SoCal Travel Industry

Holiday Travel and Crappy Weather

2011-12-20T12:37:00.000-08:00

The holiday travel week is here (already!) but we don't need the calender to tell us; just look at the crappy weather spreading across the country disrupting flights and road travel. Bad weather just at the right time seems to be a trend in the past several years; one can almost count on a winter storm to hit just as the holiday travel season is gearing up for the en mass of people scurrying to get somewhere for their holiday break.

What if the holidays were moved to another time? Would the crappy weather follow? That would be just real creepy. If you are driving to your destination, please check the weather all along the way and be safe. Stay off the phone while driving, don't fight with the kids and keep speeds in accordance with weather conditions. Getting to your destination an hour later is much better than not at all.

If you are flying to your destination, check the flight status and weather conditions at your departure, connecting and destination airports. Remember that bad weather conditions at one airport can delay flights all over the country. It might be sunny and 75 in Miami and a blizzard in Chicago, delays happen. Chill out and keep a positive tone.

Happy Holidays and safe travel to all.

http://www.weather.com/newscenter/nationalforecast/index.html

http://www.fly.faa.gov/flyfaa/usmap.jsp

Wreaths Across America 2011

2011-10-12T10:07:00.001-07:00

Ceremony will begin on December 10, 2011 at 12:00 PM EST/9:00 AM PST

To support the California Wing SQ1986, select location: Los Angeles National Cemetery Los Angeles CALANL, then select Group: CACAP1986 .

This link will begin your support for Wreaths Across America.

Thank you for your support.

Photos from Wreaths Across America 2010 - Los Angeles National Veterans Cemetery

2011-09-22T05:48:00.000-07:00

Why the Twin Towers collapsed: new theory
Materials scientist says that a mixture of water from sprinkler systems and molten aluminum from melted aircraft hulls created explosions that led to the collapse of the Twin Towers on 9/11

http://www.homelandsecuritynewswire.com/why-twin-towers-collapsed-new-theory

Jacobs Engineering to modify Dallas airport terminal
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in Texas, US, has awarded a contract extension to Jacobs Engineering to modify the final design of passenger terminal A.

http://www.airport-technology.com/news/news130529.html?WT.mc_id=DN_News

FBI informant says Triangle terrorist cell leader intent on jihad
An FBI informant testified Wednesday that the man accused of heading up a terrorist cell in the Triangle routinely spoke about waging a holy war.

http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/10163920/

Hollywood sign neighbors: Tourists go away
To a certain enterprising visitor to Los Angeles, the cluster of narrow winding streets above the Cahuenga Pass are the charming gateway to the city's single most recognisable landmark, the Hollywood sign.

http://www.eturbonews.com/25357/hollywood-sign-neighbors-tourists-go-away

WTTC condemns new 25 billion dollar US raid on air travel
The World Travel&Tourism Council has today condemned a US$25 billion raid on airline passengers in the United States as “confused and counter-productive” and called on the US administration to think again about taxing an industry that is a driver of the US economic recovery.

http://www.forimmediaterelease.net/pm/5511.html

Remembering 9/11 from 3,000 miles away

2011-09-09T09:58:00.000-07:00

by Kate Sedlmayr

Exhausted from caring for my kids, ages two and six and running a business, I fell asleep on the sofa the night before with the TV on. It was September 10, 2001.

Just before 6:00 am the following morning I slowly opened my eyes and noticed the TV still on; there was a building burning and I watched for a few moments. Suddenly an aircraft slammed into the building next to it and I raised an eyebrow thinking “I wonder what movie this is?” I knew all the current movies playing on HBO but I had not seen this one. The sound on the TV was turned down very low, barely audible; I located the remote and changed the channel to my favorite local news station to watch the morning news. When I keyed in the number for the station, there was no change, so I tried again, but still no change. It must have taken me at least five minutes to realize what I was watching was not a movie; it was live on the news. Stunned, I watched in utter disbelief; was this for real?

A flashbulb moment in time that millions of Americans will never forget; the second plane slamming into the South Tower, the screams, the sirens, the buildings collapsing, the dead; we will never forget.

My children were young in 2001; the youngest only two years old has no memory of that horrific day. The oldest, six years old remembers watching me cry as I watched the drama unfold on television; he did not understand what was happening but was still affected by look of horror on his mothers’ face. As a member of the travel industry and an American, I was determined to make sure my children understood why the United States was attacked in such a brutal way and what has been done since to try and prevent similar attacks in the future.

Every year during the week leading up to September 11, I discuss with them, in detail all that happened that day along with background information on why our nation was attacked. This year, 2011 my boys are twelve and sixteen years old; now old enough to see the video clips of the second plane at the WTC, the attack on the Pentagon, the horrific video and audio recordings from ground zero in New York City, the interviews of those who survived and the aftermath. We will never forget.

As my children grow older, stronger and wiser I will continue to educate them about 9/11, answer all their questions and allow the brutal and horrific truth to be a part of their knowledge base so that someday, when their children are old enough; they can educate them to carry on to the next generation.

The memory of those who perished will live on and the determination of Americans will remain strong. Never forget is a new mantra for Americans; it means, never forget that the United States will always be the envy of many and the target for some. Never forget to remain vigilant, aware of your surroundings and be prepared. We all have targets on our backs and that will not change anytime soon; let us all educate future generations to never forget.

Reflecting on 9/11 and lessons learned

2011-09-06T06:44:00.000-07:00

Reflecting on 9/11 and lessons learned

By Kate Sedlmayr

In less than a week, the anniversary of September 11, 2001 will be upon us, what does it mean to people around the world?

New York City is one of the most desirable tourist destinations for foreigners in the United States; the catastrophic attack on the city and the U.S. affected people around the globe. No one wants to see this kind of devastation happen anywhere and the fact it happened in one of the U.S.’s most beloved cities sent shockwaves across the globe.

Every year since the attack on the U.S. many Americans pause for moments of remembrance, still grappling with the unanswered questions of how could this happen to us and why? The United States has been a savior to many nations around the world for decades; sending financial aid, military and Red Cross assistance to those affected by devastating natural disasters and hostile government regimes. So why do the people responsible for 9/11 hate us so much?

The answer is complex and has origins from decades past; combined with individuals with psychological issues and unfounded feelings of hatred for a society they cannot begin to understand. World politics is a complicated issue and at times seems impossible to completely understand. Decisions made thirty or forty years ago and even longer are having a profound effect on foreign affairs today. For anyone trying to wrap their head around the politics that has led us to where we are today is a daunting task at best.

Could the terror attacks on the U.S. on September 11, 2001 been prevented? While the answer is matter of opinion and hindsight is 20/20, it is plausible that 9/11 could have been prevented. Many of us are taught from an early age to keep quiet when our lives are being threatened; most people have the idea ingrained in their mind that if we shut up and do as we are told, nothing bad will happen. When a gunman enters a bank and orders the people to lie on the floor and keep quiet, most of us will do so in order to avoid being shot by a crazy person; this conditioning we have all learned throughout our lives could be the very reason the 9/11 terrorists were so successful in hijacking four U.S. airliners and killing so many people.

What do you think is one of the most important lessons learned from the 9/11 terrorist attack on the U.S.? The modern day terrorist, especially those who are striking out in the name of revenge or Jihad are willing to die for their cause and plan to take as many others with them as possible. The psychology behind the Jihad is rather simplistic, brainwashing the under-educated into thinking that all humans are the enemy, even those who sympathize with their cause. If there is something to be learned from 9/11 it may be to stand up against the terrorist and prevent them from killing more people than necessary. In hind-sight, what would you have done if you were on one of the ill-fated airplanes that fateful day in 2001?

Would you stand up against the terrorists or sit down and stay quiet? What we know today is that we all must be vigilant against terrorism by standing up to them and calling their bluff. A terrorist is someone who is sent on a mission to murder as many people as possible knowing that he or she will die in the process, therefore, obeying commands to sit down and be quiet are worthless; you will die either way. As we approach the anniversary of 9/11 and remember what happened on four airliners that horrific day, we should all reflect and ask ourselves; what would I do if a terrorist tried to hijack my flight? Will I stand up and fight or will I sit down and be quiet?

A Great American Poem by John Clayton

2011-09-02T13:32:00.000-07:00

Stupid is as stupid does?

2011-08-11T09:23:00.000-07:00

Credit: RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

This is one of my favorite, "you must be a moron if" stories; this young man is proof positive that U.S. public education turns out more morons than any other country on earth. I bet this kid sure made is parents proud of him!

Story here

The Political Flowchart (funny but true)

2011-07-30T08:20:00.001-07:00

The political flowchart

When top level guys look down, they see only shitheads.

When bottom level guys look up, they see only assholes.

Following the rules at check point screening will prevent delays

2011-07-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

Have you seen this story?

"Woman gets frisky with airport security" posted at Joe.ie
http://www.joe.ie/travel/travel-news/woman-gets-frisky-with-airport-security-0014223-1

Yukari Mihamae, 61, was arrested last week after she squeezed the breasts of a US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer at an Arizona airport (Joe.ie).

OK, let's have a serious talk about passenger screening, we don't like it but it is an unfortunate necessity in our violent world and you can thank Al-Qaeda for that. Every day, check point screeners must deal with cranky, out of control, me-me-me individuals who think the world revolves around them and they are too "special" to have to be screened. So for those people, I am going to let you in on a little secret. There is a federal law, 107-71 called the Aviation and Transportation Security Act that was enacted in November 2001 after the terror attacks on the U.S. on 9/11; the law requires all commercial passengers to be screened before entering the boarding area of an airport. So for all those who want to scream and throw a fit at check point, you cannot fly if you are not screened. So, the only thing you can do is shut up and get over it or stay home.

