Nude Passenger Subdued by Pro Soccer Team
Beijing Airport Closed During Opening Ceremonies
Congress Ponders Cruise Passengers’ Safety
Who Is Cashing in on the Weak Dollar?
Private Jets Popular, Despite Fuel Woes
NUDE PASSENGER SUBDUED BY PRO SOCCER TEAM - Associated Press
A Los Angeles-bound American Airlines flight from Boston was diverted to Oklahoma City on Friday after a mentally disturbed passenger stripped down and tried to open an emergency exit door before being subdued by pro soccer team members, among others. The man emerged from a restroom in the nude, at which point Craig Tornberg, general manager of the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer, confronted him: “I said he should get back into the bathroom and put on his clothes,” Tornberg later reported. “He said something strange to me. He said, ‘I don’t hear you. I don’t see you.’” The man dressed and then “made a beeline for the emergency door,” at which point teammates and other passengers restrained him until the flight could make an emergency landing. “He was just having some troubles, confused, not a scary guy,” said passenger Gillian Callaghan, who was traveling with her 12-year-old son.
Link: Associated Press
BEIJING AIRPORT CLOSED DURING OPENING CEREMONY – USA Today
Airlines have received notice that they must stay away from Beijing’s airport during the opening ceremony of the Olympics. No official announcement has been made, but reports are saying that the airport will close for about four hours during the opening ceremony, which is expected to affect dozens of flights. Other security measures include tightening “performance rules,” which prevents public expressions by foreign entertainers that could tarnish the country’s image. Authorities were reeling back in March when singer Björk shouted “Tibet! Tibet!” after a Shanghai concert. Authorities said her outburst “broke Chinese law and hurt Chinese people’s feelings,” and vowed to be stricter on foreign performers.
Link: USA Today
CONGRESS PONDERS CRUISE-SHIP PASSENGER SAFETY – Tripso
If the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2008 is passed by Congress, it will impact passenger safety on any U.S.-flagged cruise ships and ships that load or unload passengers in any U.S. port. Under the Act, staterooms will get a peep hole in the door, a security latch, and a time-sensitive key that will limit access by ship’s personnel, while certain areas of the ship will feature video cameras. An overboard detection system also will be installed, though it is not clear yet whether it will be a general ship security program or a “personnel system” that requires passengers to wear a bracelet or necklace. Other security details include raised railings, the presence of a licensed physician on-board at all times, proper reporting and investigation of crimes, and maintaining a dataset of crew members.
Link: Tripso.com
WHO IS CASHING IN ON THE WEAK DOLLAR? – Forbes
Overseas visitors are spending like never before, even though the total numbers of travelers is still down compared to pre-9/11 levels. Last year, overseas visitors spent $96.5 billion, up from $88 billion in 2000, according to the Travel Industry Association (TIA). In March, international travelers spent $11.4 billion, which is up 20 percent from the same period last year. However, the number of visitors still falls short by about 2.1 million from the 26 million that entered the U.S. in 2000. “It’s very easy in the current environment,” says Geoff Freeman, senior vice president of the TIA, “to assume that things are good, but the real shame of the situation is that we’re not back to where we were [before].”
Link: Forbes
PRIVATE JETS POPULAR, DESPITE FUEL WOES – BusinessWeek
What’s the hottest thing in aerospace these days? Not fuel-efficient green machines, but rather luxury business jets catering to corporate travelers and the super-rich. Despite the fact that commercial airlines are curbing orders for larger aircraft, business-jet sales are booming. Costing anywhere between $3 million to $40 million, private jets have sold at record numbers, topping 1,200 this year, and predictions say that the numbers will continue to rise. More than 50 percent of sales are coming from outside the U.S., including high-spending travelers from Asia, the Middle East and Russia. Business travelers are also opting for jets to escape traditional airport and security hassles.
Link: BusinessWeek
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