I grimaced when I saw this thread on FlyerTalk today: The FDA has changed the classification of LSG Sky Chefs’ Denver facility from "Approved" to "Provisional" based on an inspection that turned up some real stomach turning findings, such...
Another Perk of Traveling: Improve Your Communication Skills
A bit of pontificating from Dr. Klint One of the perks of traveling is the chance to improve your communication skills. I’ve been forced to use my German twice this week in communicating with others who spoke no English...
UPDATE: TSA Serves Subpoenas to Two Bloggers for Disclosing Latest Security Directive
Earlier this week I blogged about the TSA serving subpoenas to Chris Elliott and Steven Frischling, demanding that the two men reveal how they got their hands on the TSA security directive that went into effect after the Christmas Day terrorist...
Travel Goals for 2010
Note: Sorry this is one day late. I hate some issues with finding a wi-fi connection in Algecias, Spain last night. I am currently sitting in a train station in Tangier, Morocco waiting for my overnight train to Marrakech. A...
Year in Review (and what a great year of travel it has been!)
It is currently 0250 on New Year’s Day in Lisbon and I just got back to my hostel (rather early because of my morning bus trip) from New Year’s festivities near the waterfront. It’s late and I don’t want...
Stuck in Lisbon: What it Feels Like to Have No Status
I was scheduled to take a bus from Lisbon to Algericas, Spain today and showed up at the bus station at 0830 for my 0900 departure. As I waited in line to pick up my ticket, I noticed that...
TSA Serves Subpoenas to Two Bloggers for Disclosing Latest Security Directive
I know, I know: another attack on the TSA. But after reading this, I hope you agree another post was warranted. Chris Elliot, a travel blogger, Washington Post columnist, and MSNBC contributor asked the TSA to clarify its new...
What You Didn’t Hear on my NPR Interview
Greetings from Lisbon! It’s raining here, but still 65F! I got a kick out of hearing myself on NPR today, but was surprised that only 20 seconds of my 20 minute interview was included. Standard practice I suppose. What...
TSA Loosens Security Restrictions
Good news: the TSA has apparently loosened some of the draconian restrictions they imposed earlier this week. After a two-day security clampdown prompted by a thwarted attempt to bomb a jetliner, some airline officials told The Associated Press that...
Off to Europe on Air Canada with only Minor "Safety" Annoyances
I’m sitting in Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounge in Vancouver right now, waiting for my evening flight to London in Executive Class. I flew from LAX-YVR this morning on an EMB-190–a great plane–and spent some time exploring downtown Vancouver....
Picture of the Week #7: More on the AA Crash in Kingston
Three pictures today, actually. After seeing them, isn’t it hard to believe to that no one was seriously injured in the accident? I sat next to a UPS pilot on a PHL-IAD flight on Christmas Eve who occasionally flies to...
Homeland Security Chief Napolitano: New Airport Security Rules are None of Your Business
I can’t believe I am quoting the Village Voice, but I I liked this story: Apparently it wasn’t an accident that the TSA neglected to tell us how airport security rules have changed in response to Friday’s terror attempt. Homeland Security Secretary...
See, I was Right: New Security Measures from the TSA
Lucky just blogged about a new travel advisory from Air Canada: As a result of the added security precautions, passengers should also expect delayed and cancelled flights as well as missed connections. Air Canada will endeavour to transport passengers...
Not Just a Firecracker: Man Claiming Ties to Al Qaeda Fails in Attempt to Blow Up Delta A330 with 288 Aboard
Just as the story was breaking yesterday, I blogged about media reports concerning a passenger attempting to use firecrackers aboard a Northwest/Delta flight from AMS to DTW. Hours later, we learned it was not just an innocent holiday celebration, but...
Christmas Greetings and a Salute to United’s Fantasy Flight
I used Thanksgiving day to express my thanks to particular people at United for their hard work and dedication throughout the year and I want to use this Christmas Day post to commend United for their annual Fantasy Flight...
Passenger Ignites Firecracker on Delta Flight from Amsterdam to Detroit
1948 ET UPDATE: I reported on this earlier today just as the story was breaking. Apparently it was not just a firecracker. See Hunter’s link below. More details and analysis as the story develops. Well, I can’t blame this...
Kicking Myself for Rookie Mistake—Live from 40K Feet
I am currently 40K feet above the ground en route from JFK to SFO, just finished Inglorious Basterds (didn’t like it), and I thought I’d try out United’s GoGo internet service. I’m impressed. My 1100 flight was oversold and...
What the new DOT Tarmac Delay Guidelines Mean for You
While a Passenger Bill of Rights in the United States remains gridlocked in Congress, the AP reports the Obama Administration has announced new rules that: Prohibit tarmac delays beyond three hours Require airlines to provide "adequate" food and drinking water for...
AA 737-800 Skids off Runway During Rainstorm in Jamaica
photo credit: Associated Press An American Airlines 737-800 skid off the runway in Kingston, Jamaica last night during a rainstorm, seriously injuring two passengers (as well as the pilot) and sending an unspecified number to the hospital. Thankfully,...
Robbed of a $450 Bump on US Airways Due to Broken Crew Seat
After landing in Baltimore at 0115 this morning, I curled up in a quiet spot in the airport for a few hours before my 0600 departure to PHL on the obscenely expensive 90-mile BWI-PHL flight. As I walked over...
