Columns

In 2005 I made a vow that in 10 years I would revisit a topic of increasing concern at that time: “Is the US airline industry moving in the direction of becoming a monopoly?”  Forty-seven years ago, in 1968, Simon and Garfunkel lamented to a war-weary American public, in the famous line from the hit song “Mrs. Robinson,” “Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio?” Today a reeling American travel public can ask, “Where have you gone, Continental, Northwest, TWA, US Air (now American Airlines) and AirTran, let alone noteworthy carriers Pan American, Eastern, Western, America West, PSA, Republic,...

European train travel is easier and better than ever, thanks to faster trains, new routes, and additional amenities to keep you comfortable and entertained on the journey. For me, there's nothing better than stretching out in a quiet car, blitzing through the European countryside, with hours of uninterrupted time to think and write.

Recently I spent seven hours on one of Europe's luxurious bullet trains. At 12:14 p.m., I settled into my seat, and at 12:16 p.m., the train was gliding out of the station. In no time, I was rocketing toward my next destination,...