Pamela Anderson thigh-high boots a problem at airport security

by Chris Owen on

You’d think that world-traveler Pamela Anderson would know about airport security, taking off shoes and possible pat-down procedures prior to boarding an aircraft. Apparently not we see as Anderson, 43, was asked to remove black thigh-high boots to clear security recently.

Being a well-known celebrity does not exempt Anderson and others from the same airport security protocols as anyone else. Just last week, traveling from LAX to Dallas to host the Dallas SuperBash 2011 Super Bowl party at the Fashion Industry Gallery on Friday night, Anderson graciously complied when TSA asked her to remove the boots.

In photos of the incident, DailyMail tells us “Pamela Anderson looks glam, if a tad impractical for flying, as she approaches security at Los Angeles‘ LAX airport”

Speaking of coming into the country, the Canada-native, mother of two teen sons and animal rights activist has some strong views on illegal immigration.

“I’m an immigrant myself. It was a tough road to come to America and work. The American Dream is seductive, but there is a legal way to do it and there would be more jobs here for people if it was honored” reports FoxNews.

Photo: Gettty Images

Anderson’s celebrity status earned through her association with Playboy magazine, television productions Baywatch and Home Improvement and screen roles have made her known world-wide. Still, the boots were a problem and had to go when passing through airport security.

No word on if a pat-down was deemed necessary but you can bet the TSA guys are still talking about it.

Breaking: Delta Air Lines to add Seattle’s Best Coffee

by Chris Owen on

You don’t have to fly first-class to get the best coffee on Delta Air Lines. Starting March 1st, Delta’s brand will be Seattles Best Coffee. That might not sound like a really big deal but it took a lot of work to make that happen.

Coffee is best when brewed with water that is 197 degrees, just shy of boiling. The problem with brewing coffee in flight (you were right, there was a problem) is that at 30,000 feet, the altitude affects barometric pressure and how hot water reacts to coffee. Enter the Green Coffee Quality Team at Seattles Best Coffee.

Coffee expert Kim Giroir from Seattles Best quality team told Gadling they experimented with a bunch of different blends and finally came up with what they call “Level 4” coffee that is just right for brewing in the sky.

When Seattle’s Best says they want to “bring great coffee everywhere” that’s not just a slogan. Back at the Research and Development labs at Seattles Best, they brewed test blends in a barometric chamber, mimicing the conditions of brewing in the air.

It’s been a meticulously tedious process finding the right blend but taste tests in November had all the cabin crew buzzing about the new coffee. That’s nothing new to the coffee company that relaunched it’s brand at Starbucks headquarters in May.

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Seattle’s Best thinks they have come up with the perfect cup of coffee, no matter where it is served. A big hit on Royal Caribbean cruise ships, it just made sense to take to the air too.

Delta is no stranger to fine cuisine either, taking in-flight dining seriously for quite some time now, especially in their BusinessElite product.

As the official airline of the Food Network New York Wine and Food Festival, Delta Air Lines brought along its roster of six consulting chefs to venues throughout the event.

In 2006, Delta revealed an on-board menu created by celerity chef Michelle Bernstein. As Delta’s consulting chef, Bernstein designed entrees and side dishes which became part of Delta’s continued effort to enhance its BusinessElite product, creating a more inviting and entertaining experience.

In 2007, Delta tapped top chef Todd English to create selections for its food-for-purchase menu being developed for customers flying in its Coach Class on flights within the United States.

“The back of the plane is where the real challenge is,” said English, adding that he plans to help Delta devise business-class meals in the future.

In 2009 hand-served entrees and signature dishes created by Miami celebrity chef Michele Bernstein and master sommelier Andrea Robinson, expanded dessert options and improved Japanese meal options created by Delta’s flight kitchen in Tokyo.

After all that, a good cup of coffee just made sense.

Is Singapore the next Miami for cruise vacations?

by Chris Owen on

The Asia Cruise Association would sure like to think so. Seeing Asia as the next big area for cruise vacation growth, Cruise Shipping Asia, a conference and exhibition in Singapore this November aims to.

