In the Land of Contraband
It has happened to all of us. One forgetful day, we arrived at the head of the airport security line, only to have some contraband item confiscated by the TSA agent. Hand creams, cigarette lighters, embroidery scissors, grenade launchers, bottles of scotch and perfume - where do all those prohibited items go? James Wysong investigates.
High in the sky
Recent media coverage of a flight attendant arrested for public intoxication raises the question of how often pilots and flight attendants turn up for work drunk - or drink on the job. James Wysong weighs in.
Plane spooky
Gather round while I tell you stories of strange goings-on in the sky, tales of bizarre happenings and unexplained coincidences that will send shivers up your spine. If you are easily spooked by airplane disasters and conspiracy theories, this collection of stories may not be for you. Enter at your own risk. James Wysong reprises his Halloween column from last year.
Who’s the boss?
Many flight attendants dream of meeting their CEO on a flight and giving him a piece of their mind about pay cuts, lost pensions and miserable work conditions. But what really happens when the CEO turns up on the plane? James Wysong tells the story and, in honor of National Boss Day, offers some hardball advice to airline CEOs everywhere.
Bugs on a plane
Insects are a fact of life, and while they aren’t normally a factor in the airline industry, every once in a while they manage to stow away on an airplane. Once discovered in the cabin, the creepy crawlies can cause anything from mild alarm to an all-out swatting party. James Wysong tells some funny stories about bugs on planes and issues some warnings about pesticides.
Reflections from the bottom of a barf bag
We all know the feeling. You’re sitting on a full airplane, and the flight gets a bit bumpy, and little by little that queasy feeling takes hold in the pit of your stomach. Suddenly, you start sweating profusely and you fear you are going to throw up. What to do? Grab the barf bag, of course. But James Wysong has some other advice, too.
Can you handle the truth?
Airline passengers frequently demand to know the reason for a flight delay, especially when it’s mechanical delay. With delays of all kinds mounting over the last two years, James Wysong has found himself wondering whether this is such a good idea. “But wait,” he said to himself. “Didn’t I once write a column about this?” Yes, you did, James. And here it is again for your readers’ consideration and enjoyment.
How not to fly: 10 mistakes to avoid on an airplane
Air travel is full of mistakes waiting to happen. There are the errors we make at home before the trip, and the ones we make at the airport, and of course the ones we make once we get where we’re going. But some of the worst mistakes are the ones people make on the airplane. James Wysong sets folks straight.
Flights of fashion
Gone are the days of dressing up to take an airplane trip. These days, travelers turn up at the airport in shorts, sweat pants, pajamas and even curlers. But where does comfort end and public spectacle begin? James Wysong gives a few pointers for high-flying fashion.
11 lessons from 9/11
For the airline industry, September 11, 2001, will always be a watershed moment, the horror between “before 9/11″ and “after 9/11.” Many innocent people were lost that day, and on this sixth anniversary, the memory of the terrorist attacks is still searing. Have we learned anything? James Wysong says yes.