I agree! I lifted that pointer from dear Punki and have used it extensively since.. and I normally just "chat" away - on a phone that's on, has 911 punched in, but "send" not yet punched. If I DO feel threatened, I actually do call my husband or a friend, explain where I am and that I just "missed" them - which is a prearranged code for "stay on the phone w/ me - something spooky's happening".. I give my rough location and as much information as possible.. just as Punki suggested.. in the context of "normal" conversation.. e.g. "oh, where am I? Let's see - right now I'm in yellow cab # xx and we're on the corner of x and x, heading toward the Hilton on x"..

FWIW, I take taxis whenever possible - I loathe shuttles unless it's a specific hotel shuttle because I invariably am staying at the last of many hotels on their route and it takes forever to get there..

[This message has been edited by svpii (edited 03-25-2002).]