Statue of Liberty Turns 125 Years Old!

Today marks the 125th anniversary since the Statue of Liberty was dedicated in New York City. Gifted to the United States by France in 1886 and designed by Gustave Eiffel, the Statue of Liberty has over the years maintained her message of freedom, given hope to millions in search of the ever-more-elusive American Dream, and served as an unflinching and powerful symbol of the strength of the United States.

The 151 foot statue (a little more than double if you include the colossal concrete pedestal on which she stands) is slated to undergo an extensive, year-long renovation project, estimated to cost $27 million, beginning tomorrow October 29th, though it is not likely she will be polished clean back to her original copper color, as the green oxidation helps to protect the metal underneath- and plus, it looks way cooler. (Old) Lady Liberty's shell is made up of copper about the thickness of two pennies (with Honest Abe face to face).

What Happens to the Items TSA Confiscates at Security Checkpoints?

Perhaps one of the greatest curiosities of the airport experience is what actually happens to the items many travelers are forced to surrender (unless said traveler is able to sacrifice the time necessary to take the item(s) all the way back to his or her car- if indeed the traveler drove a personal vehicle to the airport and willingly became subject to the absurd parking fees- or, perhaps the traveler might opt to mail back the item to their home from the airport) at airport security?

I have drawn on an article from msnbc for the figures below.

"Since 9/11, the TSA has detected approximately 50 million prohibited items, including 4,600 firearms, during airport checkpoint screening." It is not all that surprising that "hazardous materials are disposed of, and dangerous or illegal items such as guns and explosives are turned over to law enforcement," but what about everyday items?

In the event that they are not saved by the passenger in one of the options listed above and surrendered, as is most often the case, there are a couple of different scenarios that might play out. Typically, the items end up being donated to state governments “to be auctioned off or sold as revenue. TSA in no way profits from surrendered or lost items at the checkpoint.”

Though TSA might not profit from the sale of these goods when they are not donated, there are certainly states that do make a considerable profit. The Pennsylvania Department of General Services for example receives hoards of excess items from New York's JFK and LaGuardia airports among others. The items are sorted and stored at a warehouse and then generally auctioned off in lots online and have generated around $700,000 for the state since 2004 (about $100,000 a year ).

Here is the link for the original article: http://overheadbin.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/10/24/8470150-what-happens-to-items-left-at-security-checkpoints

Can't Afford a $200,000 Trip on Virgin Galactic?

Then perhaps Space Tourism Curacao is for you! Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM) has invested in a new technology for supersonic flight along with an outside investor who contributed an additional $164 million. The proposed craft is essentially a reusable spaceship (as opposed to the traditional engine-drops-off-after-getting-into-space spaceship of your parent's- or your- generation).

The move is the first like it since British Airways stopped using the Concorde (which flew around 2.5 million passengers during its use) in 2003. The Concorde caused discomfort to passengers (and people on Earth) as a result of the loud sonic boom that occurred once the craft surpassed the speed of sound, something KLM and investors are hoping can be averted with the use of new technology.

Though the aircraft- named the Lynx- does not yet exist, roughly 40 passengers have already shelled out $90,000 for tickets, which beats the price of Virgin Galactic I guess... In order to travel on the craft, passengers have to undergo a physical (as your body needs to be prepared to travel at speeds at or close to 13, 750 mph).

Theoretically, the craft could take passengers from any point on Earth to any other in two hours or less. The plan for the main spaceport is for Curacao in the Caribbean, so hopefully that is your preferred departure point if you are planning on snatching up a ticket- because regular departures and arrivals into major cities are not anticipated until at least a couple of decades from now.

Here is a pretty absurd video showcasing the non-existent craft: http://vimeo.com/25968581

Best Bathrooms in the USA!

