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

April 20, 2004

US Airways' Siegel Resigns
Despite assurances he'd stay and fix US Airways' problems, CEO David Siegel suddenly stepped down Monday -- fueling speculation the nation's seventh-largest airline could be headed for liquidation or possibly a merger. Experts said pressure from resentful labor groups led to Siegel's resignation. After wresting two rounds of concessions in 2002 worth $1.03 billion a year from labor, the CEO began pushing unions for $1.5 billion more late last year. Effective immediately, the board replaced Siegel with board director and former Lehman Brothers chief executive Bruce Lakefield, 60. He joined the board when the airline emerged from bankruptcy in March 2003 and was instrumental in labor talks recently with US Airways' pilots and flight attendants. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review | Posted 7 a.m.
-- Times: Bronner asked for Siegel's resignation
-- St. Petersburg Times: Siegel will collect millions

• You're probably expecting a smug comment about how it was about time for Siegel to step aside. Or some crack about his $4 million severance. But this is no cause for celebration. With Siegel and his cronies gone, liquidation of the worst-run airline in America now seems inevitable. That's very unfortunate. Send us your comments.

Key West Hotel Bans Heterosexuals
Three heterosexual couples said they were turned away from a hotel in this gay-friendly tourist destination because of their sexual orientation, which would violate city law. The six were vacationing with a gay couple and had reservations at Big Ruby's in downtown Key West when the three straight couples were turned away. "The manager literally said, 'We don't want you here,"' said Jim Pirih, who had vacationed at Big Ruby's last year with his partner, Jason Williams. The group, most of whom are from San Diego, was already settled in their rooms Wednesday when the manager told the straight couples they would have to leave, citing a policy of not allowing heterosexuals on the property, Pirih said. AP | Posted 7:10 a.m.

Resort Offers Guests $75 Gas Rebate
Concerns about rising gasoline prices and their impact on family travel plans over the summer have prompted a special offer from the 1,406-room Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center: a $75 gas rebate that applies to hotel stays of three or more nights booked between June 15-Sept. 6. The rebate will be applied at checkout. Summertime travel by families is expected to be the busiest in recent years, according to industry experts. Fueling the number of tourists expected locally is the fact that both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando are adding major new rides and shows to their summer lineup. Orlando Business Journal | Posted 7:25 a.m.
-- Reuters: Gas prices hit record high for fourth week

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• And finally ... I've received several congratulatory notes after yesterday's US Airways news, suggesting that this may be a good time to do some gloating. After all, weren't some of those now-ousted execs to blame for my dismissal as a USA Today columnist? And whatever happened to the editor who acquiesced to the airlines' demands to can me? (He's no longer the travel editor.) To them, I say, although I'm tempted, I won't do it. There's nothing to celebrate at US Airways, and I feel downright awful for USA Today, especially in the wake of its recent fabrication scandal. I can't beat a dead horse. Posted 7:30 a.m. | Send us your comments.

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