Land of the Free? A series of TSA images invalidate the claim
(Source: Imgur via Reddit)
TSA has a long way to go in reshaping/redefining itself in the public’s psychology…
Today in Aviation History: April 12, 1911 – Pierre Prier makes the first non-stop passenger flight, traveling from London to Paris.
April 12, 1911: Pierre Prier makes the first Non-Stop flight across the English Channel from London to Paris. The flight was made in a Bleriot XI (11) (model shown below). The flight lasted 3h56m, to fly the 290 Miles/ 466 Kilometers.
Aviator Pierre Prier - Image Courtesy: EarlyAviators.com
Bleriot XI (11) -Image Courtesy: Whatjustflewby.blogspot.com
Today in Transportation History: March 22, 1919 – World’s first international airline service was launched.
The world’s first international airline service was launched. The service, which was run by Lignes Aeriennes Farman (which later transformed into what is today’s Air France), flew on a weekly basis between Brussels, Belgium, and Paris, France. Farman F60 Goliath biplanes were used to transport passengers, and the total flying time one way was two hours and 50 minutes. (Hat tip: AASHTO)
TSA loves getting in hot water; invasive security checks on terrified 3 year old toddler in wheel chair on his way to Disney
(Source: Daily Mail, UK)
[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNO-AzPxS4U’]
Seriously, TSA should exercise some discretion when it comes to these pat downs. Interestingly, the video shows it was filmed during Spring 2010 at O’Hare in Chicago, and let’s hope TSA has changed some of its invasive procedures at least when it comes to kids. The look on the little boy’s face is really disheartening and the parent is doing all he can to assure the kid that it is all okay. Not sure what prompted the swabbing for explosive residues but it seems a bit too excessive given the age of the toddler. One may argue that TSA is simply doing their job and is just ensuring the safety of the flying public by subjecting everyone through the same batter of tests. But I think the swabs for a 3 years old is still a bit too much. The only saving grace here is that the TSA officer was as nice as he can be to the little kid and was not rushing or doing things that will spook the kid more upset/terrified than he already is.
Checkmate, TSA – Blogger unmasks the flaws in the $1Billion nude body scanners deployed at U.S. airports
(Source: TSAoutofourPants.wordpress.com via Reddit)
Blogger Jonathan Corbett is upping the ante in his protracted fight against the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) much criticized Transportation Security Administration (TSA). In the video below, he demonstrates the flaws in the nude body scanners widely deployed at US airports. Amazing to see how simple yet effective his strategy is as he clears the security check points at multiple airports with hidden materials completely undetected. TSA is going to have some serious explaining to do soon as this video is starting to go viral. It is already generating a brick ton of comments on Reddit.
[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olEoc_1ZkfA’]
Cheap Enough to Say, Phuket I’ll Go – Asian Airline Gets Creative With Its Marketing Message
(Source: via Reddit)
Image Courtesy: Imgur.com via Reddit
Infograph: How Airlines Are Using Google +
(Source: via Simplyflying.com)
We all know that the commercial aviation industry is among the cutting edge when it comes to advertising and testing new tools to engage their customers.. So, how are the airlines using the hottest new social media tool in the market – Google Plus (G+)? The brilliant folks at Simpliflying.com (on Twitter: @simpliflying) have done a comprehensive analysis and presented the findings in this awesome infopgraph below..
Image Courtesy: Simplyflying.com - Click Image to Learn More.
