Canadian Hotel Rooms Test High For Bacteria, Investigation Shows

by Laurel Miller on

Oh, Canada. You’ve got national healthcare and spectacular scenery, but your hotel rooms … those need work.

According to a recent CBC Marketplace investigation conducted by a microbiologist, six diverse chain hotels ranging from budget to high-end had, “high levels of contamination creating potentially hazardous conditions for guests.”

Marketplace apparently surveyed thousands of “high-touch” spots in 54 rooms, using a “an adenosine triphosphate (ATP) measuring device that determines microbial contamination on surfaces.”

The filthiest items likely won’t come as a surprise to frequent travelers: bed comforters, bathroom faucets, and remote controls took top honors for bacterial counts. Microbiologist Keith Warriner of Guelph University, who conducted the investigation, warns that hotel bacteria is a greater health risk to guests, because the germs come from literally thousands of different bodies. In the case of bedding, we’re exposed to those nasties for a longer period of time.

If money is tight, you’ll be happy to know that ubiquitous cheapie Super 8 had some of the cleanest bathrooms, while luxury hotels often had poor results. The big picture is that just because a room looks clean, doesn’t mean it is. Blame overworked (and likely underpaid) hotel staff, who often don’t have adequate time to deep-clean all of the required rooms on their shifts.

Here’s a tip: Bring your own pillowcase, fold down the comforter, and make friends with a bottle of Purell when staying in a hotel or motel. Otherwise, just look at it as an immune system-building holiday.

[Photo credit: flickr user adrigu]

Live Blog: Onboard United Airlines 787 Launch

by Grant Martin on

It’s an historic day in Houston as United Airlines prepares to launch service on the 787 Dreamliner. Though plans were set back slightly by the delivery schedule at Boeing, one inaugural 787 will make the flight from Houston to Chicago to Houston to Los Angeles this fourth of November, ferrying passengers in the country’s first commercially operated, domestic Dreamliner flight.

This isn’t first time that America has seen the 787. Several carriers including ANA and JAL have operated flights from their respective home countries to the United States, but none have operated commercial flights within the country, and none have been on an American carrier. With this flight, United becomes the first domestic operator of the long awaited Dreamliner.

United plans to fly the 787 on domestic routes for the next month to get the country acclimated and then shift routes internationally.

Follow along as Gadling labs joins the United crew in welcoming the 787 to American skies. We’ll be live blogging the event in Houston as well as the arrival ceremonies in Chicago. Sadly, there isn’t internet service on this composite aircraft, but we’ll keep you updated as connectivity permits.

Update, 10:37AM: Our coverage of United’s inaugural 787 is wrapped up. Check back later for more details on the Dreamliner!

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10:36AM That’s a wrap for us! Check out a gallery of images in the article above and make sure to check back regularly for updates!

10:30AM Just docked into the United Red Carpet Club to upload the last batch of videos. What an exhausting morning.

10:30AM Here’s our favorite shot from the flight

Midflight video:

10:21AM Water cannon salute!

10:04AM Jim Starling, 787 pilot: “This aircraft is revolutionary.”

10:02AM Jeff Smisek “All I can say is ‘Wow. It’s a dream come true'”

10:00AM Press conference beginning in O’Hare

9:50AM Wheels down in ORD!

7:05AM Buttoning up for pushback. We won’t be updating in the air but we’ll connect again in O’Hare. Arrival is at 9:50AM local!

6:56AM Media bonanza during boarding. We may yet cause this flight to be delayed.

6:52AM Here’s Captain Michael Barksdale. He’ll be in charge of the flight(s) tomorrow.

6:48AM Commence boarding!

6:32AM Ribbon cutting!

6:28AM Jeff: “If you want to have the world’s leading airline, you want to have the world’s leading airplane. And that’s the 787 Dreamliner”

6:27AM Jeff “This is a very exciting day for United Airlines… We’re the worlds largest airline but we don’t care about that. We want to be the world’s leading airline”

6:26AM Opening remarks beginning.

6:26AM Jeff Smisek (CEO) up on the podium with the inaugural 787 flight crew.

6:20AM Economy class configuration. Looking good!

6:17AM We’re checked in at gate E5 for the launch festivities!

6:12AM

It’s an historic day in Houston as United Airlines prepares to launch service on the 787 Dreamliner. Though plans were set back slightly by the delivery schedule at Boeing, one inaugural 787 will make the flight from Houston to Chicago to Houston to Los Angeles this fourth of November, ferrying passengers in the country’s first commercially operated, domestic Dreamliner flight.

This isn’t first time that America has seen the 787. Several carriers including ANA and JAL have operated flights from their respective home countries to the United States, but none have operated commercial flights within the country, and none have been on an American carrier. With this flight, United becomes the first domestic operator of the long awaited Dreamliner.

United plans to fly the 787 on domestic routes for the next month to get the country acclimated and then shift routes internationally.

Follow along as Gadling labs joins the United crew in welcoming the 787 to American skies. We’ll be live blogging the event in Houston as well as the arrival ceremonies in Chicago. Sadly, there isn’t internet service on this composite aircraft, but we’ll keep you updated as connectivity permits.

