Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Cool Facts About Me and Maybe You Too!

 

If our refrigerators could talk they would probably spill the beans about us and let some of the gas out of our collective bubbles.

Let's see, How long has that can of refried beans with the ineffective foil top been in there? Has it started to cake up yet?

I took a tour of my refrigerator this afternoon and was surprised how much it told about my life.

Fridge 003 I almost swear I paid for that drape clip. It sure does keep my chips fresh.

What would I do without Urgent Care? I can’t seem to live without it.

 

 

 

 

Now I am looking in the refrigerator and I start to cry. Like the man in the mirror, thinking maybe I ought to change my ways.

 

Fridge 008 However, since I was never meant to fly coach and I do enjoy a good Pina Colada this maybe a difficult task.

 

 

 

 

Combined with my refrigerator like magnetic personality a storm is brewing like a hot pot of coffee. I hope inspiration from one of my heroes can help.

 

Fridge 001 A visit to Rev Martin Luther King Jr memorial in Atlanta has been one of the most moving experiences of my life. I am glad for the frequent reminder of his message not just in terms of civil rights but in how we should treat each other as human beings.

We must all avoid the darkness of destructive selfishness.

 

Fridge 004 From Egypt to Australia my collection of magnets almost covers the globe, at least six continents so far and counting.

For more on my travels checkout;

www.dmbtraveler195.blogspot.com

 

 

 

THE COLD STUFF about me.

 

Fridge 013 I have kept lima beans frozen for at least four years and I am told after ten years they turn to gold. My retirement plan is shaping up nicely.

 

 

 

 

 

Fridge 012 Can there be such a thing as “Great Value” in frozen fish sticks?

I think Mrs. Paul would apparently be appalled if she only knew.

 

 

 

 

THE COOL STUFF about me.

 

Fridge 014 Does drinking six lite beers equal one regular beer? If so I might be wasting valuable space!

 

 

 

 

 

Fridge 021 I know for sure not everything is big in TEXAS but how can you not love “The Lone Star State” even if they have a legally questionable NFL team. Go, Texans!

 

 

 

 

 

Fridge 022

 

Can someone tell me what to do with two jars of Minced Pimiento Stuffed Manzanilla Olives? I once thought I would be 007 and drink martini's but I think someone sold me the wrong olives. Luckily for them I never got my license to kill. However, I still prefer to be stirred and not shaken.

 

Fridge 023 I am pessimistic about my candy bowl, I think it is half empty and I don't want to wait until October to fill it.

Your donations would be greatly appreciated because I hate punching kids on Halloween.

 

 

 

Fridge 029 Who uses AAA batteries anymore?

Especially ones made by Polaroid. Wait, this can develop into something.

 

 

 

Now that I have told you a little about myself, I am going to show you my dance. Just kidding!

However, I do look funny and I hope the world's ready for me?

What about you?

Look in your refrigerator and tell me what do you see!

 

 

What Are You Proud Of?

 

BUD 441 For most of us the things we are proud of like graduations, marriages or citizenship is usually kept inside or expressed in a modest way.

 

 

 

 

BUD 443 I am entertained during a recent weekend in Bean Town by how some Bostonians and others celebrate things that they are proud of.

 

 

 

 

BUD 447 Even mother nature on a rainy afternoon does not rain on this colorful in more ways than one parade.

 

 

 

 

 

BUD 446 Although many may disagree with the issues, Boston is no stranger to a fight and seems a fitting place for A Gay Pride Parade.

 

 

 

 BUD 445

After all, it is here that many years ago they threw a huge Tea Party.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Airlines Passenger Bill Of Rights

 

While no one including airlines wants to be inconvenienced by airline delays, creating a “Passengers Bill of Rights” does not solve the problem or address the real issues.

 

Picture 1451 Extended flight delays are the exception to everyday airline operations and normally only occur when airlines are faced with situations that are usually beyond their controls.

 

 

 

 

Ebay 065 Airport and airspace saturation due to weather and air traffic control constraints are usually the main contributors.

 

 

 

 

As an employee of a major airline and having worked in the airline industry for over fifteen years, I believe the situation requires both a long term solution with immediate stop gap measures.

 

Sam Jun 027 Long term we need new airports along with an updated air traffic control system to keep up with the projected increase in demand for air travel.

 

 

 

 

 

An immediate first step stop gap is for The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to restrict arrivals and departures into high density airport at peak times. This can be done without sacrificing seat capacity if airlines adjust their schedule frequency and equipment on certain routes.

 

84525m A 50 seat airplane requires the same airspace consideration as a 150 seat airplane but carries 100 less passengers. Does LGA to BOS need hourly service by two different airlines?

