The Ten Types of Annoying Passengers, According to a Flight Attendant

Do you have things in your job that annoy you? Do you notice it's the same things that annoy your co-workers? Yeah me too. As a flight attendant I get asked over and over again what is the most annoying things passengers do? I always tread lightly, because flight attendants get accused of, well, complaining too much. And, believe me we can probably complain better than most.

In fact there's an old joke:
Q. How many flight attendants does it take to change a light bulb?
A. Zero, because we'd rather sit around in the galley and bitch about it.

So, what behaviors annoy flight attendants the most? Well, besides urinating in the aisle, and other super gross activites, here are Ten Types of Annoying Passengers:

1. The Manner-less: Just a "please" and "thank you" goes a long way in our world. We hear “what ya got” and “gimme a coke” far too often. Also, if we offer a meal choice and they don't like it, it's okay to just say no thank you; only five year olds wrinkle up their nose and say "ewww."

2. The Amateur Geographer: Flight attendants don't know our exact location coordinates, especially in the middle of in-flight service. And chances are we don't know what body of water that is below us either.

3. The Pen-forgetter: Passengers that leave home without one are particularly annoying, especially on an international flight with forms to be filled out. And, yes we know you are glaring at the pen on us when we say no we don't have one. Flight attendants are required by the FAA to have a pen on them at all times.

4. The Smartphone Addict: Those who insist they're about to turn off their phones even after we've already asked numerous times usually reply, “I know! I am turning it off!" But they're not—they're texting and it's not like we can't see that. It's just as annoying for us to ask as it for them to have to comply. Just do it!

5. The Thirsties: They need a drink of water as soon as they board the plane and need to use the lav just as urgently. We understand there are close connects and exceptions, but most passengers have been sitting out at the gate area with ample time to use the restroom and get a drink of water.

6. The Headphones Wearer: We ask: “Would you like something to drink?” No response. "Would you like something to drink?" Nothing. Wave in front of face. Nothing. Wave in front of face again. Confused look. “Would you like a drink?” “What?” Motion someone drinking. "Ahh, gimme a coke." Is it possible they didn't see the bar cart coming?

7. The Trash Collector: It's super gross to be handed trash during in-flight service, especially when they blindly put it wherever, like in our ice. And let's not talk about handling dirty diapers or wiping their nose or face and then trying to hand us the tissue.

8. The Free-for-all Parent: Passengers that let their kids run wild on the plane and then expect and ask the flight attendants to watch them are of course expecting too much. This behavior often includes parents telling us to return their children to buckle up their seat belts.

9. The Dare to Barer: Perhaps this type of passenger shouldn't bother us because it's a personal choice thing, but they do. We're talking about those who use the lavatory in their bare feet. Maybe it's because we care so much about the well-being of our passengers?

10. The Coffee Snob: It's a safe bet that passengers probably didn't have breakfast with their flight attendant, so you need to let them know how you take your coffee. If they're picky and don't indicate their preferences, there's no reason to get mad. And to my people in the north east, "regular coffee" does not mean milk and sugar; it just means not decaf to the rest of the country.

By Sarah Keagle (Source: jaunted.com August 2011)

Business-class Drunk Threatened to Stab Pilots with Broken Glass

A drunken American businessman flying in business class went berserk on a British Airways flight to London, lurching around the cabin, cursing, spitting and threatening to stab flight attendants and pilots with a smashed glass.

Tim Bradley, 32, is said to have abused fellow passengers and spat at crew after he was refused more alcohol.

Reported to be a mortgage consultant from Phoenix, Arizona, Bradley knocked back several glasses of wine and beer during the 9 hour 40 minute flight from Phoenix to Heathrow.

London’s Sun newspaper quoted a terrified passenger seated near Bradley as saying Bradley stumbled around the cabin swearing and at one stage entered the galley and pushed the flight manager about, demanding to know why he couldn’t be served more wine.

Bradley is said to have staggered back to his seat holding a broken glass, muttering and threatening to stab the pilots.

He was arrested on the tarmac as soon as Flight 288, a B747, landed at Heathrow.

Bradley was charged with being drunk on an aircraft and common assault. BA issued a terse statement: “We do not tolerate abusive behaviour towards our staff or customers.”

His drunken outburst is reminiscent of the disgraceful behaviour of New York investment banker Gerard Finneran in 1996.

Finneran screamed obscenities and yelled repeatedly for more alcohol while on United Airlines from Buenos Aires to New York. Finally, after threatening a flight attendant with violence when no alcohol arrived, Finneran demonstrated his displeasure by leaping from his seat and defecating on a food trolley. Finneran, however, was not travelling in business class – he was flying first class.

The Bradley incident comes a week after a case in the UK involving a holidaymaker who bit, kicked and punched two flight attendants after going berserk on a delayed Thomson Airways flight from Manchester to the Dominican Republic.

In that incident, charity worker Carol Close, 45, became so abusive that her husband had to be moved away from her for his own safety – followed by passengers sitting nearby. Close had to be forcibly restrained and handcuffed. In court, her lawyers explained that their client suffered from anxiety and depression, leading the magistrate to spare her a jail term. Those sitting near Close may have suffered from a dose of anxiety and depression as well.

Written by : Peter Needham (Source: eglobaltravelmedia.com.au August 2011)

Readers of Hotel Reviews Have Higher Conversion Rates

People who read online travel reviews are more likely to complete an online travel transaction, according to research firm PhoCusWright.

The travel technology research firm found that in 2010, 8% of unique visitors to online travel agencies made an online booking at least once in that month, and approximately 9% of all people who visited a hotel website booked on a hotel website at least once in that month.

That conversion number jumps when the visitor clicks through to a traveler review.

