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Snow Blankets Northeast, Disrupts Travel: Photos

Liz Behler — 2010-12-27T14:29:00+00:00

Filed under: News

The Northeast is experiencing travel snags after Sunday's snowstorm battered the coast from Philadelphia to Boston. From skiers in Times Square to snow covered planes, take a look at photos and video from the big freeze.

A couple crosses a snow covered street on the Upper East Side on New York December 26, 2010; Timothy A. Clary, AFP/Getty Images

Work crews removes barriers as snow falls on Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles football team, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010, in Philadelphia. The Eagles game scheduled for Sunday evening against the Minnesota Vikings was postponed until Tuesday due to wintry weather; AP Photo/Matt Slocum

Snow is cleared from a Connecticut airport, AP

People try to negotiate through a pile of snow on Third Avenue to get on a city bus on the east side of Manhattan December 27, 2010; Stan Honda, AFP / Getty Images

People make their way from the subway up a snow covered staircase in New York's Times Square December 27, 2010; Stan Honda, AFP / Getty Images

A nearly empty Times Square during the morning December 27, 2010 in New York after a blizzard dropped 18 to 20 inches of snow in the area; Stan Honda, AFP / Getty Images

A man who gave his name as Marcus cross country skis through snow in New York's Times Square December 27, 2010 after a blizzard dropped 18 to 20 inches (46 to 51 cm) of snow in the area; Stan Honda, AFP/Getty Images

A statue of Samuel Adams has a covering of snow in front of Faneuil Hall in Boston, Monday, Dec. 27, 2010; Michael Dwyer, AP

A plow clears the snow in Love Park during a blizzard on December 26, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Drew Hallowell/Getty Images

The statue of Paul Revere is covered in snow, Monday, Dec. 27, 2010, in Boston; AP Photo/Michael Dwyer

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Philadelphia Flight Grounded After Unidentified Baggage Handler Vanishes

Liz Behler — 2010-10-07T15:27:00+00:00

Filed under: News

Joe Jones, flickr

An unidentified baggage handler prompted a Bermuda-bound flight out of Philadelphia International Airport to be evacuated Thursday.

According to police, 102 passengers and five crew members were removed from US Airways Flight 1070 around 11 am, after two baggage handlers that were loading the plane noticed that a third baggage handler was in uniform, but was not wearing a security badge. When confronted, the man vanished from the tarmac.

After the passengers were deplaned, the aircraft was towed to a secure area of the airport where police removed and checked each piece of luggage with the help of bomb-sniffing dogs. The plane was also checked for explosives, though no hazardous materials were found.

The incident is not expected to be terror-related, FBI spokesperson J.J. Klaver told The Associated Press, however the investigation is ongoing.

Todd Lehmacher, a US Airways spokesman, confirmed the search but would not comment on specifics, citing the continuing investigation.

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Travel Hero: I Broke My Leg in Bali

Liz Behler — 2010-06-23T14:45:00+00:00

Filed under: Real Life Stories

Pamela Tibbs

Pamela Tibbs was no stranger to the island. In fact, she had been visiting Bali for over 10 years. But it wasn't until a young Balinese man named Ketut helped to save her leg, and possibly her life, that it began to feel like home.

Tibbs, a creative type who grew up in Virginia, always knew she wanted to travel the world. After obtaining a degree to teach English as a second language, she set off on a journey that took her around the globe, landing her in the Micronesian Islands. She lived and worked on Guam Island as a photo journalist, magazine writer, and teacher of fabric dyeing.

In 1999, Tibbs took a short vacation to the nearby island of Bali. She marveled at the beautiful temples, verdant vegetation, and vibrant clothes worn by the local people shown to her by a young Balinese man in his early 20s, but was interested in seeing destinations off the beaten path. Her driver, Ketut Sudarsana, took her to a tiny village named Dhausa, near Tiertaganga, a place that looked unlike anything else that she had seen on the lush little island. This village was extremely poor and in desperate need of help.

The visit ignited something in Tibbs, spurring a call to action to friends, family, and colleagues asking for supplies and livestock. She began an organic farm, called Side by Side, which consisted of several rice fields and began with the hopes of fostering a sense of self reliance in the villagers.

Tibbs' focus was on helping disenfranchised women and children. She spent nearly 10 years raising funds to buy more farmland and to send kids to school, but in 2008 Tibbs decided her work was done. "My objective is to walk away. So I've always been really big on its yours, you know how to do this, all you need is some opportunity, you don't need me, and I thought the farm was at that place," says Tibbs.

While on the way to a farewell feast with Ketut, Tibbs stopped to use the bathroom at a service station. She knew the nature of bathrooms in Bali, which were often slippery due to communal bathtubs, called mandis, where people gather water to pour over themselves, the water cascading to the ground and draining through a hole in the corner of the room.

