Gadling http://www.gadling.com Gadling http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.gadling.com/media/feedlogo.gif Gadling http://www.gadling.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[New Legislation Would Allow Pets On Amtrak Trains]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/22/new-legislation-would-allow-pets-on-amtrak-trains/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/22/new-legislation-would-allow-pets-on-amtrak-trains/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/22/new-legislation-would-allow-pets-on-amtrak-trains/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

arbyreed, Flickr
Would train travel be more appealing if you were allowed to bring Fido and Fifi along? That's precisely what four members of the House of Representatives are proposing in a new bill that would require Amtrak to allow dogs and cats, reports The Hill, a blog that tracks the ongoings on Capitol Hill.

Under the "Pets on Trains Act of 2013," one car of each passenger train would allow furry friends, who would need to be brought aboard in kennels or crates that conform to standards set by Amtrak. The service could only be used on trips less than 750 miles in length, and a fee would be required. Currently, Amtrak only allows specially trained service animals on trains.

When introducing the bill on Tuesday, the sponsoring Representatives pulled at other Congresspeople's heartstrings, explaining that pets are part of people's families. "If I can take [my dog Lily] on a plane, why can't I travel with her on Amtrak, too?" asked Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Calif.), one of the bill's cosponsors. If things pan out, it won't be long before dogs and cats will be able to ride the rails alongside their owners.

[via Grist]

New Legislation Would Allow Pets On Amtrak Trains originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 22 May 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AmtrakCapitol HillHouse of RepresentativesJeff DenhamLocalMember of CongressU.S.United States House of RepresentativesWed, 22 May 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Game of Thrones Tours Launch In Europe]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/21/game-of-thrones-tours-launch-in-europe/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/21/game-of-thrones-tours-launch-in-europe/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/21/game-of-thrones-tours-launch-in-europe/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

horslips5, Flickr
Game of Thrones fans can now visit familiar filming locations on new walking tours around Belfast, Northern Ireland and Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Here all all the details for you Game of Thrones fans out there, courtesy of tour company Viator:
  • In Belfast, a 9-hour private tour takes visitors along the Causeway Coastal Route, which should be instantly recognizable to any fans of the HBO series. Pose for photos on the Dark Hedges road before crossing the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, and see the caves where Melisandre of Asshai gave birth to a shadow baby before stopping for lunch at Ballintoy Harbour, which is known as Lordsport Harbour in the series. The tour also includes a stop at the UNESCO-listed Giant's Causeway.
  • Four-hour walking tours in Dubrovnik take fans to the setting of King's Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms in the series. Visitors will check out Lovrijenac Fortress and climb the city walls that were attacked by the Baratheons in the first series, from which point they can look out over Blackwater Bay. According to Viator, a guide will also take visitors to several city parks used to film countryside scenes in the series.
In addition to Northern Ireland and Croatia, Game of Thrones has also filmed in Malta, Iceland and Morocco - but no tours have been announced there as of now. The fact that these tours have been developed, however, is a powerful testament to the effect popular culture has on tourism.

[Via Skift]

Game of Thrones Tours Launch In Europe originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 21 May 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Tue, 21 May 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Host Faces $2400 Fine After Judge Rules Airbnb Rental Illegal]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/21/judge-rules-airbnb-is-illegal-in-new-york-host-faces-2400-fine/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/21/judge-rules-airbnb-is-illegal-in-new-york-host-faces-2400-fine/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/21/judge-rules-airbnb-is-illegal-in-new-york-host-faces-2400-fine/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Screen capture from Airbnb.com.
The outlook isn't good for those seeking cheap accommodations in New York; CNET is reporting Nigel Warren, a tenant who leased out his rented apartment through Airbnb, now faces a $2,400 fine for breaking a state law.

The news outlet reports that although Airbnb stepped in to defend the host, it was ruled the rental infringed upon the illegal hotel law, a statute banning property owners from renting their homes on a temporary basis when they are not present. The fine was originally issued to the landlord, but Warren officially accepted responsibility for posting the listing online.

