Well, yes, that’s what airport security had in mind (according to AP/MSN) when a 64-year old man showed up at the Nuremberg airport last week with a liter-bottle of vodka.

Security officials said, dump it or put it in your checked luggage.

Our hero came up with a 3^rd option. He drank it down. Of course, he almost killed himself (and wound up in a clinic for a few days), but he sure showed them, huh?

And we have two Top 10 Lists for you.

Check them out on RickSeaney.com. Best and worst of 2007. At least, the best and worst from FareCompare’s perspective.

Don’t say we never give you anything: here’s the best list, and here’s the worst list. Enjoy!

You’ve heard this one before; an airline takes your money ($75 in this case) for the “unaccompanied minors” fee, and then, neglects the kid in question.

That’s what happened to a Seattle-area man, who was sending his 14-year old son solo on Northwest to Buffalo, NY.

The boy was left alone in an airport waiting room; he fell asleep. Did the airline personnel forget all about him? Does Frosty-the-Snowman melt in the sun?

Kid missed two flights. Dad is mad.

Celebrate!

Enjoy!

Peace and love and stuff like that!

Yes, our hero is home from his excellent adventure (unfortunately, he’s taking time off-gosh, thanks Mike).

But he’ll be back. In the meantime, he ditched his “I-wore-this-thing-12-days-in-a-row-without-laundering” Santa suit, and he even shaved (see “before” picture, left-with the “Miami Vice” look).

Hope Mike doesn’t get too comfortable; I overheard the boss talk about a FareCompare Mt. Everest trip. I’d better line up the sherpas now. Perhaps they’ll agree to wear elf costumes.

Grumpy Santa sheds new light on the best and worst of commercial aviation: you know, important stuff like, which airline’s flight attendants shamelessly coddled him the most, or where he got food you wouldn’t serve a dog.

Stuff like that. See it here. Consider it an early Christmas gift from the fine folks at Standard Upright Position.

British Airways (BA) recently suspended one of their cabin crew stewards.

Did he get drunk? Molest a passenger? Pose for naked pictures?

Nah. According this this article, he was punished for “eating a muffin that was discarded on a passenger’s meal tray.”

Ask any cop: that’s always the very first step to a life of crime.

Well, if you did what you were supposed to do, and followed along on his itinerary, you’d know.

Might even help you guess how much his total airfare cost, and if you guess right, YOU get a free flight.

Of course if you win, you have to wear a Santa suit on the plane. Just kidding.

Enjoy all the video!

Well, the Claus-ster had finally made it to the Big Apple. And he’s so happy, why, he’s dancin’ in the streets. Really. Take a look.

Shameless? That doesn’t begin to describe our pal Santa. But hey! He’s having fun, we’re having fun watching him. Win-win, no?

I’m not kidding, take a look at this guy in the snow…you’d think he’d never seen the stuff before.

That’s okay, those happy Bostonians make a nice contrast to the Grumpmeister; see them wish him a Merry Christmas! Hear them invoke the name of an iconic baseball team.

Gooooooo Sox!

And you should gooooooo right here, and enter our contest; if you can guess how much Grumpy Santa’s airfare for this 48-state trip in 12-days cost, then you my friend, will win a free flight.

SPECIAL TO STANDARD UPRIGHT POSITION:

(Editor’s Note: this is the latest communique from Grumpy Santa)

“I have been to many airports early in the morning over the last several days, and I have come to notice something a little alarming. Hash-browns on the breakfast-combos are getting out of control.

I might be wrong, but in my mind, McDonald’s established a pretty solid standard for fast-food hash-browns; slightly oval-shaped, crispy-brown, and delicious.

But now, there are new versions. Round hash-browns that are no more than tater-tots without that cool “tot” shape, and the Arby’s giant triangle hash-brown that is unwieldy and a bit off-putting.

Go ahead, say I fear change, but when eating breakfast at airports, I still say the classic hash-brown is definitely the way to go.”

Watch the end of this video…see how Grumpy Santa relaxes after a long hard day!

What hard day? Why fending off hecklers, pan-handlers, and who knows what else.