Most travelers, even first timers are, for the most part, decent people who do not cause trouble. However, it only takes one who had a bad day to have a meltdown when they are required to do something they do not think is necessary, such as go through security check point. Let's keep in mind that not a single airplane has been flown into a building since 2001; the diligent screening process has been instrumental in preventing this from happening again. Also, check point agents are not having fun either, they must put up with irritated passengers all day and that can reduce morale among agents very rapidly. Traveling has become increasingly more difficult since 9/11 with no promise of it getting any better anytime soon. When everyone cooperates and follows the rules, check point screening will move quicker and be less painful. The majority of hold ups at check point are caused by passengers complaining about the screening procedures and those who do not follow the rules. The rules of check point screening are in place for a reason and it takes only minutes to check the rules on the TSA website and the rules apply to everyone whether you are a seasoned traveler, first-timer, old, young, disabled or a foreigner; everybody, by LAW, must go through screening.

In these turbulent times of terror groups plotting and planning their next attack on our aviation system, we must all swallow our pride for ten seconds of our life and go through security check point without creating a media fire storm. Each and every complaint that makes the news is being closely monitored by those who are looking for a loop-hole that will provide them the exposure they need to the systems vulnerabilities in order to carry out their plan. The threat of another aviation incident by terror groups is real; it is critical that travelers in the U.S. remain alert and follow the rules of travel in the twenty-first century. The moment we let our guard down will be the moment we are hit again; this is not speculation, it is reality.

I recommend that the next time you are waiting in line to be screened, take a look around you at others standing in line; do you trust each of them with your life? Are you 100% sure that no one else in line is a potential terrorist who has a plan to blow up the plane you will be on? Perhaps utilizing a little self-psychology will put into perspective why you are standing in line. The point is, nobody knows who the next terrorist will be who tries to take down a plane; terrorists do not wear badges claiming they are about to end the lives of hundreds of people. Terror is a psychological act that is designed to instill fear in order to force people to submit; there are many terror groups in the United States and any one of them could be a threat to the aviation system. We can no longer point to one type of person with 100% certainty; terrorists look like everyone else, therefore, screening everyone is critical.

Travelers tip: People can avoid pat-downs if they follow the rules. Be sure there is nothing on you that will set off the magnetometer. When the screening agent says take everything out of your pockets, they mean it. Individuals with medical apparatus attached to their body or surgical metal inside their body, carry letters to confirm your condition from your physician. Remember that the more "stuff" you carry with you through check point, the more likely you are to set off an alarm, travel light and leave your junk at home. There are stores at your destination to purchase things you cannot take on the plane.

Check the TSA website before you travel for updates on banned items:
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/screening_experience.shtm

The TSA has an app for iPhone that provides current updates on banned items and other travelers information, check it out at the Apple app store online.

What are we waiting for?

2011-03-22T18:16:00.000-07:00

March 21st, 2011 - by Erroll Southers

Share Today, we have learned that teams of Mumbai-style attackers have entered the United States. Intelligence sources indicate their targets include rail stations and sporting event stadiums. We are also told the attack will take place within two weeks. Do you know what to do? Most people don’t, and that’s the problem. We lack the knowledge.

The notion of “resilience” is a core principle in the United States National Security Strategy. A few people seem to know something about “resilience,” yet the term continues to serve as a post-9/11, Katrina disaster, and underwear-bomb threat metaphor, lacking purpose, clarity, or defined outcomes. Other societies with years of terrorism experience have become more resilient to the risk of terror attacks. Is there a best practice to be implemented here? What is resilience and is community resilience to terrorism achievable?

Read the full article here: SecurityDeBrief.com

Attention Hotel and Restaurant Operators

2011-02-18T11:14:00.000-08:00

The following information is provided by the Emergency Management and Response - Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC)

Pranknet Information(Sources: ABC News and the Orange County Sheriff's Office)

Pranksters from Pranknet, also known as Prank University or Prank U, have been targeting lodging and restaurants nationwide causing mayhem, fear among victims, and physical damage to these facilities.

The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) received notification from the Orange County (FL) Sheriff's Office that pranksters will typically call a hotel and request to be connected to a specific room. The pranksters identify themselves as hotel employees, alarm company representatives, emergency services, or 9-1-1 dispatchers. They inform the guest that a fire or gas leak has just occurred in the hotel that requires guest assistance. The guest is directed to commit bizarre acts such as activating fire sprinklers and fire alarms, and to throw a television through a window.

There have been four separate prankster incidents from October 2010 through January 2011. The most recent event happened at an Omaha hotel resulting in over $115,000 in damages and the temporary closure of several rooms and meeting space. In this and all other prankster incidents, emergency personnel responded to the false alarms, which have further contributed to exhausting the scarce resources of first responder departments and agencies.

To minimize these false alarms and perform a community service, Emergency Service Sector organizations can alert hotels and restaurants in their jurisdiction regarding prankster activities. The facility owners and managers should be encouraged to thoroughly brief their staff and develop measures to protect their establishment from prankster incidents.

Time to Bag TSA Screeners?

2011-02-18T09:49:00.000-08:00

TSA puts lid on program that allows airports to use private security screeners
By BRIAN CURTIS

...Kansas City International Airport, one of the 16 airports, uses screeners from a private security company.

"We just feel that a private company does it much better, much more efficiently," said Mark VanLoh, Kansas City's aviation director.

Comment: Has the Kansas City Int'l Airport(MCI) ever had TSA screeners? If not, how do they know a private company "does it much better" if they have no first experience to compare?

...bag TSA screeners?

Comment: what will the Federal Government do with them? Fire them? Not likely, especially if the TSA union is formed before a decision over private security is made. Once unionized, the tax-payers will be indebted to TSA screeners forever...get it? Forever! The TSA union leaders will not allow anyone to be fired; they will continue to collect a paycheck that the tax-payers foot the bill for...in addition, where will these discarded screeners go? To other Federal departments that are already over staffed? Maybe the private screening companies will take them on ... if that happens, what has been gained by hiring private security?

For anyone in favor of private airport security, here is the deal (you don't hear in the news): security is still paid by the Feds, a.k.a your tax dollars, same people are screening you, same policies must be adhered to and unionization will be inevitable. However, with a private security company, union workers can go on strike without violating federal laws, unlike the current TSA workers.

For air travelers across the U.S., try to imagine a full-board union strike of private airport security workers, keep in mind that according to federal law no one can board a commercial passenger aircraft without being screened first. You might be a little late for that important meeting, your son/daughters wedding, a funeral, surgery, a dying relative, long awaited vacation getaway or any other reason people take to the skies every day.

Take a look at what is happening in Wisconsin today; teachers on their third day of strike, closing schools. Could an airport security workers strike close airports? It is possible, this is an important consideration to take into account before everyone starts screaming for private security companies taking over airport security.

People want satisfication here and now and they do not want to be inconvenienced in anyway. All I can ask of people is to stop and think ahead and be reasonable because in the end you may be sorry when you get what you asked for, in addition do a little research and ask yourself this question; what will change if private security companies take over airport security? Here is some help with your research:

Aviation and Transportation Security Act
PUBLIC LAW 107–71—NOV. 19, 2001

TSA head wants 'risk based,' tailor-made airport screening

2011-02-11T13:10:00.000-08:00

TSA head wants 'risk based,' tailor-made airport screening
By Jordy Yager - 02/10/11 04:49 PM ET

The head of the TSA wants to implement a new “risk-based” screening method over the next year that will tailor-fit airport security procedures to individuals based on intelligence and suspicious behavior.

TSA boss says he'd fire security officers who strike
By Ed O'Keefe and Ashley Halsey III
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, February 10, 2011; 9:28 PM

Transportation Security Administration boss John Pistole said Thursday that he would fire any workers who strike or purposely slow their work over disagreements with the agency's labor policies, noting that neither option is legally allowed.

TSA mulls 'trusted traveler' program
By Ashley Halsey III

Transportation Security Administration head John S. Pistole is considering the concept of a "trusted traveler" program that would speed passengers willing to provide detailed advance personal information through airport security checkpoints.

"Under a trusted traveler program they might be able to get a different type of screening," Pistole told a House subcommittee on transportation security on Tuesday.

LAWA official: 'ONT worst years over'

2011-01-31T18:45:00.000-08:00

By LISET MÁRQUEZ, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/29/2011 09:09:23 PM PST

Passengers make their way through Terminal 4 in July 2010, at the Ontario International Airport in Ontario. The Los Angeles World Airports Board of Airport Commissioners agreed to reduce landing fees at the airport by 15 percent and their rental rates by 7 percent. (JENNIFER CAPPUCCIO MAHER/Staff Photographer)ONTARIO - An era of watching LA/Ontario International Airport lose droves of passengers could be coming to an end - at least that's what officials at Los Angeles World Airports are hoping for.

Read more

KSMU - Airport to Close Three Days in August

2011-01-20T15:23:00.000-08:00

KSMU - Airport to Close Three Days in August

Shifting Position of Magnetic North Requires Tampa Airport to Rearrange Runways

2011-01-06T14:54:00.000-08:00

Shifting Position of Magnetic North Requires Tampa Airport to Rearrange Runways

Travel Tips for John Wayne Airport Passengers Traveling During Busy Holiday Season

2010-12-21T14:45:00.000-08:00

SANTA ANA, Calif. - John Wayne Airport (JWA) anticipates a busier-than-normal travel period between December 17, 2010 and January 3, 2011. In 2009, more than 450,000 passengers traveled through JWA during the two-week Christmas/New Year holiday period. To ensure a smooth visit to the Airport, passengers are encouraged to plan ahead and arrive at the Airport 1-1/2 to 2 hours prior to their flight departure time.

PLAN AHEAD
For the latest travel tips and security requirements, log on to www.ocair.com.

As a reminder, gifts should not be wrapped as they are subject to search, even if placed in checked baggage.

Snow globes are not allowed in carry-on luggage, but may be packed in checked bags.

PARKING AND ROADWAY CONDITIONS

Construction is ongoing at the Airport. Use caution when traveling the Airport roadways and obey all posted speed limits.

Minor lane closures and narrowing are in effect related to construction of new Terminal C, Parking Structure C and the Central Utility Plant. A map of the affected area is below:

For parking availability and/or directions to JWA call 949.252.5200, or visit: www.ocair.com/parking.