Earlier this year, it was found that nearly half of Airbnb's New York listings were actually illegal under the law, which prohibits stays of less than 30 days where the owner of the property is absent. Hosts and renters in and out of New York should tread carefully: there's a potential that more people could run into issues with the law, especially in cities where regulations are not clear cut.

Want to know if your New York rental is legal or not? Skift.com has put together nice cheat sheet to help tenants (and travelers) out.

[via Gizmodo]

Editor's Note: Due to erroneous data from our source, a previously published version of this story incorrectly identified all Airbnb rentals in New York as illegal.

Host Faces $2400 Fine After Judge Rules Airbnb Rental Illegal originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 21 May 2013 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AirbnbCNET NetworksFinanceGizmodoTue, 21 May 2013 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Video Of The Day: Grizzly Bear Tries To Eat Camera]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/20/video-of-the-day-grizzly-bear-tries-to-eat-camera/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/20/video-of-the-day-grizzly-bear-tries-to-eat-camera/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/20/video-of-the-day-grizzly-bear-tries-to-eat-camera/#commentsFiled under: , ,

When using his GoPro to capture grizzlies in Alaska, Brad Josephs got a little more than he bargained for when one of the bears tried to eat his camera. As the curious bear tried to decide whether or not to eat the camera, Josephs caught some eerie footage of the inside of its mouth.

"Amazingly there was no damage to the camera," said Josephs on the YouTube page for the video. With all those teeth, it seems pretty amazing to me, too.

For those of you who fear getting up close and personal with grizzlies, here are some tips for traveling in bear country. You certainly don't want to end up like the hiker who was attacked and killed by a grizzly bear in Denali National Park last year, or the one killed in Yellowstone a year earlier.

Video Of The Day: Grizzly Bear Tries To Eat Camera originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 20 May 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mon, 20 May 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Harry Truman's 'Seagoing White House' Rusts In Italian Shipyard]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/20/harry-trumans-seagoing-white-house-rusts-in-italian-shipyard/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/20/harry-trumans-seagoing-white-house-rusts-in-italian-shipyard/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/20/harry-trumans-seagoing-white-house-rusts-in-italian-shipyard/#commentsFiled under: , ,

truman floating whitehouse
What was once one of the world's most famous ships is now rusting away in an Italian shipyard. The U.S.S. Williamsburg, a naval ship that became President Harry Truman's personal yacht in 1945 and was once considered an American treasure, could be scrapped within a few years if a last-minute attempt to save the ship fails, NBC Nightly News reports.

Continue reading Harry Truman's 'Seagoing White House' Rusts In Italian Shipyard

Harry Truman's 'Seagoing White House' Rusts In Italian Shipyard originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 20 May 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dwight D. EisenhowerHarry S. TrumanIcelandLocalNational Science FoundationU.S.United States NavyWhite HouseWorldWorld War IIMon, 20 May 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Passenger Surprised When TSA Finds Dagger Inside Cane]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/20/passenger-surprised-when-tsa-finds-dagger-inside-cane/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/20/passenger-surprised-when-tsa-finds-dagger-inside-cane/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/20/passenger-surprised-when-tsa-finds-dagger-inside-cane/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Transportation Security Administration
Each week, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) details some of the items they uncovered during airport searches on their blog. This week the administration found not only a record 50 firearms (45 which were loaded), but also a curious cane that concealed a 2.5-inch knife (pictured).

According to the blog, even the woman carrying the cane was surprised to find the blade inside when she tried to pass through a security checkpoint at Washington Dulles International Airport.

"It's important to examine your bags prior to traveling to ensure no prohibited items are inside," said the TSA. "If a prohibited item is discovered in your bag, you could be cited and quite possibly arrested by local law enforcement."

At airports this week, officials also found 10 stun guns, two inert grenades and a can of tear gas.