Tibbs precariously navigated the bathroom, and upon exiting the building, firmly placed her foot on what she thought would be solid, dry ground. She did not know that while she was being ever so careful inside the tiny bathroom, outside a young man was busy pouring water on the tiles, part of his morning duties.

Tibbs lost her footing, her ankle twisted, and in a second she was on the ground. "I will never forget that sound of my bone popping as it fractured. I looked down and could see blood everywhere and the bone in my leg sticking out."

Tibbs became frantic, screaming and yelling in a complete state of shock. The young man who was cleaning rushed to her side, soiled rag in hand, to help her stop the blood. Luckily Ketut was too fast. He jumped at the boy, tackling him before he had time to place the filthy rag on the wound. Ketut then calmly took over, ordering the boy to gather bottled water to irrigate the gash, and then organizing a team of men to lift her fragile frame into the back seat of his car.

Ketut rushed Tibbs to the local hospital with complete control and a serene urgency. Once there, Tibbs learned she had compound fractures in both her tibia and fibula and had to be transferred to an international hospital in Singapore. Ketut followed. He packed her passport, clothes, and money, and stayed by her side while she traveled, while she waited for surgery at the hospital, and eventually, while she recovered.

Maybe it's his nature -- both his uncle and grandmother, who raised him, were healers -- but Ketut quickly went from being Tibbs' assistant and driver to being her caretaker. He sat bedside keeping her company and performed traditional Balinese massage on her hands, tempering the pain she felt in her leg.

After surgery, Tibbs made the trip home, unsure of how she would handle the weeks to come. To her surprise, upon arriving in Bali, Ketut's entire family was waiting outside despite the deluge of rain. They helped her from the car, into her wheelchair, and carried her, white-knuckled, through rice fields and over small paths to her bungalow. Once there, Tibbs expressed concern about ascending the steps to her bedroom, a concern Ketut quickly dismissed. "Ketut said 'Not to worry. We carry big pigs through the rice fields all the time!' Even I started to laugh. There I was, risking my life, and being compared to prize pork."

Despite the surging compassion, Tibbs was suffering, and from more than just her leg. It was three weeks after the fall and Tibbs was back home, bound to a walker, and showing signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. "I became afraid of living alone, even though I've lived alone all my life." With her confidence wavering, she was unsure how she would manage with her new limitations -- until, unexpectedly, she received a knock on the door. "One day, Ketut showed up at the front door and said 'I'm moving in upstairs.'"

Ketut stayed for four months, cooking and cleaning, dressing wounds, and caring for Tibbs. "I'd always been the very strong one. I'm quite strong. I'm quite forceful. For me to have a role-reversal was one probably the most difficult thing I've ever done in my life." Tibbs waded in self-pity, but not for long.

"On the day I hurt my leg, I was on my way to say goodbye... I fell and I thought, well, maybe my work out there isn't done after all. The farm is there, it could always use more." Tibbs began reaching out, making the transition from organizing on-site, to organizing from her bed. She arranged for a school from Hong Kong to come learn about and contribute to the farm. She continued the expansion of the farm, and acquired more livestock. "All of a sudden I'm thinking, how many pigs did we get today? How many stones have they carried? It just took my mind away from the pain, and it helped those who were giving up everything to help me."

After four months of immobility, Tibbs was able to start moving her leg. Ketut, always at the ready, built a bamboo railing and held her hand while she once again learned to walk.

The healing process has been arduous, spanning over 2 years, and it's still not over. Tibbs recently returned to Singapore for nerve surgery on her afflicted leg. While she's still able to walk, she expects it to be several months before all discomfort is gone. "What I am really proud of is those steps they used to carry me up -- I walked up them yesterday. And we got to the top, and I did a sort of little dance. I couldn't be happier. This nerve surgery did the trick."

Still, Tibbs is thankful for the experience, which taught her the depths of humanity and compassion -- gifts she often granted to others but was not used to receiving herself.

Tibbs plans to stay in Bali alongside her steadfast companion Ketut -- with whom she's forged an ineffable friendship -- and all the villagers who took it upon themselves to make sure she was on the mend.

"I live in a village, and nothing ever happens to just one person. We all take care of each other," said Tibbs. "I supposed they adopted me as a member of the family without my ever realizing it. I now believe more in kindness than I ever, ever believed before. I had no idea, and I'm normally a person who believes that people are pretty kind."

Have you ever encountered a real life travel hero? Tell us your story at Travelcomments@aol.com.

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JetBlue Pilot Removed From Flight After Threatening to Hurt Himself

Liz Behler — 2010-05-21T13:34:00+00:00

Filed under: News

Boston Logan; dsearis, flickr

Reports that a heartbroken JetBlue pilot threatened to crash a plane he was scheduled to fly out of Boston on Thursday are misleading, according to a statement made by George Naccara, the airport's federal safety director.

