Most British Airports (Finally) Lift One-Bag Restriction
Can You Crash a Plane With a Cell Phone?
Legendary Queen Elizabeth 2 Embarks on Final Voyage
Fuel Prices and Plane Fares Take Off Again
Small Plane Crash in Alaska Kills 6
Caribbean Deck Collapse Injures 14 Vacationers
MOST BRITISH AIRPORTS (FINALLY) LIFT ONE-BAG RESTRICTION - USA Today
Passengers at London’s airports will be allowed to bring two carry-on bags as of today. The one-bag rule, which was imposed in August 2006 after an alleged terrorist plot was foiled, has caused massive confusion and frustration for many travelers. The British government is lifting the carry-on restriction in 19 airports, including busy Heathrow. But at many gates in London’s Gatwick airport, passengers will still be allowed only one carry-on bag, as will travelers through Luton, Leeds, Bradford, and Liverpool airports. The current ban on carrying liquids through security checkpoints still remains in place.
Link: USA Today
CAN YOU CRASH A PLANE WITH A CELL PHONE? – Salon
Can you really crash a plane by using your cell phone or PDA? Possibly yes, but probably not, says pilot Patrick Smith. There have been no proven cases of a cell phone interfering with radio transmissions, but the possibility is there. Other restrictions such as computers and music players are based on other reasons: laptops can become dangerous missiles in the event of an impact or sudden deceleration, while music-blaring headphones can interfere with emergency instructions during takeoff and landing. But the real danger? Being trapped in an enclosed space for hours while chatty passengers yap away on their cell phones.
Link: Salon
LEGENDARY QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 EMBARKS ON LAST VOYAGE - San Jose Mercury News
The legendary Queen Elizabeth 2 set sail on Sunday as she embarked on her final worldwide voyage, after which she will be transformed into a floating hotel in the United Arab Emirates. The QE2 is the longest-serving ship in the Cunard line’s history; she has taken 25 world cruises and crossed the Atlantic more than 800 times. The liner departed Southampton amid a fireworks display alongside the Queen Victoria, which was setting sail on its maiden world cruise. The two ships are scheduled to meet up with Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 on January 13 near the Statue of Liberty.
FUEL PRICES AND PLANE FARES TAKE OFF, AGAIN - Forbes
Airlines are raising their fares, again, due to skyrocketing oil prices that reached $99 a barrel on Friday. United Airlines announced the same day that it’s raising its fares: one-way flights of less than 1,500 miles are up $5, and one-way flights of more than 1,500 have been boosted $10. This may be the first fare hike of 2008, but if 2007 was any indication, it won’t be the first. It’s possible that rival airlines Delta and JetBlue could follow suit soon.
Link: Forbes
SMALL PLANE CRASH IN ALASKA KILLS SIX 6 - CNN
A small plane crashed in southern Alaska, killing six of the 10 people on board Saturday. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the Piper Navajo Chieftan crashed soon after takeoff; the pilot reported an “undisclosed problem” and said that he would be turning the plane around before it crashed in shallow waters off Kodiak Island. Four people were pulled from the wreckage; the pilot was killed, as were five passengers, including one who died trying to swim to shore.
Link: CNN
CARIBBEAN DECK COLLAPSE INJURES 14 VACATIONERS - St. Thomas Source
Fourteen tourists were injured when a villa deck collapsed Thursday on the island of St. Thomas. Two suffered serious head injuries when the wooden deck collapsed onto nearby rocks, but the state of the other 12 vacationers is yet unknown. The 14 were members of an extended family, ranging from ages 10 to 69. They were preparing for a professional photo shoot of their vacation when the deck collapsed 10 feet to the ground.
Link: St. Thomas Source
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