Russian Ship Carrying 700 Tons Of Gold Ore Goes Missing

by Kraig Becker on

A Russian cargo ship carrying more than 700 tons of gold ore has gone missing off the country’s Pacific Coast after sending a distress call a few days back. The ship, which is named “Amurskaya,” had a crew of nine aboard at the time and was headed for the island of Feklistov in the Sea of Okhotsk.

The cargo vessel was contracted by a mining company called Polymetal to ship its cargo to a processing plant where it could be refined into gold. It had departed the port of Kiran and was making a routine run to Feklistov Island when apparently it encountered stormy weather. Emergency response teams picked up the distress signal from an automated beacon, but lost contact with the crew when the ship lost power. Since then, search and rescue teams have been combing the area, but continued poor weather has complicated those efforts.

As for the value of all of that gold ore, gold actually only makes up a small fraction of the material in the ore, with rock and other minerals being much more abundant. In order to extract the precious metal, the ore must first go through a refining process. As a result, 700 tons of gold ore sounds like it would be worth a lot more than it actually is. Bloomberg Business estimates that this shipment was worth about $800,000 and that its loss won’t have a substantial impact on Polymetal’s bottom line.

Polymetal hasn’t released their own estimate of the value of the ore, although they have said the responsibility for the cargo lies with the shipping company. In short, that means the owners of the missing freighter will likely have to reimburse them for the loss.

I’m not sure if insurance will cover something like this, as the storm probably activates their “Act of God” clauses.

[Photo credit: Heb via WikiMedia]

The Travel Outfit That Will Let You Breeze Through Airport Security

by Jessica Marati on

After years of fine-tuning, I may have just mastered the art of dressing for airport security.

It wasn’t easy, mind you. For many years, my travel uniform consisted of jeans, a belt, a white T-shirt and sneakers. But my belt would always set off the alarm, my sneakers were cumbersome to slip off and my jeans made it difficult to get comfortable once I was onboard. Not to mention the stains that would build up on my crisp white tee after 36 hours of international travel.

Then there was the jeggings-and-boots phase. But try getting in and out of knee-high motorcycle boots while juggling a laptop and boarding pass. Not fun.

Now, my go-to travel outfit is comfortable, stylish and allows me to zip through airport security in the time it previously took to zip up those godforsaken boots. Here’s what it consists of.

Note: This post is geared toward women, but men may be able to glean some tips from it too.T-shirt dress
A long-sleeved t-shirt dress can keep you warm on cold flights, but adapts well to warm climates – perfect for that mid-winter getaway to the Bahamas. I wear the Holstee Dress in black, which is made from a comfortable blend of hemp and organic cotton and contains a handy pocket for my passport and boarding pass. Plus, the dress folds into its own pocket for easy packing later in the trip.

Black leggings
A great pair of black leggings is a travel essential. What other item of clothing transitions seamlessly from the airplane to the opera to a yoga class to bed? The Ibex Energy Tight is a splurge, but its blend of Merino wool, nylon and lycra is made for warmth and movement. Plus, it’s odor-resistant.

A versatile wrap
A great wrap can easily go from a hoop scarf for the airport to a blanket for the flight. The Versalette from {r}evolution apparel may just be the most versatile of them all, with buttons and drawstrings that allow it to be worn in more than 20 different ways. The Infinity Scarf from KCA by Fashioning Change, made in Los Angeles from a cotton-hemp blend, is another great option.

Slip-on shoes
Forget pesky laces and zippers. A great pair of slip-on shoes isn’t just comfortable, it also makes the security screening process much easier. TOMS are a great bet, and some of their new winter versions even contain a soft fleece lining for chilly flights.

Additional tip
When loading your belongings at the TSA checkpoint, place your shoes/belts/jewelry into the first bin, your laptop/toiletries in the second bin and your bags last. That way, you can redress while the rest of your items are still being screened.

[Photo Credit: Flickr user Inha Leex Hale, Holstee, {r}evolution apparel]

Business Travel Stress, Defined

by Chris Owen on

Business travel stress is caused by a number of reasons. Just being out of the office can make communication and keeping up with ongoing projects a challenge. Some travelers cope well with the challenges of working on the road. Others, not so much. A recent survey by Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) polled more than 6,000 frequent business travelers from nine global corporations, and found that stress tends to fall into three categories.

Time lost when a traveler might be working but instead has to stand in a security line can add stress. Thinking “If I was in the office right now, I could be doing something productive” adds more stress.

Surprises caused by an unscheduled event that disrupts travel is another. Major storms with a cascading effect on airports not even in the affected area commonly add “Will I make my connection?” stress.

Routine breakers that cause an inability to stick to regularly scheduled home activities count too. Activities that are easy to do at home like exercising, watching television or surfing the web add stress when not done on the road.

The biggest stress factor of all? Lost Luggage.”Losing one’s baggage requires replacing the lost content, often in a short space of time. This presents multiple uncertainties under tight deadlines, which produced considerable stress,” Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) said in an Executive Travel article.

Coming in at number two on the list of 33 possible stress triggers was being without an Internet connection, or having an unreliable one. Third place was having to fly in coach on a medium or long-haul trip, followed by flight delays, inconvenient arrival or departure times, having to stay in a low-category hotel, inconvenient hotel locations, and last-minute travel.


[Photo Credit: Flickr user Samuel Rönnqvist]