The pilot, who is unnamed, was hospitalized yesterday after being pulled from a flight leaving from Logan Airport. Officials report that he threatened to harm himself, and was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.

Earlier reports alleged that the pilot was pulled from the flight after e-mailing his ex-girlfriend, threatening to crash the plane if she did not reconcile with him.

"He never threatened crashing the aircraft. It was a situation in which he was threatening to take his own life and, in fact, his words were he may do it in 'some spectacular fashion' but not anything to do with the aircraft and no reference to crashing the aircraft or harming anyone else other than himself," Naccara told the Boston-based radio station WBZ Radio.

Naccara also commended the pilot's ex-girlfriend, who is a flight attendant, saying she "did the right thing" by telling authorities.

The pilot was removed from the pilot's lounge around 1:30pm Thursday, an hour before his scheduled flight, for what JetBlue named as "health-related reasons." Police confronted the pilot, where they found he had a gun, State Police spokesman David Procopio told the Associated Press on Friday.

Procopio could not disclose details regarding the gun and whether or not it was loaded, but did note that the pilot would not be charged with illegal possession of a firearm, suggesting he might be a member of a post-9/11 program that arms and deputizes pilots called the Federal Flight Deck Officers program.

JetBlue spokesman Bryan Baldwin told CBS affiliate, WBZ-TV, "At no point were any customers or aircraft in danger." The airline branded the report about the threat to crash the plane "vicious rumor and speculation."

"He is not in custody, he will not be flying, of course, and other actions will be taken by JetBlue and also by the FAA," Naccara told WBZ.

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Cruise Ship Environmental Report Card Results "Aren't Pretty"

Liz Behler — 2010-05-20T13:09:00+00:00

Filed under: News

EnDumEn

Friends of the Earth, an environmental group based in San Francisco, released its second annual "Cruise Ship Environmental Report Card" on Wednesday, along with a statement that the results of the review "aren't pretty."

The report covered 11 major cruise lines and 113 ships and evaluated the lines on sewage treatment, air pollution reduction, water quality compliance and accessibility of environmental information.

"For the second year in a row, we've found that cruise lines are doing less than they can to limit the environmental impacts of their ships," Marcie Keever, director of Friends of the Earth's Clean Vessels campaign said in a statement.

Crystal Cruises, which did not appear in last years report, ranked the lowest with an F, due to the absence of advanced sewage treatment systems on their ships and the inability to utilize shoreside power via plug-ins at equipped ports.

Norwegian and Holland America both topped the rankings with a B-, a step down for Holland America, which scored a solid B in the 2009 rankings.

Disney Cruise Line was awarded a C-, garnering the title of "Most Improved". Last year, Disney sat in last place with an F ranking, but this year was applauded for its recent installation of advanced sewage treatment systems.

The report has its critics. The Cruise Lines International Association released a statement calling the Friends of the Earth "a campaign fundraising group" and that the criteria for the survey were "arbitrary and flawed." The statement continues on to say that its members "meet and exceed" environmental standards, accusing the group of misstating facts "to advance its own agenda."

Keever told USA Today on May 20th that her group tried to involve CLIA, as well as the individual lines, in the study, but only Disney and Holland America responded.

"We understand that cruise ships and cruise vacations aren't going anywhere and it can be a reasonably priced vacation especially for families, and you can choose all sorts of things to do on your cruise," Keener told USA Today. "But for people concerned about the environment this (report) gives people an opportunity to make a choice about what ship or line they can take. You can't assume all ships are fine."

To see the full rankings and their explanations, visit Friends of the Earth's website.

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Site Lets Tourists "Rent a Local Friend"

Liz Behler — 2010-05-19T12:40:00+00:00

Filed under: News

Louvre, Paris; phillyreconstructed, flickr

Put the quackers down, and step away from the double decker tour bus -- the best way to discover a new city is with a knowledgeable friend by your side. For those of us who aren't lucky enough to have friends positioned around the world, one company is helping travelers out by letting them rent one.

Brazilian journalist Alice Moura started rentalocalfriend.com while living in London, after a reader of her blog asked her to show them around the real London. Moura, an experienced traveler, soon realized that the only way for a tourist to get an authentic experience of any city was to see it with someone who lived, ate, and worked there every day. She also realized that the demand for one-on-one insider tours was strong.

"I thought mostly of backpackers. But many clients are elderly people who like personalized service. We also have families that don't like inflexible tours, and young people who want to know trendy places," Moura told the AFP.

The website connects travelers with personal tour guides in 15 major cities spanning the globe, including New York, San Francisco, Paris, and Barcelona. Visitors first submit a short form with a description of their interests (culture, sports, photography, food, shopping) via email, after which the guides come up with a personalized itinerary.

