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E L L I O T T' S TRAVEL NOTES
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November 5, 2003

Airlines: Still Struggling — Eric Gillin reports that October was another ho-hum month for the airlines, with more of the same ahead. Although the nation's carriers filled more seats in October than they did a year ago, he notes fare prices were still cheap and demand was flat — a reminder that the strong summer season is over. Incidentally, Gillin's airline industry dispatches on TheStreet.com are easily among the best in the industry. They're straightforward, no-nonsense and missing the "know-it-all" attitude found among his competitors. > Knee Defender Update: Last week, after Northwest Airlines banned the Knee Defender, I recommended that the device be shipped in pairs to avoid damaging the seats. This morning, inventor Ira Goldman confirmed he'll do just that. Details are at his site. (BTW, the next blog entry will appear on Monday, November 10. I'll be away on assignment but still reachable by e-mail.)

November 4, 2003

Bagging Check-In Luggage — Richard Altomare, chairman and president of Universal Express in Boca Raton, Fla., wants Congress to consider his proposal for airline passengers to ship their luggage and bags in advance of their flights through a private courier service, such as UPS or FedEx. Altomare told Government Executive Magazine his idea could save the government $1.4 billion in baggage screening costs and up to $6 billion in labor costs, while generating billions of dollars in new revenue for the freight industry. But that's not why I like this concept. I've always said airlines shouldn't be in the business of transporting our luggage. That's especially true now, when everyone's worried that someone will check in a bomb. > Welcome to blogging: Anita Potter of Anitavacation.com fame, has a new travel blog. You go, girl!

November 3, 2003

Enough is Enough — I remember St. Louis when it was a bustling hub for a once-proud airline called TWA. Flying through Lambert Field this weekend, I heard about the latest effort to help displaced airline workers after American Airlines, which inherited the remains of TWA, decided to cut its flight schedule in half. Republican Sens. Kit Bond and Jim Talent asked the Labor Department for grant money to help find jobs for pilots, flight attendants, mechanics and other employees laid off. OK, so it's just $7 million they're requesting, not the billions the airline industry secured thanks to the 9/11 excuse. But shouldn't American Airlines, not taxpayers, be helping these workers?

Note: This Web log represents my personal views at the time of their writing. My views are subject to change without notice. Further, I can't vouch for the accuracy or integrity of links to source information.

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