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October 8, 2008

Passengers Behaving Badly - Part II

Filed under: Frustration, Passengers, Arrested, Weird — anne @ 12:42 pm
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Let us now turn to the subject of “anger management”:

A man was arrested at Boston’s Logan Airport - after he sprinkled a 7-ounce bottle of Dr. Scholl’s Foot Powder on fellow passengers as he pushed his way off the plane.

The fellow had experienced some lengthy delays on a US Airways flight (uh…no comment), and this apparently irritated the 42-year old man.

“This is what your airline gets for treating me bad!” - alleged comment from disgruntled passenger

Wow. Tough talk there fella. But not so tough with the actions. I mean, c’mon…punishment by foot powder? We do, however, give him credit for creativity. Which will no doubt be of solace to our hero, now that he faces disorderly conduct charges.

Passengers Behaving Badly - Part I

Filed under: Passengers, Arrested, safety, Weird — anne @ 11:51 am
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Here’s a weird one:

Some 29 year old guy seated next to two teenage sisters on a Southwest flight from San Diego to Denver - bound one of the kid’s hands together - yeah, he tied her up. Fortunately, the older sister managed to free her. The guy then tries to tie up the older girl, but it didn’t work. Apparently, this dark little episode went on for some time.

Did no one notice? Were these kids too afraid - or too embarrassed - to scream?

The finale: According to the AP account of this incident, “a flight attendant who saw what was happening then moved the two girls to a different row…[and the weirdo] was allowed to stay on the flight.”

I find that strange - but I find it even stranger that THE GUY WASN’T ARRESTED UNTIL A WEEK LATER. Supposedly he was drunk - like that’s an excuse. This whole story stinks. But I do have a final thought:

Hey, parents - teach your kids to SCREAM when something bad happens - and if they’re not sure it fits the definition of the word “bad” — have them scream anyway. Girls and boys — teach ‘em both.

“The Plane Just Fell Out of the Sky”

Filed under: Passengers, News, safety — anne @ 9:43 am
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News reports are now saying that a computer glitch may be the reason why a Qantas jet suddenly took a dive in mid-flight.

One of the passengers said the plane went straight down, and it lasted for 10 or 12 seconds - an eternity, if you’re the one experiencing this hell. One man, Jim Ford of Perth, was pretty sure he was about to die:

“It was horrendous, absolutely gruesome, terrible, the worst experience of my life.” - Jim Ford, Qantas passenger

Whatever the cause of this incident, it was bad: 51 passengers and crew were injured - some with broken bones and even spinal injuries.

October 3, 2008

Flight Attendant Allegedly Offers “Coffee, Tea or Me” — Gets No Takers

Filed under: Flight Attendant, Arrested, Sex — anne @ 2:59 pm
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A female passenger claims a male flight attendant for JetBlue offered to show her some pictures - pictures of the flight attendant, naked.

She says he also offered to have sex with her.

The passenger declined.

Not surprisingly, the flight attendant no longer works for JetBlue.

Just as well, since he’s sort of busy right now, what with his arrest and all.

From our friends at Consumerist.

October 2, 2008

Turbulence!

Filed under: Pilots, safety, China — anne @ 7:12 am
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Scary story about a China Airlines 747 hitting some turbulence about 20 minutes before landing in Bangkok.

And this is turbulence with a capital “T” - 32 people were injured, including two people who had “spine injuries”.

And yes, it does sort of remind me of that eerie book by Michael Crichton - Airframe - except I sincerely doubt this China Airlines pilot allowed his kid to take over the controls — like the one in the book did.

Nope - this was a case of turbulence - as well as a great reminder to keep your seatbelt buckled.

Seriously.

October 1, 2008

Cell phones? Let me tell you about cell phones - on airplanes…

Filed under: ABC, cell phones — anne @ 11:03 am
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Well, no need for ME to tell you about it - not when my boss, Rick Seaney, has already written the be-all-and-end-all column on the subject - for ABCNews.com.

Check it out by clicking here - that’s the Cliff Notes version - and you can go to the entire column from there if you like.

Oh, there is also mention of the internet - and porn on planes.Thought that might get your attention.

September 30, 2008

Juneau’s Airport is a Bear-Free Zone - For Now, Anyway

Filed under: Airport, Animals, Alaska — anne @ 9:30 am
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Yes, you won’t be finding any grizzlies at Juneau International at the moment - but this is not to say you shouldn’t keep a sharp eye out in the parking lot.

According to a report in the Kansas City Star, there was an “accidental discharge of anti-bear spray” at the airport that serves Alaska’s capital - and it shut down the airport for 90 minutes.

Now I’ve got some questions:

  • 1. Why do people from Kansas care about this?
  • 2. What’s in bear repellent - I mean, what could possibly repel them — the smell of Godzilla?
  • 3. What was “anti-bear spray” doing at the airport?
  • 4. Did the Governor have any comment on this?

If any of you out there can provide answers, our operators are standing by.

September 29, 2008

Aussies on cell phones on planes: Don’t go there

Filed under: Pests, Australia, cell phones — anne @ 10:20 am
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According a new poll, 4 out of 5 Australians say cell phones on planes would drive them “crazy”.

Oh, perhaps not clinically - but who knows? In any event, most would find these devices “hugely irritating”.

Don’t worry, mates - you’re not alone - nobody much likes them in the U.S. either (and here’s an amusing post on the subject, courtesy Rick Seany). But some airlines already allow them, and Ryanair is gearing up for them.

You’ve been warned.

September 26, 2008

Rock ‘n Roll Heaven…

Filed under: Rememberance, Celebrities, Music — anne @ 10:08 am
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This is depressing.

Ever since Travis Barker and DJ AM were injured in that horrific plane crash that killed 4 of their associates, internetistas have been putting together THE LIST.

That would be the list of other music types who died in aviation accidents.

You know — Richie Valens, Buddy Holly, Jim Croce, Otis Redding…we’ve been down this road before.

But, doesn’t make it any less sad…

September 25, 2008

World-Wide Corruption Rankings

Filed under: Crime, List, safety — anne @ 12:01 pm
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You probably never heard of Transparency International (I hadn’t), and that’s a pity because their mission is to fight corruption around the globe - and there is way too much of that in this uneasy world of ours.

The organization recently came out with their annual rankings of nations - in terms of corruption (and thanks, Gadling, for the heads-up).

Corruption is defined by Transparency as, “the misuse of entrusted power for private gain.”

These countries - out of a total of 165 — topped the list as “least corrupt” (and note the emphasis on Scandinavia):

  • Denmark
  • Sweden
  • New Zealand
  • Singapore
  • Finland

Looks like Norway fell down on the job this year - they only made it to #14 - the U.S. meanwhile made a very respectable showing at #18 (better than France, mon amis).

Last place: Somalia. No surprise, as most of the countries at the end of the list are unbearably poor.

September 24, 2008

Whack-a-What? Rick’s latest ABCNews.com column

Filed under: ABC — anne @ 2:16 pm
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Oh, yeah - Whack-a-Mole - that’s what Rick’s talking about.

He says, in his latest column on ABC’s news website, that what’s happening with the airlines is a pretty wild ride these days.

You should take a look. After you’re done admiring Mr. Happy, at left.

Concerned that there’s not enough advertising in your life? Good news!

Filed under: American, Ads — anne @ 11:47 am
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I have no idea why planes don’t look like stock cars - they’re starting to slap advertising everywhere else.

Like tray tables -on a recent US Airways flight, my tray table was covered with a huge ad (NOTE: I only noticed this because the tray table accidentally fell open - if you think I was actually going to open it myself to place a $2 Coke on it, you’ve got another think coming).

The latest? American Airlines is putting ads on their boarding passes (along with “value-added, destination-specific” info, too!).

They’re not the first - others have done it. So - what about NASCAR planes? Slap an STP decal on the tail? I’m cool with that.

September 23, 2008

Disgusting news about air travel and loathsome insects…

Filed under: Europe, Pests — anne @ 9:15 am
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I thought it was bad enough when some passengers found ticks on a plane (and, yep, that’s a tick in the photo to the left).

But I have to say, that’s been topped by infestations of bedbugs on planes (and trains and buses).

This is something they’re seeing in the UK - one pest control company there said there’s been a 40% rise in calls in the past year, from transport companies. The company is actually going to hold a conference on the subject!

What’s behind this? According to one expert, it’s “the enormous increase in international travel as a result of rising western living standards and low-cost flying”.

Hmm. Let me know where that “low-cost flying” is, would ya, pal?

September 22, 2008

Etiquette in the Air: Plane Porn

Filed under: Manners, Sex, WiFi — anne @ 7:52 am
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You’re probably sick to death of hearing about how in-flight Wifi internet access is going to flood planes with porn and how this group and that group are calling on airlines to add “anti-porn” filters to their aircraft and blah and blah and blah, but…

But…you haven’t heard everything ’til you’ve heard from Standard Upright Position. So here’s where we stand:

Use your common sense. Don’t have any? Then follow these 3 simple rules:

1.) Don’t watch porn if you’re sitting next to my kid.
2.) Really don’t watch porn if you’re sitting next to my mother.
3.) Don’t watch porn without a plot. Hey, I think I’ve just eliminated the problem…

September 19, 2008

Coke Dealers Join in Fuel Surcharge Hikes

Filed under: Arrested, Fuel, Drugs — anne @ 9:33 am
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And you thought it was just the airlines, didn’t you?

According to the always delightful “The Smoking Gun” website, an Indiana drug dealer sold cocaine to an undercover cop, and charged accordingly:

  • One ounce of cocaine, $215
  • Fuel Surcharge, $25

He was charged last week with two felonies for dealing - no word yet on whether or not he’ll also be indicted for gas-gouging.

September 18, 2008

King Tut Returns (thanks to American Airlines)

Filed under: American, Tours — anne @ 2:17 pm
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Heeeeeee’s baaaack! Or maybe I should say, his stuff is.

And of course, I’m talking about Tutankhamun, Egypt’s boy king who lived…uh, a long time ago. His fancy stuff (gold crowns, jewels and other geegaws) has arrived in the U.S. on American Airlines, and you’ll be able to see the exhibit, formally called “Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs” when it opens in Dallas on Oct. 3.

Take a look if you can - 4 million people did during a 4-city U.S. tour back in 2005 - 2007, and they all liked it.

September 15, 2008

VIDEO: Swim Guy Michael Phelps Makes a Private Jet Commercial

Filed under: Video, Private Jet, Olympics — anne @ 4:27 pm
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In the water, he makes like a fish. On land, he makes like a lot of money, especially with all his commercial deals.

And you can see one of Michael Phelps’ ads on the site of that veritable Renaissance man, Perez Hilton — if you just click here.

This particular commercial is for Citation Shares, a division of Cessna - which offers “fractional jet ownership”. You see Phelps boarding the snazzy plane with all his medals on, but it’s no problem! He’s on a private jet and doesn’t have to go through the hassles of metal detectors and security stuff. Get it?

Not bad, actually.

September 12, 2008

Please Stow Your Ad on the Overhead Compartment

Filed under: Spirit — mike @ 1:59 pm
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More news from the airline industry advertising front. We just saw Air New Zealand buy up some ad space on bald heads, and now on the other side of things, Spirit Airlines will be selling ad space on their overhead bins.

Yep, the old “reaching a captive audience” creed of advertisers everywhere is coming back to haunt air travelers everywhere. We’ve already seen pizza ads on the ground below busy flight routes and ads on tray tables.

No news if Spirit’s marketing folks (you know the ones who brought us the MILF Airfare Sale, the WTF Airfare Sale, and other such exercises in subtlety) will have any say on which ads will be placed on the overhead compartments.

I can’t help but feel Don Draper and the characters of Mad Men would be very disappointed by this move.

September 11, 2008

Hey, Baldy! Yeah, you. Want to rent your head?

Filed under: Air New Zealand, Weird — anne @ 9:18 am
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I’m guessing Air New Zealand switched advertising agencies. Seems they’re going to start putting ads — in the form of temporary tattoos — on bald guys’ heads. Of course!

It’s to publicize their new “speedy check-in service” and those selected as ad space will get $666 for their “services” (and no, do not ask me how they arrived at that particular figure - I don’t want to know).

Those scamps. Thinking outside the box again.

September 10, 2008

Thanksgiving in October? What the…?

