(Source: Reddit)
So, how do you get even with an insurance company that left you hanging? Here is one way to do it.
Image courtesy: Reddit - Click the image to get more details.
(Source: Cameron Booth via FastCoDesign)
Click the images to enlarge and also to learn more about them.
Interstate network
U.S. Routes
(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.
Note: This is an SES position.
The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) in the U.S. Department of Transportation is seeking a dynamic executive to serve as the Deputy Director, Bureau of Transportation Statistics. The Deputy Director is responsible for guiding the Bureau’s programs, as described in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users of 2005, under the direction of the Secretary of the Department, and the RITA Administrator and Director of the Bureau.
As such, this executive will support the Director in leading the transportation data compilation, analysis and statistical programs of the Bureau, and its related research and development activities. The Deputy Director’s responsibilities will be to manage and direct the operations of the Bureau to ensure the quality of the programs in developing statistical guidelines, statistics and data systems that provide effective information on the status, performance, trends and impacts of transportation nationwide.
The individual filling this position needs to be a dynamic leader with fresh ideas and strong background in transportation and statistics. Furthermore, the individual we are seeking must have proven executive skills commensurate with a position at this level including, but not limited to, excellent interpersonal, communication, and planning skills; and extensive experience in managing resources (financial and human) in a large multi-disciplinary organization. While not required, executive experience in the Department/Federal government and an advanced technical degree are desirable.
If you know someone who has the qualities described above and who may be interested in learning more about this challenging position, please encourage them to apply for this vacancy. We want to attract a diverse pool of candidates from within and outside the government who can bring strong executive skills to the position. The vacancy announcement can be found at: http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/305933100
PLEASE NOTE: Closing date has been extended! ( March 5, 2012)
(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.
(Source: Autoblog)
The graphic says it all. To get more details on the data, recommend clicking image.
Image Courtesy: Autoblog.com
Dates: June 29 – July 16, 2012
Image courtesy: Planetsave.com via Google Images
This program presents an introduction to transportation engineering applications in the European context. The course will build on earlier courses with a special emphasis on differences between U.S. and Dutch standards. The curriculum will feature material that provides a contrast between engineering principles and policies focusing on the standards presented in both the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices and the Highway Capacity Manual. Furthermore, specific emphases on engineering principles and practice will be explored through field trips and in guest lectures both while abroad and in Portland. Students completing this course will have a greater understanding of the contrast in policies from the Portland area with communities in the Netherlands.
The location of the course was strategically identified to share the experience with an established program from Northeastern University led by Dr. Furth. The concept for this program is to join the Northeastern students for the first two weeks, returning back to Portland after that period to complete the course in Portland. During the two weeks at TU Delft, there will be a field trip every day within the City and to surrounding communities (including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Den Haag, and others). Delft is centrally located and provides an ability to represent transportation designs that follow the national policies. The lectures are a combination of guest speakers from local practitioners and others that Dr. Furth has enlisted in the program in the past.
Students will spend two weeks at the Technical University of Delft developing an understanding of the transportation systems of the cities in the Netherlands, including Delft, Rotterdam, Haarlem, Den Haag, and others. A typical day will include a guest lecture from a practitioner in the local community followed by a field trip. Lunch will be time to explore the local community and students will be asked to document their experiences by collecting information (digital pictures and notes) throughout the day. The context of each community will offer opportunities for the lecturers (Furth and Koonce) to offer perspectives from their communities (Boston and Portland), contrasting the planning, engineering, and policy issues associated with the local communities. This combination will allow students to gain an understanding of transportation concepts that have been implemented to address specific challenges.
