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E L L I O T T' S TRAVEL NOTES
Travel news, opinion and analysis

April 8, 2004

TSA Tests Passenger Fast Lane
Up to 10,000 volunteers will be scanned for biometric characteristics in a pilot test of a program to find more detailed ways to screen travelers. Transportation Security Administration officials said today that they want to test a program designed to bolster security and increase efficiency in screening travelers at airports nationwide. Rear Adm. David Stone, acting administrator of TSA, announced that the agency is seeking proposals from companies for a registered traveler pilot test that will begin at a few airports in late June. The contract will be awarded in early June. FCW | Posted 6 a.m.
-- BTN: TSA seeks RFPs on new program
-- AJC: Atlanta airport officials try to cut lines

• Here's a prediction: It's only a matter of time before we read the headline "This Summer's Airport Lines Could Be Longest Ever" in a newspaper. Send us your comments.

Experts: Legacy Airlines Doomed
The ongoing expansion of discount airlines will continue to put intense pressure on the major carriers, possibly resulting in additional bankruptcies and consolidation over the next few years, industry experts said at an airline conference Wednesday. But there will be survivors, industry observers said. The airlines that overcome the competitive challenges will be those that can get their costs under control. But some experts argued that other wrenching changes to the industry are needed before the large airlines can reach long-term profitability. Today, traditional carriers must give passengers a reason to choose them over their low-fare rivals, some of which offer amenities like satellite television and leather seats and have developed loyal followings, said Michael Levine, a law professor at Yale University who is a former executive of Northwest and Continental airlines. Fort Worth Star Telegram | Posted 6:20 a.m.
-- Morning News: Icebergs 'are drifting south'

Americans Shrug Off Expensive Gas
Record gasoline prices should not diminish the appetite for summer travel by Americans ready to hit the road during the upcoming holiday season, consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers said. The group is predicting a rise in summer travel from last year and a corresponding increase of 5.3 percent in revenue per available room for hotels. "The combination of the lateness of Memorial Day with a very difficult winter will cause people to say -- I've waited long enough," said analyst Bjorn Hanson. He noted that higher gas costs did not add much to the cost of big trip. Average gasoline prices hit a record $1.77 per gallon on Tuesday, the AAA motorist association said. That is up 5 cents per gallon from a month ago and 13 cents more than a year ago. Hospitalitynet | Posted 6:30 a.m.

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• And finally ... Here's a story we missed: The airline report card released earlier this week contained some cautionary words about the future of airline travel. Nearly everyone (including yours truly) ignored it. Here's a synopsis of the report. Posted 6:45 a.m. | Send us your comments.

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