From Yahoo/ U.S. News and World Report, By Emily H. Bratcher

#1 The Field Museum, Chicago, Illinois

#2 Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel, Arlington, Virgina

#3 Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale, Arizona

#4 Don's Johns Luxury Presidential Restroom Trailer, Anywhere, USA

#5 Snowbasin Resort, Huntsville, Utah

5 Runner-Ups:

The Joule Poule at The Joule, Dallas, Texas

Habana Outpost, Brooklyn, New York

Castello di Amorosa Winery, Calistoga, California

Main Street Station Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada

Ninja New York, New York City

To see pictures and read descriptions of the features of these bathrooms in case you haven't happened to have visited all 10 of them, see: http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-40857604

Delta's Economy Comfort Being Added to Entire Fleet

Delta recently introduced a premium-economy cabin, called Economy Comfort (which is much like United's Economy Plus), on lenghty international flights. The passengers traveling in Economy Comfort are treated to extra legroom and priority boarding. The feedback was so positive the airline has decided to extend the Economy Comfort seats to its entire fleet (more than 550 aircraft and 250 regional jets). This expansion is the latest in Delta's $2 billion (plus) enhancement.

AirBerlin to Increase U.S. Presence

Starting in the summer of 2012, AirBerlin will introduce a new service between Los Angeles (LAX) and Berlin (SXF) - making AirBerlin the first carrier to service this route. The service will not be offered every day, but will operate Monday, Wednesday and Friday. AirBerlin will also be increasing flight frequencies between New York (JFK) and Berlin and Düsseldorf (DUS), San Francisco (SFO) to Düsseldorf, and Miami (MIA) to Düsseldorf, further connecting the United States and Germany.

Traveling to Moscow?

If you are going to be in or around Moscow in the near or distant future, make sure not to miss a visit to the Bolshoi Theatre. The famed Bolshoi Theatre is finally set for its grand reopening this Friday after six years and a reported $700 million restoration process (though some analysts and construction companies claim that the price is probably closer to twice as high in reality) that included re-gold-leafing carved moldings that were stripped during the Communist era and restoring and improving the once world-class acoustics of the theatre.

The interior and exterior of the theatre, founded in 1776 by Empress Catherine the Great (yes, the Bolshoi Theatre is as old as America!), is striking despite heavy use and neglect during the Cold War. Ticket prices have been many times higher than they have been in the past for the upcoming performances, but it is likely they will return to normal after the initial excitement to attend a performance has waned a bit.

For more details on the renovation process and the reopening: http://news.yahoo.com/russias-bolshoi-theatre-set-grand-reopening-143836630.html

Flooding in Thailand Shuts Down Bangkok's Don Muang Airport

Thai flood waters have breached the barriers erected to protect Don Muang Airport, the second largest in Thailand after Suvarnabhumi Airport- also in Bangkok. Don Muang Airport serves primarily domestic flights. Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand's main international arrival and departure point, has not (yet) been affected by the flooding and is continuing to operate flights as normal.

The flooding could cause up to five feet of water in the capital's lowest areas, though the 9 million residents of Bangkok have been largely unaffected thus far. The flooding of Don Muang Airport adds to the severity of the ongoing Thai flood which has claimed the lives of 366 people and flooded one third of Thailand over the past three months.

If Don Muang Airport floods, it would further aggravate emergency operations, as the Thai government has recently set up the emergency Flood Relief Operations Center and converted a terminal into a shelter for misplaced individuals.

The closing of the airport has caused an increased sense of chaos and added even more uncertainty as to how the Thai government will be able to avert further damage and provide disaster relief to those afflicted by the flood.

For a more in-depth article on the situation, see this: http://news.yahoo.com/thai-floods-shut-bangkoks-second-largest-airport-164107578.html

Photos of ANA Boeing 787 Dreamliner

Here is a (very long) link to some great photos of an All Nippon Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Looks like a great aircraft.

http://news.yahoo.com/photos/boeing-unveils-first-dreamliner-1312704906-slideshow/;_ylt=AnLZgcex4kxoETP_epLf6R2w73QA;_ylu=X3oDMTRkdmphMXMxBG1pdANCdXNpbmVzcyBGZWF0dXJlZCBMZWZ0IFJhaWwEcGtnA2IyNzA3NzY4LWU5OGItMzEzMC1hNzRhLWQ2NzVkNjBjOWY5ZgRwb3MDMgRzZWMDTWVkaWFGZWF0dXJlZExpc3QEdmVyAzQ4ZjhjZDE2LWZmMTctMTFlMC1iMjBlLTJmZjU1Mzk1NjdhMA--;_ylg=X3oDMTJybG9mdnZlBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDMDBiNmIwODQtNmVhMy0zZGI3LTk5MzctZDk2YzIyNDhiYzU4BHBzdGNhdANidXNpbmVzcwRwdANzdG9yeXBhZ2U-;_ylv=3#crsl=%252Fphotos%252Fboeing-unveils-first-dreamliner-1312704906-slideshow%252Fbusiness-class-seats-board-first-nippon-airways-ana-photo-094202529.html

