How do you stop Nepalese airport workers from taking bribes?

by Aaron Hotfelder on

Nepal’s government thinks it’s found a way: Issue them pants with no pockets.

The unusual move is an attempt to combat rampant bribe-taking among airport staff at Tribhuvan International Airport, located in the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu. A spokesperson for Nepal’s anti-corruption body said that pocketless pants would help “curb the irregularities” reported by so many airport visitors.

Nepal’s new Prime Minister Madhav Mumar Nepal recently expressed concern about corruption at the Kathmandu airport, and said that he was worried about the airport’s negative reputation. The day after those comments, the Nepalese government decided that airport workers would wear pants without pockets, which are already worn by many casino dealers and fast-food workers to prevent theft.

[HT: Marginal Revolution]

Should first class passengers get a shorter line at security?

by Grant Martin on

In Boston’s Logan international airport, I recently witnessed a meltdown in the security line. A first class passenger was livid — furious because ordinary passengers were being directed into the shorter, elite x-ray lane by the TSA. For their part, the TSA were indifferent. All passengers are the same, they kept saying, as people shuffled past the ID checkpoint while the first class passenger stewed as he watched his x-ray line double in size.

That’s what first class passengers pay for though, right? Some airports have specific elite lanes, where depending on your paid fare or your elite status you can enjoy a enjoy a shorter wait at the checkpoint. Given the the absurd amounts of money and time that they devote to the airline, shouldn’t they be rewarded with faster passage?

Or, should first class privileges not apply to the security line? In a way, a shorter line at the ID check effectively lets these passengers cut in front of those that aren’t “elite.” That seems to be what these particular TSA agents were thinking — if they had their way, everyone would be in the same line and file through en masse.

What’s your take?

%Poll-31375%

Clear shutdown means data safe, money not

by Scott Carmichael on

When Clear shut down last week, its 260,000 paying customers were left with 2 big questions – is my personal information safe, and what will happen to the money I spent on the program?

Verified Identity Pass Inc., the company behind the Clear service finally took some time to answer both questions, and one of the answers won’t please Clear customers:

Personal information is safe – all airport kiosks have been wiped clean, and Lockheed Martin (the IT provider for Clear) has started wiping all the databases containing Clear customer data. No customer data will ever be sold, and once the cleaning process is done, there will be no traces of personal information left.

The money people spent on the service is not so safe, as it is all gone. Clear will not be providing any refunds due to their financial situation. People who signed up for the service right before it collapsed can of course take the chargeback route, but customers with months left on a paid subscription are quite simply out of luck.

Actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers arrested in Paris airport after allegedly assaulting bar staff

by Aaron Hotfelder on

If Disneyland is the happiest place on Earth, the airport bar might well be the unhappiest. The drinks are watered-down and overpriced, the food is bland, and the customers and staff seem to be in a constant competition for the coveted honor of “Who Can Be More Surly.”

And this year’s award goes to… (fumbles with the envelope)… Jonathan Rhys Meyers!

Rhys Meyers, the 31-year-old star of The Tudors, was arrested yesterday at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris after he assaulted a waiter in an airport bar. Rhys Meyers allegedly shoved the waiter and punched him in the face after the waiter refused to serve him more alcohol. Witnesses say Rhys Meyers could be heard shouting “I’ll kill you all!” to the other members of the staff.

The Irish-born actor was charged in a French court with “willful violence, outrage, hitting, and threatening death.” He has several prior episodes of drunken bad behavior, including public drunkenness and breach of the peace at an airport in Dublin. Rhys Meyers, who claims he didn’t start drinking until he was 25 and has only been drunk “a dozen-and-a-half times,” says that when he drinks, he’s “like Bambi.” “I’m all over the place, hopeless, like a 16-year-old kid,” he says. “People notice.”

More here.

Layover: London Heathrow

by Scott Carmichael on

Of all the airports in the world, Heathrow is probably my favorite to be stranded.

The airport itself is nothing special, but thanks to some very efficient public transport, you can be in the heart of London in about 30 minutes if you find yourself on a layover.

Shorter (2 hour) layovers

As I mentioned – the airport complex is not too impressive, and with the possible exception of some decent shops and restaurants, there won’t be too much to do. Of course, if you do like shopping, then you’ll probably enjoy what the airport has to offer.

Unlike some other major International airports, Heathrow has not invested in any kind of entertainment for waiting passengers – you won’t find a casino or museum here. If you want to stretch your legs, you may want to walk from terminal to terminal, just keep in mind that many parts of the airport are under construction, and you may find yourself walking towards a closed door, or long detour.

If you are lucky enough to be stuck in Terminal 5, then things are different – this terminal is brand new, and a real pleasure to spend some time. Terminal 5 is also home to the best eateries at Heathrow, including a Wagamama and a Gorden Ramsay restaurant.

Longer layovers (4+ hours)

Leaving the airport is the best thing to do if you have more than 4 hours to kill. From the terminal buildings, simply follow the signs to the Heathrow Express. The Express runs every 15 minutes, and trips to Paddington station take just 15 minutes (though in reality these trips often take a little longer). Once at Paddington, you can make your way to the Bakerloo line train, and in just 4 stops you will be at Oxford Circus. I’ve made this trip many times, and without delays, you can travel from the arrivals lounge of the airport to standing in Oxford Circus in 34 minutes.

The biggest downside to the Heathrow Express is its insane price – a round trip ticket is $52! There are alternatives to getting into the city from Heathrow. London Underground trains operate from Heathrow towards London on a very regular basis, the ride will be much cheaper, but it will also take a little over an hour to get to most major destinations in the city. If you have the time, this is a fun way to make your way into the city.

Once in London, the list of things to do is of course endless, and much easier to discover using one of the many London guides available. Personally I always enjoyed starting my trip at Oxford Circus, then walking up or down the street while visiting the many stores. Fans of electronics will enjoy taking a walk up to Tottenham court road, where store after store sells the latest and greatest in gadget land.

If you prefer a more peaceful way to spend your time, make your way to one of the many parks where there is almost always something fun to watch, especially in the summer months.

If you are running a really tight schedule (one hour or less) and don’t mind a decent amount of walking, start at Oxford Circus, walk down Regent Street to Piccadilly Circus, then on to Leicester Square. After taking in the sights and sounds here, walk down Charing Cross road towards the Embankment and take a quick look at the Thames. Of course, the easiest way to get around is by purchasing a bus pass and hopping on board one of the thousands of buses clogging up the streets of London.

A couple of things to keep in mind before you leave the airport are of course to be aware of the time it will take to get back through security and to always keep an eye on your belongings. Like most major cities, London has its fair share of street crimes, but pickpockets and thieves are very active all around the area, especially on the tube.