[via Business Insider]

Passenger Surprised When TSA Finds Dagger Inside Cane originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 20 May 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Business InsiderLocalSciTechTransportation Security AdministrationU.S.Washington Dulles International AirportMon, 20 May 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[United Relaunches 787 Today With Houston To Chicago Service]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/20/united-relaunches-787-today-with-iah-to-ord-service/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/20/united-relaunches-787-today-with-iah-to-ord-service/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/20/united-relaunches-787-today-with-iah-to-ord-service/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

George Bush Intercontinental Airport

After four months of testing, the Boeing 787 "Dreamliner" will once again take to the skies in North America today. United Airlines is the first to kick off service, sending the Dreamliner skyward on a flight from Houston to Chicago scheduled for 11 a.m. this morning.

Earlier this year, the federal government grounded all 787 flights due to overheating concerns on the aircraft's lithium-ion batteries. The grounding hit both Boeing and the airlines hard, causing snags in proposed routes and forcing some airlines to lease planes. According to Associated Press, the grounding hurt United's first-quarter earnings by as much as $11 million - which is why we questioned whether or not the 787 is ready for flight, or whether the billions of dollars that have already been invested in the planes have caused things to be pushed along a little too quickly.

But according to several sources, passengers don't seem too worried. United spokeswoman Christen David told Associated Press the company "saw strong demand for the flight from the first weekend it opened for sale." United is starting slowly with domestic flights, and will then move into international flights in June with a new Denver-to-Tokyo service.

United Relaunches 787 Today With Houston To Chicago Service originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 20 May 2013 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Associated PressBoeingBoeing 787ChicagoFinanceNorth AmericaUnited AirlinesMon, 20 May 2013 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Architects Give Sneek Peak Of Post-Sandy Beaches In New York]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/17/architects-give-sneak-peak-of-post-sandy-beaches-in-new-york/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/17/architects-give-sneak-peak-of-post-sandy-beaches-in-new-york/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/17/architects-give-sneak-peak-of-post-sandy-beaches-in-new-york/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Images courtesy Garrison Architects
Seven months after Hurricane Sandy ravaged New York City-area beaches, construction will begin on replacement pavilions for those that were destroyed in the storm. Here's a peek at what destinations like Rockaway Beach and Coney Island will look like, courtesy of Garrison Architects, the firm that was asked to create these modular pavilions.

Structures include bathrooms for the public, stands for lifeguards and offices for beach staff, all of which sit on concrete stilts in order to meet standards put in place by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). According to architecture blog Architizer, the materials used to produce the pavilions, like galvanized steel frames, will ensure the structures resist severe weather in the future. The pavilions also have double-ventilated roofs with solar panels on top to save on energy consumption.

According to the architects, the pavilions will be built in Pennsylvania and then transferred via flatbed trucks to New York, where cranes will set them on pile foundations. Ramps and stairs will connect the structures to each other and provide access to the beaches and boardwalks. The new facilities should be put in place just in time for summer.

Check out even more images after the jump.

Continue reading Architects Give Sneek Peak Of Post-Sandy Beaches In New York

Architects Give Sneek Peak Of Post-Sandy Beaches In New York originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 17 May 2013 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Coney IslandFederal Emergency Management AgencyHurricane SandyLocalNew YorkNew York metropolitan areaPennsylvaniaU.S.Fri, 17 May 2013 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Air India Pilot Locked Out Of Cockpit After Bathroom Break]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/17/air-india-pilot-locked-out-of-cockpit-after-bathroom-break/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/17/air-india-pilot-locked-out-of-cockpit-after-bathroom-break/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/17/air-india-pilot-locked-out-of-cockpit-after-bathroom-break/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

allenthepostman, Flickr
In what would otherwise make for a great comedy sketch, an Air India captain took a bathroom break during a flight Tuesday night and returned to find a jammed cockpit door. But according to a report by USA Today, this was no laughing matter: after all efforts failed to open the door - even from the inside - the co-pilot landed the plane at the nearest airport, where ground maintenance staff fixed the problem. The plane then resumed its flight, which was making its way from New Delhi to Bangalore.

This is the second strange cockpit incident that's happened with Air India recently; earlier this month, pilots allowed flight attendants to sit in their chairs while they napped, and one of the attendants accidently disengaged the plane's autopilot function. In both instances, no passengers were injured.