About 12% of unique visitors make a booking in the same month after reading travel reviews on OTAs, and 13% after reading reviews on hotel websites.

“There is a clear case for why OTAs have invested so much in building review-content platforms,” Douglas Quinby, senior director of research at PhoCusWright, said during a webinar revealing the findings.

(Source: Travelweekly.com 29th August 2011)

How to Vacation (sort of) Like a US President

President Obama and his family for the third straight year are on vacation in Martha’s Vineyard, which is usually described as a “posh resort.” But according to tourism officials, the 58th largest island in the US with an estimated 15,000 year-round residents offers something for all budgets.

The Obamas plan to spend 10 days on the island, which has drawn criticism for those speaking for the jobless who can’t afford a vacation of any size budget.

Martha’s Vineyard is no stranger to presidents. Clinton stayed here and so did Ulysses S. Grant. Of course, they were not there during a time of upheavals in several countries and a dismal economic outlook right here in the US.

But Obama supporters point out this is not really a vacation.

Republican strategist Ron Kauffman, an advisor in the administration of George H.W. Bush, said vacationing presidents get constant policy updates, particularly on matters of foreign affairs. "The truth is you never get away from the work," he said. "Most domestic issues can be put off for a week or so, but foreign policy you can't."

Most families probably can’t afford to stay at the Blue Heron Farm, however, a 28-acre estate the Obamas rented in 2009 and 2008. The estate includes a five-bedroom main house, a Cape Cod guest house, a swimming pool and a half-court for basketball. But its cost is reporedly about tens of thousands of dollars a week.

But any families can afford the bicycling done by the Obamas. The President reportedly cycled by in rolled-up jeans and a bike helmut along with wife Michelle and daughters Sasha and Malia. Their trip took them to Manuel F. Correllus State Forest. Admisison is free. Open sunrise to sunset.

As for the bikes, it’s not known where the Obamas got theirs but prices are far from outrageous. Martha’s Bike Rentals start at $15 a day for kids’ models and $25 for an adult mountain bike.

Obama also plays golf while he’s here. Apparently his favorite course is one located four miles out to sea on an island, the Farm Neck Golf Club, which is open to the public. This time of year, it’s a highly affordable $150 for 18 holes; for those who can’t afford that price, there’s a half price $75 if you play at twilight or 4 to 6 p.m.

Located seven miles off Cape Cod in Massachusetts, Martha's Vineyard is only accessible by boat or plane, a fact that does make it sound expensive. The cheapest way to get to the island is a ferry from Cape Cod.

For less than $20 round trip, The Island Queen and the Steamship Authority offer daily non-stop passenger service to Martha's Vineyard from several towns along the Massachusetts coast.

Despite the area’s upscale reputation as a summer destination for the wealthy, many of its top attractions are either free or low cost -- even for travelers on a low budget, according to tourism promoters.

"A Martha's Vineyard experience is available at any price point," Nancy Gardella from the area’s chamber of commerce, told ABC News.

She and others say there are some tips, however, on when it’s best to visit.

The area is at its busiest this month but visiting before or after the peak season helps save money on lodging.

"Because of the Gulf Stream, our waters are the warmest in September, so it's a great time to be on the beach during the day with weather well into the 70s and cool breezes in the evening," said Gardella.

Once you're on the island, instead of renting a car, bike rentals are available at the ferry ports. Martha's Vineyard also offers public transportation with bus service throughout the area.

Hotel options run the gamut. They range from five-star luxury hotels and bed and breakfasts to the Martha's Vineyard Campground and a youth hostel.

"There is lodging that's available at every price point," Gardella said.

White House officials told The Boston Globe last year that the Obamas like Martha’s Vineyard in part because of its natural beauty, beaches, and food. Those may be the same reasons the rest of America likes it as well.

By David Wilkening

(Source: travelmole.com August 2011)

Wild Topless Parties and Donkey in Lift Prompt BA Crackdown

Mounting complaints about boisterous, champagne-fuelled cabin crew parties and wild behaviour in hotel rooms could force British Airways to scrap lucrative holiday travel routes.

The behaviour has included female flight attendants leaping into pools topless. Britain’s Daily Mail has related stories of wild crew parties in rooms involving nudity, streaking, sexual antics and damage to rooms. Even worse, crewmembers in Cyprus are said to have lured a local donkey into a hotel lift. They were taking it to the fourth floor when hotel security intervened.

The behaviour is found mainly on routes crewed by young recruits – so-called ‘mixed fleet’, according to the paper. Destinations mentioned include those popular with Britons for far-flung, cut-price holidays, like Nairobi, Mauritius and San Diego.

The paper reported a BA source as explaining that mixed fleet crews are ‘basically kids of 18 and 20 years old, in their first jobs on pretty low pay, who think it’s a wonderful life staying in posh hotels’.

As a result, they party.

Reported abuses have included sneaking champagne from aircraft to drink in the crew hotels to save money. As some of the cabin crew are too young to drink in a bar in some countries (the legal drinking age in America is 21) they hold parties in their rooms in places like San Diego and Las Vegas.

An internal memo sent to BA captains recently by management warns: “We continue to receive complaints from our management team at our crew hotel in NBO [Nairobi] regarding the behaviour of some of our crews.

“In the current security environment, the current hotel is the only approved hotel available to us.

“Should they choose to terminate our contract, or elect not to renew it later this year, the route will become financially unviable.”

BA has warned it will sack flight attendants found taking alcoholic drinks off planes without paying.

Comments posted online after the Daily Mail report indicated that many readers don’t regard the situation too seriously. “Let them enjoy – they’re only young once!” commented Dave from Southampton.

