Flight Attendant Accused of Playing with Fire in Aircraft Toilet
Parents Forget Toddler at Vancouver Airport
L.A. Turns to Sewage for Drinking Water
Tall Travelers’ Comfort Often Left Behind
FLIGHT ATTENDANT ACCUSED OF PLAYING WITH FIRE IN AIRCRAFT TOILET – USA Today
Vexed about being assigned to work a flight to Saskatchewan, a flight attendant has been accused of igniting a fire in the aircraft lavatory. The flight had to make an emergency landing on May 7, and the flight attendant appeared in court Thursday. Carrying 72 passengers, the Compass Airlines flight departed Minneapolis/St. Paul and was headed to Regina, Saskatchewan. After 35 minutes into the flight, he pilot reported noticing an indicator light signaling smoke near the rear bathroom. Two attendants and one passenger quickly put out the fire. A person found guilty of lighting a fire on a civilian aircraft can serve a maximum sentence of 20 years in jail.
Link: USA Today
PARENTS FORGET TODDLER AT VANCOUVER AIRPORT – Associated Press
Many of you remember how badly Kevin’s mom felt in Home Alone when the family left behind the mischievous boy at home. But, imagine how devastated an immigrant family felt when they left their 23-month-old boy in the Vancouver airport and didn’t even notice until they were contacted during the next leg of the trip. Jun Parreno, the boy’s father, said confusion spiraled as he, his wife and two grandparents scrambled to reach their connecting flight. “We had 10 minutes before boarding. We were running for the gate,” he said. Apparently, he thought the little one was with the three adults who were in front of him and charging to the gate—they thought the boy was behind them with the father.
Link: Associated Press
L.A. TURNS TO SEWAGE FOR DRINKING WATER – Los Angeles Times
You may want to steer clear of tap water and opt for bottled instead, if you’re vacationing to Los Angeles. Due to key and mostly distant water sources dwindling, officials in Los Angeles will resurrect a controversial method of obtaining water—by recycling sewage water. The effort may cost nearly $2 billion, and residents would have to replace their clothing washers, as well as abide by new restrictions on when lawns could be watered. Builders would also be required to install waterless urinals, porous parking lot paving and weather-sensitive sprinkler systems. Department of Water and Power General Manager David Nahai said, “I think overall this plan is going to be a beacon for other cities.” Along with other Southern California agencies, Orange County is pouring treated sewage water right into the drinking supply. David Coffin, a Westchester Neighborhood Council member who tracks water issues, said “I don’t think they’re going to make any headway. They’re adding 14,000 to 16,000 housing units a year in the face of water shortages. How are they going to supply all those people?”
Link: Los Angeles Times
TALL TRAVELERS’ COMFORT OFTEN LEFT BEHIND – The New York Times
It’s bad enough that travelers feel cramped when traveling, but for those of you who are tall, it’s a nightmare. Tall travelers have to endure ducking under shower heads and letting their feet dangle off the hotel bed. “I truly believe it’s a serious disconnect. I end up literally booking everything myself, travel agents haven’t a clue,” said R. J. Brennan, director of strategic workplace for IA Interior Architects, who is 6-foot-8. “In economy, my knees are embedded into the wire of the seat pocket — I’m literally wedged in and can’t move.” Two years ago, SeatGuru.com unveiled a site that offers airline comparison charts, so passengers can judge “seat pitch.” Some airlines, like JetBlue, have reconfigured their seats to allow for more room, but the only hotel that seems to have jumped on the bandwagon—back in 1995—is Kimpton Hotels, which offers “tall rooms.” These rooms have 96-inch beds, higher showerheads and higher door frames.
Link: The New York Times
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