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

June 16, 2004

'Trusted Traveler' Program Ready
This summer, the United States Transportation Security Administration will begin trying out special, express security lines for some frequent fliers -- travelers like Jose Diaz, who fly often, are known to the airlines and would seem to be no real risk. "I am probably spending about an hour a week, you know, just waiting in line at an airport and potentially I could see the program being wonderful," says Diaz. Starting in July, the government will give it a three-month trial, first in Minneapolis, then at Boston, Los Angeles, Houston and Washington airports. Fliers averaging two or more trips a month could ask for an extensive background check and, once cleared, would get a "registered traveler" card with a biometric identifier from a fingerprint scan or a measurement of the eye. NBC News | Posted 6:30 a.m.
-- NY Times: 5,000 to 10,000 to be enrolled
-- FCW: Congress is antsy about new program

• The trusted traveler program is a good idea on first blush, but it could become problematic. Imagine if terrorists could get their hands on a trusted traveler card - and avoid the once-over that could catch a weapon or explosives? No wonder Congress is antsy. Send us your comments.

Judge Attacks 'No-Fly' List
A federal judge on Tuesday accused the federal government of using "frivolous claims" to avoid publicly disclosing who is banned from boarding airplanes because of terrorism concerns. The sharply worded accusation came in a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union and others seeking to find out how hundreds of people wound up on the government's "no fly" list after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The list of banned passengers has been a frequent target for civil rights advocates who accuse the Bush administration of using excessive secrecy in its campaign against terrorism. The New York Times | Posted 6:45 a.m.

UK Summer Travelers Slammed
Travel companies are bumping up their prices by as much as 165% during the school summer holidays, according to a new survey. Tour operators have been asked by ministers to explain the hike as they say it is unfair on families. The firms say they would go bust if they did not make the most of peak holiday periods. The survey by the Evening Standard found prices soared a few weeks into the school summer break, which starts in July. One firm charged £496.50 for a seven-night break in Port de Plaisance, Brittany, from June 15 for a family of two adults and two children - but this doubled to £997.50 from August 13. Sky News | Posted 7 a.m.

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• And finally ... I've received some recent hate-mail regarding old columns posted in the "flashback" section of Elliott's E-Mail. The suggestion is that I should somehow keep the most controversial columns buried. To which I say: sorry. The columns are clearly labeled as archived, and unlike some of the other outlets I've had the misfortune of writing for, I do not retract my stories. Posted 7:10 a.m. | Send us your comments.

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