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Recent Comments:
Drunk American Airlines pilot blames "strong European beer" {Gadling}
Aug 17th 2009 2:27PM I'm sorry, but this seems like a _very_ apologistic article for someone who could of killed hundreds of people through sheer stupidity and/or a cavalier attitude to his responsibilities. And really that's being kind and taking his word for it.
He should be in jail for attempted manslaughter if you ask me. A $3500 fine or so is much less then you'd pay for a DUI in most states. And you'd be in jail for at least a night. As a "distinguished" guest...
Jack
Layover: Seattle {Gadling}
Aug 1st 2009 10:53AM The new train now runs from near the airport to downtown. There are currently shuttle buses from the airport to Tukwila, but the line to the airport will be finished in December.
Galley Gossip: Cell phones on the airplane {Gadling}
May 29th 2009 12:15PM In reply;
Sure, repeatedly not following instructions, etc needs the appropriate response. And I totally agree with using ADULT responses as above. I think most people respond in kind.
That's my whole point, taping your toe and yelling "Federal Law" makes most people defensive and introduces a tense situation (that takes additional time) to deal with. Giving a quick answer to a stupid question in the long run takes less time and keeps people happy. And I'm sorry, but I've seen on many flights the opposite situation.
Cassie and the rest; you can't demand respect, you have to earn it. Comparing yourself to the CIA and police? Give me a break.
Gee, 6 whole weeks of training. And yet, I have witnessed many "Safety Professionals" who lack even basic first aid skills (or who aren't allowed to practice them). I have a letter from the president of Horizon Airlines commending me for helping a passenger who entered a coma from diabetes during a landing approach. All he needed was a packet of sugar under his tongue, something I did across the aisle while seated. Learned it in a 5 hour Red Cross class. The "safety professionals" didn't have a clue and were totally un-able to even help, other than jump around in a tizzy.
Look, most CUSTOMERS obey instructions, but are sick to death of being pushed around by moronic security and pushy airlines personnel. Stupid restrictions on using a freaking ipod, just add to the stress. Mythbusters for instance, showed categorically that cell phones and other electronic devices cannot POSSIBLY interfere with modern airplanes electronics, they are too-well shielded. Maybe on an older small plane, which is where the rules came from. Passengers aren't dumb. So they push the envelope.
If you wonder why traffic volume is off, it's well-documented that people are finding other means to go places, or just staying home. Think about a win-win way of dealing with your CUSTOMERS, it might just save your job.
Galley Gossip: Cell phones on the airplane {Gadling}
May 28th 2009 12:57PM Would it of really hurt to tell the guy the flight number, or tell him to look at his ticket? How hard is it to give some service, instead of being surly and rude? Yeah quote your "federal requirements" that's fine, but it'll be the last time I fly on your airline.
Knowing how to deal with such a situation in a friendly and positive win-win manner takes some customer relation skills. A joke or a smile and telling him he can find out and call back when the plane lands, might just bring a more positive result.
I know he was being an *ss, but he is a customer. Something that all these replies above seem to miss. We aren't there to please you and follow your instructions, we're there to fly somewhere. We pay the bills, not you, not the federal government.
The airlines and flying have gotten more and more unfriendly, and they wonder why air travel is down.
Stand your ground on hybrid car rentals {Gadling}
Apr 7th 2009 12:23AM ECO-Car is a small rental agency that only rents hybrids. Their cost is very reasonable, less than renting an equivalent car from Budget. I think they may only be in a few areas, I rented from Burbank, CA. Very nice folks, beautiful cars, fun to drive.
Cockpit Chronicles: Travel Tip: Don't leave home without pants! {Gadling}
Feb 11th 2008 12:59PM Very interesting perspective, well-written and great video. Look forward to more!
1.1.3 iPhone Update Liveblog {TUAW.com}
Jan 15th 2008 4:35PM On my plain jane iPhone v1.1.2 the upgrade went fine after I downloaded 7.6 iTunes; except:
It required me to power down the iPhone and then plug it back into the dock to restore it to service. This was not real user friendly as all of a sudden I had no service.
If someone has an easy (non-geek) way to jailbreak a v1.1.3 iPhone I'd be interested, all I really want to do is to tether it.
Jack
New book exposes travel industry's seedy underbelly {Gadling}
Dec 21st 2007 6:25PM Having written my share of tourism sites, trip reports and travel brochures, I have to agree with him. The problem is that the writers (and agents) are usually at the resorts, etc. on free tickets. Who's going to bite that hand that feeds them?
So what do you believe? The internet 'reviews" from those who've traveled there? Hardly. People usually never write positive things about places they've been to on forums, just gripes. Their experience level and expectations vary widely.
Travel consumers are left to read a lot of these articles, talk to agents, sort out the biases and make their own decisions by reading between the lines, I'm afraid.
Amazing Race Season 12, Episode 3 recap {Gadling}
Nov 19th 2007 4:14PM WAAAAA!!!! There's no crying in Africa!
Oh for gawd sake woman, grow up and show the camel who's boss. It was kicking her because she was afraid of it.
Rolling around in the dirt crying was, well, beyond ridiculous. "She's so emotional because she's passionate", says her boyfriend? I think she's so emotional, she's pathetic...
I also liked Christine's comment to Daddy Ron when he started in chattering, "No Daddy, that's camel for be quiet".
Good recap, enjoyed your perspective.
The Amazing Race 12, Episode 2 recap {Gadling}
Nov 12th 2007 6:36PM We wanted to root for the (sort of) home team of Ronald & Christine, but he is, well, a bit of an *ss. I can't believe him yelling at her when she made the decision to do the bikes and when he didn't want to do it, she was being "indecisive". Dressing down the other "rude" kid, who then go the flight out was humorous. Get a clue Ronald, it's a race for $1 mil, I'd be rude (especially to a gate attendant) in a New York minute for that.
His constant meaningless banter, deriding of her, and more, lost us. She seems like a nice girl, but I hope she tells Dad to shove it.
Yes, the ditch vaulting was a hoot. Blonds in mud always bring out the best of a crowd.
Look forward to the rest of the season and blog posts here. I don't know if they're going to be able to beat dwarfs jousting in armor though!