Air India Pilot Locked Out Of Cockpit After Bathroom Break originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 17 May 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Air IndiaBangaloreNew DelhiUSA TodayWorldFri, 17 May 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Two Pilots Fired After Brazilian Pop Star Takes Captain's Seat Mid-Flight]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/16/two-pilots-fired-after-brazilian-pop-star-takes-captains-seat-m/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/16/two-pilots-fired-after-brazilian-pop-star-takes-captains-seat-m/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/16/two-pilots-fired-after-brazilian-pop-star-takes-captains-seat-m/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Latino / Instagram (Courtesy The Aviation Herald)
A Brazilian pop star who calls himself Latino has put TAM Airlines in the hot seat after he was allegedly invited to sit in the captain's chair during a cross-country flight from Recife to Rio de Janeiro. Pictures of the singer in the cockpit of an Airbus A320-200 were circulated on Instagram and posted to the musician's website the day after the incident, but were later removed.

According to an incident report on The Aviation Herald, autopilot was on and the first officer was in his seat when Latino climbed into the captain's chair. After a few pictures were snapped, the captain took back his seat and the aircraft continued for a safe landing in Rio.

The news outlet reports the airline initially claimed the photos were taken while the plane was on the ground, but later admitted the aircraft was in-flight, evidenced by engine instruments and navigation displays in the background of the photos. Both pilots have been fired as a result of the occurrence, and Brazil's Agência Nacional de Aviação Civi - the country's equivalent to the Federal Aviation Administration in the United States - has opened an investigation.

Two Pilots Fired After Brazilian Pop Star Takes Captain's Seat Mid-Flight originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 16 May 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BrazilFederal Aviation AdministrationRio de JaneiroTAM AirlinesThu, 16 May 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Forbidden America: Cold War-Era Map Shows No-Go Zones For Soviet Tourists]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/16/forbidden-america-cold-war-era-map-shows-no-go-zones-for-soviet/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/16/forbidden-america-cold-war-era-map-shows-no-go-zones-for-soviet/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/16/forbidden-america-cold-war-era-map-shows-no-go-zones-for-soviet/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Image courtesy of the Rockefeller Archive Center
If you think security is tight now, imagine what it was like for Soviet tourists who came to the United States during the Cold War. Although a select few private Soviet citizens were granted permission to visit the Land of the Free in the 1950s, the U.S. government was very specific about the places these tourists could and could not visit. A map that surfaced on Slate's new history blog, The Vault, details those forbidden places, which are shaded in green above.

The U.S. barred the admission of all Communists in 1952. According to Slate, tourists had to produce a detailed itinerary and get it approved before obtaining a visa to visit the U.S. Most ports and coastlines were off-limits to these travelers, as well as anywhere near weapons facilities or industrial centers. It seems these restrictions mirrored Soviet constraints on American travel to the USSR after World War II, with the only exceptions being journalists and government officials. These travel restrictions stayed in place until the Kennedy administration lifted them in 1962 as a symbol of the openness of American society.

[via BoingBoing]

Forbidden America: Cold War-Era Map Shows No-Go Zones For Soviet Tourists originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 16 May 2013 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Boing BoingCold WarRussiatravel restrictionsTravelRestrictionsUnited StatesWorldWorld War IIThu, 16 May 2013 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Feminists Protest Barbie 'Dreamhouse' In Berlin]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/16/feminists-protest-barbie-dreamhouse-in-berlin/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/16/feminists-protest-barbie-dreamhouse-in-berlin/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/16/feminists-protest-barbie-dreamhouse-in-berlin/#commentsFiled under: ,

Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images
Barbie's Eurotrip hit a roadblock at its first stop in Germany, where an activist group caused quite a production at the opening of a touring Barbie "Dreamhouse." CNN is reporting a group of left-wing feminists, Femen, protested the opening of a 27,000-square-foot pink mansion earlier today in Berlin, arguing the attraction puts the sexism and shallow materialism they believe Barbie symbolizes on display.