Written by : Peter Needham

(Source: eglobaltravelmedia.com.au August 2011)

Fiendishly Cunning Algorithm Spots Fake TripAdvisor Reviews

A university research team has developed an extraordinary computer algorithm to spot fake TripAdvisor reviews.

The development follows news that some properties are bribing guests with food and drink discounts to write positive reviews on TripAdvisor.

Posting creative and brilliant reviews on hotel review sites to bolster the standing of seedy or dodgy properties has become a nice little earner for some travellers. A thriving black market has sprung up, with squalid hotels giving discounts to guests who write glowing reviews. Despite such practices being illegal in many countries, an army of people is apparently willing to knock up a dishonest review for as little as AUD10.

The jig may now be up, however. Britain’s Daily Mail reports that researchers from Cornell University in the US have developed a fiendishly cunning algorithm that they claim can spot a fake review 90% of the time. They are still deciding whether to make the algorithm public.

The Cornell team started its research into what is termed “deceptive opinion spam” by asking freelance writers to produce 400 fake reviews of Chicago hotels and post them on review websites.

The research team then mixed the false reviews with 400 real reviews of the same hotels – and challenged three judges to tell the difference. The judges failed.

The researchers dug deeper and found giveaway signs, which they have incorporated into their algorithm. A narrative account of a holiday indicates the review may be fake. Other factors indicating a fake or “shill” review include excessive use of superlatives and lack of detail and description.

Travel review sites do their best to weed out “shill” reviews. Shill is an odd word, which entered the language in the 1920s from uncertain origins. It means “a person who publicises or praises something or someone for reasons of self-interest, personal profit, or friendship or loyalty”. Shills are attracted, for obvious reasons, to review sites.

Even if you eliminate shills, some reviews differ so widely that guests, and many hotel managers, are left scratching their heads (and not necessarily because of bedbugs). Some guests describe hotels as charming, friendly and delightful hideaways while other guests describe the same properties as smelly, vermin-infested hovels to be shunned at all costs.

A Cornell professor who worked on the fake-review-detection algorithm project said humans were used to talking face to face over the past 60,000 years and found it difficult to detect deception online.

TripAdvisor has reportedly blacklisted about 30 properties around the world for suspicious reviews. It may now be able to do something more concrete to weed those reviews out.

(Source: eglobaltravelmedia.com.au August 2011) Written by : Peter Needham

Bottom-Pinching Charge May Mean Caning for British Tourist

A British tourist on holiday in Singapore faces a caning if convicted of squeezing or pinching a woman’s bottom in a fashionable nightclub.

Austin Cowburn, 34, a recruitment consultant who works in Qatar, is alleged to have pinched a woman’s buttocks while partying in the upmarket Boat Quay area in the early hours of the morning, London’s Daily Mail newspaper reports.

Cowburn, who apparently works for an engineering and international technical recruitment company, has been charged with outraging the modesty of the woman at the China One club. A Singapore judge set his bail at SGD10,000 (about AUD7500).

He is now staying in a backpacker hostel waiting to appear at a pre-trial hearing on Wednesday.

If convicted of bottom pinching, he could be jailed for two years, fined up to about AUD9000 – or be sentenced to a beating on the buttocks with a rattan cane. The cane, over a metre long, is soaked in water beforehand to make it heavier and more flexible.

Singapore has some harsh penalties, including the death sentence for drug trafficking and murder, but it has loosened up a lot recently when it comes to clubbing and late-night entertainment. Bottom pinching, however, remains a no-no and can be punished by bottom caning.

Corporal punishment of convicted criminals with rattan canes was first introduced to Singapore and Malaysia (both then part of British Malaya) during the British colonial period. The cane is still used in Singapore to punish various crimes, including overstaying a visitors visa by more than 90 days, a measure designed to deter illegal immigrant workers

In an unfortunate juxtaposition, the Daily Mail’s online report of the case was published next to an article about the reminiscences of air hostesses, headlined: “Pinch my bottom again and I’ll shrivel your undercarriage!”

Written by Peter Needham

(Source: eglobaltravelmedia.com.au)

The Top Ten Gross Things Flight Attendants Have Seen Passengers Do on Airplanes

A flight attendant career is glamorous! Or so I thought! I admit, I signed up for the glamour eighteen years ago, but I quickly learned that most of the glamor was gone from this industry. I was on my second trip as a new hire flight attendant, my uniform was crisp, my hair was pulled back in a perfect french twist to match my beautiful french manicure, and I had all the right accessories.

This particular day I was the aisle flight attendant when a passenger asked me if I would heat up a baby bottle. I knew just what to do! Now all I needed was a sick bag so I could fill it with hot water. I reached into a seat back pocket, grabbed a sick bag and pushed my hand inside to open it up. Feeling the still warm, oatmeal consistency on my hand is where the glamor ended for me. Yes folks, I had just stuck my manicured hands into fresh vomit!

You've heard about the gross things people do on airplanes. There's classics like cutting toenails, walking barefoot around the plane, changing a baby diaper on the tray table...I could go on. I hate to admit it, but these are all behaviors I see or experience as a flight attendant every time I go to work.

I recently asked some co-workers to share the grossest things they have seen throughout the years as well. Warning, the answers even shocked me! Fasten your seat belts for...

The Top Ten Gross Things Flight Attendants Have Seen Passengers Do on Airplanes:

10. Breast Pumping: A lady decided that it was appropriate to use a breast pump during boarding. She fully exposed both breasts and with just a bottle (not with a baby) did the vacuum effect on her fully exposed boob. Let me remind you this was both breasts out in the air, on a full flight, during boarding, taxi, take-off and part of cruise.