Curbside Valet Parking is $30 per day and is located between Terminals A and B on the departure (upper) level.

Parking Structure A1, A2, and B2 are located adjacent and directly across from the Terminals at a rate of $20 per day and $2 per hour with the first 15 minutes being free for those dropping off and picking up passengers.

Parking Lot C, located south of Terminal B on Airport Way is $17 per day with free shuttle service to/from the Riley Terminal every 15 minutes.

Off-site Main Street Parking Lot is located at 1512 Main St., Irvine for $14 per day with free shuttle service to/from the Riley Terminal every 15 minutes.

IMPROVEMENTS
As part of the JWA Improvement Program, passengers may also notice improvements taking shape inside Terminals A and B, including:

Ceiling tiles have been removed in areas throughout the Riley Terminal and baggage claim area to allow the Airport to access and upgrade its current Terminal paging system with state-of-the-art equipment.

Seating will be limited at Gates 2 and 3 where a secure corridor is being constructed to accommodate international passenger service. In the future, these gates will serve both domestic and international passengers.

John Wayne Airport (SNA) is a self-supporting enterprise owned and operated by the County of Orange and serves approximately nine million passengers annually. More information can be found at www.ocair.com.

New York City - Remote Control Airplane Fly Over

2010-12-05T09:37:00.001-08:00

Just because it is Hilarious

2010-11-23T16:41:00.001-08:00

Wreaths Across America: Please sponsor a wreath for a fallen soldier

2010-10-25T19:27:00.000-07:00

During the ordering process if you are not sure which "fundraiser" group to select, please consider selecting: CACAP1986 (under California)

Thank you for your support!

Turkish Airlines - Beginning NSS LAX-IST in 2011

2010-10-14T08:16:00.000-07:00

2010-10-01T16:26:00.000-07:00

FedEx Orders Two Boeing 777 Freighters
Boeing said on Thursday it took orders for two wide-body 777s valued at more than USD$500 million from FedEx in the week that ended Tuesday.

Airbus experts review A320, upgrade 80 pct likely
PARIS, Sept 30 (Reuters) - Airbus engineers will report to the planemaker's top management next week on plans to upgrade its A320 jet family with new engines and the 1 billion-to-2 billion euro project ($1.36 billion-$2.73 billion) is 80 percent likely to go ahead, industry sources said.

Boeing Delays 747-8 Another Six Months to Mid 2011
Boeing Co. extended a yearlong delivery delay for its newest 747 jet by six months as engineers redesign some parts and said it will add a fifth plane to the test fleet to speed up the work.

Bombardier to launch new large business jet
Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier Aerospace said Thursday it has approved the launch of another large business aircraft to help it fend off competition from rival U.S. aircraft maker Gulfstream's new flagship business jet G650.

Top 10 Low Pass Flybys of All Time

2010-09-30T14:31:00.000-07:00

US and UN agency differ on airplane liquid ban

2010-09-29T11:17:00.000-07:00

TORONTO — U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Tuesday it's too early to say when aviation officials can lift a ban on liquids on board flights despite international officials saying it could come as early as 2012.

Napolitano told The Associated Press she's surprised by International Civil Aviation Organization Secretary General Raymond Benjamin's remarks that security equipment in most airports will allow for the ban to be lifted soon.

Napolitano said the technology isn't ready.

"I think that's premature," Napolitano said in an interview with The Associated Press.

A terrorist plot to blow up trans-Atlantic passenger jets in 2006 using liquid explosives sparked sweeping restrictions for passengers carrying liquids and gels on board flights.

The European Union says it plans to phase out restrictions on carrying liquids onto planes by 2013. Benjamin told The AP they think they'll have the equipment in airports within two years.

more

2010-09-28T12:44:00.000-07:00

Germany begins using full-body airport scanners
HAMBURG -- Facing pressure from the United States to improve security, Germany on Monday began using full-body scanners to examine passengers at the international airport here -- the first time a German airport has used the imaging devices.

Italy to abandon airport body scanners
After a six-month test, Italy's government will drop the use of full-body scanners for security checks in airports, judging them slow and ineffective, Italian daily Corriere della Sera reported yesterday.

Gels, liquids may be allowed back onto planes by 2012
MONTREAL — Airline passengers may once again be allowed to board flights with creams, gels and liquids that were banned over security concerns, the International Civil Aviation Organization said Monday.

Napolitano pitches plan for air security to 190 nations
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Homeland Security chief will urge 190 nations today to improve aviation security with body scanners and other innovations to stop terrorists from carrying plastic and powdered explosives onto airplanes.

2010-09-23T06:10:00.000-07:00

The Wacky Logic Behind Airport Codes
Most of you fliers out there are familiar with JFK, LAX and DFW -- the airport codes for New York's Kennedy, Los Angeles International and Dallas-Ft. Worth. But how many of you have flown to SUX?

Airline passengers face chaos due to French strike
Tens of thousands of airline passengers face disruption on Thursday because of the latest strike by French public sector workers over pensions.

Airlines Can Be Fooled By Pregnant Women
MADRID – If a woman really wants to get around the rules barring her from flying in late pregnancy, there's little an airline can do to stop her.

Risk of Small-scale Terror Attacks by al-Qaeda Rising
The Washington Post reports Al-Qaeda and its allies are more likely to attempt small-scale, less sophisticated terrorist attacks in the US, according to officials who say that it’s extremely difficult to detect such threats in advance

2010-09-22T10:47:00.000-07:00

Breach at Seattle airport causes partial shut down
A Transportation Security Administration spokesman says part of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport was briefly shut down because of a security breach.

Airport spokesman Perry Cooper tells KIRO-TV that three passengers slipped past an unstaffed security checkpoint Tuesday just after 6 p.m.

TSA to debut body scanner at Minneapolis airport
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport has installed its first high-tech full-body scanner.

The Transporation Security Administration was starting to use the device Wednesday at Checkpoint 10, a lower-traffic checkpoint that connects parking ramps to concourses.

Travel Agents Give Orlando a Big Business Boost
Orlando’s tourism business is “showing great growth” as a direct result of the destination’s increased engagement with the travel agency community

Boeing engineers taxed by suppliers
CHICAGO, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- Delivery delays with U.S. plane maker Boeing's 787 Dreamliner and 747-8 jets can be traced to suppliers, the head of Boeing's engineering union said.

JetBlue, ViaSat in air cabin broadband deal
(Reuters) - U.S. discount airline JetBlue is set to announce a deal with satellite communications firm ViaSat Inc to put ultra-quick broadband links on its 160 aircraft, Flight International reported on Wednesday.

2010-09-22T07:11:00.000-07:00

Interpol – Extremist Websites Are Skyrocketing

Hyams named assistant chief of operations for LAWA police force

Next-gen digital signage advertising lands in U.S. airports

Southern California's summer to end with a chill: It was the coldest in decades

Allegiant Announces Nonstop, Low-Cost Travel Service Between Idaho Falls and Phoenix-Mesa

Travel Groups Start Online Petition on Airline Fees

2010-09-21T09:02:00.000-07:00

Denver On Frontline in Fight Against Homegrown Terrorism
Denver’s 9News reports national security experts are saying metro Denver is a frontline in the fight against homegrown terrorism and that Denver is listed as one of the places to watch on the homegrown terrorism radar.

France on High Alert After Threat of Possible Terrorist Attacks
According to news reports, France is on high alert after threats of a possible terrorist attack by al-Qaida’s North African branch and reports that a female suicide bomber is planning to strike somewhere in Paris.

FBI Terror Stings Nabs Man With Fake Bomb In Backpack
Sami Samir Hassoun, a 22-year-old Lebanese citizen was arrested Sunday morning in an FBI sting operation after he placed a backpack he believed contained an explosive device near a trash can on a crowded street corner in Chicago, Illinois.

Sites Hosted at Go Daddy Hit by Mass Injection Attack Again
Researchers from Sucuri Security, a company running a web integrity monitoring service, warn that a number of websites hosted at Go Daddy have had malicious code injected into their pages.
All infected sites had base64-encoded JavaScript added to all of their PHP files. The rogue scripting decodes to a "script" element, which loads content from a third-party domain.

2010-09-20T06:11:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles Business Travelers Urge Air Safety Upgrades
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Los Angeles Business Travel Association today urged Congress to support President Obama's call for funding a satellite-based air traffic control system and airport runway improvements.

The Obama Administration is proposing a "robust investment" in the development of FAA's NextGen ATC system, which Congress has not yet determined how to fund. The President also proposed to rehabilitate or reconstruct 150 miles of runways at U.S. Airports.

Airline to remain in Cleveland
WASHINGTON – Cleveland, home to Continental Airlines Inc.’s smallest U.S. hub airport, is trying to avoid the fate of another Ohio city caught in the fallout of an industry merger.

Spirit Airlines To Raise $300M In IPO
Spirit Airlines is planning to raise about $300 million in an initial public offering (IPO), The Wall Street Journal reports. The ultra low-cost airline said it will retain $150 million of the net proceeds from the offering to pay a $1.6 million termination fee with Indigo Partners.

Return of the business trip
Reports and surveys released last week said the corporate world is willing to spend more on travel. But the reports also show that business owners are still not spending like they did before the recession.

2010-09-18T08:53:00.000-07:00

Venezuela's airline halts flights after plane crash
Venezuela's state-run airline Conviasa says it is suspending all its flights after one of its planes crashed earlier this week killing 17 people on board.

American Airlines spent $1.47M on 2Q lobbying
American Airlines spent $1.47 million lobbying Congress and executive-branch agencies in the second quarter on legislation regarding passenger rights, pilot training and other issues.

United & Continental shareholders OK merger creating world's largest airline
Stockholders of United and Continental airlines voted Firday to approve a combination of the carriers that would create the world's biggest airline - and possibly trigger new flight routes and pricing changes.