Above is a picture of one of the bare-breasted protesters in front of the Dreamhouse. An inscription across her torso reads "Life in Plastic is Not Fantastic," and - in case you can't tell - she's holding up a burning cross with a charred Barbie doll attached to it. Protesters were arrested, but the movement led to an "Occupy Barbie Dreamhouse" page on Facebook, which already has thousands of "likes."

Located off the shopping district of Alexanderplatz, the life-sized mansion is full of Barbie-related fashions, furniture and accessories. It will be open to the public until August 25, at which point it's slotted to move on to other cities throughout Europe. A Dreamhouse also opened inside a Florida shopping mall last week.

Feminists Protest Barbie 'Dreamhouse' In Berlin originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 16 May 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AlexanderplatzBarbieBerlinCNNEntertainmentEurotripThu, 16 May 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Six Flags Texas Debuts Record-Breaking Hybrid Coaster (VIDEO)]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/15/six-flags-texas-debuts-record-breaking-hybrid-coaster-video/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/15/six-flags-texas-debuts-record-breaking-hybrid-coaster-video/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/15/six-flags-texas-debuts-record-breaking-hybrid-coaster-video/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Coaster enthusiasts, get ready to roll. Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio is introducing a new coaster with a first-of-its-kind looping zero-gravity barrel roll on a hybrid coaster. The new coaster, dubbed the Iron Rattler, will also feature the world's tallest and steepest drop, an 81-degree fall from a height of 180-feet. The coaster is fast, too; it tops out at 70 miles per hour as it snakes through four over banked turns and eventually flips riders upside down.

Here's a summary of the record-breaking stats, according to Six Flags Fiesta Texas:
  • A 180-foot lift hill makes it the tallest hybrid coaster in the world.
  • An 81-degree drop makes it the steepest hybrid coaster in the world.
  • A top speed of 70 mph makes it the fastest hybrid coaster in the world.
  • A zero-gravity barrel roll makes it the first hybrid coaster in the world to flip completely upside down.

Season pass holders will get a sneak peek at the Iron Rattler on Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19, and then the coaster will be available for public rides on Saturday, May 25.

Six Flags Texas Debuts Record-Breaking Hybrid Coaster (VIDEO) originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 15 May 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amusement parkAmusementParkroller coasterRollerCoasterSan AntonioSix Flags Fiesta TexasWed, 15 May 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bulldozers Destroy Maya Ruin In Belize]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/14/bulldozers-destroy-maya-ruin-in-belize/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/14/bulldozers-destroy-maya-ruin-in-belize/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/14/bulldozers-destroy-maya-ruin-in-belize/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Maya Ruin Destroyed in BelizeA Maya ceremonial center that has stood in northern Belize for approximately 2,300 years was destroyed when construction crews chipped away at it with backhoes and bulldozers to extract rock for a road-building project, Associated Press is reporting.

The news outlet detailed how construction crews demolished parts of a pyramid in the Nohmul complex, the most important Maya site in northern Belize, near the border with Mexico. There are 81 structures in the complex, but the destroyed pyramid was the ceremonial center, as well as the namesake structure for the complex. Now the once large structure has been whittled down to its core, and the limestone that was extracted will be used for gravel roads in a nearby village.

Although the land the pyramid sits on is privately owned, laws in Belize maintain any pre-Hispanic ruins are under government protection. According to the Associated Press, police said they are conducting an investigation and criminal charges are possible.

Bulldozers Destroy Maya Ruin In Belize originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 14 May 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Associated PressBelizeLocalmaya ruinMayaRuinU.S.WorldTue, 14 May 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Video Of The Day: Modern Day 'The Motorcycle Diaries']]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/13/video-of-the-day-modern-day-the-motorcycle-diaries/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/13/video-of-the-day-modern-day-the-motorcycle-diaries/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/13/video-of-the-day-modern-day-the-motorcycle-diaries/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,


Before beginning his doctorate in biomedical sciences, "Alex the Adventure Biker" took a break to realize his lifelong dream: to ride a motorcycle through the Americas. Over the course of nearly a year and a half, he rode his bike through 22 countries as he made his way from El Paso, Texas, to Argentina and then back up through Brazil and all the way to Alaska - a journey of more than 82,000 miles.