Loaded Gun Falls Out of Checked Luggage at LAX

A loaded handgun fell out of a checked bag being loaded onto an airliner for an Alaska Airlines flight at Los Angeles International Airport.

The TSA claims (rightly, though pretty non-sensibily) that identifying firearms in checked bags is not the agency's job. I suppose this makes a little sense, since it would be difficult to use the firearm from your seat when the bag is stowed elsewhere in the plane... but come on! There are a lot of "what ifs" that could be implanted into this scenario that are worrisome. TSA says the bag passed explosives screening. Maybe it's time for an equipment update?

The passenger was questioned and then later allowed to board his flight.

Best Major Airlines for Business Travel

Business Travel News publishes annual rankings of the major airlines for business travel, which can be telling signs of on airline's overall quality for travelers. This year's results are based on a poll of 406 travel managers and buyers who spend at least $500,000 a year on flights booked in the United States. The rankings only include the five largest domestic airlines.

Here are the 5 ranked from best to worst according to BTN's airline score, which is comprised of data gathered from 10 different categories:

1. Delta Airlines*
BTN airline score: 3.14

2. United Airlines/ Continental
BTN airline score: 3.12

3. US Airways
BTN airline score: 3.07

4. American Airlines
BTN airline score: 2.94

5. Southwest
BTN airline score: 2.9


*This is Delta's first time at the number one spot.

For a more detailed report of this information, see this: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44876792/ns/business-us_business/

Southwest Airlines 3Q Losses Due to Fuel Hedges

Southwest Airlines experienced losses of $140 million for the third-quarter, its first loss in two years. Last year in the same quarter, Southwest made profits of $205 million. A portion of this loss can be chalked up to Southwest's purchase of AirTran Airways in May 2011, a $1 billion purchase. Southwest is already the most flown airline by U.S. passengers.

The major factor in the difficult quarter for Southwest is due to fuel hedges- like an insurance policy against unforgiving spikes in oil prices. High fuel costs forced Southwest to spend $1.59 billion in fuel for the quarter, a 71% increase from last year's figure. Southwest spent an average $3.23 a gallon on fuel, up from $2.47 in the previous year.

Southwest has been saving money by re-negotiating AirTran's contracts and expects to be able to save $400 million a year once completely worked out. Overall, Southwest is faring quite well- especially when compared to other North American airlines like American Airlines which reported losses of $162 million in the third-quarter, its 14th quarter out of the past 16 that incurred losses.

For a more detailed analysis: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Southwest-posts-3Q-loss-on-apf-2592141335.html?x=0

United to Receive 50 Boeing Dreamliner 787 Aircraft

United Airlines is scheduled to begin using 50 Boeing Dreamliner 787 aircraft in 2012. United will be the first North American airline to receive the aircraft. The final assembly has just been completed and all that is left to do is configure the cabins, install the engines, and paint them.

According to Boeing's website, the 787 Dreamliner aircraft are "super-efficient airplanes with new passenger-pleasing features. They will bring the economics of large jet transports to the middle of the market, using 20 percent less fuel than any other airplanes of their size."

For more on the Dreamliner fleet and detailed specs: http://www.boeing.com/commercial/787family/background.html

Lufthansa's New Seats

Lufthansa's relatively new slim airline seats have proved to be popular, and for good reason.

According to Lufthansa's website, the new seats are lighter with each seat now weighing 10.87 kg, a 30 percent reduction in weight. As a result, Lufthansa is able to use less fuel and produce fewer emissions, which is better for the environment- and passengers.

