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

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November 17, 2004

Record Thanksgiving Travel Predicted
Increases in both air and auto travel will push Thanksgiving travel volumes above pre-9/11 levels for the first time, AAA said. The Orlando-based travel group estimated 37.2 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday, a 3.1 percent increase from last year's 36.1 million travelers. "Travelers' increased confidence in both the economy and airline security will make this an extremely busy travel holiday," AAA Travel Vice President Sandra Hughes said. "Air fares, hotel rates and gas prices have all increased from last Thanksgiving, yet more of us will head for grandma's this holiday than did even in 2000 - considered by many to be the high watermark for the travel industry." Biz Journal | Posted 6:35 a.m.
• This Thanksgiving, Watch For Parking Shortage (AP)
• AAA Projects Costs Still Below 2000 Levels (AAA.com)

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel days of the year. Avoid it if at all possible.

Carnival Ship Rams Loading Dock
Alabama State Port Authority crews continued Tuesday to assess damage done early Saturday when the Carnival Holiday temporarily veered out of control and into a barge loading facility. The cruise ship apparently suffered only a superficial dent, the result of an awkward impact with the tugboat that was guiding it, a Carnival Cruise Lines spokeswoman said. But the Port Authority has been scrambling to work around the bruises the boat caused to its bulk loading terminal, where barges take on cargo such as coal and ore. The facility sits at the confluence of the Mobile River and Three Mile Creek, just south of the Cochrane-Africatown USA Bridge. AL.com | Posted 6:45 a.m.

Look Out For Higher Air Fares
Airplanes are packed and airport security lines are teeth-grindingly long, but at least travelers have had one comfort these past few years: Air fares on many routes are cheaper than they've ever been, held down in part by the rise of low-cost carriers such as Southwest Airlines and JetBlue Airways. But aviation industry analysts say frequent fliers should strap themselves in for a bumpy ride. Stubbornly high jet fuel prices that dramatically lift operating costs for airlines have recently prompted airlines around the world to add fuel surcharges to their ticket prices, and even penny- pinching discount carriers may have to follow suit. Chronicle | Posted 6:50 a.m.

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BOHICA - Many responded to last week's short reference on airline acronyms, so just for fun, I thought I would print a full list this week. From Travelcomment.com

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Toronto Fees Called 'Outrageous' - A planned increase in landing fees at Toronto's Pearson International Airport is outrageous, and could force some carriers to put the brakes on their growth plans for Toronto as a destination, says the global group representing airlines. The jump for 2005, as high as 18 per cent according to a draft proposal by the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, would be the latest in a series of landing fee increases hurting the Toronto airport's competitiveness, the International Air Transport Association said. Globe and Mail | Posted 7 a.m.

UK Agents 'Bully' Clients into Insurance Purchase - Some travel agents are 'bullying' holidaymakers into buying the agents' own insurance, according to a new survey. Other agents have given tourists misleading information about insurance, the survey from Sainsbury's Bank also showed. Evening Standard | Posted 7:05 a.m.

Flight Attendant Sued Over Sexual Act - A Fort Collins woman has filed a lawsuit after she said a United Airlines flight attendant masturbated in front of her while on a flight. Austin Godinez said in her suit that the male flight attendant gave free drinks to her and two female co-workers during a Detroit to Denver flight last November, then told her that she was his sexual fantasy. According to the suit, the flight attendant began masturbating in front of her while he was in a section of the galley where only she could see him. Denver Channel | Posted 7:10 a.m.

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