9. Breast Milk Drippage: A few passengers notified me of something leaking from the overhead bins down onto their heads. The look on the men's faces was priceless when a woman stood up and said, “OMG....My breast milk! It's not frozen anymore and it's leaking what should I do?!"

8. Blankets and Boogers: A passenger in first class rang her call light. She handed me her blanket and asked if I could give her a new one. I was puzzled since everyone had started the flight with a fresh blanket. I looked down at the blanket and it was all wet and slimy with boogers. I felt so grossed out—like I was going to hurl—as I tossed it into a plastic bag.

7. Impromptu Snacking: A first class passenger picked something off his bare feet...and ate it. I saw it myself!

6. Jump Seat No-no: A passenger sat down on the back galley flight attendant jump seat "waiting on the lavatory." A flight attendant told him he couldn't sit there. After I came out of the lav and sat down, we realized that he had urinated on the jump seat!

5. Pedicures: Lady using the "ped egg" on her feet. And then tried to dump her foot shavings in my trash.

4. A Little Laundry: A first class passenger took off his soggy socks and dried them by putting them over the air vent above his seat. Passengers all the way back in coach complained about the smell.

3. Lost Panties: I was helping clean the plane at one of our out-stations so we could turn the plane on time and found a pair of bloody panties in the seat pocket. This is why we wear gloves.

2. Adult Diapers: Someone shed their humongous Depends adult diapers on the toilet seat—yep, shed like a creature shedding its sea-shell, and they were left perfectly wide open and obviously used on top of the toilet lid, for the next passenger.

1. Going No. 2: A passenger used the tissue (out of the tissue box dispenser in the restroom) to clean up after their bowel movement. They then placed the used tissues back into the tissue box. A fellow flight attendant reached into the tissue dispenser for a tissue and...discovered the issue firsthand.

Got any more stories of grossness in the skies? Write your comments below.

(Source: Hotelchatter.com)

Five Essentials To Pack For A Week At The Space Hotel

In other space news this week, a Russian company is opening the world's first space hotel, located 217 miles above ground. Which will certainly make for great travel photography—but maybe not so great for, you know, 'exploring the neighborhood.'

CNN reports on the float-el, which is scheduled to open in 2016 under the name Commercial Space Station. Gee, how romantic. If you're game—and the £100,000 hasn't spooked you yet (not to mention the £500,000 cost just to get there)—here are some tips on what you'll need to bring with you.

Deodorant

The space station does come with a "shower pod," but water—and gravity in general—just don't behave the same as on earth, and washing all your bits and pieces could prove somewhat challenging. Not to mention the fact that you'll be in awfully close quarters with everyone else aboard. And stinky roommates make for a not-so-nice vacation.

A Gripmaster

You'll be spending most of your time on the internet, so we suggest some gentle hand exercises. For heavy internet users, this is almost compulsory (lord knows it sure helps us!), and does a great job of strengthening some of your most-used muscles. Besides, cardio is totally out of the question anyway—we don't see a "fitness center" anywhere in the images.

A flask

The Commercial Space Station strictly bans alcohol. But hey, so does the MTA, and when was the last time that stopped anyone from paper-bagging it at 2am on a Friday night? So, yes, be discreet, and no, don't expect anything fancy—but when you're spending half the day staring at a slowly-spinning planet, you might find yourself in need of a pick-me-up.

Your native flag

Sergey Kostenko, CEO of Orbital Technologies (the Russian firm that's manning this whole operation), told CNN that it may be possible for guests to take day trips out to the far side of the moon. Awesome! So, just in case, bring along your national colors. When you find yourself bouncing amongst the milky craters, you'll want to leave your mark.

Twister

From Standard LA to Gild Hall in New York, plenty of hotels are getting on board with old-fashioned entertainment. So when you return from your jaunt to the moon, and you've digested your freeze-dried foods, and you're a little buzzed from that DIY cocktail you slapped together in the bathroom, you might have a little excess energy to burn off. It'll be a tight squeeze, but what were you expecting, a Presidential Suite?

(Source: hotelchatter.com, August, 2011)

The Points Guy Asks, 'Is It Wrong To Clean Out the Hotel Minibar?'

The Points Guy aka Brian Kelly has long been a favorite hotel and travel expert of ours, especially since he's a whiz at figuring out how to get the most out of your credit card points, frequent flyer miles, hotel rewards and other loyalty programs when you travel.

And because he's such a genius at navigating the extremely confusing waters of loyalty program promotions, Brian has seen and done some pretty cool things this past year, one of them being obtaining Royal Ambassador status at InterContinental Hotels.

Aside from getting numerous perks upon arrival at an InterContinental Hotel such as room upgrades, instant check-in, fresh fruit and mineral water at arrival, VIP greeting, in-room welcome gift, one free pay TV movie per stay, complimentary newspaper and a late check-out, Ambassadors are also given free reign of the minibar. Meaning they can clean it out and not get charged a single penny.

But is that wrong? Allow Brian to show us exactly what he's struggling with in the video below.

‘Frustrated’ Woman Stripped Naked at Airport, Court Told

A British Airways passenger felt so frustrated at the airport that she stripped naked, a court in Bermuda has been told.

The frustration was triggered by Customs officials telling Bermudian national Loukai Phillips, 36, that they intended to body-search her.

Phillips then took all her clothes off, the court heard.

Phillips stripped naked in front of other passengers in the secondary inspection area of LF Wade International Airport after being asked if she would consent to a personal search, the Bermuda Sun reported.

She had arrived on the island on a British Airways flight from London.

Phillips’ lawyer, Charles Richardson, told the court that his client had acted out of frustration as she felt she was being “harassed” by Customs officers.

