Qantas CEO Hints at Future Merger

by Josh Lew on

Qantas CEO Geoff Dixon might be stepping down from his post after eight hectic years, but he still has something to say about the future of the famous Australian airline. Though he did not announce a merger, Dixon stated that a future merger is “inevitable.”

“For Qantas, consolidation is highly desirable. It is in our interests to be at the leading edge of efforts to build a global airline grouping.”

However, he did not give any further details, leading some to believe that he is just letting off steam after running up against stiff government restrictions concerning the percentage of foreign ownership allowed of Australian airlines. Attempts to merge with Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand were less than successful.

Dixon will leave Qantas in relatively stable condition, all things considered. He will hand a profitable company over to Alan Joyce, the current CEO of Jetstar (the low-cost-carrier affiliated with Qantas). The airline claims to have saved money because it operates more fuel-efficient aircraft.

[Related Story]

Instead of boycotting Utah, here’s an opposite idea. If you’re gay, head there in droves

by Jamie Rhein on

Although the boycott of Utah could cost the state a bundle in tourism dollars if it’s a success–and if it’s happening–here’s another idea to make an impact. Scott McCoy, an openly gay senator in Utah, has suggested that people who are gay should head to Utah in droves. I read about McCoy’s views in this Seattle Times article.

The idea McCoy had when he heard about the ban is to show folks in Utah that gay people and gay families are genuine and wonderful people. By showing up in Utah and doing vacation like things, these families would in essence be educating people about the need gay families have for equal rights under the law just like other families.

Reading McCoy’s take on the boycott reminded me about my experience at Kings Island this past August during Gay Pride Night. I went with my brother, his friend and my daughter. As I stood in line to ride the Firehawk, the roller coaster you ride mostly on your stomach, and looked at the other people in line, I thought how utterly common a scene it was. Shorts, T-shirts, sneakers, middle-aged paunches on some, better haircuts on others, talking, laughing, smiling, and visiting. When it stopped raining and all the rides were a go, the joy felt exactly the same on any other day when I’ve been to an amusement park in the rain. For some reason, give me a summer and I’ll go on the rainy day. It’s not planned that way, it just happens.

If I hadn’t known we were there on Gay Pride Night, I really wouldn’t have been able to tell. Maybe McCoy has a point. On the other hand, Colorado lost millions of dollars in the 80s when there was a similar boycott.

Peter Greenburg , the Today show’s travel guru, pointed out earlier this year before Prop 8 passed [see article] that with gay people being allowed to tie the knot in California, that state was going to be able to pull in serious bucks. I imagine these days, it’s good-bye dough to some extent.

Regardless of ones political or religious opinions, tourism is a powerful playmate when it comes to a state’s financial health.

Tofurkey: Where Did It Come From?

by Brenda Yun on

I knew about tofurkey about seven years ago, when Sam, my hippie next door neighbor in Boulder, needed a vegetarian alternative to turkey and went so far as to prepare our friends a tofurkey feast for Thanksgiving. Aside from the smooth slices this mock-turkey has opposed to the sometimes dry and stringy quality some Thanksgiving birds have possessed, my rather bland taste buds were not able to tell the difference at all. I never bothered to ask where Sam purchased this honking piece of pseudo-bird. It really did look, smell, and taste like a turkey fresh from the oven.

Since then, I discovered a brand of manufactured tofurkey in stores called “Tofurky” (trademarked without the “e”), which is owned by Turtle Island Foods and can be found at essentially every Whole Foods, Wild Oats, and Trader Joe’s. The Tofurky brand carries all kinds of vegan delights, but specializes in its Tofurky Jurky, Franks, and Holiday Products.Yes, it is possible to buy a turkey-sized Tofurky with stuffing – and maybe your guests won’t even know the difference! I was also quite surprised to discover that turkey and tofurkey have shockingly similar nutritional value, which therefore leaves me slightly compelled to pop a Tofurky in the oven tomorrow!

The question remains: Where did this ingenious concoction called tofurkey come from? Did the masterminds at Turtle Island Foods in Hood River, Oregon create this new vegan staple back in 1980, or did some Chinese-American with a lot of time on his/her hands decide to take all that Chinatown tofu and make it taste like turkey one Thanksgiving, long long ago? The investigation continues and right now your guess is as good as mine. I’m selfishly rooting for the Chinese-American to claim his/her recipe, but Seth Tibbott over at Turtle Island Foods certainly made tofurkey a commercial product worth gobbling for every November!

Oh, and if you’re head over heels in love with Tofurky, why not order a custom (and classic) Tofurky lunchbox for just $20? All your friends will be jealous! Or, in the spirit of travel, Turtle Island Foods has an annual Travels with Tofurky Contest. Tofurky lovers just need to snap a photo with their Tofurky box of choice and submit it every fall for a chance to win a styling Tofurky Care Kit including a Tofurky t-shirt, a case of Tofurky Jurky and other cool stuff.

Stay tuned tomorrow for another Thanksgiving special about “Turducken: Where Did It Come From?”

Daily deal – 15% off any Proporta branded item at Proporta.com

by Scott Carmichael on

Today’s daily deal is a bit special as it isn’t just a one day deal.

Last week I started a giveaway for 2 Proporta gadget bags. Proporta was so happy with all the responses, that they decided to say “thanks” by creating a special discount just for Gadling readers (you still have till Thursday afternoon to enter the Gadget bag giveaway!).

If you head on over to Proporta.com, you’ll be able to snag a sweet 15% discount on any Proporta branded item!

Of course, this means that you’ll be able to order the gadget bag for just $40.76, or another of my favorites; the universal emergency charger.

To get the discount, simply place your order, and enter coupon code GADLING in the “promotional code” field, that’s all there is to it. Ordered something cool you’d like to share? Feel free to leave a comment!

Let the Madness begin

by Grant Martin on

It’s time. The worst travel day of the year is upon us, the sun has risen and it’s time to get the shit kicked out of you at the airport. Have you got your passport? Did you sleep well last night?

Go through the rituals before you leave your house: passport and wallet, left pocket. Phone, right pocket. Laptop, charger, soap, jacket, headphones, book. Got a ride into the office and a ride to airport at lunch. Head to the airport empowered, take the bull by the horns and charge straight into the chaos with no fear.

You’ve got a great flight, great weather and great family and friends to binge on this weekend, so leave your stress at the door, get to the airport early and revel in the true beauty of travel, people moving, talking, sliding, shifting into new places and new times, the science and flow of departures and arrivals.

Every single one of us at Gadling will be out there with you, somewhere in the terminal or on the road, waiting in lines, collecting data, drinking sake at the airport bar, occupying the lav. We’ll be with you all of the way. We promise.

It’s going to be a great weekend. Safe travels to all of you,

<3 Gadling