Stand by for crowded planes over summer
Stand by for crowded planes over summer — Planes were already packed in April, and passengers planning travel in the months ahead should brace for a season of long lines in the terminal, tight quarters on board, delayed flights and mishandled luggage. (The Washington Post)
Most Americans aren’t likely to curb gasoline use — Americans are unlikely to slice their gasoline use despite high fuel prices — a striking notion viewed against the current clamor for fuel-efficient cars, the buzz about alternatives to gasoline and the anger about sending our petro dollars to hostile but oil-rich countries. (USA Today)
Three major hurricanes expected to hit the US this year — Three major hurricanes will strike the United States this year, with the storm-battered Gulf Coast most at risk in June and July, forecaster AccuWeather predicted Monday. (Reuters)
Northwest, union impasse heads to judge — Northwest Airlines Corp. couldn’t get its baggage handlers to agree to pay cuts, so it’s taking them to court. Northwest wants its bankruptcy judge to let it throw out its union contracts with baggage handlers and other ramp workers. (AP)
Boeing agrees to pay $615 million in settlement — Boeing Co. has reached a tentative $615 million settlement to end federal investigations into its illegal hiring of a high-ranking Air Force official and the use of a rival’s proprietary documents to win government work, the Justice Department said yesterday. (The Washington Post)
Crime wave wanes in Brazil; 97 dead — The unprecedented crime wave that killed at least 97 people and terrified the 18 million residents of South America’s largest city, Sau Paulo, seemed to be waning Tuesday as stores reopened and bus service was fully restored. (AP)
Utah campground closed because of plague — A campground at Natural Bridges National Monument has been closed because of bubonic plague detected among field mice and chipmunks. (AP)
What not to wear (or eat) overseas — Dr. Jerome Levine says he drinks bottled water, and won’t eat anything unless it’s peeled, cooked or boiled. It wouldn’t look so good if an expert on travel medicine got sick on the road. (The New York Times)
On some flights, millionaires serve the drinks — Southwest Airlines has made millionaires out of those select few who have been with the airline since it began — eight flight attendants, five operations workers and four executives. Ask those employees why they stick around and they mention frugality and pride in earning their keep. And they say they simply like to work. (The New York Times)
New nude dude ranch opens in Arizona — The 30-acre Mira Vista Resort has opened as a “clothing-optional” resort, where nudists can enjoy lounging by the pool, playing tennis, doing yoga or even Pilates. (AP)
Coast Guard hunts man overboard on cruise to Bahamas — The Coast Guard has launched a search for a passenger on a cruise ship after he disappeared during a voyage with friends from Cape Canaveral to the Bahamas. (Sun-Sentinel)
2 smuggled lovebirds cause flap on flight to Newark — The two small African parrots were smuggled onto the early morning flight by a passenger who hid them in a 6-inch by 6-inch cardboard box, which he then shoved inside a carry-on bag and sneaked through security, said Todd Burke, a JetBlue spokesman.
Lufthansa jumbo jet collapses at Frankfurt airport — A Lufthansa AG jumbo jet collapsed on its nose at Frankfurt airport when the front landing gear gave way as it was preparing to fly to New Delhi, an airline spokesman said Monday. (Reuters)
DMX arrested and released after disturbance on flight — Police arrested DMX after the rap star refused to put on a seat belt and became abusive on a flight from New York to London, authorities said Monday. (AP)
Things looking up at US Airways, study finds — It hasn’t gotten a gold star yet, but US Airways is doing much better at satisfying passengers, according to a study released Monday. US Airways’ customer satisfaction index increased nearly 9 percent this year, the best margin of improvement of any major carrier, the University of Michigan’s American Customer Satisfaction Index shows. (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)
Carrie Charney, Christopher Elliott, John Frenaye, Charles Leocha, Marge Purnell, Valerie Schneider, Mary Staley, Stephanus Surjaputra, Richard Wong.