Prices vary on location and length, but average around $85 for three people to go on a four-hour tour. For those who feel confident enough to take on their destination alone, the site also lets travelers choose a personalized guide compilation, which gives them a tailored, relevant guide that they can take with them as they explore the city solo.

While rentalocalfriend.com is lesser known than other recommendation sites such as TripAdvisor, Moura told the AFP that her business has led to authentic friendships between guides and travelers, adding "It's more for the fun than the money."

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Michael Jackson's Doctor Helps Airplane Passenger

Liz Behler — 2010-05-17T15:10:00+00:00

Filed under: News

cliff1066, flickr

The doctor accused of killing Michael Jackson stabilized a young woman who fell unconscious on a flight from Houston to Phoenix Saturday.

According to TMZ, Conrad Murray "jumped out of his seat" to help a 23 year old woman who fainted aboard US Airways flight 641, after a flight attendant came over the loudspeaker to ask if there was a doctor on the plane. Murray, whose California license is suspended while he awaits trial, found the woman with a very weak pulse. Murray hooked the woman up to an IV line he found in the plane's medical bag and continued to monitor the woman while the plane was diverted to Albuquerque, N.M.

Upon landing, the woman, who was traveling with an 11-month-old baby, was met at the gate by paramedics and taken to a hospital. Once the woman was removed, the plane continued on to Phoenix.

The unnamed young woman later told TMZ that Murray said to her "You probably know me. I was Michael Jackson's doctor."

When asked what she would say to Murray, she told the celebrity website: "Thank you so much. Thank you for helping me even without knowing me."

"We're not surprised," Miranda Sevcik, a member of the legal team representing Murray in his involuntary manslaughter case, told the Associated Press. "He's a good doctor, we've always said he was a good doctor, and that's what good doctors do is save people."

US Airways confirmed that a doctor on the flight helped to stabilize a passenger with a medical emergency, however the airline said it is against company policy to identify the passenger or the doctor involved.

At the time of the incident, Murray was in transit to Los Angeles to see his trial lawyers.

Michael Jackson died last June after being found unresponsive in a Beverly Hills mansion while under the care of Murray. Murray has since been charged with involuntary manslaughter, a charge the doctor has denied. Murray remains free on $75,000 bail pending trial.

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US Botany Professor Detained in Cairo Airport with Cache of Weapons

Liz Behler — 2010-05-14T13:48:00+00:00

Filed under: News

Terminal 1, Cairo Airport; Wikimedia Commons

An Egyptian-American man was detained at Cairo International Airport earlier this week, when customs officials found a cache of weapons including two 9 mm handguns, 250 rounds of ammunition, two swords, 5 daggers and 6 knives in his checked luggage.

Mohammed Ibrahim, a professor of botany at a university in the United States, was detained Tuesday night after he had arrived on an Egypt Air flight originating at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Officials reportedly checked Ibrahim's luggage after they saw him "behaving nervously" as he waited to pass through customs. The weapons were found hidden in metal boxes and secret compartments throughout the luggage, an Egyptian official told the AFP on condition of anonymity.

American officials have said that there was no security lapse. Packing weapons in checked luggage is legal in the United States if properly declared to the airline, however passengers traveling abroad are required by US law to verify the rules in practice at their destination.

"Transporting firearms within the US in checked baggage is permitted if properly declared to the airline," the TSA said in a statement. "Many other countries have different laws that address transportation and possession of firearms. We recommend passengers traveling internationally check with the authorities at their destination about their requirements."

Ibrahim failed to declare the two handguns, according to the TSA.

The TSA searches checked luggage for explosives, but not firearms, which are out of reach to passengers during the flight and pose no in-flight security risk. The TSA notifies the proper airlines if any guns or ammunition are improperly packed.

Egyptian prosecutors have confirmed that Ibrahim was transferred to a state security prosecutor for further investigation.

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Abu Dhabi Gets Gold Vending Machine

Liz Behler — 2010-05-13T15:11:00+00:00

Filed under: News

Gold To Go

Like something from a James Bond film, Abu Dhabi's top hotel, the Emirates Palace, recently debuted a vending machine that dispenses gold bars.

The machine, named Gold To Go, allows customers to trade cash for gold in quantities ranging from coins up to 10-gram bars. The price of gold, which was up to $1,245 an ounce yesterday, is measured by the machine every ten minutes.

Abu Dhabi isn't the first place to showcase the machines. Gold To Go was developed by German inventor Thomas Geissler, and the first machines debuted last year in Frankfurt's Airport.

The exterior of the machine is coated with a thin layer of 24-carat gold. Customers using the unusual ATM can choose from 320 items, including gold customized with logos.

"All the gold is imported from Germany, and soon we will have a customized gold bar with a print of the Emirates Palace logo, which will be a nice souvenir for guests to take home," Geissler told Reuters on May 13th.

