001/high.htm

> Other Sponsors

** M-Travel
The stock markets are down. The luster is off the dot-coms. But the application of mobile technology in the travel industry is alive and well. Although still in its infancy, mobile travel sales and services will be the biggest thing in wireless commerce. Visit the only Web site devoted exclusively to mobile communications and travel technology. Free weekly e-mail newsletter. Go to: http://www.m-travel.com

** Notes from the Road
Social commentator and writer Erik Gauger uses photos and stories to get to the bottom of sometimes eerie, sometimes humorous cities and landscapes in Notes from the Road (http://www.notesfromtheroad.com), and award-winning site that illustrates travels in city and country. Track his journeys online or subscribe to his monthly newsletter at http://www.notesfromtheroad.com/join.htm

> 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 (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.

> Be an Underwriter!

This site relies on support from travelers like you. If you care about journalism that's uncompromising, cutting-edge and consumer-focused, then you're invited to become a member of elliott.org. Your contribution will help keep the Last Honest Travel Site operating. For more information, go to http://www.amazon.com/paypage/P34Z3D2F0Z734N

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