Banning Laptops from Planes

by Erik Olsen on

Hows this for over-reaction?

You know how Apple and Dell have recalled some laptop batteries because they have in very few cases caught fire? Some of these machines have Sony Li-ion batteries that can spontaneously combust without warning. That would suck. According to this recent news, several airlines including Korean Air and Australia’s Qantas have gone so far as to ban passengers from boarding with Dell laptops, Apple Power Books or iBooks. Sure, sure, the LAST thing you’d ever want it to be sitting next to some trendy artist who’s Photoshopping a photo of his dog when suddenly poof, his laptop goes up in flames.

Might make for a funny skit, but not good for reality. But the number of cases reported of this happening are so slim that it seems very doubtful this would ever happen. Plus, these are LAPTOPS, right? So most people have them on their laps or will be able to tell if they’re getting too hot.

Anyway, it seems the US Federal Aviation Administration may be offering safety advice concerning this matter to airlines very shortly and perhaps there will be more bans. So I guess the solution is, lets get this behind us. Get those batteries replaced so we can all be free to take our Powerbooks on board.

Flights within Europe for $50

by Iva Skoch on

At one point, Europe had more than one hundred budget airlines. Not all of them made it through the turbulent few years, but those who remained (some fifty) are pretty solid. You know the spiel – you can book one-way tickets without penalty, there is no free food on board, usually no assigned seats, you are only allowed to carry on 1 bag and check 1 bag, otherwise you pay. That is after all, how they make their money. If your dates are flexible, the tickets are very cheap.

SkyEurope.com is one of those airlines. The biggest budget airline in Central Europe, headquartered in Slovakia, started a major promotion today to celebrate their 5-year anniversary. They fly to all major European destination and have new planes.

This week only, you can buy tickets anywhere they fly for FREE (you only pay taxes). I booked a round trip ticket from Prague to Rome for $50. Go snatch some!

Lost luggage. Really, Really Lost.

by Iva Skoch on

A few days ago, I blogged about my horrible experience at the lost baggage counter in Barcelona. Today, exactly a week later, I am already back home from a trip to Spain and France, still without that bag!

Although I managed to see Barcelona and drove up to the south of France, my luggage–it seems–saw a lot more of the world without me.

This is the sad story of poor me and my bag:

  • Monday – I arrive in Barcelona from Prague on Czech Airlines, direct flight mind you. My bag does not.
  • Tuesday – My bag arrives in Barcelona. Should be delivered to my hotel “asap”.
  • Wednesday – I am am enjoying the Costa Brava while someone at Iberia decides to send my bag back to Prague.
  • Thursday – I am driving up to France from Spain. Czech Air promises they will send the bag to me in Bordeaux.
  • Friday – I break down and buy new clothes and toiletries. Bag does not make it to Bordeaux.
  • Saturday – Marathon du Medoc day. My bag is apparently on its way to Bordeaux, yet somehow it gets rerouted to Madrid and then San Sebastien, Spain, of all places.
  • Sunday – I give up and drive to San Sebastien. The bag is not there and apparently has never been there.
  • Monday – I fly back home. Czech Airlines tell me they have no idea where my bag is.

According to USA Today, out of the 3,7 million bags that got lost by airlines last year, 420,000 are lost permanently. Umm, it is a little hard to imagine where almost half million bags end up. Apparently in some lost baggage center in Alabama. With the new “liquid” regulation, the number of checked bags has gone up and one would assume the number of lost bags would go up as well.

I love traveling, but the recent developments in the airline industry make me more and more convinced that trains might be the way to go.

Flying Ashtray

by Neil Woodburn on

As if flying isn’t dangerous enough these days, a German entrepreneur is trying to raise money to build an airline which allows smoking on board.

Smoker’s International Airways, or Smintair, is hoping to cash in on the nicotine addicts who can’t sit in a plane for a few hours without going into seizures.

Alexander Schoppmann, the 30-cigarette-a-day chain smoking mastermind behind the idea has already collected €300 million from yellow-fingered investors. He plans to “bring back the joy of flying” with a Düsseldorf-Tokyo route where smokers traveling between the countries can light up and puff away for the duration of the 12 hour flight.

Ugh! Can you imagine the air in that plane after 12 hours? And your bloodshot eyes and stinky clothes?

I’d rather fly with a clan of Tajik goat herders who haven’t bathed in three months than to be on that plane, thank you very much.

Third World Expectations in the ´First World´

by Iva Skoch on

As I was waiting at the Barcelona airport for three hours yesterday trying to make a lost baggage claim, I realized I was angrier than I usually get when the airline loses my bags. After all, this is certainly not the first time my luggage didn´t make it to the same destination as I did, or made it late or damaged. Last year alone, airlines worldwide misplaced 3.7 million bags, according to USA Today.

It was also not the first time service people in charge were rude, slow and not helpful. Yesterday was the first time, however, that the sole baggage claim service woman closed the window and announced she was taking an hour-long lunch. The line of some 45 customers did not faze her.

In India, Egypt or China I would have been bummed, but would have probably laughed it off and considered it a cultural experience. However, in Barcelona, this simply was not acceptable. Last time I checked, Spain was considered a developed country?

When one travels throughout the Western world, one assumes a certain level of service. That is, after all, why a lot of people split their vacation time between the hard, cheap, adventurous trips to underdeveloped countries and those relaxing, civilized, but expensive, trips to Western Europe or North America.

However, when you pay First World prices and get Third World service, you feel cheated. It´s all about expectations. Next time I am at the Barcelona airport, I will remember to put on my ready-for-anything hat.

This certainly puts Barcelona on my list of nightmare baggage claim cities, together with Munich and Paris Charles de Gaulle. Any additional airports to avoid in the so-called developed world?