"In short I drove solo half way around the world, through interstates, highways, dirt roads, no roads, mud, rivers, through hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, rain, hail, sun shine, snow, ice roads you name it and I made it back," the adventurous biker wrote on his website. Ride along and check out the varied landscape as he saw it (and some disco dancing, too) in the video above, which was created from more than 600 hours of footage.

Video Of The Day: Modern Day 'The Motorcycle Diaries' originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 13 May 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AlaskaArgentinaBrazilEl Paso, TexasLocalU.S.Mon, 13 May 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[An Airplane Is Born: Airbus A350 Shows Off Paint Job, Ready For Test Flights]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/13/airbus-a350-shows-off-paint-job-ready-for-test-flights/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/13/airbus-a350-shows-off-paint-job-ready-for-test-flights/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/13/airbus-a350-shows-off-paint-job-ready-for-test-flights/#commentsFiled under: ,



The first flyable Airbus A350 emerged from a hangar in southwestern France earlier today, showing off a freshly painted livery stamped with the Airbus logo. But the significance of this morning's roll out goes beyond just a few layers of paint; according to Airbus, the plane has passed a number of milestones, including flight-test-instrument (FTI) verification, and should be ready for its maiden flight this summer.

According to Bloomberg Businessweek, the manufacturer hopes to bring the wide-body aircraft into commercial service by the end of 2014. The model has been built to rival Boeing's popular 777 model as well as the 787 "Dreamliner," which has come under fire recently due to overheating concerns on the aircraft's lithium-ion batteries.

[Photo credit: P. Pigeyre (Courtesy Airbus)]

An Airplane Is Born: Airbus A350 Shows Off Paint Job, Ready For Test Flights originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 13 May 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AirbusAirbus A350Bloomberg BusinessweekBoeingBoeing 787FinanceFranceSciTechMon, 13 May 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pilot's New Book Argues 'Everything You Know About Air Travel is Wrong']]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/13/pilots-new-book-argues-everything-you-know-about-air-travel-is/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/13/pilots-new-book-argues-everything-you-know-about-air-travel-is/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/13/pilots-new-book-argues-everything-you-know-about-air-travel-is/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


From white-knuckled first-time flyers to seasoned business travelers, anyone looking for a behind-the-scenes look at air travel should pick up pilot and travel columnist Patrick Smith's new book. To compose "Cockpit Confidential: Everything You Need to Know About Air Travel: Questions, Answers, and Reflections," Smith pulled (and updated) content from his former Salon column and AskThePilot.com to give a comprehensive look at the often misunderstood airline industry.

Here's an excerpt from the book's introduction:

More than ever, air travel is a focus of curiosity, intrigue, anxiety, and anger. In the chapters that follow I will do my best to provide answers for the curious, reassurance for the anxious, and unexpected facts for the deceived.

It won't be easy, and I begin with a simple premise: everything you think you know about flying is wrong. That's an exaggeration, I hope, but not an outrageous starting point in light of what I'm up against. Commercial aviation is a breeding ground for bad information, and the extent to which different myths, fallacies, and conspiracy theories have become embedded in the prevailing wisdom is startling. Even the savviest frequent flyers are prone to misconstruing much of what actually goes on.

Continue reading Pilot's New Book Argues 'Everything You Know About Air Travel is Wrong'

Pilot's New Book Argues 'Everything You Know About Air Travel is Wrong' originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 13 May 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Amazon.comCommercial aviationEntertainmentPatrick SmithSalonMon, 13 May 2013 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Look Out For Goats At Chicago O'Hare]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/09/look-out-for-goats-at-chicago-ohare/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/09/look-out-for-goats-at-chicago-ohare/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/09/look-out-for-goats-at-chicago-ohare/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Twenty-five to 30 goats will soon start grazing at Chicago O'Hare Airport. The animals will help landscape 120 acres of foliage, including space near creeks and hill areas that are difficult for groundskeepers to maintain, CNN is reporting.

