How Would You Like To Name Thomas Airways’ New Boeing 787 Dreamliner?

by Jessica Festa on

For those who have ever dreamed of naming a commercial airplane and having their creativity being broadcast in the sky for all to see, you may want to enter Thomson Airways’ new contest. The airline is reaching out to Twitter users for help naming their brand new Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Britain. Beginning in May 2013, Thomson will become the first British airline to operate the plane.

Using the hashtag #nameourplane for entries, the airline is asking voters to tweet a suggested name for the aircraft, along with their reason for choosing it. Of course, this needs to be done in 140 characters or less. Additionally, if you happen to spot the contest’s signature hashtag-adorned plane (shown right), you should attach a photo to your tweet for “special consideration.”

According to The Age, entries will be judged by a panel that includes Thomson managing director Chris Browne, and the airline’s head of training and 787 test pilot, Captain Stuart Gruber.

“The arrival of the 787 Dreamliner will be an exciting time for Thomson Airways and our customers,” said Miss Browne. “It was only fitting to name one of these revolutionary aircraft in an equally innovative way.”

And the best part? The winner will also receive a free flight on-board their personally-named aircraft.

Click here to go to Thomson Airways’ Twitter page for updates.

11-Year-Old Boards International Flight Without Passport Or Ticket

by Jessica Festa on



With all the security and red tape most travelers endure at the airport, it’s surprising – and scary – that 11-year-old Liam Corcoran-Fort was so easily able to get by security, board an aircraft and fly internationally without a passport or ticket.

While shopping in Manchester with his mother, the boy decided to sneak off, hopping a bus to Manchester International Airport after finding a bus ticket on the ground. According to Corcoran-Fort, once he got to Terminal 1 he walked right through the body scanner, metal detector and boarding gate onto Jet2.com Flight LS791 to Rome, Italy.

“There were lots of people but I didn’t speak to anyone. I followed where people were going and then at the barrier I went underneath it,” said the boy. “I didn’t have anything on me and no-one asked me for anything. I just carried on walking.”

According to news.com.au, the boy claims he didn’t have the intention to cause harm, he simply wanted to use to the toilet; however, it ended up just being too easy. It wasn’t until passengers noticed the lonely boy talking about how he had wanted to run away from home that Corcoran-Fort was discovered.

There is currently a full investigation in progress to find out how a young boy could have passed through five security checks and boarded an airplane without showing a ticket or passport. So far, five Jet2 and airport staff members have been suspended.

Only 3 Percent Of Greenland’s Ice Sheet Remains … Is It Time To Worry?

by Jessica Festa on

Update: Just to clarify, the ice sheet melting is the top layer of the ice block, not 97% of the ice in Greenland.

Drastic changes in the environment have been occurring for quite awhile, many attributing the cause to global warming. However, while these transformations usually occur over long periods of time, a recent rapid melting of Greenland‘s ice sheet has left only 3 percent, leaving scientists stunned.

From July 8 to July 12, NASA satellites recorded a 97 percent thaw of the ice. Melting was even seen at Summit Station, the country’s highest and coldest place. Usually, scientist’s would expect a change this drastic to occur over a 150-year period.

“This was so extraordinary that at first I questioned the result: was this real or was it due to data error,” Son Nghiem, a researcher from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, told Digital Trends.

Apparently, the melting was caused by a very warm steam of air that enveloped Greenland. While locals chatted about how sunny it was, the occurrence is actually part of a much larger – and scary – picture.

What are your thoughts on global warming?

[photo via Ævar Arnfjörð Bjarmason]

Hotel And Event Hosts Sued By Family Of Girl Killed Sliding Down A Banister

by Jessica Festa on

On October 30, 2010, 23-year-old Megan Duskey fell to her death at a Halloween-themed ball at the Palmer House Hilton. The young elementary school teacher at Orville T. Bright Elementary School was attempting to slide down a banister when she fell four floors. Now, Duskey’s family is claiming the girl’s death was the fault of the “Haunted Hotel Ball” hosts, and are suing for more than $500,000.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the family believes the event hosts allowed ticket-holders to consume an exorbitant amount of alcohol without supervision or protection. The ten-count suit, which was filed Tuesday, is naming Hilton Worldwide, the Palmer House Hilton, Surreal Chicago and Adrenaline Y2K as the hosts of the party.

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office stated that Duskey was dead at the scene, ruling the death an accident.

While efforts on Tuesday night to reach Hilton Worldwide and Adrenaline Y2K were unsuccessful, CEO of Surreal Chicago, Brian Pfeiffer, declined to comment based on the fact Duskey’s death occurred in the lobby of the hotel, and not while she was at the party.

[Image via NBC Chicago]

New Yorkers Fight Back Against Airbnb Renters

by Jessica Festa on

While many travelers enjoy the benefits of using budget-friendly vacation rental sites like Airbnb, residents of New York are growing angrier over the service. The main reason for the unhappiness is when people use sites like Airbnb, they are supporting a sharing economy, meaning the need to make purchases is eliminated and instead people share.

So, what’s the big deal? Sharing is caring, isn’t it? Maybe, but it also disrupts the current economic situation. Moreover, renters are able to get around many legal issues this way.

According to the New York Times, certain residents of Stuyvesant, New York, are angry about the leniency given to this new generation of renters, who seem to be able to do anything they please when it comes to renting. In fact, many are searching Airbnb and similar sites to try to find neighbors who are taking part to rat them out and raise complaints to officials. Certain issues upsetting them include excess noise, mess, bed bugs and the safety concerns that come along with having a complete stranger in the building. Additionally, many of those renting out their apartments aren’t legally allowed to be doing so.

A solution to this problem is still being figured out. For now, legislators and business bureaus are working with these companies to find a middle ground that will satisfy all parties.

What’s your opinion?

[Image via zoetnet]