Currently, customers can buy gold coins engraved with a maple leaf, kangaroo, and Krugerrand -- representing the gold-producing nations of Canada, Australia and South Africa.

Thanks to the region's high demand for gold, and the high-roller atmosphere of the city, Gold To Go has already seen its fair share of customers.

"On the first night we had a lot of demand," Geissler told Reuters. "One customer even bought one item of every product we have."

The Emirates Palace, a hotel frequented by visiting dignitaries and billionaires, is no stranger to opulence, as gold graces everything from ceilings to cappuccino foam.

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Hilton and JetBlue Partner Loyalty Programs

Liz Behler — 2010-04-22T13:01:00+00:00

Filed under: News

Hilton

JetBlue and Hilton have teamed up to provide more perks to card-carrying members of their loyalty programs. Last week the companies announced a partnership that would link the HHonors and TrueBlue programs, giving members more ways to earn points.

Now, for every $2 spent at a Hilton property members will earn one point toward a JetBlue flight on top of the regular HHonors points they would already have received. Members will also be able to cash in their hotel points and convert them into points for JetBlue flights.

To help kick off the partnership, Hilton is offering a Double Points promotion for TrueBlue members. For every stay between April 6th and July 15, program members will double their points, by earning one TrueBlue point for every dollar spent. Check out Hilton's promotion website to sign up then book at stay at more than 860 qualifying hotels worldwide.

Hilton's properties include several different brands, including Hampton, Doubletree, Conrad, Waldorf Astoria, Embassy Suites, and Homewood Suites.

Last November JetBlue re-launched its customer loyalty program, freeing the program of blackout dates. Hilton's HHonors program also has no blackout dates, giving you more control over how to use your points.

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The New Face of Tapas in Vegas

Liz Behler — 2010-04-15T15:36:00+00:00

Filed under: Video

The new heart of the Las Vegas strip, CityCenter, beats not only with an extraordinary urban resort but with a new batch of gastronomic experiences. Among them is Julian Serrano, the eponymous new restaurant from the two-time James Beard Award winner.

The new heart of the Las Vegas strip, CityCenter, beats not only with an extraordinary urban resort but with a new batch of gastronomic experiences. Among them is Julian Serrano, the eponymously-titled new restaurant from the two-time James Beard Award winner.

Located in the Aria's main lobby, the restaurant marks Serrano's first professional foray into his native Spanish cuisine, where he blends traditional home-style flavors with a modern edge -- think molecular concoctions, like lobster tail salad paired with heirloom tomatoes and carrot "air".

Tapas are small by nature, but full of flavor and whimsy, from the traditional, béchamel-infused Spanish Chicken Croquetas to flat calamari (served surprisingly almost whole) to deconstructed Mediterranean-style stew. While Serrano dances on the edge of global contemporary, the menu largely errs on the side of comfortable, feeling more like a collection of the chef's childhood favorites. Paellas come in five different forms and are designed to be shared, while a classic creamy risotto is paired with earthy wild mushrooms.

The restaurant itself is splashy and upscale, full of high-energy music and modern appointments like faux black trees and bold striped tiles. Sip sweet sangria in the main dining area or sidle up to the serpentine bar to choose wine from a 500-bottle-strong Spain-centric wine list.

Video Produced by Patrick Batu

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United in Merger Talks with US Airways

Liz Behler — 2010-04-08T11:14:00+00:00

Filed under: News

cliff1066, flickr

UAL Corporation's United Airlines is in merger talks with US Airways, in a potential deal that could create the second-largest carrier in the United States, according to a report late Wednesday by the New York Times.

According to the Times, "people briefed on the matter" have noted the discussions are being largely aimed at cutting costs, and working out a management structure that would allow both companies to thrive in a struggling industry dominated by the combined Delta-Northwest.

"We think a deal would help what we see as US Airways' main problem, a lack of international breadth and scale, while United would gain control over a low cost airline with strong domestic route map," Jim Corridore, equity analyst at Standard & Poors', told Reuters.

This isn't the first time the companies have come to the table to negotiate. In 2000, the airlines announced a multi-billion dollar deal, only to back down due to strong opposition from the Justice Department and unions. Eight years later, United and US Airways tried again, but again came away empty handed after months of negotiations.

Both airlines have previously been in talks with other carriers. In 2006 US Airways pursued Delta, with no outcome. United had also met with Continental Airlines in 2008 for merger talks, with no final agreement.

"If you take a look at those two carriers, there's a tremendous amount of overlap," Michael Boyd, an airline industry consultant, told Reuters, referring to United and US Airways. "This is likely to get Continental, which would be a better fit, out of the barn to start talking."

While United and US Airways are deep in their talks, a transaction is not expected to be announced for at least several weeks, and sources caution that the deal could still fizzle.