Richardson said Phillips was living in Britain and had returned to Bermuda only to sort out her banking details, but “because of a past association, every time she travels to Bermuda she is searched.

“On this occasion, after an eight-hour flight, they told her they would take her into a back room.”

Phillips was so annoyed she stripped.

“She understands it was impulsive – but it was done out of pure frustration.”

Phillips was given a conditional discharge after pleading guilty to a charge of indecent exposure.

Written by : Peter Needham

(Source: eGlobaltravelmedia.com.au, 24th August 2011)

Why the Kiwis Have got Air Travel Right

There's something amazing that happens in New Zealand. It's not Richie McCaw getting away with all those blatant fouls – it's the airports.

I was at Auckland airport a feww eeks ago, flying down to Nelson, and the strangest thing happened. I checked in at the little electronic stand, put my own bag-tag on, then dumped my pack on the conveyer belt.

After that, it was time to go to the gate. So I wandered down, through a few shops, and joined the queue to board. Our flight had been called and I was walking across the tarmac before I realised: I haven't been through security.

My hand-luggage was unscanned. My person was un-metal-detected. I could have had a box of exotic snakes in my carry-on and Dick Cheney's home arsenal strapped to my chest, and no one would have been any the wiser.

On domestic flights in New Zealand – if you're flying in the smaller prop-driven planes – you don't have to go through a security check before boarding.

I've never seen that anywhere in the world.

I had the contents of my bag tipped onto a counter and sifted through in Oaxaca, Mexico, because the airport didn't have an X-ray scanner. That was to board a six-seater plane for a half-hour domestic flight. Not sure what sort of damage I was going to do there.

In Lalibela, Ethiopia, I had my sunglasses carefully inspected for ... actually, I have no idea what they were inspected for. But it was a careful inspection.

"Are these metal?" the security guy said, waving them in front of me.

"Yes."

He nodded, then put them back in my bag. Ohhhhhh-kay.

The point is that at every other airport in the world, big or small, busy or quiet, clean or manky, they search your bags before you get on the plane. Any plane. It's an established travel routine: check in, go through security, board.

Of course, this clearly opens New Zealand up to all manner of security issues, and that shows by the high number of problems they've been ha... Wait, hang on. They don't have any problems. Everyone goes about their business, and air travel is a whole lot easier.

It makes you wonder: do we really need all of these airport security measures that have become the norm?

I realise the world has changed significantly since 9/11, giving the US all the justification necessary to make you take off your shoes at the security line, or get a pat-down from the TSA, or even take a full scan of your naked-looking body.

Australia doesn't go that far, but we're still pretty strict, and there have been calls recently to tighten security even further, in a crackdown on latte-sipping boat people, or something.

Already we have a raft of what seem to the casual eye like fairly pointless measures, but which at least allow us to put on a proud front of security.

I'm a serial candidate for the old random explosives test, but I'd love to see statistics on how many potential terrorists have been caught by that method. Only the extremely dumb ones, you'd think – the ones lax enough to leave traces of explosives on their clothes.

Probably the same ones who tick "yes" on the US visa waiver when it asks, "Are you a terrorist?"

The obvious argument for all of these measures is that if they only catch one person in the act of terrorism, then it's a job well done. But is that one person really out there? Is little old Australia really a terrorist target?

Our next-door neighbours in NZ clearly don't think they are. And they're doing fine.

Do you think security measures in Australia are over the top? Or do you think New Zealand's security is dangerously lax? Which country has the tightest security you've seen?

Find Ben Groundwater on his website, follow him on Twitter, or just email bengroundwater@gmail.com

Ask The Traveller: How Can You Ensure the Airline Seats you Book and Pay for are the Seats you Get?

You can't, which is a source of exasperation for many travellers.

Substitute the word "airline" with, say, "theatre", "cinema" or "train", and the question might hardly be worth asking – the chances of not getting what you pay for are very small. Once again, it is aviation that flies in the face of apparently rational practices.

When you book a flight, you secure nothing more than a promise to try to get you from A to B. While the EU has prescribed plenty of remedies for the traveller who is left stranded, it is silent on the matter of specific seats.

When the airline offers you the chance, usually at a price, to pre-book a specific seat, you might imagine that seat 12C, say, has your name attached to it. You'd be wrong: the option is hedged with qualifications.

The captain has to worry about weight and balance (the need to distribute passengers in a particular manner); the airline may be obliged to change the aircraft type (as happened to tens of thousands of Qantas passengers following the Airbus A380 incident in Singapore); or overbooked passengers from another departure could be transferred to your flight, upsetting the pre-assigned seating plan. The airline's liability to you is simply to refund what you have paid for the privilege of an assigned seat.

From the customer's perspective, it's tempted to be outraged at apparently poor standards of care. But the airlines insist aviation isn't like terrestrial transport (or an entertainment venue), and that they have to retain flexibility.

A number of airlines, particularly charter carriers, sell the right to sit with the other members of your party, but they decline to specify exact seats.

One carrier that, notably, does not charge for seating families together is British Airways; while there is a pre-booking option, if you are travelling with young children, you need do nothing and you should be seated together.

In-flight Urination Scandal Ruins Champ’s Olympic Dream

A top American skier has been kicked off the US Ski Team – ending his dream of representing his country at the 2014 Winter Olympics – after becoming so drunk in flight that he allegedly urinated over a sleeping 11-year-old girl instead of attending the toilet.

Chaos erupted on the overnight JetBlue flight after the incident. Port Authority police at New York’s Kennedy Airport detained the ski star on arrival. The New York Post identified the urinator as Robert Vietze, 18, who had flown from Portland, Oregon.

