EnCompass®
The AAA Companion

Member Feedback

Teen restrictions

Once again you persist in your crusade to restrict teenagers' driving, allegedly in the name of highway safety.

I will believe your sincerity when and if you support with equal vigor biannual drivers' tests for Colorado motorists who are above age 65.

Why am I SURE that this letter will never make it into EnCompass?

—Barry H. Bley, Arvada

Editor's Note: AAA Colorado sincerely believes passenger restrictions for beginning teenage drivers will improve highway safety by saving lives. In fact, such restrictions have proven to do just that in states where they are being enforced.

Highway safety is also served by aiding mature drivers to stay safely on the roads as long as possible. AAA has developed the self-assessment CD-ROM, AAA Roadwise Review: A Tool to Help Seniors Drive Safely Longer to do just that.

Pet friendly?

In the January/February issue you had an article about pet-friendly lodgings. It certainly did not make me happy. I do not want a hotel room that has been occupied by a pet. I purchase my homes new to ensure that there have never been pets in them to cause allergic reactions in myself or anyone else.

I believe I should be able to be confidently free of pet dander when I travel also. Why are you encouraging pets on the road? You are certainly not representing my interests. I will use your travel books to avoid travel accommodations that are pet-friendly.

—G. Wilkins, via email

Editor's Note: We did not feel we were encouraging pets on the road, merely identifying the trend of an increasing number of hotels and motels to accommodate those millions who want to travel with pets. We certainly hope that all such establishments never use pet-friendly rooms for those who want pet-free rooms. As for how you've chosen to use AAA TourBooks, we applaud you for such a creative way of ensuring your pet-free traveling pleasure—just as smokers and non-smokers alike can make informed choices by noting the availability of smoke-free or smoke-friendly rooms.

School names

On page eight of last month's issue, you mentioned Pioneer High School in Parker. I believe you meant Ponderosa High School.

—Parker reader, via fax

Editor's Note: We did mean Ponderosa High School and we apologize for the error.

Where the deer and the antelope play!

In the “Insurance & Financial Services” section of the last issue, you stated that “95 antelope” were involved in animal-vehicle collisions. The animal you are referring to is correctly called a “pronghorn.” This is an understandable mistake from someone back East, but out West, where they still “roam,” you should be more careful and accurate.

—Tamara Haygood, Parker

Editor's Note: While it's true that the best term would have been pronghorn, the American Heritage paperback edition, under “antelope” lists “pronghorn” as an acceptable alternative.

>> What do YOU think?

The great luggage debate

Carry it on: Don't get between my bags and me. The mere sight of a skycap is enough to make me quiver and retreat. So, given the option, I always carry my luggage—a 22-inch hulking black suitcase—onto the plane.

Call me a bin hog, but know this: In 2003, 2.2 million airline passengers filed mishandled-baggage reports. That's at least one lost, damaged, delayed or pilfered bag for every three domestic commercial flights.

Why play baggage roulette when you don't have to? And why wait at the baggage carousel, when you can step right off the plane and straight for the airport exit?

So, invest in a healthy-size wheeled carry-on. Next, learn the art of packing light. You don't really need three pairs of shoes, do you? Sure, it takes a little extra planning, but there's your stuff with you, safe and sound.

—Nino Padova

Check it: I've found two great reasons to check luggage through at the airport—me, and everyone else.

I have no wish to be manacled to a Samsonite millstone that slows down the already long march through security. Checking my bag leaves my hands free for more important things, like a large latte and the New York Times crossword puzzle.

Leaving your bags with a skycap is also a courtesy to your fellow passengers. Ever notice that the travelers with the most cabin baggage are always the most stressed-out? They're the ones blocking the aisles and knocking innocent bystanders with their reckless rucksacks and sharp-cornered carry-ons. Worse yet, they endanger other passengers when their rogue luggage bursts out of an unlatched overhead bin.

Check the bags, settle into your seat, and smile, knowing that when you get to heaven, you'll find an express line for those who relinquish their luggage.

—Bruce Anderson

Which side of this debate does your luggage fall? Cast your vote by calling 303-753-8800, ext. 8449, emailing editor@colorado.aaa.com, or writing editor, EnCompass, 4100 E. Arkansas Ave., Denver, CO 80222. We'll report the results in an upcoming issue.

Weekend getaways in Colorado —
Get ideas and share your own

Do you have a special mountain town that lowers your blood pressure? Is there a peaceful prairie spot you find especially rejuvenating? Do you experience a deep sense of joy beside a particular lake or reservoir?

The July/August issue of EnCompass will offer up nine great weekend getaways in a feature article that divides our state into three sections: Mountains, Plains and Water. Each section will be written by a Colorado travel writer and contain three ideas—one popular, one lesser-known and one that's just a bit different.

Alongside our suggestions we want to report your favorite weekend getaways, so please tell us:

Where do YOU go for summer weekends?

Email editor@colorado.aaa.com, call 303-753-8800, ext. 8319, or mail to editor, EnCompass, 4100 E. Arkansas Ave., Denver, CO 80222, then keep an eye out for the July/August issue.