"Airline mergers are complex and unions, antitrust regulators or other circumstances could derail a deal," said Corridore.

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Yachts of Seabourn Announces One-Week Sale

Liz Behler — 2010-04-05T15:34:00+00:00

Filed under: News

Yachts of Seabourn

Luxury line Yachts of Seabourn announced a one-week sale today, with up to 65% off regular summer cruise rates.

More than two dozen voyages are part of the promotion, which discounts cruises that range from 7 to 14 days and sail between June and August. Itineraries are available in both Europe and Asia, with fares beginning at $2,499 per person. While the fares are considerably higher than some other Carnival-owned cruises, the line's lead-in fares are notably more than $200 lower than comparable 2009 summer sailings.

Nine cruises are offered at the lowest rate, including the Yachtsman's Riviera, a 7 day cruise departing from Barcelona, Spain and making stops in Palamos, Spain; Port Vendres, France; Bandol, France; Marseille, France; Le Lavandou, France; St. Tropez, France; and Monte Carlo, Monaco. The cruise originally retails for $7,100 per person.

Carnival Cruises, which owns Seabourn along with Carnival, Holland America and Princess, recently increased prices for summer sailings on its other brands. The Carnival line recently announced an across-the-board fare hike on all summer sailings, raising prices up to 5% in a response to "unprecedented" booking levels. Alternately, Seabourn has recently been struggling with their pricing, as a result of a capacity increase that will add three ships to its fleet in three years.

Prices are based on double occupancy, and taxes and fees are not included. All bookings must be made by April 12, 2010.

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FAA Relaxes Ban on Antidepressants

Liz Behler — 2010-04-05T12:47:00+00:00

Filed under: News

Charles Williams, flickr

The Federal Aviation Administration is lifting a long-standing ban on psychiatric medications, allowing some pilots who take select antidepressants to return to duty.

Starting today, the FAA will consider granting waivers, allowing pilots to fly while taking Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, or Celexa. The generic equivalents of these drugs will also be admitted.

The nearly 70-year ban originally grew from concerns over possible side effects of psychiatric drugs, like drowsiness. FAA officials have cited medical advancements, which reduce the risk of adverse side effects, as one reason behind the policy shift.

The old rule often forced pilots who suffered from depression to hide their illness, either by taking antidepressants in secret, or by remaining untreated so as to not lose their certification to fly.

"I'm encouraging pilots who are suffering from depression or using antidepressants to report their medical condition to the FAA," said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt in a news release on April 2nd. "We need to change the culture and remove the stigma associated with depression. Pilots should be able to get the medical treatment they need so they can safely perform their duties."

Pilots will be evaluated on a case by case basis, and waivers will only be granted to pilots taking medication for "mild to moderate depression." Pilots will also have to prove that they have been "satisfactorily treated" with medication for at least 12 months before being allowed to fly.

Additionally, the FAA announced they will offer a grace period to pilots who have been secretly taking antidepressants. Pilots will have six months to disclose any antidepressant use or diagnosis, without fear of civil enforcement action.

Recently diagnosed pilots who want to begin medication will be subject to a one-year waiting period, and pilots must be examined by an aviation medical examiner every six months to one year in order to be recertified. All pilots are required by law to disclose all medications they are taking.

While many mental health professionals think the ban reversal is a huge step in the right direction, others are worried that the year-long waiting period might encourage some pilots to keep their diagnosis under the radar to avoid losing experience and wages.

"Pilots are going to take a huge personal sacrifice to acknowledge being depressed and getting treatment," Dr. Charles Raison, a psychiatry professor at Emory University School of Medicine, told ABC News. "So I think what's going to happen as a result... is pilots who become depressed are going to be anxious about coming forward. They're going to fly when they're depressed -- and that is something that does worry me."

Australia, Canada, and the U.S. Army already employ aviation guidelines that allow some pilots to fly while taking antidepressants.

According to a 2009 Columbia University study, more than 10 percent of the U.S. population takes antidepressants, making them the most commonly prescribed class of drugs in the country.

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New Booking Site Makes Flying Australia Easier

Liz Behler — 2010-03-30T16:43:00+00:00

Filed under: News

Wotflight.com

A new online travel site may make finding cheap flights within Australia a little easier.

The site, Wotflight.com, was started last month and searches for flights among dozens of Australia's commercial airports. Wotflight.com even includes smaller domestic airlines that other larger sites might overlook, like Brindabella and Aeropelican.

While searching lesser known carriers and off-the-beaten-path airports can sometimes provide steep discounts, it's not always the case. Travelers will still have to consult with other travel sites to ensure they're getting the best deal, since Wotflight doesn't currently search prices across all carriers. Wotflight also charges a booking fee of 16.95 Australian dollars (about $15.50 USD).