FAA Reauthorization Bill finally passed! So here is how it improves your rights as a passenger…
(Source: Flyersrights.org)
After what seemed like an eternity – roughly five years and 23 extensions later – the 112th United States Congress finally got through with the FAA Modernization and Safety Improvement Act of 2012, aka the FAA Re-authorization Bill. Apart from the usual aspects of the $63Billion four-year re-authorization bill, there are a lot of significant inclusions that will affect your travel in the days ahead… in a good way! Thanks to the tireless advocacy by FlyersRights.org, a non-profit that advocates for passenger rights, many of these demands from the passenger community has now found their way into books of law. The table below shows what the organization was fighting to achieve and what they managed to get. Seriously, if you are an airline passenger this law makes sure you have to be treated like a human being who deserves dignity and respect.
|
FlyersRights Goal |
Bill Provision |
| Three-Hour Tarmac Rule | “Excessive delay” tarmac rule. DOT Secretary to determine definition of “excessive” |
| Food and Water Available | Food and water ALWAYS available (deletes DOT “after 2 hours” provision) |
| Medical Treatment Available | Medical treatment ALWAYS available (deletes DOT “after 2 hours” provision) |
| Airline Contingency Plans | Airline contingency plans for eachairport where carrier has flights (removes DOT’s minimum annual enplanement restriction) |
| Airport Contingency Plans | For the first time, airport contingency plans required (no such provision in DOT rules) |
| DOT Consumer Hotline | Implementation of a DOT consumer hotline, number published on internet, prominently displayed by carriers on ticket counter signs and ticket e-confirmations |
| Smoke-Free Environment | Smoke-free rules consistently enforced on scheduled and now unscheduled flights, domestic and international |
| No Child Left Unbuckled | Carriers must post on their web sites the maximum child safety seat size for each type aircraft they operate so passengers can determine which seats will work with which aircraft |
| Carry Musical Instruments On-board Without Additional Charge | Instruments that can be safely stowed will now be treated like any other carry-on item |
| Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection | Creation of a DOT advisory committee, comprised of members from air carriers, airport operators, state, local governments, and non-profit public interest groups with consumer protection experience |
| Realistic Scheduling to Minimize Delays | If aircraft operations exceed an airport’s capability, the FAA and airlines will meet to develop an appropriate schedule reduction. If no voluntary agreement is reached, the FAA will take unilateral reduction action |
| Passenger Awareness of Insecticide Use | Air carriers will now refer passengers to the DOT web page with a list of countries that may require in-cabin spraying for flights to those countries |
| Good Information on Delays | Added reporting requirement for diversions and cancellations |
| Consideration for Military Members | “Sense of Congress*” that carriers should be flexible and generous with active duty military members. They seek reduced airfares, elimination of change fees/penalties, ability to purchase, modify or cancel without time restrictions, and the elimination of fees (including baggage fees), ancillary costs, and penalties |
| Defined Compensation for Lost Luggage | Comptroller General to study the issue, including how added baggage fees should improve service |
Click here to read more. Thank you USDOT and Flyersrights.org for all your hard work to get this done.
Awesome Infographic from USDOT’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Showcases the Economic Impact of Aviation
(Source: FAA)
This nice infograph shows the economic impact of aviation.. What a great way to tell the story!
Image Courtesy: USDOT FAA - Click image to learn more
Flying on Empty – NPR Explores Why Airlines Keep Going Bankrupt
(Source: NPR Planet Money)
I was listening to this NPR podcast on the way to work and felt compelled to share with my readers.. Amazing Fact: Pretty much every major full service American airline has filed for Bankruptcy in the past two decades and one of them (U.S. Airways) actually declared bankruptcy twice in three years. “The industry in aggregate has lost about $60 billion over the 32 years since deregulation, ” says Severin Borenstein, an economist at the Haas School of Business at U.C. Berkley. Meh!
This left me shaking my head in disbelief! Aren’t we the country full of smart MBA grads from top business schools like Harvard, Yale, et al. running some of these businesses? Anyways, if you got a couple of extra minutes, do check out Severin Borenstein’s detailed paper that goes into great details explaining how the airline business is not for the weakest of heart.
On a related note, Boston Globe had an interesting article back in November 2011 that is somewhat optimistic about the future of aviation. Worth a read while you are still suspended in disbelief after reading/listening to the above NPR material.
