Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.travel From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: travel Wed, Feb 19 1992 Date: Wed, 19 Feb 92 06:39:08 EST Message-ID: DECISIONLINE: Travel USA TODAY Update Feb. 19, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network AIR TRAFFIC DELAYS DECREASE: Some of the USA's most clogged airports had significantly fewer air traffic delays last year, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. "We're working on it," says Jack Ryan of the Air Transport Association. Delays were down 24% in 1991, despite more than doubling in Los Angeles, Miami and Nashville. Minneapolis-St. Paul boasted the greatest improvement: Delays fell 75%. (For more, see special Delay package below.) AIRLINE OFFERS U.S. DEAL: British Airways is offering a frequent-flier program for U.S. customers. United and American Airlines' frequent fliers won't be able to claim awards on British Airways after grace periods expire. But British Airways frequent fliers will be able to claim awards on some American Airlines flights. CLUB MED TAPS FAMILIES: Club Med is attempting to tap the new baby boom market, according to a survey from Find:SVP. Once synonymous with singles resorts, it's begun repositioning itself to attract families. As a result, the company now reports that half its members are married. Nearly 60% are between 30 and 60 years old. ADMISSION PLAN DRAWS IRE: Bar and nightclub owners in Nevada are uniting against the state Gaming Commission's plans to ban admission charges at establishments with gaming machines. The owners say smaller lounges need cover charges to compete with the major hotel-casinos but the commission says people shouldn't have to pay for the privilege of gambling. SERVICE MEANS MORE: Travelers are less concerned with amenities than with service, according to some hotel executives. "It means a lot to me when I go into one of our restaurants and the maitre d' ... remembers the table I like to sit at and my brand of scotch," says David Crowl of Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts. Crowl says the hotel business can be seen as "taking care of someone who'd rather be home." PRICE OF GAS MOVES UP: The price of gasoline at the pump rose in the last week, snapping a 12-week slide, the American Automobile Association said Tuesday. The nationwide average price for a gallon of self-serve regular unleaded moved up .4 cent, to $1.049, the auto club said. It was the first increase recorded by AAA since Nov. 19, when the price was $1.143 per gallon. GRANT WILL SAVE SWINGING BRIDGE: A $60,000 federal preservation grant will help to pay for a new swinging bridge over Big Horn River in Hot Springs State Park, Thermopolis, Wyoming, officials say. The old bridge, built in 196, closed four years ago because of structural problems. INAV EXTENDS WARRANTS: INAV Travel Corp. announced that its board of directors Tuesday extended for one year its Class B Warrants redeemable for one share of INAV common stock for $2.32. The warrants, originally issued by Twistee Treat Corp. on Feb. 18, 1987, were set to expire Tuesday. INAV was organized a year ago when Thomas Enterprises merged with Twistee Treat, in a non-operating status under Chapter 11. SPECIAL PACKAGE ON DELAY: NEW YORK AIRPORTS THE WORST: The Federal Aviation Administration says that New York City-area airports still have one of the highest delay rates, with Newark topping the list. But all three cited decreases of at least 20% over 1990. Bad weather caused two-thirds of delays. Runway construction increased Miami's delays. Improved reporting magnified L.A.'s delays, and fog and traffic inflated Nashville's. MANAGERS HAVE FEWER GRIPES: "I've had fewer complaints from travel managers this last year," says John Hintz, president of the National Business Travel Association. "There used to be a lot more delays through connecting hubs." Improvements undoubtedly reflect changes in the industry: Eastern, Pan Am and Midway airlines went out of business last year. Takeoffs and landings also were down about 4%. FAA LIFTS RESTRICTIONS: Hintz agrees New York City doesn't seem to be as delay-prone as before, although he still builds extra time into his schedule when flying there. Jack Ryan, vice president of air traffic management for the Air Transport Association, says the FAA has "done a fine job" in lifting 67% of the restrictions it had been putting on flights. (End of package.) 24-HOUR TELEPHONE INFORMATION: USA TODAY Weather Hot Line. 95 cents a minute. 1-900-555-5555. Travel Editor: Beth Mann. (1-919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. 08:0002190000D0219 WEAT- R C South-to-have-best-weather............ A D0219 This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM