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<channel>
	<title>Standard Upright Position</title>
	<link>http://standarduprightposition.com</link>
	<description>A look at the world of air travel</description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:44:40 +0000</pubDate>
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		<title>Passengers Behaving Badly - Part II</title>
		<link>http://standarduprightposition.com/2008/10/08/passengers-behaving-badly-part-ii/</link>
		<comments>http://standarduprightposition.com/2008/10/08/passengers-behaving-badly-part-ii/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:42:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>anne</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Frustration]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Passengers]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Arrested]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Weird]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://standarduprightposition.com/2008/10/08/passengers-behaving-badly-part-ii/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[




Let us now turn to the subject of &#8220;anger management&#8221;:
A man was arrested at Boston&#8217;s Logan Airport - after he sprinkled a 7-ounce bottle of Dr. Scholl&#8217;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&#8230;no comment), and this [...]]]></description>
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<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">
Let us now turn to the subject of <strong>&#8220;anger management&#8221;:</strong></p>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">A man was arrested at Boston&#8217;s Logan Airport - after<strong> he sprinkled a 7-ounce bottle of Dr. Scholl&#8217;s Foot Powder on fellow passengers</strong> as he pushed his way off the plane.</p>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">The fellow had experienced some lengthy delays on a US Airways flight (uh&#8230;no comment), and this apparently irritated the 42-year old man.</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>&#8220;This is what your airline gets for treating me bad!&#8221;</strong> <em>- alleged comment from disgruntled passenger</em></p></blockquote>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">Wow. Tough talk there fella. But not so tough with the actions. <strong>I mean, c&#8217;mon&#8230;punishment by foot powder?</strong> We do, however, give him credit for creativity. Which will no doubt be of solace to our hero, now that he faces <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/10/after_delay_man.html">disorderly conduct charges.</a></p>
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		<title>Passengers Behaving Badly - Part I</title>
		<link>http://standarduprightposition.com/2008/10/08/passengers-behaving-badly-part-i/</link>
		<comments>http://standarduprightposition.com/2008/10/08/passengers-behaving-badly-part-i/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:51:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>anne</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Passengers]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Arrested]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[safety]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Weird]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://standarduprightposition.com/2008/10/08/passengers-behaving-badly-part-i/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[



Here&#8217;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&#8217;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, [...]]]></description>
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<p style="padding-bottom: 8px"><strong>Here&#8217;s a weird one:</strong></p>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">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&#8217;s hands together -<strong> yeah, he tied her up</strong>. Fortunately, the older sister managed to free her. The guy <em>then</em> tries to tie up the older girl, but it didn&#8217;t work. Apparently, this dark little episode went on for some time.</p>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px"><strong>Did no one notice? Were these kids too afraid - or too embarrassed - to scream?</strong></p>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">The finale: According to the <a href="http://apnews.myway.com/article/20081008/D93M0K280.html">AP account of this incident</a>, &#8220;a flight attendant who saw what was happening then moved the two girls to a different row&#8230;[and the weirdo] was allowed to stay on the flight.&#8221;</p>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">I find that strange - but I find it even stranger that <strong>THE GUY WASN&#8217;T ARRESTED UNTIL A WEEK LATER.</strong> Supposedly he was drunk - like that&#8217;s an excuse. This whole story stinks. But I do have a final thought:</p>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px"><strong>Hey, parents - teach your kids to SCREAM when something bad happens </strong>- and if they&#8217;re not sure it fits the definition of the word &#8220;bad&#8221; &#8212; have them scream anyway. Girls and boys &#8212; teach &#8216;em both.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>&#8220;The Plane Just Fell Out of the Sky&#8221;</title>
		<link>http://standarduprightposition.com/2008/10/08/the-plane-just-fell-out-of-the-sky/</link>
		<comments>http://standarduprightposition.com/2008/10/08/the-plane-just-fell-out-of-the-sky/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:43:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>anne</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Passengers]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[safety]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://standarduprightposition.com/2008/10/08/the-plane-just-fell-out-of-the-sky/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[




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&#8217;re the one experiencing this hell. One man, Jim Ford of [...]]]></description>
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News reports are now saying that a computer glitch may be the reason why a <strong>Qantas jet </strong><a href="http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jzICO4SDbqV91iF0Jqz417GyFyQA"><strong>suddenly took a dive</strong></a><strong> in mid-flight.</strong></p>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">One of the passengers said the plane went straight down, and it lasted for 10 or 12 seconds - <strong>an eternity, if you&#8217;re the one experiencing this hell</strong>. One man, Jim Ford of Perth, was pretty sure he was about to die:</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>&#8220;It was horrendous, absolutely gruesome, terrible, the worst experience of my life.&#8221;</strong><em> - Jim Ford, Qantas passenger</em></p></blockquote>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">Whatever the cause of this incident, <strong>it was bad</strong>: <strong>51 passengers and crew were injured</strong> - some with broken bones and even spinal injuries.</p>
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		<title>Flight Attendant Allegedly Offers &#8220;Coffee, Tea or Me&#8221; &#8212; Gets No Takers</title>
		<link>http://standarduprightposition.com/2008/10/03/flight-attendant-allegedly-offers-coffee-tea-or-me-no-takers/</link>
		<comments>http://standarduprightposition.com/2008/10/03/flight-attendant-allegedly-offers-coffee-tea-or-me-no-takers/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Oct 2008 20:59:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>anne</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Flight Attendant]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Arrested]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Sex]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://standarduprightposition.com/2008/10/03/flight-attendant-allegedly-offers-coffee-tea-or-me-no-takers/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[



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&#8217;s sort of busy right now, what with his [...]]]></description>
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<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">A female passenger claims a male flight attendant for JetBlue offered to show her some pictures - pictures of the flight attendant, <strong>naked</strong>.</p>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">She says he also offered to have sex with her.</p>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">The passenger declined.</p>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">Not surprisingly, the flight attendant no longer works for JetBlue.</p>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">Just as well, since he&#8217;s sort of busy right now, what with <a href="http://consumerist.com/5058369/jetblue-flight-attendant-offered-nude-pics-of-himself-and-sex-to-passenger">his arrest and all</a>.</p>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">From our friends at Consumerist.</p>
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		<title>Turbulence!</title>
		<link>http://standarduprightposition.com/2008/10/02/turbulence/</link>
		<comments>http://standarduprightposition.com/2008/10/02/turbulence/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:12:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>anne</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Pilots]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[safety]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[China]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://standarduprightposition.com/2008/10/02/turbulence/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[




Scary story about a China Airlines 747 hitting some turbulence about 20 minutes before landing in Bangkok.
And this is turbulence with a capital &#8220;T&#8221; - 32 people were injured, including two people who had &#8220;spine injuries&#8221;.
And yes, it does sort of remind me of that eerie book by Michael Crichton - Airframe - except I [...]]]></description>
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<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">
Scary story about a <strong>China Airlines 747</strong> hitting some turbulence about 20 minutes before landing in Bangkok.</p>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">And this is turbulence with a capital &#8220;T&#8221; - 32 people were injured, including two people who had <a href="http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/10/02/asia/AS-Thailand-China-Airlines.php">&#8220;spine injuries&#8221;.</a></p>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">And yes, it <em>does</em> sort of remind me of that <strong>eerie book by</strong> <a href="http://michaelcrichton.com/books.html"><strong>Michael Crichton</strong></a><strong> - Airframe</strong> - except I sincerely doubt this China Airlines pilot allowed his kid to take over the controls &#8212; like the one in the book did.</p>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">Nope - this was a case of turbulence - as well as a great reminder to keep your seatbelt buckled.</p>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">Seriously.</p>
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		<title>Cell phones?  Let me tell you about cell phones - on airplanes&#8230;</title>
		<link>http://standarduprightposition.com/2008/10/01/cell-phones-let-me-tell-you-about-cell-phones-on-airplanes/</link>
		<comments>http://standarduprightposition.com/2008/10/01/cell-phones-let-me-tell-you-about-cell-phones-on-airplanes/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:03:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>anne</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[ABC]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[cell phones]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://standarduprightposition.com/2008/10/01/cell-phones-let-me-tell-you-about-cell-phones-on-airplanes/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[




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&#8217;s the Cliff Notes version - and you can go to the entire column from there if you like.
Oh, there [...]]]></description>
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<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">
Well, no need for ME to tell you about it - not when my boss, Rick Seaney, has already written the <strong>be-all-and-end-all column</strong> on the subject - for ABCNews.com.</p>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">Check it out by <a href="http://rickseaney.com/2008/10/01/cliff-notes-version-latest-abcnewscom-column-ugh-cellphones/">clicking here</a> - that&#8217;s <strong>the Cliff Notes version</strong> - and you can go to the entire column from there if you like.</p>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">Oh, there is also mention of the internet - and <strong>porn on planes</strong>.Thought that might get your attention.</p>
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		<title>Juneau&#8217;s Airport is a Bear-Free Zone - For Now, Anyway</title>
		<link>http://standarduprightposition.com/2008/09/30/juneaus-airport-is-a-bear-free-zone-for-now-anyway/</link>
		<comments>http://standarduprightposition.com/2008/09/30/juneaus-airport-is-a-bear-free-zone-for-now-anyway/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:30:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>anne</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Airport]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Alaska]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://standarduprightposition.com/2008/09/30/juneaus-airport-is-a-bear-free-zone-for-now-anyway/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[




Yes, you won&#8217;t be finding any grizzlies at Juneau International at the moment - but this is not to say you shouldn&#8217;t keep a sharp eye out in the parking lot.
According to a report in the Kansas City Star, there was an &#8220;accidental discharge of anti-bear spray&#8221; at the airport that serves Alaska&#8217;s capital - [...]]]></description>
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<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">
Yes, you won&#8217;t be finding any grizzlies at Juneau International at the moment - but this is not to say you shouldn&#8217;t keep a sharp eye out in the parking lot.</p>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">According to a <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/news/nation/story/819526.html">report</a> in the Kansas City Star, there was an &#8220;accidental discharge of anti-bear spray&#8221; at the airport that serves Alaska&#8217;s capital - and it shut down the airport for 90 minutes.</p>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">Now I&#8217;ve got some questions:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>1. Why do people from Kansas care about this?</strong></li>
<li><strong>2. What&#8217;s in bear repellent - I mean, what could possibly repel them &#8212; the smell of Godzilla?</strong></li>
<li><strong>3. What was &#8220;anti-bear spray&#8221; <em>doing</em> at the airport?</strong></li>
<li><strong>4. Did the Governor have any comment on this?</strong></li>
</ul>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">If any of you out there can provide answers, our operators are standing by.</p>
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		<title>Aussies on cell phones on planes:   Don&#8217;t go there</title>
		<link>http://standarduprightposition.com/2008/09/29/aussies-on-cell-phones-on-planes-dont-go-there/</link>
		<comments>http://standarduprightposition.com/2008/09/29/aussies-on-cell-phones-on-planes-dont-go-there/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:20:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>anne</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Pests]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[cell phones]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://standarduprightposition.com/2008/09/29/aussies-on-cell-phones-on-planes-dont-go-there/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[




According a new poll, 4 out of 5 Australians say cell phones on planes would drive them &#8220;crazy&#8221;.
Oh, perhaps not clinically - but who knows? In any event, most would find these devices &#8220;hugely irritating&#8221;.
Don&#8217;t worry, mates - you&#8217;re not alone - nobody much likes them in the U.S. either (and here&#8217;s an amusing post [...]]]></description>
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According a new poll, <a href="http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24418000-2702,00.html">4 out of 5 Australians</a> say cell phones on planes would drive them &#8220;crazy&#8221;.</p>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">Oh, perhaps not clinically - but who knows? In any event, most would find these devices &#8220;hugely irritating&#8221;.</p>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">Don&#8217;t worry, mates - you&#8217;re not alone - nobody much likes them in the U.S. either (and here&#8217;s an <a href="http://rickseaney.com/2008/09/25/ryanair-okays-cell-phone-use-what-do-you-think/">amusing post</a> on the subject, courtesy Rick Seany). But some airlines already allow them, and Ryanair is gearing up for them.</p>
<p align="left">You&#8217;ve been warned.</p>
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		<title>Rock &#8216;n Roll Heaven&#8230;</title>
		<link>http://standarduprightposition.com/2008/09/26/rock-n-roll-heaven/</link>
		<comments>http://standarduprightposition.com/2008/09/26/rock-n-roll-heaven/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:08:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>anne</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Rememberance]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Celebrities]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Music]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://standarduprightposition.com/2008/09/26/rock-n-roll-heaven/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[



&#160;

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 &#8212; Richie Valens, Buddy Holly, Jim Croce, Otis Redding&#8230;we&#8217;ve been down this [...]]]></description>
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<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">
This is depressing.</p>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">Ever since Travis Barker and DJ AM were injured in that <a href="http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20228013,00.html">horrific plane crash</a> that killed 4 of their associates, internetistas have been putting together THE LIST.</p>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">That would be <a href="http://blogs.fayobserver.com/entertainment/2008/09/23/the-infamous-history-of-rock-stars-and-jet-planes/">the list</a> of other music types who died in aviation accidents.</p>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">You know &#8212; Richie Valens, Buddy Holly, Jim Croce, Otis Redding&#8230;we&#8217;ve been down this road before.</p>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">But, doesn&#8217;t make it any less sad&#8230;</p>
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		<title>World-Wide Corruption Rankings</title>
		<link>http://standarduprightposition.com/2008/09/25/world-wide-corruption-rankings/</link>
		<comments>http://standarduprightposition.com/2008/09/25/world-wide-corruption-rankings/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 25 Sep 2008 18:01:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>anne</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Crime]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[List]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[safety]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://standarduprightposition.com/2008/09/25/world-wide-corruption-rankings/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[



You probably never heard of Transparency International (I hadn&#8217;t), and that&#8217;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, [...]]]></description>
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<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">You probably never heard of <a href="http://www.transparency.org/">Transparency International</a> (I hadn&#8217;t), and that&#8217;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.</p>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">The organization recently came out with their <a href="http://www.transparency.org/news_room/in_focus/2008/cpi2008/cpi_2008_table">annual rankings</a> of nations - in terms of corruption (and thanks, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/2008/09/24/somalia-most-corrupt-nation-denmark-the-least/">Gadling</a>, for the heads-up).</p>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">Corruption is <a href="http://www.transparency.org/news_room/faq/corruption_faq">defined</a> by Transparency as, &#8220;the misuse of entrusted power for private gain.&#8221;</p>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">These countries - out of a total of 165 &#8212; topped the list as &#8220;least corrupt&#8221; (and note the emphasis on Scandinavia):</p>
<ul>
<li>Denmark</li>
<li>Sweden</li>
<li>New Zealand</li>
<li>Singapore</li>
<li>Finland</li>
</ul>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">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, <em>mon amis</em>).</p>
<p style="padding-bottom: 8px">Last place: Somalia. No surprise, as most of the countries at the end of the list are unbearably poor.</p>
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