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

July 14, 2003

>> Inside <<

* Mooooooooo
* Do Not Disturb?
* Travelfox.com Raids the Virtual Henhouse
* Is Less More?
* Hard-Core Shelling Safari
* I Don't CAAre!
* A Costly Call from Costa Rica
* National's New Mileage Fee
* Theatre Development Fund's TKTS

>> First Off <<

** Mooooooooo
To commemorate the running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, we have a bovine-themed issue this week. Charlie Leocha, who visits the running every summer, brings us his story of how one airline treated a friend gored by a bull. I continue with even more airline-related bull, taking on the industry's flawed argument that passengers only want lower ticket prices. And wait, there's more! Bull in Costa Rica and bull-related shenanigans by a car-rental company. It's almost enough bull to start a stampede. (Have you taken enough bull by travel company? Don't have a cow. E-mail us - we'll investigate!)

>> Underwritten By <<

** Plane Quiet
Plane Quiet active noise canceling headsets provides full-spectrum noise cancellation at an affordable price. Its revolutionary new product has been rated "Best Consumer Value" for travelers, and works with all airline entertainment systems, DVD players, mp3 players and laptop computers. Lightweight and foldable, Plane Quiet is your perfect choice for travel. It offers a 60 day money-back guarantee. Get an additional 10% off when you enter ELLIOTT in the coupon code.

>> By The Way <<

** Do Not Disturb?
When you're staying in a hotel and trying to get a little privacy, how do you keep hotel staff, phone calls, and other interruptions from interfering? Your strategies, please. Send us an e-mail and include your full name, city, and what you do for a living.

** Travelfox.com Raids the Virtual Henhouse
Ticked.com contributor Terry Riley has launched a new travel satire site that's definitely worth a click. Travel Fox, which "brings you breaking travel news that is guaranteed to be reported nowhere else," is a hilarious spoof of the week's travel headlines. Example: "Mexico finalizes deal to sell Yucatan to Canada."

>> Elliott's Commentary <<

** Is Less More?
Given the airline industry's dismal state, passengers have accepted recent cuts in amenities, services and meals without much complaining. But when American Airlines announced it would scrap its roomier economy-class seats on nearly a quarter of its flights, Ed Kummel snapped. "What's next?" asked the network engineer from Ashburn, Va. "Standing-room only with flight attendants holding cattle prods?" The latest round of reductions suggests the big airlines are operating under a flawed assumption. Passengers, they seem to believe, want one thing: low fares. > Details in Opinon.

> Try Cargo
> Airline Axis of Evil
> Bravo, America West

> Hear Elliott discuss airline bumping rules on Public Radio's 'The Savvy Traveler'.

>> Destination of the Week <<

** Hard-Core Shelling Safari
The storm sweeps across Sanibel Harbor at dawn, drawing a dark curtain over the island. Gray water churns angrily, spitting foamy waves on the beach. Gale-force wind gusts rage. What a perfect day to go shelling. Yes, shelling. Mollusk collecting - the epitome of low-impact pastime on Florida's West coast - is getting a makeover. Shell-gathering tourists were once content to stroll along the white-sand beaches of Sanibel and Captiva during mid-morning and late-afternoon, scooping up whelk, scallop and sand dollar at a leisurely pace. But today's shell-hunters crave the best specimens - and adventure. >> Details in Destinations.

>> Ticked.com Talk <<

** I Don't CAAre!
Let's take a look at a large and growing problem -- unruly, uncaring and compassionless flight attendants who seem to hate their jobs and dislike the very people whom they are hired to attend. Every member of the flying public can relate a story about terse, uncaring and impersonal treatment at the hands of flight attendants, ticketing and gate personnel. At times even the best get testy, and with record passenger loads, often passengers don't even get lip service. Last week, I learned that, at least in one case on American Airlines, crew contempt for their passengers was exhibited even to those crippled by injury and brought to the plane in a wheelchair. > Read more in Charlie Leocha's.

> AA Sequel: What's it Gonna Be?
> Tourist: Socking it to You
> ClAAmping Down on Legroom

>> Triprights.com Ticker <<

** A Costly Call from Costa Rica
It's his housemate's birthday, and he wants to call her from his hotel in Costa Rica. Two of his calls don't go through and one is a wrong number, but his credit card is charged $190.49 anyway. What's going on here? Did he get billed by mistake, or does the phone company really get $43.31 for calls that aren't placed? Find out. > In Fix My Trip.

> Should I Pay Twice for My Ticket?
> Not Paying $20 for a Receipt
> The Worst of Best Western

>> Memo of the Week <<

** National's New Mileage Fee
Car-rental surcharges are nothing new to travelers. Ahh, but what lengths a company will go to in order to get you to pay the fees nowadays. Consider National's new "take-it-or-leave-it" policy regarding mileage rewards, which it recently tried to impose on its best customers. Here's a postcard it sent to its Emerald Club members. (Remember, if you have a letter or memo you'd like us to publish, please e-mail it to us.) > In Memo of the Week.

>> Site of the Week <<

** Theatre Development Fund's TKTS
You probably already know about New York's half-price ticket booth for Broadway shows (TKTS) on 47th Street and Broadway in the heart of Times Square. But you probably don't know about the one in Lower Manhattan at South Street Seaport (corner of Front and John Streets, the rear of the Resnick/Prudential Building at 199 Water Street). Lines are usually much shorter there.

> Site of the week is brought to you by JohnnyJet.

>> Also Underwritten By <<

** Journeyware.com
Exceptional luggage, business/tech cases and travel accessories from leading brands like Travelpro, Lewis N. Clark, RoadWired and more. Great prices, free shipping with low minimums, and a level of customer service that oft-abused frequent travelers will find especially refreshing. Enter coupon code ELLIOTT and click "update" at checkout for an additional 10% off your first order.

** The Travel Centre Limited
Come to Trinidad and Tobago. Come to Life. Experience a different kind of Caribbean Calendar! No other country has created such gifts for its visitors - Carnival, Calypso, Soca, Steelpan. As Trinidad and Tobago's leading and most experienced travel-management company, and the local American Express Franchisee, The Travel Centre is dedicated to making you feel special with our unsurpassed service and expertise, unmatched in our local market. We can handle your every travel need.

** Dream of Italy
Do you know where to get the best deals on designer duds in Italy? How to find a reasonably-priced, well-equipped villa rental? Which Roman restaurants have to best views of the Eternal City? The readers of Dream of Italy, the bi-monthly subscription newsletter do! The newsletter reveals the hidden secrets that can make your next Italian vacation unforgettable. Subscribe now and receive a free copy of Dream of Italy's Special Report: Villa Rentals.

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

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Total E3 Network visitors - 79,567
Change from last month +2,561 visitors/575 subscribers

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