Filed under: Holiday Travel, ABC — anne @ 8:11 am
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Okay, at first blush, it sounds crazy. But would I work for a crazy man?

Well, sure. And I have. But Rick Seaney is not a crazy man.

He’s actually got a pretty good idea here - and one that can save you a bundle. It could also save your sanity.

So check out Rick’s idea, that he wrote about for ABC - Thanksgiving in October.

At the very least, you’ll pick up some great “Thanksgiving Travel Tips” - no matter when you gather at Grandma’s house.

September 9, 2008

Insult to Injury: American Airlines and the Missing Body

Filed under: Delays, Rememberance — anne @ 9:39 am
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Some poor guy in Brooklyn made arrangements to ship the body of his wife to their native Ecuador for burial.

To Guayaquil, Ecuador, to be precise (airport code GYE).

Unfortunately, American sent her to Guatemala (airport code GUA). That’s 1,400 miles away. Heck of a typo, wouldn’t you say?

Then, according to the grieving widower, after the airline finally delivered the body, it wanted to charge him another $321. Perhaps for all those extra awards-miles the corpse accrued (the fee was ultimately waived).

Lawsuit, you ask? Of course.

September 8, 2008

Fight Breaks out on JetBlue Over Smoking

Filed under: Arrested, JetBlue — anne @ 8:38 am
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See? Smoking is bad for your health, when you do it in an airplane bathroom.

Especially whenone of your fellow passengers doesn’t like it.

Seems a JetBlue flight from Boston to Ft. Lauderdale had to be diverted over the weekend, when some guy reportedly decided to light up in a lavatory.

What happened after that is a little murky, but a TSA spokesman said “one person was injured in the face by what may have been a punch” and said punchee had blood on his face.

Witnesses said this little dust-up involved two brothers - one of whom was soon arrested.

September 5, 2008

Profiling Lawsuit - With a Twist (No Laughs Here)

Filed under: Security, Arrested, US Airways — anne @ 10:54 am
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What do you think?

A woman of Pakistani descent - who has been an American citizen for 28 years - was barred from boarding a US Airways flight in West Virginia (she was ultimately heading to Michigan).

She says she was detained and interrogated for 9 hours, after security found a bottle of water and some face cream in her bag. The thing is, says the suit, plenty of other people did the same thing but they weren’t interrogated - they were just told to dump the stuff. Meanwhile, during the interrogation, the feds were busy searching her apartment.

This is where it gets interesting: the next day, an FBI agent drove her to the airport, so he could explain to US Airways that the woman had been cleared of any charges, but — the airline wouldn’t let her redeem her ticket (and had no comment on the suit, according to the Jackson Citizen Patriot).

Then the FBI guy drives her to Marion, Ohio, where she was met by her mother and driven to Michigan. Now, according to Mapquest, that’s a 3-and-a-half hour drive.

Have you ever heard of the FBI giving that kind of service before? Strikes me as unusual.

September 4, 2008

Arkansas’ Image Problem

Filed under: Destinations — anne @ 12:26 pm
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It seems the state of Arkansas suffers from a “dreary” image (saw this in USA Today today).

But it turns out, that image is fixed in the minds of people who have never visited the state.

For these “non-visitors”, Arkansas ranks low in the very things tourists are looking for, including nightlife, entertainment, and interesting cities. But, wait! When people DO visit, well, hold onto your hat: according to a consultant to the state, when people actually get to Arkansas, “you are overdelivering on people’s expectations by a huge margin.”

Okay, but how to get them there - how to fix the image? I know - why not just change the state’s name? Instead of Arkansas, how about something like, oh, I dunno, maybe…New York?

Travelers Halted by Rogue Fire Extinguisher

Filed under: Passengers, safety — anne @ 9:26 am
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A man boarding a shuttle bus at LAX accidentally hit a fire extinguisher, which promptly went off aboard the vehicle.

Okay, so the passengers looked like those “flocked” Christmas trees, and that’s about it, huh?

No, no, no. This, being Los Angeles, meant a MASSIVE traffic jam - 3 of the 5 traffic lanes on the airport’s “arrivals” level had to be shut down while a HAZ-MAT team descended on the scene.

An hour later, all was normal - regular jammed traffic.

 
 
 
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