 

 

 

Picture 1593 High schedule frequency usually with smaller airplanes can contribute to airspace congestion which in turn leads to delays even on good weather days.

 

 

 

 

Secondly, with major weather events or air traffic control problems, passengers should not be allowed to board an aircraft unless air traffic control (FAA/ATC) can guarantee an airborne departure within one hour. A form of this is currently done at most high density airports through a flow control program but in light of the new legislation it needs to be enhanced.

 

BOS 011 Since the 3 hour time limitation does not begin until the aircraft physically leaves the gate with early boarding passengers may find themselves on the airplane a long time before the 3 hour limitation goes into effect.

 

 

 

With airlines facing stiff fines of almost $4 million dollars for an airplane with 148 passengers that is delayed over 3 hours, most airlines will return to the gate after a 2 hour taxi out delay no matter how close you are to takeoff. Depending on your crew legal status concerning duty or flight limitations your flight might be canceled.

It is naive for politicians or others to think that airlines purposely inconvenience and/or mistreat their passengers, we are aware that no one wins if this happens.

 

routemap_small Often your airplane is needed at your destination to fly others to their destination. By doing this safely and conveniently this is how airlines make money.

 

 

My airline with hundreds of flights a day has it's share of delays and operational problems but it is ridiculous to expect it to pay more than a hundred times the price of an average ticket for delays that are beyond it's control.

From my experience, you ultimately get to your destination faster on bad weather days or with air traffic control delays by being on the airplane in an active takeoff sequence.

 

4743818263_77db0a8f15 A gate return which the new rule forces, usually adds to your delays because your flight loses it's spot in the departure line.

 

 

 

 

However, to keep the politicians happy and the airlines from paying million dollar plus in fines the norm will be a gate return. Your delay may be longer than 3 hours waiting inside the terminal or having your flight ultimately canceled but it is part of your rights and the airlines will not be punished as long as your delay is not in an airplane.

My Big Fat Lip

 

Over the years some of us have had the opportunity to receive more presents than others but I am sure only a few of our presents have been memorable.

Skipping my last birthday, this one and the one before last I have received almost identical presents from almost identical sources.

 

Lips However, I think this year takes the cake and I have a Landon's Lollipop to prove it.

 

 

 

 

Some say love, it is a razor, that leaves your soul to bleed and now I can say the same thing about my face when it comes to playing street basketball on my birthday.

 

Lips 003 Three years ago I received eight stitches over my right eye only to be out done this year with ten stitches to my upper lip.

 

 

 

 

Upon friends learning of my injury, disappointments were expressed that regrettably both of my lips were not stitched together at Broward Urgent Care. I think the excellent staff there would require a little more bribe than front row tickets to a Rolling Stones Concert to do so.

 

I Luv LA 040 If this happens again on my birthday, I am going to be convinced there is a conspiracy to keep old good looking guys from playing street basketball.

 

 

 

 

For now I am on the injured reserve list but as my now lip role model friend Mick Jagger would say, “If you start me up I'll never stop”.

 

Lips 001 In the mean time, if the lips can work for Mick, then ladies you better watch out.

Yeah babe, Yeah!

 

 

 

 

Unusual Suspects

 

For the past few days, I have been the victim of a crime literally committed in my own backyard.

 

Duck 001 Although I have delayed calling the authorities, I have personally collected evidence from the crime scene to present in court if it becomes necessary.

 

 

 

 

 

Duck 003 Informal interviews with my neighbors have ruled out the usual suspects but produced some quacky possibilities.

 

 

 

 

Living in South Florida this is the time of the year when some of us truly get to enjoy the fruits of our labor.

 

 Duck 004                                                                                                                               As a proud mango tree owner, I look forward to harvesting my full grown Hadens right from the tree. Chilled and sliced these are a bit of heaven on earth, delicious.

 

 

 

Understandably, hurricanes are a threat to this simple pleasure but one would not expect a pair of savvy criminals to also be an obstacle.

With the help of neighborhood kids, sketches of the criminals have been circulated and if you happen to see these suspects DO NOT APPROACH them. Call 911. They are considered winged and dangerous.

 

squirrel Suspect Number 1

 

 

 

 

 

It seems that Suspect Number 1 climbs the tree and aggressively knocks the fruit down then consumes a part of it before leaving the rest for Suspect Number 2.

 

duck-picture Suspect Number 2

This is a relentless, fearless and purposeful tag team effort designed to prevent me and possibly others from enjoying a simple pleasure of summer.

 

 

These criminals must be stopped or you might be their next victim.