travel Articles


MIT research says random searches could improve security

With all of the recent discussions on profiling and the CAPPS system for airport profiling, it appears that one issue was lost: is profiling actually more effective than random searches. According to an article on ACFNewssource, a set of MIT graduate students have put together a paper detailing why random …

Boy Scout streamlines airport travel

This article in USA Today describes an invention by a Chicago-area Boy Scout who saw an opportunity to streamline airport inspections at the world's busiest airport (still O'Hare). The invention (and I've actually seen these at Dulles as well) is a box with a metal detector in it that is …

It's festival time again in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is absolutely one of my favorite cities in the world, with it's old- world charm and friendly people, it has been a favorite of mine ever since the fateful first trip there in the days of Ascend Communications. If you are a fan, you probably already know that Edinburgh …

EU law to provide payments to bumped/delayed fliers

An article from BBC News this morning talks about a new law (taking effect in a little over a year) that will call for significant pay-outs to customers whose flights are delayed or canceled or who are forced off due to overbooking. It remains to be seen what the direct …

SAS to add Connexion services to flights

More wireless in the sky is coming! According to an article from DailyPress (originating from AP), the Swedish/Norwegian/Danish airline SAS has reached agreement with Boeing's Connexion service for wireless broadband. The service is reported to cost between $30 and $35 per flight and will be available on trans-Atlantic …

Vancouver to host 2010 Winter Olympiad

When my brother and I were skiing at Whistler in 2001, there was a lot of talk and argument about pursuing the Winter Olympics. Some sides were arguing that the games would bring too many people to the area and cause too much disruption, that the transportation was not sufficient …

United announces in-flight email service

United Airlines has announced that they will be offering in-flight email using Verizon's JetConnect service. Don't get too excited, though. The cost ($15.98 per flight for the first 2K and 10 cents per K after that) is going to be ridiculous. JetConnect Email is an extension of the already-present …


Australian plane attack involved wooden stakes

In a "high stakes" incident involving the serious injury of two flight attendants, a man attacked them with wooden stakes on his way to attempt to gain access to the plane's censoredpit in order to crash the vehicle. An article on BBC News states that the offender was subdued …

Huge hailstones cause havoc

BBC News is reporting that a British Midlands (BMI) plane went through a hailstorm that left it with a hole the size of a football (read: soccer ball). The plane (an Airbus 312) successfully landed at Manchester.

Taberna del Alabardero - Washington, DC

Last night, we went to Taberna del Alabardero, a DC restaurant acclaimed to be one of the best Spanish restaurants in the United States. Reviews in the Washingtonian were excellent, but some of the others were mixed, however we found it an excellent experience. There are many ways to judge …


Clift Hotel, San Francisco

A nice, but expensive, modern hotel on Geary Street in San Francisco, with good amenities, up-to-date decor, high-speed internet, and a good location. I have spent just about a week at the Clift during MacWorld. The stay was comfortable, the people prompt and accommodating, and the facility clean and comfortable …