Airlines lost 10,000 bags a day in 2005
Airlines lost 10,000 bags a day in 2005 — U.S. airlines last year lost about 10,000 bags a day on average, the worst performance since 1990. The rate of lost suitcase reports per 1,000 passengers on flights soared 23% from a year earlier, according to recent numbers from the U.S. Department of Transportation. (USA Today)
What do you think: Did you have a problem with your baggage last year? Tell us about it.
USA tries to be less daunting to foreign visitors — For more than a year, top industry players including Marriott International CEO J.W. Marriott Jr., and Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, have hammered the message that strict border controls implemented after the Sept. 11 attacks are inflicting collateral damage on their businesses and the U.S. economy. (USA Today)
Judge gives NWA, unions more time to negotiate — A bankruptcy judge has granted Northwest Airlines Corp. and its unions another week to negotiate consensual labor agreements, the airline confirmed Thursday afternoon. (Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal)
Cruise ships punch up sports offerings — What’s next, snowboarding? Boxing and bowling are the latest activities to make their way onto cruise ships, which already offer everything from rock climbing to ice skating. (USA Today)
New Orleans has competition for Mardi Gras — Hurricane Katrina may have rained on the parade in New Orleans, which is scaling back Mardi Gras from the usual two weeks to eight days, but pre-Lenten festivities in other U.S. locales are in full flush. (USA Today)
100 years later, the Ritz hasn’t lost its polish — The luxury hotel that helped put the word “ritzy” into the dictionary is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The Ritz London has been home away from home for VIPs and royalty ever since legendary hotelier César Ritz welcomed its first guest in 1906. (USA Today)
Yellowstone visitors choose coach — A growing number of visitors to Yellowstone National Park are opting to view the spectacular surroundings from snowcoaches  vans on treads that travel over snow-covered roads. (USA Today)
Mountains are making room for tubes — What used to be a homegrown sport, concocted of a steep neighborhood hill and garbage can lid, is quickly becoming a ski-resort staple. There are five stand-alone snow tubing parks attached to major skiing destinations in the Catskills region alone. (The New York Times)
Carrie Charney, Christopher Elliott, John Frenaye, Charles Leocha, Marge Purnell, Valerie Schneider, Mary Staley, Stephanus Surjaputra, Richard Wong.