Air India goes all non-stop from the U.S. and Canada to India
Starting October 31, 2010, all of Air India’s flights to India from its four North American gateways will be non-stop. The service will include daily flights from New York’s JFK, Chicago’s O’Hare, and Toronto airports to Delhi; and daily flights from Newark to Mumbai. Flights from JFK to Delhi will continue to Mumbai, Chicago-Delhi flights continue to Hyderabad, and Toronto-Delhi flights continue to Amritsar. The non-stops from Newark to Mumbai will have continuing service to Ahmedabad. Passengers will be able to clear customs and immigration at their final destination.

Should the City of Ontario take back control of their airport from Los Angeles?

2010-09-17T13:18:00.000-07:00

YES, they should indeed. Please visit this site to cast your YES vote.

If you are not familiar with why and how the City of Los Angeles ended up with control over an airport that is not in the same city or county, then please see the press release below and white paper that explains how this all came about.

Now that Los Angeles city has big plans for much needed renovations at LAX, why would they want the expense and responsibility of another airport? They wouldn’t, that is why the LA/Ontario International Airport has lost more passenger traffic than any other airport the same size in the country. The Los Angeles city department that oversees the airports has allowed ONT to fall by the wayside in order to focus their efforts and funding on LAX. This proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that Los Angeles city has no use for and no interest in keeping LA/Ontario International Airport.

The following is a press release issued by the City of Ontario on September 14, 2010
_______________________________________________________________________
Report cites concerns and urgent need for action on Ontario Airport
As nearby airports recovered from 9/11, a perfect storm of factors and decisions caused Ontario International Airport (ONT) to lose two decades of hard-fought passenger growth in just 24 months. This was the conclusion of an in-depth analysis released today by the city of Ontario as it seeks to take control of the medium hub airport.

The 25-page white paper provides the first comprehensive look at why “there is grave reason for concern” about the future of what should be a major component of the region’s air transportation system. ONT is the only airport in the Los Angeles basin that can grow without worry about noise or facility constraints or passenger caps.

City leaders in Los Angeles, which currently operates the facility, must act now to prevent further loss of flights at ONT, where unusually high operating costs contributed to a decision by Southwest Airlines alone to cut its daily departures by a third in the last decade, the report said. The plummeting number of seats at Ontario provides a dismal level of air service for this fast-growing region, the analysis found. And it’s only likely to get worse, the reported noted.

“Adding to the need for immediate action, airlines serving ONT have announced flight schedule reductions of nearly 8 percent in the second half of 2010,” the white paper stated. “In economic terms, the decline in air service at ONT from 2007-2009 has meant the loss of over $400 million to the Inland Empire regional economy and the loss of over 8,000 jobs.”

The report, titled “Ontario International Airport - A Recovery Plan,” points out the need for the city of Ontario to take over the troubled airport from the current operator, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA).

“Our report is a call to action by the two city governments to work together in a spirit of cooperation and sense of urgency to advance the goal of airport regionalization in Southern California by providing for local control of Ontario Airport,” said Ontario Mayor pro Tem Alan D. Wapner. “The evidence is compelling that airports in Southern California are most successful when managed locally.”

Among the report’s key findings:

•For four decades an agreement between Ontario and Los Angeles, under which Los Angeles operates the airport, benefited the region. Today, however, this deal represents a conflict of interest for Los Angeles--which is focused on aggressively courting service for Los Angeles International Airport at Ontario International’s expense. (The need for LAWA to relinquish control of ONT and concentrate on LAX was highlighted by Los Angeles airport commissioners and LAWA officials in public comments at the July 14, 2010, meeting of the LA Board of Airport Commissioners.)

• $8.7 million in administrative costs levied each year by LAWA contributes to operating expenses at Ontario International that are the highest in the region, and twice the average for mid-sized U.S. airports. These costs make it difficult for airlines to make a profit at Ontario.

•With 302 people on its payroll, Ontario employs nearly twice as many workers as John Wayne Airport in Orange County, where a staff of 175 handles 56% more passengers annually.

•Los Angeles’ airport agency slashed its marketing budget for Ontario by 85 percent from up to $3 million a year from 2005 through 2007 to $400,000 for the current fiscal year.

•A continuing downward spiral results from high airport costs contributing to reduced air service which in turn results in fewer choices of flights and reduced passenger volumes.

By revising the existing agreement between the cities of Ontario and Los Angeles to return control of the 87-year-old airport to Ontario, the analysis found, leaders in both regions can focus on their respective facilities. The long-term viability of the region’s economy depends on no less, the report stated. Transferring control of ONT to the city of Ontario would eliminate this conflict and allow the two cities to focus exclusively on their local airports.

“Under local control, ONT will simultaneously reduce its cost structure and increase its marketing, advertising and promotion spending to provide the airport capacity Southern California needs in the long term to protect its tourism economy,” the report concluded.

The Regional Council of the Southern California Association of Governments – consisting of 81 elected officials from five counties - voted unanimously Sept. 2 to issue a letter of support for the transfer of ONT to local control.

Ontario city officials said they intend to provide Los Angeles with proposed transfer terms in the near future.

The White Paper is available to download at the city of Ontario’s airport website: http://www.ci.ontario.ca.us/index.cfm/71595

About The City of Ontario
The City of Ontario is Southern California’s Next Urban Center. Located just 35 miles from Los Angeles, Ontario is uniquely positioned as the “economic engine” of one of the fastest growing regions in the United States. Ontario is home to Ontario International Airport and an incomparable transportation system of three major freeways and two railroads that provide access to the region, the nation and the globe. With a highly skilled local talent base and lower cost space than coastal counties, Ontario, California is the place to do business. For more information, visit http://ontariocalifornia.us.

2010-09-16T17:09:00.000-07:00

FAA Panel Urges Enhanced Qualifications for Airline Co-Pilots
A high-level FAA advisory panel, seeking to improve cockpit safety, has called for significantly enhanced training and proficiency standards for airline co-pilots, according to people familiar with the report

Sabre's new shopping tool includes airlines’ fees
Sabre Travel Network on Friday will launch Air Total Pricing, enabling travel agents to include airlines’ ancillary charges when comparing prices.

Boeing, partner plan space taxi for tourists by 2016
The Boeing aerospace company announced an agreement with Space Adventures Ltd. of Vienna, Va., to establish a space taxi system that will launch its passengers into low Earth orbit.

Egencia releases 2011 Corporate Travel Forecast
Egencia has unveiled its 2011 Corporate Travel Forecast and Hotel Negotiability Index, finding that average ticket prices (ATPs) for top corporate travel destinations will remain relatively flat to slightly up and average daily rates (ADRs) will be slightly up overall in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific

2010-09-16T10:15:00.000-07:00

Allegiant Offers New Flights from Northwest Arkansas to Phoenix-Mesa
Allegiant announced a new nonstop jet service from Northwest Arkansas to Phoenix-Mesa Wednesday. The airline says the fares will be as low as $64.99 one way, and flights will begin Nov. 18.

Airport Expansion Project Begins This Week
SAN DIEGO -- Residents near San Diego International Airport were cautioned Wednesday they may hear noises or feel vibrations as pile-driving begins this week for the foundation of the expansion of Terminal 2.

Denver airport to get new solar array
Constellation Energy Group Inc. said Tuesday it will develop a new solar system at Denver International Airport this year

Savannah Airport Lands New Airline
SAVANNAH, GA —
In November, the Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport will expand flight services to Fort Lauderdale. The new carrier is Allegiant Air based in Las Vegas. The low-cost airline is the first new carrier for Savannah in nine years

Airport announces flights to Ft.Myers
Third time's a charm for the Quad City International Airport. They are adding Ft. Myers, Florida to the growing list of non-stop destinations. Airtran Airways made the announcement Wednesday morning. They say Ft. Meyers Florida is one of the most requested tourist spots in Florida.

Judge Overturns Nebraska Flag Mutilation Ban

2010-09-03T07:53:00.000-07:00

OMAHA, Neb. -- A federal judge overturned Nebraska's ban on flag mutilation Thursday, clearing the way for Kansas church protesters to continue trampling on the U.S. flag when they protest at military funerals.

The ruling from U.S. District Judge Richard Kopf said the law can't be applied as long as Megan Phelps-Roper and fellow members of the Westboro Baptist Church "otherwise act peacefully while desecrating the American or Nebraska flag during their religiously motivated protests."
Full story
______________________________________________________

This is a story every American should be concerned about; when Americans living in the U.S.A. no longer respect the country in which they live, is cause for serious alarm. What is happening to the people in this country? Has everyone gone completely mad? Do people really believe protesting a military funeral is helping their cause at all and how can people be so callus as to protest a funeral? What if a group of patriotic Americans got together and showed up at the funeral of these protesters friends and family and held up signs disgracing their dead? What if the shoe was on the other foot?

Just because the law says you can, doesn't mean you should. This behavior is indicative of people who have nothing better to do with their lives; it is such a pity that these people are unable to channel their energy towards a "real" cause that could use their help, such as, lobbying for a better education system, getting children off the streets, monitoring foster families more closely and the children that are abused every year. I feel sorry for people who blindly follow, this is certainly part of the overall education problem in the U.S.A., schools are pumping out young adults who are too lazy to research anything and are willing to follow whatever cause is out there, just for something to do with their idle wasted time. How pitiful for them, how devastating for our country.

Do Not Turn a Blind Eye to the Evil of Islam

2010-08-31T20:06:00.000-07:00

Jihadists Use Protests As A Tool For Propaganda and Recruiting

2010-08-23T11:05:00.000-07:00

Islamic radicals are taking advantage of the attention that protests against a planned Islamic community center near Manhattan’s Ground Zero and anti-Muslim rhetoric elsewhere are receiving and using it as a propaganda opportunity. The Wall Street Journal reports that the jihadists are stepping up anti-U.S. chatter and threats on their websites.

source: National Terror Alert

Funny Stuff

2010-08-08T22:58:00.000-07:00

Courteous of an old friend

Atlanta Tower: "Saudi Air 511 -- You are cleared to land
on runway 9R."

Saudi Air: "Thank you Atlanta . Acknowledge cleared to land
on infidel's runway 9R - Allah be Praised."

