News from Sugar not sweet: Pay up front

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Brits interested in chartering jets may have to crack out the checkbook up front from now on. Sir Alan Sugar, owner of luxury charter service Amsair, says credit won’t cut it, as he tries to whittle down his company’s bad debts. For some, being given the choice to pay up front is fortunate … others are just being turned away.

In what can only be described as a “no shit” moment, Sugar explains to The Sun, “The whole industry is suffering in the current economic climate.” After proving that his head was indeed not buried in the sand, he continues, “We have had to make changes to some parts of the business. In some cases we have taken the decision to not take on some high-risk, third-party charters.”

In other news, the infamous UK tabloid can’t seem to find decent experts. To supplement Sugar’s opinion, The Sun was only able to come up with, “Experts said the move reflected the growing pressures on corporate jet firms. Customer numbers have tumbled as bankers lose their jobs.”

By June 30, 2008, the last period for which information is available, Amsair’s profits had fallen 41 percent. And, let’s face it; the financial world’s gotten a lot tougher since then.

Experience murder mysteries in the Sherlock Holmes hotel

by Scott Carmichael on

What better way to get close to Sherlock Holmes than in the Sherlock Holmes hotel in London?

This former Hilton hotel has been turned into a Park Plaza property, offering 119 renovated rooms. Of course, the only location for a hotel worthy of the Sherlock Holmes name is Baker Street.

For real mystery lovers, the fun won’t begin until you get immersed in one of the murder mystery events. For 69 pounds (about $100), you’ll get dinner, drinks and night filled with mysterious events, all performed by professional actors.

Rooms at the Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes start at around $150 a night.

If you’d rather stay elsewhere and still take advantage of a night of mystery, then check out the packages offered by “Murder Mystery Events“, who put on shows all over the UK.

Did a 23 year old flight attendant orchestrate Sunday’s bomb scare?

by Tom Johansmeyer on

So, we told you about the Gatwick Bomb Scare that shut down London Gatwick completely for fifteen minutes on Sunday.

We have more information. Firstly, the note was found by a passenger in the restroom, and it said “Explosive material can be found in the FWD [forward cargo department]. We have the Taliban to thank for this and it will activate.”

Secondly, they never found anything explosive on that plane except the word “explosive” on a note in a pair of a flight attendant’s shorts. In his suitcase. In the same handwriting as the note in the bathroom. That note said “Cargo Contains Explosive.”

Thirdly, 23 year old Australian born flight attendant Matthew Carney has been arrested for “involvement” in the hoax, a.k.a. “writing the note.” A flight attendant! On the flight! Not funny, Carney!

But apparently, it wasn’t a joke. According to the Herald Sun, Carney’s lawyer is claiming that he’s been having a mental breakdown and that he hadn’t slept for four days leading up to the incident. Are they going to plead insanity? This is turning into a TV movie. Fast.

He faces two years in prison, maybe more, and a lot of angry letters from the 164 passengers and 17 other crew members who were detained, fingerprinted, and questioned for ten hours following the incident.

He has not yet entered a plea, and has a hearing next month. He is being held without bail, and is reportedly on suicide watch.

Gatwick Bomb Scare

by Annie Scott on

If you happened to be at London Gatwick international airport at 6:45 AM on Sunday, you’re probably still mad.

United Arab Emirates flight EK 011 from Dubai was ten minutes from landing at London Gatwick when they found a note “implying there may be a suspicious device on board.”

Craptastic.

All 164 passengers and the crew were escorted from the plane (which is fine for them, they were probably about ready to get off anyway), but then the entire airport was shut down (!) while the aircraft and luggage were searched for a bomb!

Airport activity resumed about eight hours later and a man in his 20’s was arrested — no word yet on whether he was a passenger. Gatwick airport, as far as we know, is still there.

400 strip for Aer Lingus tickets, some of them hotties

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Remember that stunt we covered last week … where an anonymous airline was giving away free flights to people who would flash as a flash mob? Well, it was Aer Lingus, and there were only 400 winners. Fortunately, they all seem to be attractive. I’m guessing we didn’t want to see the other 600 anyway.

The strip site, which was kept secret until the last minute, was Jubilee Gardens in London. Thanks to the power of cliché, this St. Patrick’s Day get-together featured shamrocks for the participants to wear. Fortunately, this didn’t stop a few die-hards from going “Full Monty.”

As if anyone cares, the stunt was organized to promote new Aer Lingus routes from Gatwick Airport to Europe, with a tagline of “no hidden extras.” Though, I guess that depends on who was wearing the shamrock.