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

February 12, 2004

Report Slams Screening System
A congressional report to be published Friday slams the planning for a controversial new computer screening system designed to identify potential terrorists among airline passengers, saying it has failed a series of tests set by lawmakers. "Key activities in the development of (the system) have been delayed and the Transportation Security Administration has not yet completed important system planning activities," says a draft summary of the report prepared by Congress' investigative arm, the General Accounting Office. The damning report may prevent funds for the system, known by the acronym CAPPS II, for Computer Assisted Passenger Pre-screening System phase two, from being released by Congress. UPI | Posted 6 a.m.
-- Wired: More opponents of CAPPS II line up
-- Monitor: Corporate America doesn't like system

• My prediction: CAPPS II as we know it is dead. The government has failed to meet its most basic disclosure requirements. As I've already noted, we don't mind sharing data with the feds, as long as we know how it's being used. And we don't. Send us your comments.

In Cancellation, 'Force Majeure' Applies
The recent security-related cancellations of international flights destined for the United States were evidence of how seriously the government responds to potential security threats. Although no attacks were carried out, some planes were grounded and passengers were forced to wait for later flights. When a flight is canceled because of a government regulation, it is considered a force majeure event - an event beyond the airline's control. In such events, airlines are limited in the compensation they are legally required to provide to travelers. In general, the airline is only obligated to refund the cost of the ticket. Scripps-Howard | Posted 6:15 a.m.
-- Reuters: British Airways cancels two more flights

Disney Would Keep Parks Under Deal
Mickey Mouse will stay on the Walt Disney payroll welcoming children to the Magic Kingdom if Comcast Corp.'s offer for the company succeeds, and the bidders said they would be all ears when it comes to sprucing up the Disney theme parks. As details of Comcast's surprise $50 billion offer for Disney began to emerge on Wednesday, among the most asked questions was: What about the theme parks? "We believe the theme parks could be revitalized. It's a great business," Stephen Burke, executive vice president at Comcast, said. Burke is a former Disney executive and former president of Euro Disney. Reuters | Posted 6:20 a.m.
-- BW: Comcast-Disney deal is about "convergence"

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• And finally ... for those of you told me I should be ashamed that I revealed the salaries of USAToday.com's "trusted" columnists in yesterday's parting shot, I say: don't kill the messenger. It's the tightwads at Gannett who should be ashamed that they're taking advantage of these professionals by paying them minimum wages. Posted 6:30 a.m. | Send us your comments.

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