Atlanta Tower: " Iran Air 711 - You are cleared to land
on runway 27L."

Iran Air: "Thank you Atlanta . We are cleared to land
on infidel's runway 27L. -Allah is Great."

Pause....

Saudi Air: ATLANTA TOWER- ATLANTA TOWER !"

Atlanta Tower: "Go ahead Saudi Air 511.."

Saudi Air: "YOU HAVE CLEARED BOTH OUR AIRCRAFTS FOR THE SAME RUNWAY GOING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS.

WE ARE ON A COLLISION COURSE . . . . .

INSTRUCTIONS, PLEASE!"

Atlanta Tower: "Well bless your hearts. And praise Jesus. Y'all go on ahead now and tell Allah "hey" for us."

More telework, less travel: What new pollution goals mean for feds - FederalTimes.com

2010-08-02T13:04:00.000-07:00

More telework, less travel: What new pollution goals mean for feds - FederalTimes.com

TRX Joins NBTA Task Force on Ancillary Fees

2010-07-30T07:40:00.000-07:00

ATLANTA, July 29 /PRNewswire/ -- TRX, Inc. (www.trx.com) (Other OTC: TRXI), a world-leading provider of travel technology, process automation, consulting and data services, today announced its participation in a special National Business Travel Association (NBTA) task force focused on the management of airline ancillary fees.

According to US Department of Transportation statistics, US airlines generated $1.86 billion in revenue from ancillary fees in the first quarter of 2010, up 33% from last year. Based on the belief that corporate buyers need increased transparency to understand the full impact on their overall airline spend and travel policy, NBTA organized a special task force to develop a best practices approach to solving issues created by the growth in airline ancillary fees. (PRNewswire)

Passenger Rail Systems Vulnerable, GAO Study Says

2010-07-30T07:36:00.000-07:00

Report cites limitations of current explosives detection solutions for rail, mass transit

Based on intelligence indicating that Al Qaeda and associated movements continue to express interest in attacking US mass transit systems, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued a redacted version of a classified report on “explosives detection technologies [that] are available or in development that could help secure passenger rail systems.”

However, GAO noted that “while these technologies show promise in certain environments, their potential limitations in the rail environment need to be considered and their use tailored to individual rail systems.” (Kimery)

Napolitano announces general aviation security measures

2010-07-29T07:31:00.000-07:00

July 27, Examiner.com – (National) Napolitano announces general aviation security measures. Despite a keen terrorist interest in the use of aircraft as missiles to strike targets, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has done little to date to secure general aviation fields, which house private jets and planes. DHS inched closer to strengthening general aviation security measures July 26, extending a transportation public awareness campaign to the airfields, and standardizing the vetting process for passengers and crew on general aviation aircraft. The DHS Secretary announced the extension of the campaign to general aviation while visiting the 2010 Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture air show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, earlier this week. “This new component of ‘If You See Something, Say Something’ will enable general aviation passengers and crew to better recognize and report behaviors and indicators associated with new and evolving threats,” the Secretary said in a statement. “We are also transitioning to a streamlined system for vetting travelers on general aviation flights to and from the United States to provide a single, electronic screening process while maintaining robust security standards.” Congress and the U.S. President have voiced a renewed interest in general aviation security standards in recent months after a distraught software engineer flew a small private plane into a building housing IRS offices in Austin, Texas, in the spring, killing two people, including the pilot, and injuring 13 others. Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-59281-DC-Homeland-Security-Examiner~y2010m7d27-Napolitano-Announces-General-Aviation-Security-Measures

Screen Test

2010-06-14T08:15:00.000-07:00

...However, David Schauer, executive director of the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement, a Washington, D.C., non-profit organization chartered by Congress to make radiation recommendations, said the X-ray beams emitted by the scanners fall well within the acceptable range.

“When you look at the numbers, you can see that it would take a lot of flights to even approach those safety limits,” he said.

Schauer estimated a traveler would have to be scanned 2,500 times a year to reach a level of radiation exposure beyond what the government deems safe.

“It’s a very unlikely scenario that a member of the public would ever approach that dose limit,” Schauer said.

By David Haldane. Monday, June 14, 2010

Delta’s L.A. flight ready for takeoff - Business First of Columbus

2010-06-10T20:10:00.000-07:00

Delta’s L.A. flight ready for takeoff - Business First of Columbus

B-2 stealth bombers get meticulous makeovers

2010-06-10T08:09:00.000-07:00

At Northrop Grumman's complex in Palmdale, the high-tech aircraft are refitted and repainted in a process that takes a year and costs $60 million per plane.

By W.J. Hennigan, Los Angeles Times

EADS sees challenge to sell US A380

2010-06-10T07:49:00.000-07:00

BERLIN — A huge order for the Airbus A380 from Emirates airline means the superjumbo has passed a key "acid test," but selling it to U.S. airlines remains a challenge, the chief executive of Airbus parent EADS NV said Wednesday.

Louis Gallois said in an interview with The Associated Press that the order from a customer which already has 10 of the hulking planes flying is "a clear indication for other airlines that this airplane ... is a winner."

That "means the acid test of delivering the airplane to an airline is successful," he said.

Airbus now has 234 firm orders from 17 customers principally in Europe and Asia — and not a single U.S. order.

By GEIR MOULSON and EMMA VANDORE (AP)

Woman left sleeping on plane sues airline

2010-05-28T07:25:00.000-07:00

A Michigan woman who fell asleep on a Philadelphia-bound flight and awoke to find herself trapped in the cabin more than three hours after it landed sued the airline Thursday, alleging false imprisonment.

Read more: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/pa/20100528_Woman_left_sleeping_on_plane_sues_airline.html#ixzz0pEaewCOw

_____________________________________________________________
My Opinion

This story is a bit funny and sad at the same time. The 36 year old woman is at the top of the "spoil-me-rotten" generation that the infamous baby-boomer generation have raised to become so dependent on parents and government for everything from paying for their health care to waking them up, that they no longer are capable of doing anything for themselves. The sad news here is that this attitude among young people today is more than epidemic; it has become a way of life.

Not a day goes by that I don't see parents hoovering over their kids, not just small children, but teens and young adults too, ready and willing to wait on them hand and foot so that their children can be spared the tasks of actually doing something for themselves.

My oldest friend is allowing her daughter and new husband to live with them; the daughter is pregnant, and my friend is preparing to raise the baby herself so that the new-parents-to-be can "have a life" without being tied down with a baby all the time. Even though the new parents-to-be have plenty of income to support themselves and new baby; they have no problem accepting all the hand outs the grand-parents-to-be are willing to lay in front of them. This raises a question I seem to be asking all the time but can never get an answer: Just because you can does it mean you should?

Is there anyone out there with any common sense left? If so, let your kids do for themselves; teach them responsibility and maybe (just maybe) we can turn this ugly trend around.

MARTINIQUE NAMED BEST CARIBBEAN DESTINATION BY ABOUT.COM

2010-05-20T13:16:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK, NY – May 20, 2010 – Martinique was the runaway winner in the recent ”Best Caribbean Destination” poll conducted by About.com’s Caribbean Travel site (http://gocaribbean.about.com). The Isle of Flowers was the preferred choice of 38% of the 3,800 voters, out-pacing second place finishers Dominica and St. Kitts & Nevis, each with 26% of the vote. Among the seven other finalists placing even further behind Martinique were such notables as Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, the Mexican Caribbean (Cancun, Cozumel, etc.), Costa Rica, Antigua & Barbuda and St. Maarten/St. Martin.

Muriel Wiltord, director Americas for the Martinique Promotion Bureau /CMT USA, commented on the survey results, stating: "This is a wonderful affirmation that our special brand of tourism product, characterized by intimate boutique hotels and emphasizing nature, a rich cultural heritage, romance, scuba diving and gastronomy is winning the hearts of U.S. travelers.”

The About.com honor is the latest in a recent string of accolades for Martinique. In November 2009, Caribbean World Magazine named Martinique “Best Gourmet Island of the Year” for a second consecutive year. This followed an impressive win by Martinique in an October 2009 Caribbean Travel + Life Magazine survey asking readers to name their favorite Caribbean destination for delectable dining. Martinique garnered 43.3% of the 807 votes cast over the course of the one-month survey period.

About Martinique (www.martinique.org)
The Caribbean island with French flair, The Isle of Flowers, The Rum Capital of the World, The Isle of the Famed Poet (Aimé Césaire) – by any one of its many names Martinique remains one of the most alluring and enchanting destinations in the world; as unforgettable as a summer romance or a first kiss. Named “Best Gourmet Island of the Year” in 2008 and 2009 by Caribbean World Magazine, Martinique is an overseas region of France that stirs the passions with distinctive culinary delights, awe-inspiring natural beauty, a rich cultural history, warm smiles and so much more. Napoleon’s bride, Empress Josephine, was born and raised here. The Pompeii of the Caribbean, St. Pierre, is found here. The finest French products, from Chanel fashions to Limoges porcelain, are readily available here. La Route des Rhums, a tour of the world’s finest rum distilleries based on France’s famed Route des Vins, is offered here. A special place, to be sure, with so much to offer – Martinique c’est magnifique!

For more information, contact the Martinique Promotion Bureau /CMT USA, 825 Third Ave, 29th Floor, New York, NY 10022 – Tel: 212 838 6887 - Fax: 212 838 7855 – Email: info@martinique.org – Web: www.martinique.org.

Bennett, Steve. "MARTINIQUE NAMED BEST CARIBBEAN DESTINATION BY ABOUT.COM."
May 2010. E-mail.

Airport Commissioners to Consider New Parking System at FlyAway

2010-05-06T07:19:00.000-07:00

By Mark Madler
Wednesday, May 5, 2010

A new cashless parking system has been proposed for users of the Van Nuys Flyaway bus service.

The new system would save Los Angeles World Airports about $1.2 million annually once it has been paid for and replaces an obsolete system that has been in place for more than 20 years.