The site was launched as a sister site to Wotif.com, an accommodations booking site based in Brisbane. Customers who book flights using Wotflight will receive a voucher that amounts to 10 Australian dollars, which can be used immediately to discount a hotel stay booked through Wotif. Customers also have the choice to save the vouchers, collecting them to cash in for an entire trip.

While the site currently focuses only on flights within Australia, the company hopes to expand its reach in the future.

"We have Australian domestic flights on offer initially," the line said in a statement, "and will be progressively launching Trans-Tasman and an international booking service."

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Literary Letter Makes Public Debut in Boston

Liz Behler — 2010-03-30T13:06:00+00:00

Filed under: News

John F. Kennedy Library Foundation

Literary fans have a chance to read an often-referenced but rarely seen correspondence; for the first time, a letter written by J.D. Salinger and addressed to friend and fellow writer, Ernest Hemingway, is on display at the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston through this Sunday.

The letter, which has been almost as reclusive as its author, has been part of the library's Ernest Hemingway collection for 30 years, but had never before been available for view by the public.

Salinger, who is famous for his anthem of teen angst The Catcher in the Rye, wrote the letter in 1946 from his hospital bed in Nuremburg, Germany. The war-fatigued writer was serving in the Army at the time and was hospitalized due to, what he called, "an almost constant state of despondency."

The two writers had met previously in Europe, and Salinger opens the letter with "Dear Poppa," a Hemingway nickname that signals their relationship was more than just an acquaintanceship.

The letter begins by discussing his treatment and doctors, then progresses to his feelings about the Army. Halfway through the letter, Salinger begins asking about Hemingway's work on his new novel, and implores him not to "sell it to the movies. You're a rich guy. As Chairman of your many fan clubs, I know I speak for all the members when I say Down with Gary Cooper."

Salinger also mentions some of his own work. "I've written a couple more of my incestuous stories, and several poems, and part of a play," Salinger writes, before alluding that he has a "very sensitive novel in mind," which some believe is a reference to Catcher in the Rye, which was published five years later, in 1951.

John F. Kennedy Library Foundation

"I hope the next time you come to New York that I'll be around and that if you have time I can see you. The talks I had with you here were the only hopeful minutes of the whole business," Salinger says in his closing remarks.

The letter, which was donated to the library by Hemingway's widow years after his death in 1961, has previously been available to and referenced by scholars over the years. Scholars have looked to the letter to find insight into the world-famous author, years before he isolated himself from the public.

Scholars also believe that Hemingway, who kept strict records of his correspondences, never answered the letter. If this proves true, the letter acts as the only correspondence between the two prolific authors.

The letter went on display last Sunday during a presentation of the PEN/Hemingway Award, an honor awarded annually to a first-time fiction writer. This year, Brigid Pasulka took home the award for her first novel, A Long, Long Time Ago and Essentially True. The letter will remain open to the public through Sunday, April 4th.

Salinger died earlier this year on January 27th at his home in New Hampshire. He was 91 years old.

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W Hotels Hires Fashion Director to Grow Clothing Line

Liz Behler — 2010-03-25T16:28:00+00:00

Filed under: News

W Hotels, Global Glam Collection

Starwood's upscale W hotel chain has hired a fashion director to help grow the hotel's clothing line.

Amanda Ross, a veteran of the fashion business, will work on directing and expanding W's Global Glam Collection, a line that includes a wide range of designer clothing and accessories, from bikini beachwear to high-end handbags.

"If you look at W's target audience, it's people who are interested in the latest, hippest, coolest. They are fashion forward and have a credible, authentic approach to fashion," W brand chief Eva Ziegler told USA Today. "We needed to have an expert, so we came up with the idea of a fashion director to help identify the future of the collections and where trends are going."

Ross has more than 20 years of real-world fashion experience under her belt. She has previously worked for Condé Nast and Harpers Bazaar. More recently she has worked as a consultant for television and film, with stylist credits on projects like "It's Complicated" -- starring Meryl Streep and Steve Martin -- and TV's "Lipstick Jungle."

Ross' influence will extend beyond the fashion line and into the hotels, where she will help to style individual locations as well as hotel staff uniforms. Ross will also work on publishing W's new Insider Guides -- a series of trendy travel guides that outline spots to eat, shop, and relax like a local.

Hiring Ross isn't the hotel's first venture into the fashion world. For years W has hosted a VIP-only club inside the big tent at New York's Fashion Week, and last year the chain hired former Gucci-runway music programmer Michaelangelo L'Acqua to organize trendy hotel-branded compilation CDs.

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NCL Offers On-Board Credit One Week Before Rate Hikes

Liz Behler — 2010-03-25T13:02:00+00:00

Filed under: News

Norwegian Cruise Line

Airlines aren't the only ones with great deals this week; Norwegian Cruise Line recently announced a money-saving promotion for cruisers who book by Friday.