Cruise Shipping Asia 2011 will include a trade show and conference program focusing on the Asian cruise market. The exhibition will feature destinations, itinerary planning, shore excursion services, port and terminal development as well as ship operations, ship services and hotel operations.

“With 22 new cruise ships set for delivery by 2012, cruise lines are seeking fresh markets to help absorb that 17.4 percent increase – 51,306 berths,” said Michael Duck, senior vice president of trade show promoter UBM Asia. “They are currently eying Asia as a largely untapped resource.”

It was not all that long ago that European cruise markets were looking for more cruise ships and cruise lines answered that call. Recent years have seen the largest ever deployment of ships to the more profitable waters of Europe for some cruise lines.

Flickr Photo by jjcb

As mobile assets, cruise lines are able to move ships to where the money is. The recent exodus from the US West coast market by cruise lines is a good example. In December, Gadling told you about Norwegian Cruise Line announcing the deployment of 4 ships to Europe in 2012 and 2013, their largest deployment ever.

The Asian market is already in love with cruise vacations, accounting for a growing percentage of cruise passengers already. Will Singapore replace Miami as the cruise capitol of the world? Hard to say but it’s the latest new market on the horizon. It sure would make an interesting port of call though.

Harry Caray statue at Wrigley Field vandalized

by Chris Owen on

The statue outside Chicago’s Wrigley Field of legendary Chicago Cubs broadcaster Harry Caray was vandalized yet again.

Cubs spokesman Peter Chase told the Associated Press most of the white spray paint that appeared on Sunday has been removed. The graffiti said “Sox” and a second, illegible word. Chase says the team is trying to find out any details about the defacement.

The statue has been vandalized in the past too. A dead goat was found hanging from the statue in 2007 and again in 2009. Those incidents were believed to be an attempt to lift the notorious Billy Goat curse which dates back to 1945.

The long-running curse was placed on the Cubs when Billy Goat Tavern owner Billy Sianis was asked to leave a World Series game against the Detroit Tigers at the Cubs’ home ground of Wrigley Field because his pet goat’s odor was bothering other fans. Outraged, Billy declared, “Them Cubs, they aren’t gonna win no more,” which has been interpreted to mean that there would never be another World Series game won at Wrigley Field.

No word on the effect of spray paint on the curse.

Flickr photo by mattmoran5


Coney Island’s Scream Zone to boast two thrilling roller coasters

by Joel Bullock on


Coney Island is about to get a much needed boost in the thrills department. Once home to cutting edge amusement rides and the World’s fastest roller coaster in the famed Coney Island Cyclone, the area has closed rides and had few roller coasters of note. Scream Zone looks to change that with two new roller coasters.

Steeplechase Horses Coaster might be considered the headliner for the new park. While launch coasters have been around for years, they still freeze onlookers in their tracks. Many are still used to seeing traditional lift hills versus a coaster rocketing out of the station. After boarding horse-shaped seats, Steeplechase will launch riders to 40 mph. As launch coasters go, that’s a benign launch, but it will still impress your average park guests and offer a fun family-friendly ride. Steeplechase should be similar to Knotts Berry Farm’s Pony Express (pictured above).

Flying roller coaster Soaring Eagle will put riders in a face-down flying position. Similar to Playland Park’s Super Flight, it will feature a spiral lift hill and two loops. The ride has just made a cross-country trip from Denver’s Elitch Gardens where it was known as Flying Coaster.

Both roller coasters are compact and don’t come anywhere near record speeds or heights, but they’re a step in the right direction. If Scream Zone does well, then bigger attractions could be around the corner. When I visited Coney Island a few years ago, I got to experience the iconic Cyclone, but after that I left the area. Tourists and locals looking for more thrills on the boardwalk should be excited. Sign up for updates about Scream Zone’s opening at their website.

[Image credit: Flickr user – Magic Madzik]