The Board of Airport Commissioners is scheduled to vote in June on a contract with vendor Amano McGann. The new system would be installed starting in July and become fully active in November and cost about $500,000.

full story

Militant Video Said to Show Abdulmutallab in Yemen Before Failed Jet Bombing

2010-04-27T07:02:00.000-07:00

Near-collision at Bob Hope Airport draws federal inquiry

2010-04-26T07:03:00.000-07:00

A 737 with 124 people on board came within feet of a Cessna that was practicing landings. An FAA spokesman says an air traffic controller misjudged the distance between the two planes.

Full story

Airport Check-in: Huge parking fees hit fliers after volcano

2010-04-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

After being stranded by the Icelandic volcano eruption and getting hit by additional expenses for hotel stays, airline tickets and surging taxi fares in Europe, fliers are returning to U.S. airports to find another hefty charge: parking fees.

Full story

Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres (VAAC)

2010-04-19T09:13:00.000-07:00

Southwest-WestJet codeshare is off

2010-04-19T06:27:00.000-07:00

Southwest Airlines said it notified WestJet on Friday of its intent to terminate codeshare plans with the Canadian carrier.

more

UAE airline Etihad plans to start Iraq flights

2010-04-19T06:17:00.000-07:00

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Etihad Airways says it plans to launch regular flights to Baghdad next week, making it the latest carrier to begin flying passengers to the Iraqi capital.

The carrier said Sunday the new service from its base in the United Arab Emirates capital Abu Dhabi is subject to government and regulatory approval.

more

Airline Bosses Attack Volcano Flight Ban

2010-04-19T06:09:00.000-07:00

In Iceland, the Eyjafjallajökull volcano is continuing to spew out ash as tens of thousands of airline passengers remain stranded around the world. But as the aviation crisis enters its fifth day, Europe's airlines are becoming increasingly critical of the ongoing flight ban, which is costing them hundreds of millions of euros.

Wolfgang Mayrhuber, the CEO of Germany's Lufthansa, Europe's largest airline, expressed himself in strong words Sunday and dismissed concerns about passenger safety as unfounded. Many airlines have now completed test flights, Mayrhuber told the German television station ZDF on Sunday evening. After studying the ash cloud, they have come to the conclusion that the ash has become so dispersed "that there is no risk," he said.

When asked whether flights in Europe were currently possible, Mayrhuber answered: "Yes, that's something we say very clearly." He added there might be "limits" to services. "We would never take risks," the Lufthansa boss said, but he emphasized that the existing data needed to be examined. "No one would fly through a cloud of volcanic ash, but what we have seen over the past three days did not pose any kind of potential danger."

Air Berlin CEO Joachim Hunold criticized the fact that the results of test flights had no influence on the decision of the air traffic control authorities as to whether to reopen airspace in countries across Europe. "In Germany, no one has even sent up a weather balloon to measure if volcanic ash is in the air, and if so, how much," Hunold told the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.

Full story

LAX hopes to give taste buds quite a ride

2010-04-16T07:22:00.000-07:00

For years, the public has rated the airport average or below average in consumer questionnaires. In the latest J.D. Power survey of airport quality, passengers ranked LAX 19th out of the 20 largest airports in the United States. The restaurants, fast-food outlets and beverage stands were given two stars out of five.

"This is a great thing," said Kathy Briski, president-elect of the Los Angeles Business Travel Assn., who flies out of LAX weekly. "I'd like to have something more than Starbucks for breakfast."

read more

Travel distributors want ancillary fees in the GDSs

2010-04-16T07:19:00.000-07:00

ASTA and other travel groups are demanding that U.S. airlines provide information on fees for unbundled services in an accurate and timely enough fashion for GDSs to distribute the information effectively to travel professionals.

ASTA, the Interactive Travel Services Association and the Business Travel Coalition are among the groups that jointly sent a letter Wednesday to U.S. carriers asking for more collaboration and better communication so that consumers can purchase ancillary services, and remit their fees, through established distribution channels.

read more

Economy sours effort to house space shuttle in Palmdale

2010-04-16T06:39:00.000-07:00

PALMDALE — Antelope Valley aerospace enthusiasts still hope a permanent retirement home for a space shuttle can be found in California's high desert, but one of them said today the sagging economy and high cost of bringing a shuttle to the area have put the effort on hold.

The leader of the Palmdale Shuttle Acquisition Team, Susan Miller, said her group has not given up on raising the $29 million it would take to buy a surplus space shuttle, remove its sensitive or dangerous parts and have NASA deliver it to Palmdale on the back of its special 747 jet.

read more

Spirit to Charge Fees for Carry-On Bags

2010-04-06T08:57:00.000-07:00

By Scott McCartney
Spirit Airlines, the Ryanair of the U.S., is pushing the airline fee frenzy to new levels with the introduction of fees for carry-on bags –- as much as a whopping $45 each way to put something in an overhead bin on a flight.

Spirit says it is dropping fares, particularly on the low end, as it imposes new fees. It may well be the first airline in the world to charge for carry-on bags — Ryanair, easyJet, Allegiant, AirAsia and other ultra-low-cost carriers don’t — yet. It’s doubtful bigger airlines will follow, but then again, it was once hard to imagine how aggressively former “full service” airlines embraced tacking on fees for airline passengers.

read more

CBP wants to procure and train ‘the best dogs in the world’

2010-04-06T06:34:00.000-07:00

Custom and Border Protection’s Canine Center, based in Front Royal, VA, is eager to purchase and train 23 of the “best dogs in the world” – drawn from working or sporting breeds, such as Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Dutch Shepherd or Belgian Malinois.

The dogs offered by vendors from around the country will be subjected to “rigorous testing,” prior to their acceptance and the beginning of their training, said CBP.

“CBP will only be purchasing the highest quality canines,” said a statement of work that accompanied a CBP solicitation issued on March 29. “These dogs must be outstanding in drives, temperament and health. These dogs will be difficult for vendors to locate and present.”

read more

Police arrest bomb threat man at Tulsa airport

2010-04-06T06:31:00.000-07:00

TULSA, Okla. — Police in Tulsa have arrested a man they say threatened to detonate a bomb at Tulsa International Airport.

Police say 42-year-old Timothy Harlow Hathaway was arrested about 8:20 p.m. Sunday after he made the threat to a Transportation Security Administration employee.

Airport spokeswoman Alexis Higgins says the police bomb squad checked for explosives and found none.

Tulsa Jail records show Hathaway was being held without bond Monday morning. It was not clear whether he has an attorney.

Higgins says travelers were moved away from the area. She says there were no flight delays or evacuations.

Higgins says Hathaway gave no reason for the threat, but continued making threats as he was being arrested.

Corporate jet expenses rise at big firms

2010-04-06T06:20:00.000-07:00

If you're a business traveler who has been flying coach to save your company money, you may need to sit down to read the following news.

Chief executives of some of the nation's biggest firms have increased spending about 9% on the personal use of corporate jets over the last year, according to a new study of corporate expenses.

The findings, published last week by the Corporate Library, an independent research firm, are based on data from nearly 340 major U.S. companies' expense reports for personal jet use in the last two fiscal years.

In fiscal 2008-09, the average corporate jet expense was about $131,000, according to the study.

The biggest corporate jet expenses were filed by Gary Convis, the former CEO of Dana Holding Corp., an auto parts and systems supplier in Toledo, Ohio. Dana Holding paid nearly $1.2 million in aircraft bills for Convis and reimbursed him almost $25,000 for the personal taxes he paid, the study said.

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Carriers get onboard with paperless boarding pass

2010-04-02T09:14:00.000-07:00

American and United last month both increased the number of U.S. airports where passengers can pass through security and board their flights using boarding-pass barcodes on their mobile devices.

In March, United introduced mobile boarding passes at 13 U.S. airports, including its five hubs, with plans to add five more within the next few weeks. American, which introduced the feature at eight U.S. airports in late 2008, added 19 more.

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HOLIDAY INN SUNSPREE RESORT MONTEGO BAY LAUNCHES

2010-04-01T08:12:00.000-07:00

MIAMI – April 1, 2010 – The all-inclusive Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort Montego Bay has expanded its commitment to the family market for 2010 with the launch of a new Family Reunion Package. Available on group bookings (minimum 10 rooms) of three nights or more for travel between April 15 and December 20, 2010, the Family Reunion Package rewards families with the following special amenities:

• Private group check-in
• Complimentary one-hour welcome family reception
• Commemorative t-shirt personalized with individual family name
• Complimentary Shopping Shuttle service to the Shoppes of Rosehall
• Complimentary Party Shuttle to Margaritaville (nightly) with free admittance
• Complimentary use of meeting room facilities for one cocktail reception, lunch, dinner or brunch (maximum 80 people)
• 20% off menu and bar prices for one private reception, lunch or dinner
• US$5 match-play casino card (one per adult)
• Online booking tool for each person to make their own reservations
• One complimentary room for every 20 rooms booked (maximum four rooms)
• One upgrade to next room category for every 20 rooms booked (maximum four upgrades)

As an added benefit, 10,000 Priority Club® bonus points will be applied to all Family Reunion Package bookings for every 25 rooms booked. Guests must be Priority Club® members in order to receive bonus points, which can be converted into frequent-flyer miles. For complete Priority Club® membership information, visit www.priorityclub.com or call 1-888-211-8874.

For added savings, kids 12 and under always stay, play and eat free at the Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort Montego Bay when sharing accommodations with parents.

Add-on amenities available at additional costs include discounts on professional photo services, “Ladies Night Out Sparty” at the resort’s elegant new Sol-Mer Spa & Salon, and “Family Beach Olympics,” which consists of 12 organized games supervised by resort event coordinators.

Nicola Madden-Greig, Group Director of Marketing & Sales, commented: “As the old saying goes, the family that plays together stays together. Our new Family Reunion Package makes it easy for families to do both in style under the warm Jamaican sun.”

For reservations and more information, call 1-888-288-6006 or email Jamaica.Groups@ihg.com.

United Airlines jet and small plane narrowly escape midair collision

2010-03-31T08:31:00.000-07:00

A United Airlines Boeing 777 narrowly missed colliding with a small plane in midair over San Francisco on Saturday, reported National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

The United Airlines jet flight 889 came as close as 200 feet to a small plane, Cessna 182, which was flying south.

