Last-minute Valentine’s Day deals at Taj Boston

by Melanie Nayer on

Still haven’t made your Valentine’s Day plans? Typical of a procrastinator like yourself, but thankfully, hotels in the Boston area are still offering some sweet deals for the sugary event. Just be sure to book before she realizes you forgot…

The Taj Boston, located at the corner of Arlington and Newbury is offering last-minute planners a park-view suite, complete with a wood-burning fireplace and the services of a fireplace butler for $259. The “Sweetheart Package” is good for Feb. 13 and comes with added goodies including:

  • Welcome bottle of French champagne and chocolates
  • A silk and lace La Perla sleeping mask
  • $50 La Perla gift certificate
  • Valentine’s Day Sunday Brunch for two
  • 3 pm checkout

If you’re not ready to leave, or want to check in a few days earlier, pay only $195. You must reserve this package by Feb. 10.

Scientists struggle to preserve Grand Canyon wildlife

by Sean McLachlan on

The Grand Canyon needs more water.

That’s the assessment of a U.S. Geological Survey report that studied the results of a 2008 experiment. A controlled flood let more water through Glen Canyon Dam in order to replicate the effects of annual flooding from before the dam was built. Sediment from the flood increased the size of sandbars along the path of the river. These sandbars are an essential habitat for the plants and animals living in the canyon and also make handy beaches for weary hikers who have just made it to the bottom.

Unfortunately, the sandbars all but washed away after six months. The USGS and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar are calling for regular controlled floods, especially in spring when the tributaries of the Colorado River naturally flood, and March in order to stop seeds from the nonnative tamarisk from germinating and helping native trout as they grow to maturity. The Glen Canyon Dam was built in the 1960s amid a major controversy over how it would change the river. Several local species have drastically reduced in number because of changes to water temperature and flow.

The problem is, the dam on the Colorado River is a major source of hydroelectric power, and any flooding would reduce the amount of electricity generated. It’s a classic case of industry vs. environmentalism, but the huge amount of money generated from tourism to the Grand Canyon may mean the environmentalists have the money on their side for a change.

Airport checkpoint nabs gang with 518 stolen Wal-Mart gift cards

by Scott Carmichael on

To balance out some of the negative TSA checkpoint stories, I’m always happy when we stumble across some positive stories from the airport. In this story, TSA agents at Nashville airport noticed something strange in the luggage of a passenger, and got the local airport police involved.

Inside the suitcase was a stash of 518 Wal-mart gift cards. When police arrived at the checkpoint, six people were apprehended, but one of the gang members managed to escape and leave the airport. According to Nashville police, the gang used the Wal-Mart gift cards to act as “carriers” for stolen credit card information, and used the cards to purchase other gift cards. The total value of the stolen gift cards purchased could be well over $10,000.

The suspects have been charged with “conspiracy to commit fraudulent use of a credit card and conspiracy to commit identity theft”. Because of the extent of their crime, Nashville police are working with the United States Secret Service on the investigation.

It just goes to show how stupid some criminals are – despite managing to find stolen credit cards, and being “smart” enough to fly all over the country to commit their crime, they didn’t realize that the airport checkpoint agents may find their collection of gift cards a tad suspicious.

Check out these other great stories from AOL Travel

Photo of the Day (02.06.10)

by Mike Barish on
Don’t you hate it when you’re in a remote place and then you stumble across someone else? Suddenly your epic adventure is significantly less epically adventurous. This cow decided to take a stroll though Utah’s Monument Valley at the same time as Flickr user skinnymalinky1. And worse yet, it walked right through the photographer’s shot. How rude!

Have a picture from your travels that hasn’t been ruined by an inconsiderate bovine? Submit your images to Gadling’s Flickr group right now and we might use it for a future Photo of the Day.

Skycaps take American Airlines to court over loss of tips

by Scott Carmichael on

American Airlines is set to lose quite a bit of money after a Boston judge ruled Skycaps from 85 airports can join a class action lawsuit against the airline.

At the heart of the ruling is an American Airlines $2 fee for curbside bag check-in at the airport. In the past, curbside check-in was considered free – but tipping the skycap was customary. Once American implemented the $2 fee, passengers assumed that covered the entire cost.

One Skycap testified that his daily tips dropped from $200 to $70.

Logan airport skycaps already won a ruling, awarding them $325,000 to be split between nine workers.

Sadly for American Airlines, their money making scheme may have backfired quite badly. If other skycaps win in this class action lawsuit, any money the airline made with the fee will probably be wiped out.

I’m torn over the issue – none of the new sources mention whether the skycap tips came on top of their salary, or whether they had to live off tips like some restaurant staff members. Assuming they made a normal salary, their $4000/month in tips seems fairly generous. I’m also sure the IRS will be paying attention to this case as it wouldn’t surprise me if cash tips were not always reported accurately.