Those crew members will now lose the one perk that is almost as important as their pay check – free and discounted travel.
Unite – the union that organized the strike called the measure “vindictive” – which is the same way I describe the strike and the inconvenience it has caused thousands of travelers. Of course, the union says the removal of the perk will be challenged in court.
BA’s chief executive, WIllie Walsh had warned striking staff that the perk would be removed if they did not show up for work – so the staff were certainly given enough warning. The airline describes the travel perk as “discretionary” and “non contractual”, so I’m sure they have the law on their side – poorly performing staff members can and will lose the perk.
While I do understand the aggravation over lack of pay rises, British Airways is an airline in trouble, and airlines in trouble simply don’t have the cash lying around to increase the salary of their workers. Resorting to a strike is something that puts the airline in even more financial trouble, and causes major headaches for passengers.
Well, that didn’t take long did it? A mere month after London Heathrow introduced full body scanners, the first harassment case is already being investigated by the authorities.
When 29 year old Jo Margetson accidentally walked through the scanner, an airport security guard thought it would be hilarious to mention how he “loved those gigantic tits”. This was of course the situation everyone feared – I’m just surprised it took this long to happen.
The security guard has been issued a warning for sexual harassment, which will no doubt be the first of many to be issued to people that have access to the scanner images.
Miss Margetson is furious about the incident – ‘I can’t bear to think about the body scanner thing,’ she said. ‘I’m totally traumatised by it.”. She spoke to the police after the incident, and they in turn reported the case to BAA, the airport operator.
In the United States, the full body imagers are monitored by staff in a remote location, and we have been assured that images will never be shared – even though the purchase requests made by the government requested scanners that have storage and sending capabilities. In other words – it is only a matter of time till US airports are faced with similar cases.
The problem with this equipment is not the technology – which has been proven to work just fine – humans are the real issue, and knowing that some of the operators manning the checkpoints are going to be on the lookout for “big tits” won’t help the public’s attitude towards them one bit.
The 150th British Open runs from July 11 – 18, 2010, and you could put yourself in the middle of the action. Though you may not be able to hit the links at St. Andrews, Scotland with the top dogs of golf, PerryGolf has put together some seven-day packages that could set you up to soak in the work of the greats. And, while you’re over in Scotland, you’ll have a chance to see what else the country offers.
Don’t worry; you’ll have a chance to get in a few holes, too.
1. Fairmont St. Andrews Package
The main event, of course, is the four rounds of golf at various courses in the area (including greens fees). But, there’s more to Scotland than tee-off time. The deal includes two dinner within the hotel, a pair of 60-minute massage treatments, perfect for unwinding after chasing that little white ball all day, and Ground Series Tickets to the Open Golf Championship, which includes all practice and tournament days. Prices start at $7,350 per golfer and $4,340 per non-duffer.2. Fairmont St Andrews and Turnberry Resort Package You can save some cash (and drink a bit more at the 19th hole) with this package, which includes five rounds of golf, ground transportation and accommodations at the Fairmont St. Andrews and Turnberry Resort. The price tag begins at $5,995 per golfer and $4,535 for those who don’t swing.
3. The Highlands & Gleneagles Package
You’ll stay at the Golf View Hotel and Gleneageles Hotel, with dinner at Gleneagles at Deseo or the Strathern Restaurant. You’ll also score four rounds of golf and pick up ground transportation for your $4,885 ($3,835 for non-golfers).
4. Do It Yourself
Refine your game, score a couple of sponsors and qualify. How hard can it be?
Sometimes questions are better left unanswered. Like how a sport called “extreme ironing” has circumnavigated the globe, fascinating folks from France to Fiji. Described on the official website as the “latest danger sport that combines the thrills of an extreme outdoor activity with the satisfaction of a well pressed shirt,” it’s an activity that is as much a sport as it is a hilarious performance art. Here are the most unique incarnations of this increasingly popular international craze. Get ready to be amazed and amused as participants from around the world make a new name for this mundane household chore:
1. England: Multi-Disciplinary Extreme Ironing Since the thrilling sport of extreme ironing was born in the United Kingdom, it makes sense that they’ve mastered the art. This guy has more than one trick up his sleeve when it comes to finding ridiculous places to get the wrinkles out of his duds. I’m just not sure they always score that high when it comes to productivity…
2. Japan: Speed Ironing on a Mountain Board
Short and sweet – this guy knows how to get the chores done. In speedy fashion he gains ground heading down a grassy hill, iron in hand, and takes a bold turn right in time to graze the shirt awaiting him on his ironing board. Who says you can’t extreme iron in a city park – at least that works when adventuring in Japan.