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E.U. Expands Airline ‘Blacklist’

2010-03-31T08:19:00.000-07:00

PARIS — The European Union on Tuesday banned all airlines from the Philippines and Sudan from flying into the region’s airports, citing “serious safety deficiencies” found by the United Nations and U.S. aviation authorities.

The European Commission, which manages the airline “blacklist,” acknowledged recent efforts by Philippine regulators and by two carriers — Philippine Airlines and Cebu Airlines — to improve safety standards. But the commission said it would forbid those airlines and 45 others from flying into the 27-country bloc as a precaution until its remaining concerns could be addressed. It added that Brussels was prepared to send a delegation of safety experts to visit the country.

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It's Funny Friday - Here are some laughs!

2010-03-26T18:20:00.000-07:00

FAA: Small plane lands on Calif. freeway

2010-03-26T07:36:00.000-07:00

POMONA, Calif. — A small plane has landed safely on a state highway in eastern Los Angeles County.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor says the single-engine, two-seat plane landed at about 7 p.m. Wednesday in the northbound lanes of State Highway 57 just south of Interstate 10 in Pomona.

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Airport Police officer commended for creating honor guard for return of fallen soldiers’ remains

2010-03-26T07:33:00.000-07:00

Whenever a plane touches down at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to bring a fallen soldier back home, a group of Airport Police officers stands ready to pay its respects upon the arrival.

The law enforcement officers of the Los Angeles Airport Police Honor Guard Detail line up in a military-style formation on the airfield as the plane arrives, awaiting to salute the remains of a U.S. soldier who has given his or her life in service of the country.

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Airport money-raising ban ruled constitutional

2010-03-26T07:07:00.000-07:00

Banning groups such as the Hare Krishnas and any other private citizen from asking for money at an airport is a constitutional way to keep travelers from being bothered, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday.

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Virgin America Plans Flights to Orlando, Toronto

2010-03-19T06:30:00.000-07:00

Virgin America is going to Disney World. The airline today announced new daily nonstop flights to Orlando from Los Angeles and San Francisco beginning in August. One-way fares will start at $149 and $199 respectively.

The three-year-old airline also announced plans for its first international destination, with direct flights to Toronto from Los Angeles and San Francisco, pending a decision by the Department of Transportation. Three more destinations are also in the works for 2010.

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Los Angeles World Airports Executive Encourages Congress to Re-Examine Airport Funding Formulas

2010-03-19T06:25:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES, March 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Changes in how federal funds are allocated to U.S. airports will help airports better leverage their revenues so they can reinvest in their facilities, many of which are in a decades-long state of "deferred maintenance," a Los Angeles airport official told a Congressional committee today.

Speaking before the Appropriations Committee of the House Sub-Committee for Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) Executive Director Gina Marie Lindsey said permanent exemption from the alternative minimum tax for public-use airport project financing, redistribution of federal airport improvement grants toward airports serving higher numbers of passengers, and increasing the cap on passenger facility charges will help airports keep the money they earn so they can reinvest in aging infrastructure. In addition, Lindsey said that increased funding for state-of-the-art, NextGen technology will help the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) significantly improve the efficiency and safety of the nation's air traffic system.

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LABTA Urges Enactment of FAA Reauthorization Legislation

2010-03-19T06:23:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES, March 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With a vote expected in the Senate this week, the Los Angeles Business Travel Association (LABTA) membership is urging their elected representatives to pass the FAA Reauthorization Act to improve aviation safety and capacity, and provide stable funding for the national aviation system.

An e-mail campaign was launched over the weekend by LABTA in a major push to win Senate approval for the long-stalled legislation. LABTA is the largest chapter of the National Business Travel Association.

"The LABTA supports the FAA Reauthorization Bill and urges our members to contact his or her elected representatives today," said Frank Dolce, LABTA's Director of Legislative Affairs. "Time is of the essence. Together we can help pass this important legislation putting us on a flight path to increased safety in the skies."

Dolce said the bill will provide funding for the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) air traffic control system that will make the skies safer by using a satellite-based system of air traffic management, replacing the current ground-based system. The satellite system is capable of directing air traffic in a more direct-pattern from point to point which can save millions of gallons of fuel over time which also reduces the amount of time any given flight is in the air, thus reducing CO2 emissions.

Drop in number of passengers departing Ontario second worst in nation

2010-03-16T06:24:00.000-07:00

The steep drop in the number of passengers boarding airlines at Ontario International Airport was second only to Cincinnati-Kentucky International Airport in 2009, according to data recently released by the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

The number of enplaned travelers at Cincinnati-Kentucky declined 21.8 percent last year to 5.18 million passengers who departed the airport. At Ontario, the number was 19.9 percent.

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Airline Fees - Have you had enough?

2010-03-15T21:37:00.000-07:00

by KSedlmayr

OK, there seems to be a lot of pissing and moaning going on these days about airline fees for everything from checked baggage to pillows and blankets. Have you had enough of all this "a la carte" pricing? Industry people understand the reason that low cost carriers (LCC's) would charge for everything imaginable but why are the legacy carriers charging for checked bags (while Southwest, an LCC, still allows free checked bags)?

In 2008, Amadeus conducted a survey of what passengers wanted in their travel experience and how they feel about "a la carte" pricing. Over half (53%) of travelers surveyed said they wanted the lowest possible fare and the right to choose which amenities they wanted to pay for, so there you have it. This is how "a la carte" pricing started, it's what the passengers wanted.

Remember the old saying "watch what you wish for because you may get it"? When people believe that the only thing that matters is the amount of money you pay up front for an airline ticket is the most important factor in whether they travel or not, or take one airline over another, this is what you get. Cheap never means the best and it certainly doesn't mean you will get something for nothing. If travelers want cheap, they need to realize that anything extra, other than a seat on the plane, is going to cost more. Of course, most people don't think this way because everyone wants something for nothing. Unfortunately for those who think this way, I have some bad news. Airlines are NOT charity organizations that will cater to your every whim once you paid $49 for a transcon flight.

In the airline business, there is one steadfast rule that applies: you get what you pay for, and that's it. Don't expect more or you will be disappointed. So the next time you buy one of those cheap fares remember that all you get is a place to sit on an airplane that will take you to where you want to go. Check a bag, pay for it; want a drink, pay for it; want someone to tuck you in, call your mommy. Get over it and stop complaining. Cabin crews are not your slaves and it takes a great deal of training to become a pilot, so if you still are complaining about the extra fees, then take the damn bus.

US State Department Travel Warning For Mexico

2010-03-15T06:40:00.000-07:00

The Department of State has issued this Travel Warning to inform U.S. citizens traveling to and living in Mexico of concerns about the security situation in Mexico, and that it has authorized the departure of the dependents of U.S. government personnel from U.S. consulates in the Northern Mexican border cities of Tijuana, Nogales, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey and Matamoros until April 12. Family members of US Government personnel assigned to other areas of Mexico outside the Mexican border states are not affected by this departure measure. This Travel Warning supercedes that of February 22, 2010, and announces the authorized departure of some dependents and updates security incidents.

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Senate seeks to boost regional airline safety

2010-03-12T15:25:00.000-08:00

The Senate is pushing to strengthen pilot training and hiring requirements in an effort to improve the safety of regional airlines, a problem exposed by an air crash last year that killed 50 people.

Debate began this week on a two-year, $34 billion bill to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration while imposing a host of safety and consumer measures.

Along the way, however, the bill ran into headwinds as senators sought to attach unrelated amendments on issues ranging from education to debt reduction. The bill is seen as a vehicle to pass measures unable to clear the Senate on their own.

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San Jose airport celebration is taking off

2010-03-12T15:21:00.000-08:00

Times are hard at Norman Mineta San Jose International Airport. Airlines are grounding flights; a penny-pinching public downsizes its travel plans. With a $32 million debt payment coming due on its $1.3 billion renovation, the airport is in such bad shape that it could actually fail (gulp) if it doesn't cut wages or eliminate jobs, its director told the City Council this week.

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Obama moves to fill airport security slot

2010-03-08T16:49:00.000-08:00

President Obama made it official today, declaring his intention to nominate retired major general Robert Harding to lead the Transportation Security Administration.

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Developer Rick Caruso goes after airport retail business

2010-03-08T16:47:00.001-08:00

Prominent Los Angeles retail developer Rick Caruso, who built the Grove, the Americana at Brand and other large shopping centers, plans to develop stores and restaurants in airports, he said Monday.

"Airports and cities across the country realize that they can't simply take the customer for granted any longer and need to create a more inviting shopping and dining experience for the traveler," Caruso said. "With travelers spending more time in terminals, airport authorities realize the financial value of offering something special, because people are willing to spend more if you provide style, quality and service."

VIRGIN BLUE TO LAUNCH BRAND NEW DIRECT SERVICES FROM SYDNEY-AYERS ROCK

2010-03-08T16:42:00.000-08:00

Monday 8 March 2010: Virgin Blue has announced plans to launch flights to one of Australia’s most iconic and revered tourist destinations. From Monday 2 August, the airline will begin direct flights from Sydney to Ayers Rock (Uluru), providing some much needed competition on the route.

Both Australian and international leisure travellers will have the opportunity to fly with Virgin Blue to visit the landmark that is undeniably Australian and recognised both in this country and globally.

Virgin Blue will commence with a daily flight, operating an EMBRAER E-190 aircraft to carry 104 Guests to and from this iconic attraction.

Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey, said, “Virgin Blue turns ten in August and what better way to celebrate than with the launch of new services to the heart of Australia.” “The timing is right for us to launch a new route as we take delivery of a new E-Jet later this year and we looked at a number of options before deciding Ayers Rock (Uluru) was the ideal destination to commit our new resources to. The decision reflects our view regarding the importance of Ayers Rock (Uluru) to the tourism industry and indeed to visitors from our own backyard, as well as from all over the world, who flock to the rock each year to marvel at the natural landmark.”