NCL's "Freestyle Dash" gives travelers up to $250 in on-board spending money per cabin booked for cruises six days and longer.

The amount of on-board credit depends directly on the level of accommodations. Guests staying in a Garden Villa will receive the biggest credit, $250, while less expensive accommodations earn smaller credits. Cruisers will receive $150 for suites, $100 for deluxe balcony cabins and mini-suites, $75 for balcony cabins, $50 for ocean-view cabins, and $25 for inside cabins.

Travelers who book a five-day cruise will still receive some on-board credit, which tops out at $100 per cabin when booking a Garden Villa.

Customers will also receive 50% off their deposit, making the deposit for a 6-day cruise jump from $250 per person, down to $125 per person.

Cabins must be booked by 11:59pm EST on March 26th, by using the promotion code PGDASH.

The promotion ends exactly one week before the company plans to institute a fleet-wide price hike. Starting April 2nd, NCL intends to raise fares by up to 7% across all 10 of the ships in its fleet. According to the company, the higher rates are a result of increases in year-to-date booking volume.

NCL isn't the only cruise line increasing their fares. Earlier this week, Carnival announced an across-the-board price hike of up to 5% for summer sailings.

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Naval Ship Reborn as Grand Cayman Dive Site

Liz Behler — 2010-03-25T11:50:00+00:00

Filed under: News

Wikimedia Commons

This summer, another watercraft will find a home on the ocean floor of the Cayman Islands. The USS Kittiwake, a decommissioned naval submarine rescue ship used during World War II, will be sunk near the north end of Grand Cayman's Seven Mile Beach in order to create a new dive and snorkel site.

The vessel will join the MV Captain Keith Tibbetts, a Russian warship sunk in 1996 off the coast of Cayman Brac in order to create an artificial reef.

The ship, which weighs 2,200-tons and measures 251-feet long, will be sunk in 65 feet of water. The top of the vessel's bridge and smokestack will linger only 20 feet below the surface, making the site a draw for snorkelers.

Officials hope the vessel will attract more visitors to the island.

"Diving has always been a cornerstone of the tourism industry in the Cayman Islands," McKeeva Bush, minister of tourism for the Cayman Islands, told Travel Weekly on March 23rd. "When the Cayman Islands Tourism Association approached the Ministry of Tourism seven years ago with the idea for a new dive attraction to stimulate tourism, we were happy to support the project financially."

In February, the Kittiwake was towed to the island from Fort Eustis, Va., where it was part of the James River Reserve Fleet. The ship was specifically chosen for its height and weight, which make it less susceptible to storm damage, according to Travel Weekly.

Before sinking, the vessel will be cleaned to remove all hazardous materials and chemicals, and multiple panels will be cut to allow natural light to enter.

Once the ship is below water, it will be marked so divers will be able to easily identify different sections of the vessel, including the air bank storage, engine room, dive locker, and recompression chamber.

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TSA Proposes Device That Tracks Cell Phones, Wait Times

Liz Behler — 2010-03-24T17:58:00+00:00

Filed under: News

kalleboo, flickr

The Transportation Security Administration is considering installing devices in airports that target traveler's personal smartphones and PDAs, in an effort to help passengers avoid long security lines, according to a report by USA Today.

The devices would detect personal electronic equipment in order to gather security line wait times, and then post the findings on websites and in airports across the country.

"This technology will produce valuable data that can be used in a variety of ways," Lauren Gaches, a TSA spokeswoman, told USA Today -- including the potential to prevent problems at checkpoints.

Christopher Bidwell, security chief at Airports Council International, told USA Today that the technology would remove some of the uncertainty of air travel, as long as the data gathered is "real-time, up-to-date and accurate."

Civil-liberties experts have responded to the proposed devices with concerns over the government's ability to track travelers.

It's serious business when the government begins to get near people's personal-communication devices," Jay Stanley, an American Civil Liberties Union privacy expert told USA Today.

No devices currently exist, however the TSA is in the early phases of exploring the technology. Last year, Purdue University researchers tested similar equipment by placing dime-sized receivers near checkpoints at Indianapolis International Airport. The test ran for a month, and detected serial numbers emitted by some passenger's personal electronics. The information was then used to find out the length of time it took individual passengers to clear security, according to USA Today.

Darcy Bullock, a Purdue transportation engineer involved in the testing, found that the devices detected signals from 6% to 10% of travelers passing through the airport, according to USA Today. Bullock also noted that only part of each serial number was recorded, and that the numbers were promptly deleted.

Some electronic devices manually broadcast their serial number every 15-20 seconds once they are turned on, however the devices can be set to keep them from broadcasting.

While no such devices are currently employed in the U.S., several European airports have begun carrying similar systems. According to USA Today, London's Heathrow Airport is working with airlines to begin implementing the technology.

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