The new seats provide "more knee room thanks to a slim backrest and less voluminous seat padding." The new seats allow Lufthansa to increase the number of seats on an aircraft by 8% without infringing at all on passengers' legroom. The seats are made of quality leather and perforated to maintain breathability.

Egypt's Tourism Industry Recovering Despite Political Unrest

Though violence has continued in Egypt, tourists have been gradually returning since the initial outbreak. Numbers are still dismal in comparison to the state of the industry in the year prior, but there is certainly encouraging news for those who depend on tourism to make a living.

The violence in Egypt is the result of Egyptian politics; as a result, tourists are not targeted- though it is still something to consider when thinking of visiting a country undergoing difficult political transitions.

Here is an article from travelweekly regarding the tourism situation in Egypt in more depth: http://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/Egypt-tourism-recovery-continues/

SPACE TOURISM! Virgin Galactic "Spaceport" Dedicated in New Mexico

Richard Branson, the billionaire behind the massive Virgin Group, attended the dedication for the world's first commercial spaceport for Virgin Galactic in a desert region of New Mexico today. Around 450 people have already purchased the $200,000 tickets (down payments start at $20,000 for anyone interested), about $90 million for those tickets alone once the bills are fully paid.

Branson expressed hopes that enough powered test flights can be completed by the end of 2012 to ensure that those eagerly awaiting their vacation to space can finally board the spacecraft after years of agonizing waiting. Hopefully the price of space tourism comes down a little after a few... decades, centuries? Hopefully the concept of competition in the free market applies to the space tourism industry.

Gordon Ramsay Update- Goodbye, Dubai

Gordan Ramsay will no longer be consulting for the restaurant Verre in Dubai, his first international restaurant. The only details given by Gordon Ramsay Holdings were that the deal was scrapped after a review of commercial operations. His company's restaurant venues have taken a number of substantial financial hits in the past; celebrity cheffing is not always a guarantee in the restaurant business.

Hotels Inside of Airports Becoming More Common

Airports have evolved into substantial commercial centers in recent decades with expanding restaurant, bar, and shopping options. The recent trend of on-site hotels has made some major airports even more encompassing (next they'll have elected leaders and their own form of currency).

The chain Yotel, with locations in major European hubs like London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports and Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport, provides travelers with the option of renting a room by the hour as needed (not quite the same as other hourly motel options I don't think, but in Amsterdam, who knows?) or for the entire night. A four hour block costs about $45 and an overnight stay runs at roughly $90.

Other hotels inside of airports include the Hyatt Regency inside the Orlando airport, the Marriott in the Tampa airport, and the Sheraton in the Bradley airport in Windsor Locks, Conn.

These higher-end hotel chains have extensive plans to continue to expand the hotel-attached-to-your-terminal market even further. Msnbc reports, "last year, Hilton Hotels & Resorts opened a 320-room hotel inside Terminal 3 of the Beijing Capital Airport in China"- and visitors can be sure to visit one of the seven restaurants and bars, 21 meeting rooms, spa, fitness center, and cigar bar.

According to msnbc, "the Hilton chain expects to open hotels at JFK airport in New York and the Frankfurt airport in Germany in December and three more hotels inside airports in Nigeria, in Ghana and in Alberta, Canada, by 2014." This market may prove to be particularly popular for business travelers with little to no time to partake in anything touristy, those with gruelingly long layovers, and people just wanting a shower and a place to freshen up between flights or before a big meeting after arrival.

Find more details here: http://overheadbin.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/10/11/8271262-more-hotels-opening-in-airports

RyanAir to Eliminate Toilets from Aircraft?

Anyone who has attempted to jaunt across Europe through the air on an extreme budget has probably come in contact with the notoriously stripped-down service (and obscenely cheap cost) of RyanAir. For those who haven't and may be tempted to use the lavatory during a flight, you might want to avoid this carrier and instead opt for (the slightly classier) EasyJet.

RyanAir CEO Michael O'Leary has proposed removing two of the fleet's three on board toilets so as to add six additional seats (RyanAir already packs in the maximum 189 seats onto its Boeing 737-800 airplanes) in order to reduce ticket prices by about five percent per passenger- pretty measly considering the fares are as low as 9 GBP/ EUR (but are also accompanied by substantial credit card and online booking fees). I'll keep my 45p and keep the option open for multiple restrooms.