The incident has certain similarities with the infamous case of the Jetstar urinator, a drunken New Zealand passenger who several weeks ago urinated over other passengers and into the aisle during a flight from Auckland to Singapore. Although Jetstar allowed the culprit to walk free with just a warning, the urinator’s identity leaked out. Michael Aitken, son of the coach of New Zealand’s Silver Ferns netball team, later apologised for his actions.

According to the New York Post, the JetBlue incident was worse. Horrified passengers saw the skier, who is over 193cm tall, lurch from his seat, totter down the aisle and begin to urinate over the girl. The girl’s father intervened and appeared about to thump Vietze. Flight attendants had to separate the pair and haul Vietze to the back of the plane.

Just as that hubbub died down, another passenger, who had complained of chest pains, was seized by a bout of uncontrollable vomiting.

“We have a medical emergency,” the pilot declared over the public address system, asking whether a doctor or nurse was aboard.

Crew who had worked with liquid soap to clean up the urine and comfort the girl had to rush elsewhere with the liquid soap after the vomiting emergency began.

On arrival in New York, the ill passenger received medical help and Vietze was issued a federal summons for indecent exposure, which carries a sentence of up to a year in jail. He reportedly told police he had consumed eight alcoholic drinks.

The US Ski and Snowboard Association later dismissed Vietze from the team.

Written by Peter Needham

Not Even Your Cats Are Safe From Bed Bugs

We've all had that moment of fear when we've checked out of a hotel and felt a little itchy. Uhoh, did we just spend the night with bed bugs? Now imagine if not only you were itching and scratching but your cat was too!

That's what a woman is claiming happened to her and her pet after they both spent a few nights at a Holiday Inn in Glendale, Ariz. The woman, who is only going by the name Elena, says she developed red itchy bumps on her neck after checking out the hotel. A doctor determined she had bed bug bites but her cat ended up in worse condition. ABC15 local news reports:

"I noticed she was starting to pull her hair and itching," Elena said. "I said let's see in a couple of weeks if it gets any better. Within that time, it had gotten much worse. There were bald spots throughout the cat's body and (pus)."

Elena took her cat to Apollo North Animal Hospital in Glendale. Dr. Patricia Bennett treated the cat. Bennett tells me the cat had "damage due to scratching an itch." Bennett said there were "scabs, bumps, and lesions" from "head to toe."

The doctor, however, cannot determine for sure the cat's bites were bed bug bites and in fact, bed bugs apparently prefer a human host.( Aren't we so lucky?) So no one can say for sure if the cat was affected by the little critters.

Meanwhile the hotel denies they have ever had bed bugs even showing the news team documents from an external investigator as well as the local environmental services department that show no evidence of bed bugs in the hotel.

Still, we'd probably leave the animals at home if you can. Unless, you know, you're staying at The Ritz.

(Source: Hotelchatter.com, 11th August 2011)

Alleged Sex Scandal Forces Airline to Delay Ad Campaign

Cathay Pacific may delay a global marketing campaign after photographs of crew members allegedly engaging in a sexual act were published online and in Chinese-language newspapers, according to the BBC.

The airline was due to launch the campaign in September with the tagline "meet the team who go the extra mile to make you feel special".

A spokeswoman was quoted saying Cathay may hold back the campaign because the timing didn't suit it at the moment.

The Hong Kong-based carrier announced that two crew members photographed in "compromising situations" were no longer working for the company. It has not given details of their duties.

The newspapers claim the woman in the photographs was a flight attendant and the man a pilot, both of whom were working for Cathay Pacific and they allege the photographs were taken in the cockpit of a Cathay plane.

The airline is handing over details of its internal investigation to Hong Kong's Civil Aviation Department, said the BBC.

By Linsey McNeill

(Source: Travelmole.com, 15th August 2011)

Strong AUD Boosts Overseas Travel

Australians are travelling more and further thanks to the ongoing strength of the Aussie dollar reveals a recent survey.

According to the latest MasterCard survey on Consumer Purchasing Priorities – Travel, one in four of 647 surveyed Australians would not have travelled overseas this year were it not for a good exchange rate.

The strength of the Aussie dollar against the greenback has resulted in the USA proving to be the most popular destination with Aussie travellers, a quarter of respondents intending to travel to the States in 2011.

19 percent of respondents intend to travel to New Zealand, 18 percent to the UK, 12 percent to France and 10 percent to Germany, the survey revealed.

“The tourism industry in Australia has had a difficult start to 2011 – with the natural disasters in the first three months of the year and the knock-on implications on holiday numbers in the hardest hit areas,” MasterCard Australia Country Manager Andrew Cartwright said.

“These occurrences, alongside the strength of the dollar, have meant that many Australian travellers are looking overseas for their holiday destinations – a trend which is impacting heavily on the domestic tourism sector.”

However, according to Mr Cartright, it’s not all doom and gloom for the Australian domestic market, with AUD13.8 billion expected to be spent in Sydney by international tourists during 2011.

“What is encouraging is that despite the exchange rate making a visit to Australia more expensive, international tourists are still intent on travelling here, which will be a real boost for our domestic tourism sector at a time when it is really needed.”

(Source: etravelbackboard, 8th August 2011)

Travel a Priority for Young Aussies

Travel is the ultimate aspiration for young Australians with 84% of 18 to 35 years olds saving for a trip, according to new research by Contiki.

The Style Miles Report showed that three million Australians aged between 18 and 35 planned to travel overseas in the next three to four years, with 52% of them planning more than one trip.

Asia emerged as the most popular region for young Australians with 52% visiting in the last three to four years.

The most popular destination was Bangkok, with 48% hoping to visit the Thai capital.

Domestic travel also proved popular with 2.5 million in the same age group planning to make a domestic trip in the same timeframe.

