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

December 16, 2004

Record Christmas, New Year for Travel
 Americans will travel in record numbers this holiday season, thanks partly to Christmas and New Year's landing on the weekend, the AAA said Wednesday in releasing a travel survey. About 63 million in the United States will travel more than 50 miles from home during the holidays. That is about 21 percent of the U.S. population of about 295 million, according to AAA. This year's travel estimate is up three percent from last year. "With Christmas and New Year's Day both falling on Saturdays, many people will make weekend getaways to be with friends and family," said Sandra Hughes, AAA travel vice president. (Reuters) Posted 5:35 a.m.
• Expect Crowds at Airports, on Highways (Chronicle)
• Holiday Travel 'At Highest Level' (AAA News)

Uh-oh, here we go again.

Mineta: Upgrade Planes, Technology
The Transportation Department Wednesday unveiled its 20-year road map for modernizing the nation's air transportation system, aiming to make it more secure and built on quieter, cleaner technologies. "After a long downturn in the demand for air transportation, travelers are returning to the system in large numbers. We must be prepared to accommodate this growing demand in the years ahead. Failure to do so will result in costly travel delays throughout the system," Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta wrote in the report. (Congress Daily) Posted 5:45 a.m.

Bus Hijacking Ends Peacefully
 A daylong hostage siege in Athens ended early Thursday morning after two gunmen who had hijacked an Athens-bound commuter bus surrendered to the authorities and released their six remaining captives. The gunmen, identified by the police as Albanians, earlier had threatened to blow up the bus and the six remaining hostages unless authorities met their demand for $1.3 million dollars and a plane to fly them out of the country. (The New York Times) Posted 5:50 a.m.

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Grounded Without a Refund
Colleen Wiles is looking forward to meeting her newborn grandson for Christmas. But because of a medical condition, the infant can't fly without oxygen. His airline won't let the family travel without a doctor's note, and the pediatrician won't write a note without oxygen. Now Hotwire won't offer Wiles' son his money back, citing its strict no-refunds rule. Is the family out of luck? And how could they have prevented this Catch-22 from happening?(Triprights.com) Posted 5:55 a.m.

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Delta Overhauls SkyMiles Program - Again
In an olive branch to alienated high-frequency fliers, Delta Air Lines on Wednesday revamped its SkyMiles program yet again. The airliner is changing how customers can qualify for elite status and perks, such as first-class upgrades and access to exclusive airport lounges. "The No. 1 area of complaint has been our change fee and other fee policies, and this should help alleviate that," said senior vice president and chief marketing officer Paul Matsen. (Enquirer) Posted 6:05 a.m.

New High-Tech Luggage System in Nashville
The Nashville International Airport unveiled a new high-tech display system Wednesday to help travelers more easily find their luggage after disembarking. Sizable, flat-screen LCD monitors are now installed above each conveyor belt in the baggage claim areas of the airport. The screens are bright and colorful and display a flight’s arrival time, status, departure location and flight number in large type. An airline logo is also displayed. (City Paper) Posted 6:10 a.m.

Is That an Ice Pick in Your Luggage?
A woman was convicted of carrying a concealed ice pick on a US Airways flight from Philadelphia to Palm Beach International Airport, federal prosecutors said. Rosemary Schier, of Philadelphia, faces up to 11 years in prison on concealed weapon and security violations charges after her conviction on Monday in a non-jury trial before U.S. District Judge Daniel T. K. Hurley. (AP) Posted 6:15 a.m.

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