I suppose there is a reason passengers choose the ridiculously low-priced airline, but when will enough be enough? O'Leary has famously proposed other cost-cutting measures like offering standing-room only seats on flights, charging for toilet usage, and cutting out co-pilots, so I guess this isn't that outrageous.

DOT Proposing Increase in Accessibility to Air Passengers with Disabilities

The Department of Transportation may require airlines and travel providers to provide non-discriminatory accessibility to travelers with disabilities. According to the Census Bureau, here are an estimated 50 million American's with a disability (roughly 1 in 6), many of which face significant barriers when navigating air -and other forms of- travel.

According to msnbc.com, the proposed updates to be made include: requiring airports to "adopt an accessibility standard that mirrors the one the Department of Justice put in place for automated teller machines, which must now have Braille instructions and buttons, headphone jacks (for verbal instructions) and plenty of room around the units to allow physical access for people using wheelchairs and other assistive devices."

Msnbc also reports that in addition to airports updating their physical accessibility, "carriers and travel agents would have up to two years from the roll-out of the regulations to update or redesign their websites. While they do that, DOT would keep in place regulations requiring carriers to make any discounted Web-based fares and amenities available — at no extra charge — to travelers with disabilities who cannot use a carrier's inaccessible website."

This is not the first time these types of proposals have been made, and they are typically met with opposition from airlines and the like who are hesitant to spend the money to provide accessible devices and websites. This time around is no different in terms of opposition, but the Department of Transportation estimates that a reduction in the number of assistance calls due to inaccessible websites will result in savings of $11.8 million over 10 years and that $45.9 million would be saved by airlines in labor costs, making arguments citing increased costs difficult to maintain.

Find the original article here: http://overheadbin.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/10/11/8259446-dot-wants-more-accessible-airline-websites-kiosks

Free Round Trip Airfare to Japan?

In the months following the series of devastating events that have befallen Japan, tourism to the country has been cut in half- causing further financial difficulty for the nation's damaged tourism industry.

The Japan Tourism Agency has put forth a plan to attract potential visitors that may be hesitant to visit the earthquake-ravished country by offering 10,000 free round trip air tickets to those willing to blog -and discuss on other social media sites- about their experience in Japan. Participants will be required to pay for their own accommodation, meals, etc. on the trip.

The goal is to get people talking about Japan in a positive light- and who better to listen to than trusted online sources? (vs. a country's tourist board who of course would say the country is a safe place to visit.)

If the plan is adopted, the tickets will be available to be claimed as early as April 2012.

Link to Japan Tourism Agency: http://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/en/

Visit These Travel Sites While You Still Can

10 places to see that won't be around forever:

1. Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve, Honduras

2. Lahore Fort and Shalimar Gardens, Pakistan

3. Everglades, Florida

4. Old City of Jerusalem, Israel

5. Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery, Georgia

6. Atsinanana Rainforest, Madagascar

7. Samarra Archaeological City, Iraq

8. Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi, Uganda

9. Medieval Monuments, Kosovo, Serbia

10. Belize Barrier Reef

For more details and pictures of each location visit the original link from Travel & Leisure and Yahoo!: http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-40757729

6 Lurking Foreign Car-Rental Fees You Might Not Know About

1.) Premium Station Fee- often applies to places you would naturally pick up a rental car: major airports/ train stations.

Cost: Varies- percentage of the rental fee (example: 20% of the cost in Germany) or a flat rate (example: about $57 in Spain).

2.) Crossing a Country Border- (example: picking a car up in Rome and dropping it in Paris)

Cost: Varies- can be as low as $70 and as high as $4,000 depending on how far you travel between pick-up and drop-off locations.

3.) Road Tax/ Vehicle Licensing Fee (VLF)- a permit/ license for driving in Europe

Cost: Unavoidable, but not bank-breaking, about $5/ day.

4.) Late Return- bringing the car back more than 29 minutes past your scheduled return time

Cost: Returning 30 minutes late will result in a charge for an additional full day!