3. USA: Ironing in Transit, on Road and over Water
At first you think these crazy guys are just tied in to the side of a moving van attached to a soldered ironing board, but after they round a few curves the “van” takes to the water… Magically, this dual-purpose craft allows for two extreme forms of ironing, and to these Massachusetts pranksters that means double the pleasure. I know the state has much more to offer than this ironing activity.
4. Scotland: Street Level Emergency Ironing
Apparently in Edinburgh there are circumstances under which emergency ironing is necessary. But luckily this popular pastime has quite a following in these parts, including this fellow who’s one call in case you need him to run down the street after your dress clothes, iron in tow. Just try and block out the corny chase scene music track.
5. Austria: Rappel-Ironing
I made an exception for this Austrian guy who didn’t have a video camera – the video collage he got his friends to help him make shows just how much time they’ve got on their hands. Extra points for the matching spandex outfit and brightly-painted house off which he rappels. I’m assuming he likes to chat with neighbors passing by while he irons shirts, but I can’t imagine he wears suits much at all.
6. England: Sky Dive Ironing Championship Training
You can sky dive in England, and you can iron, but you can also to both at the same time. In fact, there are leagues dedicated entirely to the sport and regularly compete on points of style and creativity in extreme sky dive surf ironing, or whatever the league calls themselves. Watch as the teams prep for the big dives, there are a lot of clothes ready to hit the board. On your next trip to the UK look out for local Extreme Ironing competitions, they actually exist and can be attended!
7. Egypt: Ironing Underwater in the Famous Blue Hole
It isn’t at all the first thing I’d think of when talking up Egyptian travel, but the famous Blue Hole, an incredible geographic asset in the middle the desert, has more possibilities than meets the eye. To this gal it was extreme ironing, and she succeeding in reaching her goal of being the first and only diver to iron at the bottom of this aquamarine-blue body of water.
8. England: Extreme Ironing Skydive
You think these two are just jumping out of a plane with snowboards attached to their feet, but before too long you see they’ve got other plans, to use the bottom of the board at the ironing surface for their own form of extreme ironing. I’m sure if you get in a few jumps on your next extreme sports adventure to England, that the instructor might let you try out some of these moves if the spirit moves you.
9. New Zealand: Extreme Ironing on a Mountaintop
I can picture these Kiwi guys arguing all the way up the mountain about who would carry the ironing board, but however they managed to drag it up there, it is one incredible place to iron. The view of snowy crags and a sea of rocky peaks makes for a nice ambiance, I’m just not sure it would be my first choice of activity after mountaineering to the top of this exquisite New Zealand Peak, but hey, that’s just me.
10. USA: Extreme Ironing on a Bike
I’m not sure how this guy justified assembling this very complex rigging in order to conquer his ironing while rolling through New York’s Central Prospect Park. I can only assume from his hilarious video that his thought many others would be interested in his design in order to replicate his fanciful strapping of a gasoline generator to a mountain bike and an ironing board. At least one of these extreme ironers actually ended up with a wrinkle-free shirt!
Alton Towers Resort is billing the new thrill ride Thirteen as the world’s first “psychoaster.” And for some, this ticket to ride could include medical attention.
The theme park has spent more than $22 million on the roller coaster, which is being billed as a combination of the “ultimate elements of physical and psychological fear.” So much fear, in fact, that apparently some riders will need to see a doctor when it’s over.
At least that’s what Alton Towers officials want you to believe, so that you’ll pony up an extra $1.50 per ticket for health insurance before riding through the theme park’s Dark Forest area and over an alleged “unearthed ancient burial site.”
The Sunday Mercury reports that the health insurance gets you treatment for physical and psychological trauma, should you need it after riding Thirteen. The treatment will be administered by a staff doctor, conveniently stationed right at the roller coaster.
That’s all well and good, but who’s going to come hold my hand when I have nightmares next week or next month? Exactly how much “scary” is still fun?
For me, the fun ends when I’m told that I might need medical attention at the end of a ride, but maybe I’m in the minority here.