Four American Airlines baggage handlers charged with theft

by Scott Carmichael on

If you recently passed through Philadelphia International airport, and arrived at your destination with items missing from your luggage, then you may have one of the fine gentlemen on the right to thank.

The four were arrested and charged last week with “multiple counts of criminal conspiracy, theft, unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, and attempted theft”. The men were part time employees of American Airlines, but may have screwed up last month when the airline saw signs of a problem.

Detectives started an investigation and set up security cameras. When the cameras caught the men helping themselves to electronics, cameras and jewelry, police arrested them. Each of the men had been working baggage for American Airlines for nine years.

A court date has been set for December 8, and the men were all released until then.

The most important lesson from this incident? Never, ever pack valuables in your checked luggage. Checked bags are for clothes and cheap souvenirs – anything of value should always go in your cabin bag, or be shipped to your destination.

Daily gear deals – $30 Jabra headset, $4 iPhone travel speaker and more

by Scott Carmichael on

Here are the hottest gear deals for today, Tuesday November 9, 2010. Remember, these deals are often valid for just one day, so act fast before they are gone.

Today’s first deal is for the Jabra Stone Bluetooth headset. This sleek 2-piece headset plugs into a charger base. The headset features a 12 day battery, status display and Bluetooth music option. On sale for $29.99 at 1saleaday.com.

Next up is a great deal on an extremely bright Duracell flashlight. The Daylite Tough LED light produces 80 lumen of light, and comes complete with batteries. A large light like this is perfect for camping or other outdoor activities. On sale for just $14.99 at Daily Steals.

Today’s third deal is for a Memorex ultra compact travel speaker. The speaker can be used with an iPhone or iPod, as well as any device with a regular headphone jack. On sale for just $4.32. Click here for this deal.

And finally in today’s lineup is a clearance deal on the High Sierra Loop backpack. The pack comes in 12 different colors, with prices starting at just $26. Click here for this deal.

Stay at the Hard Rock San Diego hotel in December, get a free hybrid car rental

by Amy Chen on

Travelers who stay at the Hard Rock San Diego from Dec. 1 to 30 will get a free hybrid car rental during their stay. Considering that the fees for renting a car can quickly add up, this affordable deal gives you more for less.

The “I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas” package starts at $149 per room per night. The one-day hybrid car rental (either a Toyota Prius or a Nissan Altima Hybrid from Enterprise-Rent-A-Car) is worth at least $70.

Perfect for families, the Hard Rock San Diego hotel is about a 10-minute drive from the San Diego Zoo, a 15-minute drive from SeaWorld, and a 40-minute drive from LEGOLAND in Carlsbad.

Details: Book at least 24 hours in advance. Mention promo code GREEN or check availability at www.hardrockhotelsd.com/greenxmas. Limit one 24-hour car rental per stay.

Porn mogul to offer free hotel rooms for guests who perform

by Meg Nesterov on

How far would you go for a free hotel room? Swedish pornographer Berth Milton Jr. hopes you’d go all the way; he’s proposing a new chain of “sex-themed, five-star hotels” and would offer free stays for guests who have sex on webcams. Barbara DeLollis reports in USA Today that Milton believes subscriptions could bring in nearly $44 million a year from viewers who will pay to watch amateurs having sex.

Milton made his fortune making adult DVD versons of popular films like “Gladiator” but has since been fighting a legal battle over $10 million he allegedly borrowed (and didn’t repay) from his company Private Media as well as a creditor that could take his shares in the company’s board. The porn hotels idea is just one venture he hopes will restore his empire.

Milton did some field research at swingers clubs in Spain and concluded the hotels would have to appeal to guests other than aspiring porn stars. “It has to be a hotel for non-swingers as well — not super-explicit where everybody’s running around naked,” Milton told the New York Post. “That takes the style and class out of it.” Of course not, couldn’t have a porn hotel without style or class. Citing Charlie Sheen’s recent Plaza Hotel romp, he believes there is room for porn in mainstream. “If you take a show like ‘Two-and-a-Half Men,’ it’s all about an adult lifestyle,” Milton said.

Would you stay in a porn hotel, as a performer or otherwise? We’re still skeptical, but hey, different strokes for different folks.

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[Photo by Flick user Laram 777]

Sixth annual Adventure Film Festival set for Nov. 18-20

by Kraig Becker on

The sixth annual Adventure Film Festival is scheduled to take place from November 18th through the 20th in the outdoor capital of the United States, Boulder, Colorado. Over the past few years, the event has earned itself a reputation as a great place for independent filmmakers and adventurers to share their ideas, as they inspire others to explore the world around them.

This year, more than 25 films will be featured over the course of the three-day event. Those films will take viewers around the globe, visiting such places as beautiful Argentina, remote regions in Russia, and the very ends of the Earth itself in Antarctica. The movies were specifically handpicked by a selection committee that was looking for inspiring, well made, and informative independent films that exemplified an adventurous spirit while capturing their subject matter in the most amazing way possible.

In addition to the great films that will be on display there are a number of others special events on the docket as well. Aspiring adventure photographers and filmmakers will want to take part in one of the workshops that will take place over the course of the festival, while live music, gear giveaways, round table discussions, and guest appearances will help to keep attendees busy while they’re not sitting in a dark theater.

The films will be shown in the historic Boulder Theater, at the local REI and Patagonia store, as well as the famous Neptune Mountaineering store. They’ll cover a host of outdoor activities including mountaineering, kayaking, cycling, skiing, and more.