5.) Winter Tires- essential for icy European roads- make sure to request them in advance even though you'll have to pay extra for them (better to spend a few extra bucks than spiral out of control on the Autobahn)

Cost: Varies- about $4-$20 dollars a day (maxes out at $170 for the trip).

6.) Non-Full Gas Tank- not making sure the gas tank is full before dropping off your vehicle

Cost: Usually a fee ($12 for Avis in France) in addition to the outrageous (and then further inflated by the car-rental company) per-liter of gas cost in Europe.

This list is from Budget Travel. Here is the original link: http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/05/travel/foreign-car-rental-fees/index.html?hpt=tr_c2

Heavy-Duty Article about Boeing Jetliner Air Safety Suit Summed-Up

A former flight attendant settled a case (an undisclosed settlement) with Boeing over what she claims to be a faulty aircraft design (there have been people speaking out about this since the 50s, but most industry experts maintain that the air people breathe while flying is completely safe). The woman, Terry Williams, claims the default has resulted in memory loss, severe headaches, and tremors that have left her unable to work.

Though rare, the passengers and crew in at least 1 in about 28,000 flights (roughly as many that operate in one day) are exposed to small amounts of harmful toxins like tricresyl phosphates (TCPs), carbon monoxide, and others that can sometimes lead to health risks.

The toxins enter the cabin's air through the plane's system of "bleeding" in air that is pumped through the jet's engine, cooled via air conditioners, and mixed with the cabin's existing air (the air in the entire cabin is replaced every two to three minutes with this outside air).

In far greater detail from msnbc, which includes a great graphic about how the air bleeding works: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44777304/ns/travel-news/

Golden Gate Bridge Celebrating 75th Anniversary Next Year

Need a reason to visit the historic, hip city of San Francisco (other than a desire for delicious eats and blustery weather)?

Join the 75th anniversary celebration of Joseph Strauss' 1.2 mile-long suspension bridge in San Francisco on 26-27 May, 2012. (Be sure to be prepared to pay the bridge's $6 cash fare on your trip to San Francisco!)

The bridge was opened in 1937 and has remained an engineering masterpiece ever since.

To learn more about the celebration (and to find ways to get involved), visit: http://www.goldengatebridge75.org/

Picture from: http://thebesttraveldestinations.com/golden-gate-bridge-san-francisco-usa/

TSA Pat Downs Out of Control?

Lori Dorn, a breast cancer patient who underwent a bilateral mastectomy operation (tissue connectors for reconstruction at a later date) in April was refused her plea to retrieve her medical documentation of this from her purse and was forced to undergo "humiliating" breast exam by a TSA agent in front of the other travelers and employees in the area during her movement through airport security.

TSA claims it will use this unfortunate occurrence as a learning experience and provide further training to agents, but TSA seems to be having a particularly difficult time with treating cancer patients respectfully (see article at bottom).

In more detail, from Yahoo/ Associated Press: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/breast-cancer-patient-tsa-pat-down-humiliating-174918023.html

95-year-old cancer patient's airport security ordeal- From Yahoo's The Lookout: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/tsa-defends-search-elderly-cancer-stricken-woman-florida-133354742.html

FAA's New $2.1 Billion Air Traffic System Held Back by Software Problems

The article from the Associated Press is pretty lengthy, so here are a few key paragraphs:

"FAA officials have predicted the agency's NextGen modernization program will be as revolutionary for civil aviation as was the advent of radar six decades ago. It's actually a collection of new programs aimed at moving planes faster and more efficiently that will markedly change almost every major aspect of today's air traffic system. Those changes are considered critical to enabling the system to absorb substantial predicted increases in air traffic without becoming paralyzed by congestion."

"The troubled $2.1 billion software program is the main tool air traffic controllers will use to identify and track aircraft, except when planes are immediately approaching and departing airports. It was supposed to have been completed by the end of last year, but the FAA now doesn't expect to be finished until 2014, at a cost overrun of $330 million, Scovel said."

"Some of ERAM's problems have previously been made public, including glitches that incorrectly identify planes and interfere with the ability of controllers to pass along responsibility for tracking a plane from one control center to another."

