Philly TSA agent plays cruel drug baggie joke on traveler

by Scott Carmichael on

In what appears to be a daily report of the “dumbest TSA agent”, a story from Philadelphia airport will really have you fuming.

22 year old Rebecca Soloman was heading back to Detroit on January 5th, when she passed through the airport checkpoint. As her bag came out of the X-ray machine, a TSA agent motioned for her to come towards him. As she approached, he held up a small plastic bag containing white powder, and asked “where did you get it”?

Rebecca describes the next 20 seconds as the longest in her life. As she went through all the various terror scenarios in her mind, she held back her tears. It was then, that the TSA agent smiled and told her that he was “just kidding”.

Just kidding – a TSA agent makes you think he found drugs or explosives in your bag, and he was just kidding. Before you get as mad as I did reading the story, you’ll be happy to know that this guy is no longer employed by the TSA, though the agency would not say whether he was fired, or quit on his own.

Look – I understand that every organization in the world is going to be staffed by a small percentage of incompetent fools. But I just don’t get how so many of them ended up in charge of protecting our skies. From missing loaded guns to robbing us blind, the organization always manages to attract the worst of the worst.

A TSA spokesperson issued the following statement to Philly.com:

“The TSA views this employee’s behavior to be highly inappropriate and unprofessional. We can assure travelers this employee has been disciplined by TSA management at Philadelphia International Airport, and he has expressed remorse for his actions.”

Kudos to the agency for taking swift action against this employee. The quicker they get rid of people like this, the better.

Daily Pampering: Reef relief at the Hyatt Key West Resort & Spa

by Melanie Nayer on

The Daily Pampering column has brought you some of the must-have travel luxuries from around the world, but wouldn’t it be great if you could give a little back while you’re embracing the finer side of travel? Good news: you can give back, and you can do it from the comforts of your own mud bath or body wrap at the Hyatt Key West Resort and Spa.

This past winter, their Jala Spa at the Hyatt Key West introduced Amala skincare products into their new treatment menu. Amala is a certified organic skincare line that is featured in an array of Jala Spa treatments, from a Green Flash Wrap that blends green clay with French spirulina, to a Recovery Facial that bathes the skin in organic ingredients. The best part? In keeping with the organic approach, Jala Spa maintains an exclusive partnership with the local Reef Relief organization, a group devoted to preserving the coral reef.

Every time you lay your head down in a treatment room and prepare for some serious down time with a Signature Jala Blue treatment, a
donation will be made to the Reef Relief organization – a great way to connect your daily pampering rituals with the nature of Key West and the reef that surrounds, sustains and protects us.

Want more? Get your daily dose of pampering right here.

Valentine’s Day at The Pierre

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Nothing beats Valentine’s Day in Manhattan. You have an endless supply of amazing restaurants at your fingertips, Broadway is never far and at night, the city takes on new vibrancy. To anchor your Valentine’s Day experience, the hotel must be nothing short of perfect. So, kick around a stay at The Pierre this time around. Located on the southeast corner of Central Park, this year’s package for the most romantic day of the year includes two nights in a suite, dinner for two at Le Caprice, a surprise confection from the pastry chef to be enjoyed in your room, a bottle of champagne and breakfast in bed. And, you can enjoy it for only $1,100 a night with a two-night minimum.

So, start planning your stay now. Maybe get a ride through the park on one of the horse-drawn carriages that line up along Central Park South, or catch a show only a short cab drive away.

Ski for free at Stowe when you stay at Topnotch Resort

by Katie Hammel on

Ski season is in full swing at resorts throughout the US, and now through April 10, you can “ski for free” at Topnotch Resort in Stowe, Vermont. The resort sits at the base of Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak, which reaches nearly 5,000 feet. It offers luxury accommodations on 120 acres, 40 minutes from Burlington Airport. .

This season, included in accommodations rates, you’ll also receive two adult lifts tickets to Stowe Mountain delivered by the resort’s “Ski Concierge”, shuttle service to and from the mountain, and overnight ski storage. Rentals are available from the resort’s Nordic Barn. In addition to skiing, the resort offers tennis, a spa, and horseback trail rides.

Rates start at $250 (plus tax) for weekdays and $350 for weekends. Blackout dates include January 28-30, February 7-20, February 25-27, and March 21-23. Rate outside of the promotion start at $300 per night, and lift tickets at Stowe can cost $84 per day per person, so this deal would save you around $200 per day for two skiers….which means more money for apres ski fun and hot toddies by the fire.

Photo of the Day (1.20.10)

by Stephen Greenwood on
Today’s Photo of the Day is a beautiful shot captured by photographer jtwalter. I love everything about this shot; the lighting, the setting and the pure exhilaration captured in this classic childhood moment. jtwalter has a series of beautiful shots from across America on his website that really capture the ‘American spirit’ and are worth checking out.

The shot was taken in the Cornhusker State – Nebraska – evidence that you don’t need to travel very far to take great travel photography. If you have some shots you’d like to share with us, send them in at our Gadling Flickr Pool!