Tag Archives: planes

“Planes” Flying to Theaters in August

We can’t escape “Cars.”  The film, my least favorite of Pixar’s (well, technically “Cars 2” would win that dubious honor), continues to be so popular, mostly through merchandising, that Disney keeps putting it front and center.  The latest way in which the company is doing so is with a new movie, due out this August. The new film isn’t really a sequel or prequel to “Cars.”  It’s more of a related film in the same general universe.  The primary difference in “Planes” is evident in the title.  “Planes” will be about the world that goes on above that of the … Continue reading →

Can We Find A Way To Eliminate Liquid Restrictions On Airplanes?

Have you ever wondered how it is possible that we can create a vehicle that transports people to the moon, yet we can’t seem to come up with an airport-screening device that can detect liquid explosives? Having such a machine would mean that we could all go back to toting unlimited supplies of juice for our children without having to worry about exceeding the Transportation Security Administration’s existing 3-ounce rule. Well… it looks like help is on the way. Hopefully. Executives with the Homeland Security Department recently announced that they are working with top government scientists to test a new … Continue reading →

Travel Update: Super Jet and Super Potty

SUPER JET How much would you pay to take one of the first flights in the world’s largest passenger jet? In a previous blog I told you that some mighty rich flyers were ponying up big bucks for the privilege. A few weeks ago Singapore Airlines put several seats on an inaugural flight in the highly anticipated 471-seat double-decker Airbus A380 on eBay with the goal of donating the proceeds to charity. Yesterday, the carrier announced it has already raised more than $1.25 million. The lucky (and rich) passengers will get a chance to see if their money was well … Continue reading →

Luxury Travel: The Perks Of First Class

Must be nice to spend your vacation being lavished with seven-course gourmet meals, pampered with gifts by Ferragamo and Bulgari, and swaddled in Australian wool blankets—at 35,000 feet. Ah, the luxuries of first class flying… how I wish I knew thee. Actually, I’ve had the great pleasure of flying first class a couple times in my life, unfortunately both experiences happened in the mid 80s, long before first class flying included access to fully flat beds, silk sheets, and a three-to-one passenger-to-crew ratio. These days the first class cabins in most airlines are akin to luxury spas. To say some … Continue reading →

Travel Tidbits: Lavatories and Lobbies

LAVATORIES In a previous blog I detailed my recent 10-hour flight to Hawaii… with my two-year-old. (Oh, yes, it was quite an adventure.) What I didn’t share with you was the good fortune we had to be seated in a bulkhead row (bulkhead row = more leg room), located not far from the restroom. My silent gloating ended abruptly when I noticed a long line forming around our seat area. There were at least a dozen people in line to use the two lavatories in our section. As I looked up, my eyes locked with a fellow passenger who shook … Continue reading →

True or False–Airplanes Have “Safe Seats?”

Growing up, my dad insisted that whenever we flew we absolutely, positively, had to sit over the airplane’s wing. He subscribed to the popular theory that the wing area provided the safest seats because (as some argue) that section of the plane is the most structurally sound. I never questioned him (why would I—he was my dad). So for years, no matter what type of aircraft or how short my flight was I always requested a window seat over the wing. (Never mind, that I missed out on some spectacular aerial views because they were obstructed by this massive piece … Continue reading →