CNN Marketplace 2006-05-26

Michelle Wright: With the unofficial start to summer beginning this weekend, many folks say they've modified their vacation plans a bit because of gas prices. Bob Mayfield talked with CNN's Allan Chernoff.

Bob Mayfield: This year with the gas prices we're going down to Pennsylvania, just a couple of hours away. (Closer.) A lot closer, a lot closer, a lot less gas.

Michelle Wright: Mayfield and his family usually drive to Maine for Memorial Day. Mayfield and his family aren't the only ones hitting the roads today.

Amy Louis: We anticipate at least 31 million people are gonna be gassing up, packing up their cars, taking the kids, now that they're on holiday and going away to have some fun in the sun.

Michelle Wright: Triple A's (AAA's) Amy Louis.

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Michelle Wright: Meanwhile, summer travel in the skies will be breaking records, reports CNN's Ed McCarthy.

Ed McCarthy: Planes packed with passengers, less elbowroom, and more money to fly, that's the airport situation this year. And along with lots of people, it's the annoyance 1 when the plane lands. Airline expert Terry Trippler says there is the big headache at the carousel 2.

Terry Trippler: The baggage situation is, is not getting easier, and then we have to be honest, the airlines have laid off a lot of hired help, so there probably are going to be a few less people working in flights that are hauling their baggage to and from the airplanes.

Ed McCarthy: In case that happens Trippler advises travelers to pack an extra carryon bag with a change of clothing. Ed McCarthy CNN.

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Michelle Wright: A new report shows that kids aged 3 3 to 11 are influencing grown-ups to purchase about 18 billion dollars’ worth of stuff last year. During the same time period, families spent more than 115 billion caring for those children.

Michelle Wright: And a barometer 4 of inflation shows that it was up two tenths (2/10) of a percent last month while consumer sentiment dropped in the University of Michigan's Index. Commerce Bank Chief Economist 5 Joel Naroff says there is a lot weighing on consumer confidence.

Joel Naroff: People's confidence is always affected 6 by political things and, and the situation that we have in Iraq, in Washington, it's all affecting the confidence, that's in spite of the fact that the economy still is moving forward.

Michelle Wright: Many will be watching to see if the Fed will continue to raise interest rates at its next meeting.

Michelle Wright: With CNN Radio in the Marketplace, I'm Michelle (Wright).

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WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS
carousel: a circular conveyor (行李)传送带