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Copyright Elliott Publishing. All rights reserved. For more information, call (305) 453-4781 or send e-mail to us.

ELLIOTT'S E-MAIL
http://www.elliott.org

April 21, 2003

>> Inside <<

* AAvarice
* Tech Nightmares?
* May is Fundraiser Month
* Fix Your Trip
* Travel Safer: Don't Be a Tourist
* American Airlines' Lies
* Should I Pay Twice for My Ticket?

>> First Off <<

** AAvarice
Reports that American Airlines had secretly protected some executive perks while demanding unprecedented concessions from its workers prompted Charlie Leocha to write one of his best commentaries of the year ("American Airlines' Lies"). Rumors that the additional aid received by the airline industry might be misappropriated by the greedy carriers have convinced this traveler that the only real chance at reform we have is to toss management out and start over (an idea, I confess, that is neither original or practical). Plus: Check out my take on postwar travel safety and read the latest fixed trip from a passenger who was double-billed by Delta.

>> Underwritten By <<

** Journeyware.com
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>> By The Way <<

** Tech Nightmares?
Has your technology ever gone haywire on the road? Maybe your experienced a laptop meltdown, a phone problem or PDA trouble. Tell us what happened to you - and how you fixed it. Send us an e-mail and please include your full name, city, and what you do for a living.

** May is Fundraiser Month
This newsletter and its companion Web sites are completely non-commercial. So how do we pay our bills? Some of the articles you see appear in other publications, which covers some of our costs. But the balance comes from you, the travelers out there who believe Elliott's E-Mail is an important independent voice for the traveler. Over the last three years, as interest in travel has waned, we've relied more and more on you for support. Next month we'll be trying to raise $4,000 to keep this newsletter going. Please consider doing your part. Here's more information on how to support Elliott's E-Mail.

** Fix Your Trip
Got a travel problem that needs fixing? Try e-mailing the travel troubleshooter, who fixes trips for USAToday.com, National Geographic Traveler and the public radio show "The Savvy Traveler" (and also happens to edit this newsletter). E-mail your problem to us.

>> Elliott's Commentary <<

** Travel Safer: Don't Be a Tourist
Are you a traveler - or a tourist? Before you answer, consider the following: Being tagged as an out-of-town or foreign visitor is no longer just an inconvenience that can make the locals overcharge you for your cab ride or try to sell you fake jewelry. In some places today, it could cost you a lot more than money. A few years ago, six gunmen disguised as police officers fired randomly at tourists visiting the Temple of Hatshepsut in Egypt, killing 70. Tourists have been attacked - and sometimes killed - in Guatemala, Russia, South Africa and right here in the United States. >> Details in Power Trip.

> Is the Middle East Dangerous?
> Highway Robbery: Bad Road Stops
> Road Rage on Holiday

>> Ticked.com Talk <<

** American Airlines' Lies
You gotta hand it to the cronies running the major US airline world. They are a brazen lot who are looking out for themselves while screwing their workers. It makes me sick. Only a couple of weeks ago, I slammed the executives of Delta, Northwest, Continental, United and US Airways for "looting the sinking ship," but singled out Don Carty of American Airlines as an executive who has gone out of his way to share the pain with his workers. >> Read more in Charles Leocha's column.

> Un-American Airline Stupidity
> Begging Airlines
> Enough Aalready

>> Triprights.com Ticker <<

** Should I Pay Twice for My Ticket?
His daughter buys a ticket to Atlanta from Ithaca, New York, to attend a family wedding. But when she tries to check in at the airport for her return flight, a Delta Air Lines agent tells her one leg of her itinerary is missing - even though it shows up in her itinerary. She's forced to pay for a new ticket. But now the airline won't refund her the money. Who's responsible for the misunderstanding? Her airline? Her agency? Or is she to blame? Find out. >> In Fix My Trip.

> Same Flight, Different Fare
> Spring Broke
> Fees Not Included

>> Also Underwritten By <<

** JohnnyJet.com
Ever wish there were one site that listed every possible link to other travel-related Web sites? Johnny Jet.com does just that, and more. The site has links to practically everything you need to know that's travel-related. Sign up for Johnny Jet's free newsletter that has the week's travel news, tips, webcams, Web sites, and "where's Johnny Jet.

** MilesLink Voices
If you rely on Randy Petersen's WebFlyer site for timely news and information about mileage programs, you'll want to sign up for MilesLink Voices, a new electronic newsletter published in conjunction with Ticked.com. It features the sharpest opinions about travel delivered twice a month to MilesLink subscribers.

** BnBFinder.com
Bed & Breakfasts are travel's best-kept secret. BnBFinder.com offers thousands of inns for vacation, honeymoons or business travel. Gift certificates are available that let your special person choose where and when to go! Sign up for their free monthly newsletter for the latest B&B specials and discounts.

>> Who's Reading Elliott's E-Mail? <<

* Demographics
* Average newsletter circulation - 13,705
* Last month's total unique visitors
Elliott.org - 38,545
Ticked.com - 23,050
Triprights.com - 7,911
Total E3 Network visitors - 69,506
Change from last month + 8,453 visitors/594 subscribers

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