THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, June 22, 1995 TAG: 9506220612
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: D1 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
The number of people flying through Norfolk International Airport fell 25.1 percent in May to 236,846 from 316,354 last May, the airport authority reported. This reflects the absence of the air-fare wars of last year. Passenger activity is down 18.6 percent so far this year compared with last year. Cargo shipments through the airport were also down. The airport handled 4.4 million tons of cargo in April compared to 5.1 million tons in April 1994. (Staff) Complaining consumers can dial a friendly ear
Consumers with complaints about government agencies or private businesses have a new place to go for help. The U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs has opened a toll-free ``Helpline,'' to provide person-to-person assistance, information and referrals. The number is 1-800-664-4435. Assistance will be available Monday through Friday, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. EDT, for consumers from the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. AT&T customers don't appreciate this "Reward"
It wasn't the ``True Reward'' AT&T customers had in mind. AT&T Corp., in a mailing to 175,000 True Reward customers, mistakenly provided the toll-free number to a sex chat line. Callers expecting to reach an AT&T operator were greeted instead by a sultry, breathy voice saying: ``Are you ready to get naked? If you want hard-core, uncensored, explicit sex now then come and - ummm - take it!'' The number AT&T meant to provide allows customers to turn points earned by using long-distance service into free airline tickets and Disney merchandise. But two digits were transposed in a printing error, yielding the number to a $2.98-a-minute sex chat line operated by Los Angeles-based Amtec Communications. Callers are billed only after listening to the introduction and entering a credit card number. Donna Alexander, an AT&T spokeswoman in Philadelphia, was unable to say how many of the 17 million True Reward customers reached the wrong number. (Associated Press) Racing fans soon may place bets from home
Churchill Downs will begin testing a system in Louisville this summer that will enable racing fans to place bets from their homes using their televisions and a device similar to a cable-TV box. The interactive wagering system involving the racetrack, ODS Technologies of Tulsa, Okla., and a local cable operator in Louisville was approved Tuesday by the Kentucky Racing Commission. Bettors need to deposit money in a special account at the track. They will be given a security card and a special code to activate the home-betting system. Up-to-the-minute wagering information will be displayed on their television screens. Bets can be entered with a hand-held remote control and are transmitted via telephone lines. (Associated Press) by CNB