"But the problem may be more extensive than the FAA has previously acknowledged. Scovel said his office has found similar problems in another critical FAA computer system that shares the same aircraft tracking software. That system is used by controllers to track planes as they approach and depart airports."

'"ERAM's persistent problems have raised concerns about the overall design of the system," he said in his testimony.'

"The FAA has focused much of its initial NextGen efforts on improving the flow of air traffic at congested airports in 21 major metropolitan areas. However, the agency has been slow in developing the flight procedures that will allow airlines to save fuel and time by flying shorter, more direct routes, Scovel said. The FAA did a study that identified ways to streamline the process for deploying new procedures, but agency officials estimate it would take five years just to put the streamlining initiatives in place, he said."

By Joan Lowy of the Associated Press: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44785250/ns/travel-news/

Businesses that Offer Wi-Fi Being Sued by "Patent Troll"

Innovatio IP Ventures has already sued department stores, restaurants and coffee shop chains and is now suing hotel chains including Marriott, Hyatt, Wyndham and Best Western for using/ providing Wi-Fi (individuals have not been included in the suit as of yet).

Find the article here from Techland (TIME), by Jared Newman: http://techland.time.com/2011/10/04/wi-fi-patent-troll/

New Checked Bag Fees from Delta

Delta has added some considerable checked luggage fees.

Here are a couple examples of the fees:

Flights leaving the United States/ Canada or Mexico, the Caribbean, South America (excluding Brazil), or Central America to Europe are subject to a $60 online/ $75 at the airport fee for a second checked bag (no fee for the first).

Flights departing from and staying within the United States and Canada are subject to a fee of $25 for the first bag and $35 for the second bag.

Find the complete set of details on their Baggage Allowances page: http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/baggage/checked/index.jsp

TSA to Begin Limited Trials of its "Trusted Traveler" Program Today

"TSA PreCheck" will be unveiled for select passengers- those departing Atlanta and Detroit as Delta passengers and travelers departing from Miami and Dallas on American Airlines- starting today. According to CNN, in addition to those passengers, the "program will be open to participants in Custom and Border Protection's Trusted Traveler programs, including Global Entry, SENTRI, and NEXUS" (at those same airports). The program is only available to U.S. citizens and is completely voluntary.

The program will not save everyone in it from the possibility of being randomly screened in order to maintain a sense of unpredictability in the security process (and will not eliminate other forms of airport security such as "intelligence gathering and analysis, explosive-detection canine teams, federal air marshals, closed-circuit television monitoring and behavior detection officers"), but should still significantly shorten security-line wait times.

The program is slated to expand in July 2012 to include United, Southwest, JetBlue, US Airways, Alaska Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines (and will include additional U.S. airports, once they are operational).

Here is the full article from CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/04/travel/trusted-traveler-program/index.html?hpt=tr_c2

5 Tips for First-Time China Travelers

Here is a list from CNN/ Lonely Planet that offers sound tips for anyone going (or considering going) to China.

1.) Before your trip, prepare for the language barrier by taking some courses in Mandarin or at least taking some time to learn key phrases. Also, don't leave without having a quality English-Chinese and Chinese-English dictionary for when you are in a pinch or need to make sure you know what is going on (also consider utilizing your smart phone and downloading a language translator app like Google Translate). Another tip- carry business cards in Chinese for places you want to go (like your hotel) in case you need to ask for directions or take a cab.

2.) Don't try to see all of China in one trip. It's impossible (unless your trip lasts several years). Pick a region or providence and stay there to really get a chance to experience it.

3.) Plan your trip according to the weather in that particular area. China is a massive country, so the weather varies throughout season to season uniquely in each corner of the country.

4.) Use public transportation. China is a great place to utilize public transport and doing so allows you to experience life as the locals do.

5.) Eat! Lots! China is filled with interesting and delicious cuisine just waiting to be slurped up (you might want to dedicate some time to practicing with chopsticks while you are learning how to say hello, goodbye, and thank you in Mandarin).

For the original post, see here: http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/03/travel/china-first-timers-lp/index.html?hpt=tr_c2