Airlines Clamp Down on Carry-On Policies
Small Plane Crashes in Alabama, Killing 4
Pilots in India Often Violate Alcohol Policies
Small Rental Cars, Not Upgrades, Delight Customers
Aircraft-Turned-House Lands in Malibu
AIRLINES CLAMP DOWN ON CARRY-ON POLICIES – Associated Press
Think twice before you over-cram your carry-on. Now that US Airways, American Airlines and United Airlines are charging for checked baggage, they are tightening up on carry-on policies. “We’re planning on having extra staff where possible, especially at peak times at busy airports,” US Airways spokesman Morgan Durrant said. The carry-on policy is not the industry’s but the Federal Aviation Administration’s. Toting chunky, unwieldy bags not only takes room away from other passengers’ carry-ons, but delays can occur as flight attendants either shove large bags in overhead bins or resort to checking them. If a passenger is caught carrying an oversized carry-on, American Airlines will charge that passenger $15 to check the bag at the gate.
Link: Associated Press
SMALL PLANE CRASHES IN ALABAMA, KILLING 4 – Newsday
A small plane crashed yesterday in a wooded area near the Walker County Airport in Jasper, killing four people. The twin-engine Beechcraft BE-55 was operated by car dealer Bobby Crump, and the plane crashed shortly after takeoff, nearly 40 miles north of Birmingham. The other passengers were Crump’s wife, son, and family friend. Authorities don’t yet know why the crash occurred.
Link: Newsday
PILOTS IN INDIA OFTEN VIOLATE ALCOHOL POLICIES - MSNBC
Each year, nearly 50 pilots in India are grounded because they were caught having consumed alcohol before operating a flight. The Director of General Civil Aviation, a company controlling carrier operations in India, said dozens of pilots are caught red-handed during routine premedical screenings. Although strict guidelines exist, “We do catch pilots who had taken alcohol routinely and so does the airlines,” Kanu Gohain, a top DGCA official, said. Since India is one of the world’s fastest growing aviation markets, oftentimes pilots are ordered to fly on short notices. One case last week made headlines when two Air India pilots allegedly napped their way 359 past their destination airport, although alcohol has not been determined to be the cause.
Link: MSNBC
SMALL RENTAL CARS, NOT UPGRADES, DELIGHT CUSTOMERS – ABC News
When renting a car, some customers are complaining that the rental companies are pressuring them into choosing a gas-guzzling SUV, minivan or sedan. But, car companies are struggling to keep smaller cars on the lots to meet increasing demands for fuel-efficient vehicles. “It’s kind of ironic, because usually the small cars are the cheapest,” said frequent business traveler Michael Capel. “If the SUVs are sitting on the lots of the rental companies, they’ll have to discount them.” If you’re concerned about getting stuck with a large vehicle, make sure to call the rental company and ensure a small car is reserved.
Link: ABC News
AIRCRAFT-TURNED-HOUSE LANDS IN MALIBU – San Jose Mercury News
Among the palatial homes that pepper Hollywood Hills, Francie Rehwald’s abode will be the only one constructed from recycled trappings from an old Boeing 747 jet airliner. Last week, a helicopter bearing half or her future home delivered wings to the site. Watching a rare sight, Rehwald said, “A dream come true. A dream come true. Really!” Architect David Hertz commented that approval was needed from 17 government agencies, and five freeways were closed just to haul the pieces to the location. This was Hertz’s first project that involved a mammoth junked aircraft.
Link: San Jose Mercury News
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