According to the news outlet, the city announced the plan on Wednesday as part of a two-year contract for "sustainable vegetation management grazing services" that will help them reduce costs and carbon dioxide emissions. To make sure the goats don't get too close to runways, they will be separated from the airfield by security fencing and will remain supervised while on airport property.

CNN reports other airports that have brought goats in to landscape have seen mixed results. In San Francisco, goats are successfully used two to three weeks each summer to clear vegetation, which allows the airport to clear a firebreak without interrupting some endangered species that call the area home. But in Seattle, goats came and went within a week in 2008 because they were too effective, eating everything in sight - including native plants the airport wanted to protect.

Chicago's herd is expected to arrive in about a month. Look out for them as you take off and land at the airport.

[Photo credit: Armin Kübelbeck / Wikimedia Commons]

Look Out For Goats At Chicago O'Hare originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 09 May 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ChicagoCNNLocalOHare International AirportU.S.Thu, 09 May 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Spirit Airlines Ditches Toll-Free Customer Service Line]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/08/spirit-airlines-ditches-toll-free-customer-service-line/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/08/spirit-airlines-ditches-toll-free-customer-service-line/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/08/spirit-airlines-ditches-toll-free-customer-service-line/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Famous for its no-frills approach (and for being the first airline to charge for carry-on bags), Spirit Airlines has decided it no longer needs a toll-free customer service line, the Los Angeles Times is reporting. In lieu of a 1-800 number, Spirit quietly replaced all its phone numbers with 801 area codes, which correspond with a geographic area in Utah.

The change won't affect most mobile customers, who typically have unlimited long-distance calling plans. But according to the L.A. Times, people dialing Spirit from a landline could incur fees up to 18 cents per minute, depending on the phone plan. Let's just hope Spirit doesn't have long wait times for speaking with customer service reps, or else fees could start adding up quickly.

"Our new numbers are allowing us to keep our costs low, which we in turn continue to pass along to our customers by way of the ultra-low fares they have come to know and love," airline spokeswoman Misty Pinson told the news outlet. Although the toll-charge number doesn't seem like it will hit most wallets, when coupled with the airline's 71 other passenger fees, the price of a "low cost" flight just keeps getting higher and higher.

[Via Skift]

[Photo credit: Flickr user ​Clemson]

Spirit Airlines Ditches Toll-Free Customer Service Line originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 08 May 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airline feesAirlineFeesFinanceLos Angeles TimesSciTechSpirit AirlinesWed, 08 May 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Harvey Milk Likely Honored With Terminal, Not Airport]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/08/harvey-milk-likely-honored-with-terminal-not-airport/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/08/harvey-milk-likely-honored-with-terminal-not-airport/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/08/harvey-milk-likely-honored-with-terminal-not-airport/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A proposal to rename San Francisco International Airport after Harvey Milk has been scrapped by a California lawmaker, the Associated Press is reporting. Instead, there is a possibility one of the airport's terminals will be named after the politician and gay rights leader who was assassinated in 1978.

David Campos, a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, told the news outlet that public opposition to re-naming the airport caused him to cancel plans to put a question on the city ballot. It seems the city's daily newspaper and Mayor Edwin Lee are not thrilled about the idea, as well as other politicians, businesspeople and locals.

Moving forward, Campos now plans to establish a committee that would recommend which of the airport's four passenger terminals should be named for Milk, as well as additional airport landmarks that could potentially be named in honor of other prominent San Franciscans. Milk's nephew, Stuart Milk, who is also a gay rights leader, said he believes the airport's international terminal would be most appropriate - especially since Milk is already recognized abroad, with a gay rights celebration observed in his honor in Chile and a gay community center named for him in Italy.

[Via USA Today]

[Photo credit: Flickr user Håkan Dahlström]

Harvey Milk Likely Honored With Terminal, Not Airport originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 08 May 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Associated PressCaliforniaChileDavid CamposEdwin LeeFlickrHarvey MilkItalyLocalSan Francisco Board of SupervisorsSan Francisco International AirportStuart MilkU.S.Wed, 08 May 2013 11:30:00 EST