Women try to smuggle dead relative onto flight

by Sean McLachlan on

We talk a lot here at Gadling about annoying airline passengers, from the guy who smashes our knees by reclining his seat back as far as it can go, to the self-righteous fellow who simply must convert us before the plane lands.

Two women in England have them all beat–they tried to smuggle a dead body on board. The unnamed women were stopped at Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport on Saturday as they wheeled their “sleeping” relative up to the gate for a flight to Germany. Airport officials became suspicious and when they began to ask questions about the 91 year-old man, the duo’s story quickly unraveled.

By covering the man with a blanket and putting sunglasses on him, they apparently thought they could slip by security. Perhaps they were inspired by the Australian who got a bag labeled “bomb” past security or the United flight that had a stowaway scorpion.

The two suspects, who the police have identified only as women aged 41 and 66 from Oldham in Greater Manchester, have been charged with failing to report on death and have been released on bail pending an investigation and, most likely, a trial.

A day in the life of a Norwegian?

by Jeremy Kressmann on

Ever wonder what people like to do in Norway? According to the graphic above, posted on Reddit, favorite Norwegian activities include “dreaming about fjords,” “eating lutefisk” and “skiing to work.” Having never had a chance to visit this Scandinavian country of snow, socialized medicine and reindeer, I can only laugh at whoever came up with this chart. And I’m beginning to wonder, why do I have a sudden urge to visit? Considering one of the activities listed on the graphic is “submitting things on Reddit on behalf of the Norwegian Tourist Board,” I’m guessing some clever viral marketing is probably at work…

[Via Buzzfeed]

Minnesota tourism agency told not to laugh in tourists’ faces

by Annie Scott on

It’s probably the same with every tourism agency. People don’t understand the locale and call with strange requests. Recently, an article appeared in Minnesota’s Star Tribune directing savvier travelers to laugh at the craziest ones in a list compiled by Explore Minnesota Tourism‘s Chuck Lennon, Explore Minnesota Tourism’s Quirkiest Queries of 2009.

Chuck Lennon, who handles media relations, asked counselors from the call-in lines and 11 travel information centers to send him their oddest requests. The responses included:

  • “Where are the Indians? We want to go see them.”
  • “Is there such a thing as an easy fishing lake? Something without having to hunt and work real hard?”
  • “I’m coming in July and I want snowmobile rental information.”
  • “Does one need a travel permit or visa to visit Minnesota?”
  • “A traveler asking to see a bridge in Minnesota with arches was shown various photos, none of which seemed right to her. She finally identified a picture of the St. Louis Gateway Arch as the right attraction, and was given directions to Missouri.”

According to Lennon, the counselors are trained with the following advice: “Don’t laugh in their faces. Calm yourself and just deal with it.”
[via Star Tribune]

Kazakhstan tries to sell its freezing capital

by Annie Scott on


As I write you from my parents’ home in the sub freezing winter wonderland of Minneapolis, I am pleased to report that this weather now apparently qualifies for envy.

Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev made his annual speech yesterday, and attempted to lure diplomats to move to the country’s capital city, Astana, on the basis of its face-breaking cold weather. “It only strengthens our spirit,” he said, on a day when the temperature was -22°F.

Nazarbayev (above right, with Nicolas Sarkozy, in front of the Astana skyline in October 2009) went on to praise the sanitary effects of the frigid environment, saying: “Even germs can’t survive in this weather.”

Astana is the world’s second coldest capital city (after Ulaan-baatar, Mongolia), but with all that oil and mineral money, you can bet they’re toasty warm inside their gold-tinted (seriously!) buildings.

[via Reuters]

Most unsual way to go to Las Vegas: The Flying Elvi

by Jamie Rhein on

This scene in Honeymoon in Vegas is the most unusual way to head to Las Vegas if I’ve ever seen one. Here at Gadling, unusual travel is not unknown. Catherine is trying out various travel options in China at this moment, Jeremy is traveling around Southeast Asia as creatively as he can, and if you check out Mike’s personal blog, you’ll see A LOT of the unusual. I mean A LOT.

Although Honeymoon in Vegas is not the best movie Nicholas Cage has been in–Moonstruck and Raising Arizona are my two favorites, this scene is a hoot. This is something Mike would do when he slips out from behind his SkyMall Monday desk. Totally. The Flying Elvi, sky divers who are Elvis impersonators, do exist. I can see Mike now.

By the way, Honeymoon in Vegas is still wandering around cable channels. I saw part of it two weeks ago which reminded me of this scene. It also has one of the funniest altercations with another passenger at an airline check-in desk. You can see that here.