Escorted travel came out as the most popular method of travel, with 66% of young Aussies preferring that type of trip, although with some tailormade experiences included.

Food, music, art and fashion were highlighted as the most important factors for young people when planning a trip. “Young people are increasingly seeking out authentic experiences while overseas,” Contiki managing director Fiona Hunt said.

Food was most important factor with 96% saying local cuisine was an important element of travel.

Music came second, with 77% keen to experience local music or visit a musical landmark.

Travellers became more interested in the arts when on holiday with 74% of 18-35s taking in museums, galleries, theatres and dance during the trip, considerably more than the 59% who took an interest when at home.

Experiencing local fashion was a priority for 57%, with shopping increasingly popular because of the strength of the Aussie dollar.

(Source: By Anne Majumdar, Travel Weekly, 10th August 2011)

5 Things Not to Ask the Concierge

He's known as @ConciergeCorner on Twitter who's not afraid to dish on all the crazy things that guests ask concierges. But he also might be the concierge fielding your requests during your next hotel stay and he's got a few tips on how to get the most out of your concierge contact. So without further ado, we present 5 Things You Should Not Ask the Concierge as told by @ConciergeCorner. (And no, that's neither @ConciergeCorner or his hotel in the photo above.)

1. Don't ask for the hottest new hotspot in town. When a guest requests I recommend the hottest, newest, sexiest restaurant, it is apparent he/she has no clue what he/she actually wants. Just because something is new does not make it good. So please, ask for what you really want, not just what’s new. On a related note, when I recommend a great local (nearby) steakhouse and then see/hear that you have gone to one of the many chain steakhouses simply because it was a few blocks closer, it breaks my heart!

2. Don't ask for my recommendation if you don't really want it. On the restaurant note, it is uber-aggravating for me as a concierge to be asked to recommend my favorite restaurant, or my favorite neighborhood and then have you (the guest) proceed to seek directions to the most generic and/or chain-like environment possible. If you really value my opinion, by all means, have me assist you. If on the other hand you have your mind made up and want to go where everyone else goes, that’s fine…just don’t waste your time and mine.

3. Don't ask for freebies. One frequent request that will undoubtedly only become more common, is for complimentary, hooked-up, or otherwise free amenities that we, like most other hotels in our segment, charge for. This includes, but is not limited to, internet, parking, breakfast, executive / club floors & rooms, suites etc. I like the next person love a deal, and yes, I’d even love to give every guest a room for free. The problem is my last name is not Hilton, Marriott, or Schrager, so I have just about zero say in whether you pay $5 or $500.

4. Don't ask which celebrities are staying here. A fairly frequent question that needs to be stricken for all guests’ mouths is “What celebrities are in house?” or as some put it, “you get famous people here?” No. No. and No. Well, yes, famous people do stay at many nice hotels, mine included, but would likely not if I ran my mouth telling people when XXXXX XXXXX was in house or when that person has been in house. If you see someone in the lobby, awesome, I’m happy for you. If you read on TripAdvisor that someone saw XYZ celebrity on their last stay, good for them. But please, for the love of my job and the hospitality industry, refrain from asking me to divulge this sort of information.

5. Don't ask for directions if you can't remember them. Last, but certainly not least, please refrain from asking for directions when you are not ready to record them. Nothing is worse than detailing precise directions to a guest either in person or heaven forbid, over the phone, only to have the guest ask for them to be repeated as they were simply not paying attention the first time. Additionally, if the driver needs the directions and he/she is the only competent person in the vehicle, don’t have the passengers receive the directions. #JustSayin

Concierges and guests alike, have your own Do Not Dos to add? Comment below.

(source: Hotelchatter, 9th August 2011

Australians Big Fans of Adult Channels While on Holiday

40% of Australians confess to enjoying adult channels on holiday, 23% have fibbed about swiping items from the minibar (12% got caught red handed) and one in three will hide something at a hotel if they break it. These are just some of the findings uncovered in online travel agent zuji.com.au’s ‘Hotel Confessional’ survey.

More than 5,000 respondents weighed in on the confessional, spilling the beans on their hotel hijinks.

Managing Director of ZUJI Australia, James Gaskell, says while the results revealed Australians enjoy living it up during their hotel stays, they are also by and large a very honest and generous lot.

"We're occasionally prone to getting in touch with our inner-rock star, but we’re more inclined to make sure we acknowledge and respect hotel staff," says Gaskell citing that more than 86% of Australians will always tip hotel staff when the service deserves it.

The confessional found that almost 20% of Australians admit to taking bathrobes, pillows and towels from their hotel room more than 65% will nab toiletries as souvenirs.

65% of Australians will fess up if they accidentally break something in their room, 35% would much rather hide the evidence.

The survey also revealed that an impressive 78% will use the hotel's gym facilities if time permits, or at least say they do.

Finally (and perhaps most revealing of all) a full 40% of Australians admit to splashing out on some 'adult programming' during their most recent stay.

(Source: Travmedia.com 8th August 2011)

Top 10 Airlines in Asia Pacific and Middle East

From Cathay Pacific to Qantas, the best airlines in the region offer the utmost in customer service, comfort, cleanliness, costs and cuisine.

1. Malaysia Airlines: When you’re in-flight and need water, wine, whatever—the worst thing is having a flight attendant who is not interested in serving you with a smile. You won’t find that on Malaysia Airlines. The carrier has a world-class reputation for customer service, and is often applauded for its hospitable, accommodating cabin crews. Focused on the quality of onboard customer experience, the Malaysia flight attendants are known for being friendly, enthusiastic, attentive and sincere time and time again.