Besides, the guy is flying 25,000 miles, hitting 48-states in 12-days…let’s give him a break

And you take a break from whatever you’re doing, and look at all our cool videos right here.

That crazy Grumpy Santa…he was invited into the cockpit of a Southwest plane, and didn’t even take it out for a spin! Well lucky for the passengers.And lucky for YOU because, we have video.

Just click here.Oh, and wait: if you guess how much Santa’s 48-state odyssey cost, you win a free flight.

You heard me. Just click here. But don’t try ball-parking it; you have to be right-on-the-money, so to speak, right down to the very last cent.

Tired of all the joy and merriment of the holiday season? Then you need … Grumpy Santa!

Yeah, yeah, we heard about the 7,269 Santas who gathered in Las Vegas; they were trying to show up Liverpool, which had held the record for “most-Santas-gathered-in-one-place”.

But while they were fooling around in that boring little town, FareCompare’s “Grumpy Santa” was flying to swinging & sophisticated hot-spots like Little Rock; and we’ve got the video to prove it.

Take a look. Read his blog. Share Grumpy Santa’s Excellent Adventure.

Well…plenty. FareCompare shows 24-airlines with scheduled flights, and the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal list 44-airlines with offices in Nepal.

That’s nice, you’re no doubt thinking, but here’s the good part: the airlines’ names. Cool names like Cosmic Air (oh wow, man) or Fishtail Air (steady on, there!).

But the very best? Yeti Airlines. I keep picturing these very odd looking pilots…

This guy has got “star” written all over him.. just see for yourself.

Come on Grumpy Santa, isn’t it time for YOU to step up to the plate?

What’s that? You’re waiting for your make-up artist? Who do you think you are, Paris Hilton? It’s time, man.

Well, tomorrow anyway. Meantime, all props to Mr. Elf.

Okay, guess I better come clean, it’s not really Santa…it’s Mike, one of the writers of this illustrious air travel blog. And Mike got suckered into…I mean, Mike happily volunteered for this duty, which will have him flying to the 48-contiguous states, in just 12-days, starting tomorrow!!!! (FareCompare is doing this…part shameless self-promotion, part highlighting air travel woes…and good stuff, too).Why do we call him “Grumpy”? Cuz he will be by the time this is over!!!

Meantime, watch Grumpy Santa blog! Watch Grumpy Santa on video! Check out Grumpy Santa’s exclusive interview with Chris Elliott, and Read ALL about his BIG ADVENTURE right here! You will be glad you did!

Yes, Ireland’s 2-airlines, Aer Lingus and Ryanair combined to triumph over all other European Union carriers, in attracting the most passenger complaints.

Those leprechauns over at Ryan air said, “Oh, for the love of God, tisn’t so bad, we’re getting a wee bit less than 10-complaints for every 1-million passengers.” Well, maybe they didn’t say it exactly like that.

Preparation is a favorite topic of ours around here (yes, we are an exciting bunch), because it really can save you substantial time and spare you some of the headaches associated with air travel. You can even make your trip through the security line at the airport a little easier with just a little preparation.

Fly Away Cafe has a great post that lays out the best way to save time (hopefully) when heading through security. Some tips are as simple as “Think about what you are going to wear, and make sure that it’s something that can easily get through security.” It’s little things like that we travelers often overlook.

It’s written by a flight attendant, so you know she’s seen her share of security lines. Check out the post to get more tips of security line prep.

This is exactly the kind of thing Martha would pop her glue-gun over, but, don’t laugh…it works.

Here’s the deal: gotta fly in December? And there’s a million things at home to do? Take it with you. Not the turkey you have to cook but, how about Christmas cards?

Bring your cards, stamps, a list of addresses, and do em up while waiting for your flight (or while sitting out delays); I’ve done it. I’ve also brought wrapping paper and tape to do up those presents you have to leave unwrapped for our friends at TSA, but you may not want to go that far. But cards! Lists of things to buy! Do this work.

It passes the time, and gives one that Martha-like feeling of accomplishment. Enough said.

Okay, you know your carryon-bag is the right size for the overhead compartment, but it just…won’t…fit.

After seeing this video…we think we know why.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a headache.