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

February 26, 2004

California: Stop Tracking Rental Cars
A bill introduced by California Assemblywoman Ellen Corbett (D-San Leandro) would require a car rental company that uses electronic surveillance technology in its vehicles to disclose to the renter the type of technology used and the information collected by that technology. The bill would also specify that a renter has the right to rent a vehicle from a company that is surveillance-free. It also requires a rental company to obtain a renter’s express authorization before using or disclosing to others information about the renter’s use of the vehicle. The bill is a response to a recent New York Times story detailing one customer's GPS tracking experience with Payless. California Assembly | Posted 6:20 a.m.
-- KRON: Payless franchise refunds GPS penalties
<-- Advice Goddess: Does Payless spy harder?
<-- Dan Gillmor: I'll never rent from Payless

• Finally, the law is catching up to technology. I hope eventually there will be some kind of privacy law on a federal level that will address issues like this. Send us your comments.

Ryanair Tests Limits of Tolerance
You got a cheap airline ticket, what else do you want? Ryanair, Europe's most successful budget airline, is testing the Spartan spirit of its passengers and extending the frontiers of cost-cutting. It recently announced it will dispense with the plane's window blinds, reclining seats, Velcro-anchored headrest covers and the seat pockets where customers normally find a safety notice and free magazines. The required safety notice will be stitched to the back of each seat. Ryanair also said it may charge for checked-in luggage, and is switching to leather upholstery because it lasts longer and is easier and cheaper to clean. AP | Posted 6:30 a.m.
-- NIN: Ryanair cuts will save £1 million a year

Rental Concession Fees Challenged
One man's anger over a fee imposed by rental car companies at Sea-Tac Airport could result in savings for travelers and cost the airport millions of dollars. Lawyers for that man, Douglas Branson, will make their case today at the Washington Supreme Court. Two lower courts have already ruled against him. At issue are concession fees, which rental car companies contractually agree to give the airport in exchange for operating there. The fees, which are standard at airports nationwide, are 10 percent of the total rental charges. For example, if a traveler rented a car for one week at a rate of $100, the fee would be $10. Seattle PI | Posted 6:40 a.m.

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• And finally ... more evidence that we share the road with idiots. A recent poll of Washinton state drivers concluded that, although most motorists knew driving and talking on a cell phone at the same time was dangerous, many still did it. As someone who's been run off the road by a cell phone chatter, I'm not at all surprised. Posted 6:50 a.m. | Send us your comments.

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