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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

January 26, 2004

>> Inside <<

* A Privacy Problem
* Irritating Traveling Companions?
* Travelpro Giveaway - Here are the Details
* More Data, Safe Skies
* Rental Customers 'Have No Clue'
* A Public Radio Threepeat
* This Week in Travel
* Bravo, JetBlue
* No Room on Travelocity

>> First Off <<

** A Privacy Problem
The well-meaning privacy advocates are at it again. New revelations about CAPPS II, the controversial government screening program for air travelers, and Northwest Airlines' disclosure that it shared passenger data with a secret government project, have given them a reason to condemn the safety efforts before they've even had a chance to work. This week I contemplate how to fix CAPPS II. I'm joined by Charlie Leocha, who weighs in on the JetBlue fiasco. There's a public radio trifecta, and a bombshell interview with a former car-rental agent that you won't want to miss.

>> Underwritten By <<

** FirstClassFlyer.com
Fly first class for less than what others pay for coach? Looking for free and purchased upgrades, 2-for-1s, advanced ticketing techniques, and a fast-track to elite status strategies? Look no further ... these hot deals and more are available at First Class Flyer's Web site.

>> By The Way <<

** Question of the Week: Irritating Traveling Companions?
If you travel for business, you've probably experienced it - the annoying coworker or, even worse, the boss who comes on a trip with you. If you travel for pleasure, it's the irritating cousin you have to take on a family vacation. This week, we want your best stories about these annoying fellow travelers - and how you dealt with them. Send us an e-mail and include your full name, city, and what you do for a living. Remember, your story could mean free luggage.

** Travelpro Giveaway - Here are the Details
We've received lots of queries (and when we say lots, that's an understatement) about how to win the Travelpro luggage. There are two ways: First, answering the Question of the Week or sending a news tip to the blog can qualify you. Details are here. Not enough for you? Stick around. We're giving away TONS of Travelpro baggage during our next fundraiser.

>> Elliott's Commentary <<

** More Data, Safe Skies
It's clear that careful passenger screening is necessary - just as it's obvious CAPPS II, the new federal screening program, needs to be tweaked. The question is, how? Maybe the answer is to collect more data. Merging the terrorist watch-lists is a good start, and so is collecting booking data. The database reportedly also will include addresses, birthdays and home telephone numbers. But why stop there? > Details in Opinion.

** Rental Customers 'Have No Clue'
Xanax-popping co-workers. Overbearing managers who fire employees for not being aggressive enough. Ignorant customers. That was life behind the car-rental counter for Ute Hodges, a customer service agent for Alamo and Budget at Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers, Fla. "I had a friend who worked for a rental car company and she made good money," says Hodges. "So I wanted to try it." What she learned about the business serves as a cautionary tale for anyone renting a vehicle today. > Details in Interview.

** A Public Radio Threepeat
This week, Elliott is all over the airwaves. Didn't plan it that way, but sometimes good things happen in threes. There's the Weekend Edition Sunday commentary on airline "deals." There's a lively interview with the Diana Nyad on the Savvy Traveler at And there's my story on rude passengers on NPR's Day to Day.

>> This Week in Travel <<

News, opinion and analysis from Elliott's Travel Notes blog.

> Judge Won't Toss Flight Abuse Suit (1/23)

> Hotels: Stop Using the Web, Please (1/22)

> Cruise Line Health Care Questioned (1/21)

> Travelers Return, Airline Profits Lag (1/20)

> Northwest Released Passenger Data (1/19)

> See archived blog postings or catch up on today's news.

>> Ticked.com Talk <<

** Bravo, JetBlue
The JetBlue privacy violation is a perfect example of the media getting excited about the wrong thing. The only violation that was committed by JetBlue was a possible violation of their own privacy statement which notes, "The financial and personal information collected on this site is not shared with any third parties, and is protected by secure servers." OK. Based on that sentence in the JetBlue privacy statement the high priests of privacy have declared JetBlue a mortal sinner. That is not the case. > Read more in Charlie Leocha's archived column.

>> Triprights.com Ticker <<

** No Room on Travelocity
When you book a hotel room on the Web, but your online agency fails to make a reservation, what recourse do you have? That's the question asked by a reader who buys a hotel through Travelocity and ends up with nothing but a credit-card bill. Even though the dot-com agency helps her find a new room, she's still left with the charge - and a maddening amount of paperwork. Find out what happens next. > In Fix My Trip.

>> Also Underwritten By <<

** Journeyware.com
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** Cheapflights.com
The NEW home of cheap airline tickets! Compare all the hot deals from airlines - including JetBlue and Southwest - from travel agents, discounters and specialists. We are independent and do not sell tickets ourselves. This unique Web site helps you shop around for the best deals FAST (no more than three clicks to the deals). We also have a cool, four-in-one online booking tool so you can search Orbitz, Hotwire, Travelocity and Qixo without having to re-enter your dates. Try it now or visit us online.

** Outsidetheboxgroup.com
The new SearchAlert re-settable combination padlock from Outside The Box offers unique innovations in luggage security. SearchAlert may be opened with an override device controlled by Transportation Security Administration agents. No SearchAlert lock should be cut off by TSA agents. In fact, we offer a free replacement if it's ever cut off. SearchAlert features a Security Window which changes color from Green to Red when any override device is used. $9.99 each or two for $17.98 Available exclusively online. Enter coupon code: ELLIOTT for 10% off your entire order.

** FirstClassFlyer.com
Fly first class for less than what others pay for coach? Looking for free and purchased upgrades, 2-for-1s, advanced ticketing techniques, and a fast-track to elite status strategies? Look no further ... these hot deals and more are available at First Class Flyer's Web site.

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* Demographics
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