LABTA pleased Travel Promotion Act signed into law

2010-03-05T06:25:00.001-08:00

LOS ANGELES, March 4, 2010 -- The U.S.’s largest business travel association chapter hailed the signing by President Obama of the Travel Promotion Act as a major step in reversing the decline in international visitors to the United States and Los Angeles.

“With the formation of the Corporation for Travel Promotion provided by the new law, the U.S. should become much more effective in competing for lucrative inbound business travelers, tourists and students” said Therese Jacobson, president of the Los Angeles Business Travel Association (LABTA). “Increased international travel will provide a much-needed boost to the U.S. economy while providing travelers with more choices of airlines and flights.”

In 2009, 15.1 million international travelers arrived and departed at Los Angeles International Airport, down from 17.5 million in 2005, according statistics from Los Angeles World Airports.

“When you consider that the average international traveler spends $4,500 per visit to the U.S., you can see how important it is that United States reinvigorates the travel and tourism industry,” Jacobson said. “We expect the new high-level federal agency created by the Travel Promotion Act will provided the additional resources needed to make the U.S. much more competitive in promoting travel to the U.S.”

About LABTA: The Los Angeles Business Travel Association (LABTA) is the largest chapter of the National Business Travel Association (NBTA), the world’s premier business travel and corporate meetings organization. LABTA represents more than 250 business travel professions including corporate and government travel, meetings managers, and travel service providers in five counties in Southern California. They collectively manage and direct millions of dollars of global business travel and meetings expenditures annually on behalf of thousands of business travelers within their organizations. For more information, visit www.labta.org

Erroll Southers to step down as LAX assistant police chief

2010-03-01T13:39:00.000-08:00

Erroll Southers announced today that he will step down as assistant police chief at Los Angeles International Airport by the end of March, just two months after he withdrew his nomination to head the Transportation Security Administration.

Southers, a former FBI agent, has served two years as assistant chief of intelligence and emergency operations for Los Angeles World Airports, the city agency that operates LAX.

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L.A. Ethics Commission drops probe of airport officials

2010-02-25T09:31:00.000-08:00

Six current and former officials were being investigated in conflict-of-interest case involving gifts from a group representing airlines that use LAX.

A lawyer representing six current and former employees of Los Angeles World Airports said Wednesday that the city's Ethics Commission has dropped a conflict-of-interest investigation into travel to China and New England by his clients.

Attorney Terree Bowers said Ethics Commission Executive Director LeeAnn Pelham directed her staff to close the investigation, which was examining whether the airport officials violated the law by receiving discounted trips from an association that represents dozens of international airlines that use Los Angeles International Airport.

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Excuse Me, Is This Seat Taken?

2010-02-25T06:34:00.000-08:00

FLYING in coach is never comfortable, but it’s getting downright awkward for bigger passengers as airlines increasingly single out customers they deem too fat to fly.
(Image by: Leif Parsons)

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Why is this issue constantly coming up again and again? Because people are getting fatter and fatter with each passing year. So we need to ask the all important and yet complicated question: Should airlines make coach seats wider to accommodate the population's growing girth? or should we all look at ourselves and just lose the extra pounds once and for all? The science is simple, expend more calories than you take in, yet how can something so simple be so hard to achieve? Shamming people into losing weight won't work just like raising the price of cigarettes won't keep people from smoking. Maybe the airlines should just give in and make the damn seats bigger. Don't we all have enough to worry about?

Daring to Think ‘Private Jet’ Again

2010-02-24T09:10:00.000-08:00

HAPPY days are not quite here again in the business aviation industry, but at least there are some breaks in the clouds.

Gingerly, some business travelers are venturing back into private aircraft after the battered economy — and a public outcry against that perk of fat cats, the corporate jet — walloped the general aviation industry starting in 2008.

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Teamsters-led clerks at Southwest reject contract

2010-02-24T08:55:00.000-08:00

DALLAS -- A group of more than 170 stock clerks at Southwest Airlines Co. rejected a contract negotiated with the discount carrier.

Southwest said Tuesday that the contract it negotiated with the Teamsters union, which represents the clerks, would have run until Aug. 16, 2013.

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Unions no longer have a place in the American workplace. One of the major causes of the virtual crumbling of U.S. based industry are the unions. When will companies be able to operate in the U.S. without having to worry about union strikes and deals that do absolutely nothing to better our country or economy? It's not that difficult, get rid of the unions and let's get our country back to work. It's no wonder large manufacturing companies have moved their plants outside the U.S., who the heck wants to continue to deal with these hothead union leaders? Sheesh, get over it! There are millions of people out of work who would love to have the jobs union leaders are so careless with on behalf of their members.

Nearly a quarter of U.S. airline jobs vanished in decade, data show

2010-02-24T08:44:00.000-08:00

As the U.S. airline industry lost tens of billions of dollars over the past 10 years, it also lost a tremendous number of employees.Nearly one in every four U.S. airline jobs disappeared in the 10 years that ended Dec. 31, and the largest airlines were among the hardest hit, according to new data.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics says U.S. airlines employed 557,674 full-time and part-time workers at the end of 2009, down more than 170,000 from the end of 1999.

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Continental Airlines to Cut 600 More Reservation Jobs

2010-02-23T08:38:00.000-08:00

Is this good news for travel agents?
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Continental Airlines Inc. said it will eliminate 600 additional reservation-agent jobs, about 23 percent of its total, as more travelers book their own flights.

The reductions are the second in less than a year among its workers who help passengers arrange trips by telephone. The airline in May said it would trim 500 such jobs and shut a Tampa, Florida, call center. The latest cuts take effect April 11, Continental said in a companywide bulletin today.

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California tax plan riles independent contractors

2010-02-22T05:02:00.000-08:00

California travel industry members are taking issue with a proposal by state legislators to require employers to withhold state income tax from their payments to independent contractors and remit it directly to the cash-strapped state.

While the state needs the money to offset a looming deficit, the plan has attracted broad opposition from business interests. Opponents in travel say the bill would put an extra strain on an industry that pays much of its wages in the form of contractor commissions.

The Southern California chapter of ASTA has invited 1,300 members to Sacramento next month as part of an effort to lobby against the proposal, which was reintroduced by state Senate Democrats after being vetoed last year by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

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Qantas CEO Joyce Says Business Fares May Increase

2010-02-21T15:40:00.000-08:00

Qantas Airways Ltd., Australia’s biggest airline, forecast an increase in business class fares as demand recovers after a global travel slump.

“We are seeing the business market demand improve,” Alan Joyce, chief executive officer of Sydney-based Qantas, told Sky News Business today. “The economics will have to change and fares, particularly in business class, will have to increase.”

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Germany Braces For Lufthansa Strike

2010-02-21T15:32:00.000-08:00

Germany is bracing for a four-day strike at flagship airline Lufthansa from Monday that threatens to disrupt travel to and from Europe's biggest economy.

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Congresswoman Waters: LAX Runway Decision is a Crucial Victory for Residents

2010-02-21T14:57:00.000-08:00

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-35) – who’s District includes Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – cheered decision by the panel tasked with analyzing LAX expansion to keep the north runways in their current configuration and not expand into neighboring communities.

“This decision is a crucial victory for residents that live near the airport, all of whom are my constituents,” said Congresswoman Waters. “This is an issue we have been focused on for years and one that has often evoked passionate debate in our community. I am happy to say today that residents can rest assured knowing that their homes are safe.”

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To bad the Congresswoman is only concerned with re-election and not LAX passenger safety. To bad the inconvenience of a few families trumps the safety of millions. Well, that's politics for you!

Road, parking changes nearing completion at San Jose airport

2010-02-21T14:51:00.000-08:00

On March 2, the existing, curvy exit outside the old Terminal C will close. Temporary orange exit signs will be torn down, pylon lane dividers removed and concrete construction barriers pushed elsewhere.

Instead of having about 150 feet to suddenly decide which lane will take them to the correct exit, motorists will be greeted with a new 1,200-foot nearly straight road that should be easier to follow as they head south out of the airport.

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United States Lifts Syria Travel Advisory

2010-02-21T14:45:00.000-08:00

The United States has lifted an advisory that warned American travelers about security concerns in Syria, officials said Saturday, as Washington tries to thaw relations with the Syrians, who are seen as crucial to peace in the region.

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2 dead after plane from San Carlos Airport crashes into backyard in Sierra foothills

2010-02-21T14:40:00.000-08:00

GROVELAND, Calif. — Federal officials spent Saturday sifting through the wreckage of small plane that crashed in the backyard of a home in rural northern California Friday night, killing the two people on board.

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Westchester residents, airport officials await LAX runway safety report

2010-02-18T19:13:00.000-08:00

A long-awaited report is due Friday on whether Los Angeles International Airport should improve air safety by widening the distance between its two north runways. That document has residents near LAX on edge because one of the options under consideration is to move a runway 340 feet north into Westchester.

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Here we go! The Westchester crazies are on the edge of their seats waiting to have their lawyers pounce on every word of the study once it's released. This must be an exciting time for these nut jobs, they can scream and yell about runways being moved and get a little face time with the media over it too boot. With all the millions spent on this issue over the years, it would've been a lot cheaper for LAWA to buy out every home and business in the area around LAX and level it so the airport could finally expand and become a first class gateway to the USA.

What Kevin Smith means for the future of PR

2010-02-17T06:38:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, the crew of a Southwest Airlines flight between the California cities of Oakland and Burbank asked a passenger to leave the plane before takeoff because it deemed him too overweight to fly. Unfortunately, that passenger happened to be Clerks and Chasing Amy director Kevin Smith, who has more than 1.5 million Twitter followers and was willing to make sure that they all heard all about it.

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Smith sure is making this a BIG issue when he already knew Southwest's policy, yet he continues to blast Southwest for enforcing a policy that just happened to inconvenience him at the moment. Southwest deserves extra kudos for enforcing their policy where other carriers would just back down for fear of bad publicity.

A Most Amazing Ride

2010-02-15T13:23:00.000-08:00