Malaysia Airlines is also renowned for its value for money in the comfortable Economy Class. With a seat pitch of 86.3 cm, the carrier’s Economy Class seats are one of the roomiest around. The Economy Cabin also boasts engaging entertainment, with Audio/Video on Demand offering the latest blockbusters, popular TV shows, multi-player games and brand new album releases.

Malaysia Airlines carried 15.7 million passengers in 2010, generating revenues of US$4.5 billion and posting net profits for the year of US$78 million.

2. Asiana Airlines: South Korean-owned Asiana Airlines aims to make flying fun for its passengers. In addition to entertaining magic shows, fashion shows and on-board makeup services, Asiana offers a premium food and wine selection. In First Class, meals from South Korea’s best restaurants and experts are served, while wine is chosen by sommeliers.

3. Cathay Pacific: Hong Kong’s flagship carrier wants you to think of its First Class as a suite, not a seat. The bed is 81 inches long, and with a touch of a button turns into a massage chair if you wish. It’s also one of the few airlines with rice cookers, toasters and skillets on board.

4. Virgin Australia: While Virgin’s Australia brand has yet to make a consistent showing on top ten lists, a recent rebranding is poised to put the airline in a new position. In Business Class, there’s an enticing selection of Australian cuisine dishes from Australian celeb chef Luke Mangan on all US routes. There’s even a bar that seats six when you want to get up and stretch your arm—or legs!

5. Singapore Airlines: Widely known for its excellent flight crews, flight attendants are comprised mostly of hospitable “Singapore Girls.” The Singapore Girl has been synonymous with Singapore Airlines since 1972, an enduring symbol of the airline’s excellent service standards. Singapore Airlines also operates the world’s two longest non-stop commercial flights from Singapore to Newark and Los Angeles.

6. Qatar Airways: Qatar has differentiated itself by making its economy class a rival to most premium cabins. The carrier strives to innovate in Economy Class ensuring its high standards are maintained, recently ramping up its onboard meals to be more upmarket, appetising and stylish way. New colourful meal tray components offer passengers a whole new take on food presentation.

7. Air New Zealand: Air New Zealand has earned the important status of being a carrier with efficient online check-in, seat allocation and boarding arrangements. Unlike more expensive competitors, Air NZ delivers exceptional value for money. It’s also not shy about its ad campaigns. The latest features fitness guru Richard Simmons getting wild in-flight.

8. Etihad Airways: Etihad’s Diamond First class suites feature a luxurious Poltrona Frau leather seat that converts to a fully flat bed. They also have a large wood-finished table, sliding doors that offer complete privacy, a 23-inch personal entertainment screen, a personal wardrobe with mirror, and in-seat power points and USBs. The First class cabin also includes a spacious and comfortable changing room.

9. Emirates: When it comes to the utmost in Information, Communication and Entertainment (or ICE, as Emirates says), this airline has it all. You’ll never get bored in Emirates flight, with access to 1000 channels on a personal digital widescreen, as well as high-speed Internet and seat-to-seat chat service. There’s even iPod docking capability.

10. Qantas Airways: The Flying Kangaroo has had its share of troubles over the last year (think engine mishaps), but it is consistently recognized for its Premium Economy class and its first-class lounge. The lounge concept for both product and staff service has been fashioned around the finest quality you would expect to find in a five-star hotel or restaurant.

Sweaty Armpits Throw New Airport Scanners into a Tizz

Sydney Airport yesterday began its long-awaited trial of a full-body scanner – only to have the machine go haywire over a passenger with sweaty armpits.

The controversial trial of body-imaging technology began at Sydney International as part of a test run that will continue until 19 August.

The Australian Government has touted the equipment on trial as “the most advanced passenger screening technology available in the world”.

The body scanner uses low-energy millimetre-waves to detect metal and non-metal items under clothing. It then pinpoints where the item is hidden using a generic human outline.

The first person to pass through the new machine yesterday was Australia’s Federal Minster for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese.

But then, Sydney’s Daily Telegraph reported, the second person to go through sent the machine haywire. Perhaps it demonstrates that technology tends to function differently in real life than in the laboratory.

When the second person triggered the alarm three times, security staff blamed the passenger’s armpits (allegedly sweaty) for upsetting the machine.

The glitch raises a few questions. If armpits are sweaty in August, the middle of Australia’s winter, what will they be like in January, when the temperature in Sydney can hit the high 30s C and sometimes top 40C? Or in February, when the weather gets humid. Airports are air-conditioned, but even so…

German police last week reportedly rejected the scanners for being too sensitive.

German weekly Welt am Sonntag, quoting a police report, said 35% of 730,000 passengers checked by the scanners set off the alarm more than once “despite being innocent”.

The Telegraph said the alarm had gone off in error in more than two thirds of cases in the German trial, as clothing, zippers and unusual posture – not to mention armpits – triggered false positives.

The Australian Government says the scanners are “perfectly safe and one body scan emits 10,000 times less radio frequency energy than an average mobile phone call,” according to the publicity.

“The machines will only produce a generic outline of a passenger which appears like a stick figure and no images will be stored or shared.

“The trial is voluntary and any passengers not wanting to try the body scanner will proceed through standard screening procedures,” an issued statement said.

Which is all very well, provided the scanners work.

Trials of the scanners will be held in Sydney and Melbourne before being progressively rolled out at Australia’s international airports. Around 13 million people fly out of Australia’s international airports each year and Australia has one of the safest aviation records in the world.

“This new technology will add another important layer of security at our airports and is part of the Government’s AUD200 million Strengthening Aviation Security Initiative which is well on its way to being implemented,” Albanese said.

Written by Peter Needham

(Source: eGlobaltravelmedia.com.au 3rd August 2011)

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