As the holidays approach, our thoughts (or more likely the thoughts of our college-age children on winter break) may turn to exploring the far-flung corners of the world. As your family plans its travel, you would be wise to make a list and check it twice—against the European Union list of banned carriers and the FAA list of nations which fail to meet the international safety standards of aviation. Checking these two lists may be the most important thing you do before you travel.
Who among us hasn’t been startled by a large truck or bus whose driver appeared inattentive or was driving way too fast on the highway? If you lived to complain about it, consider yourself lucky. For thousands each year, these occurrences have deadly consequences. According to a recent proposal from the U.S. Department of Transportation, speed-limiting technology and new federal safety regulations may be the quickest, most reliable way to slow trucks and buses down across the board, saving lives — and dollars spent on fuel.
The birth of a baby girl on board a Cebu Pacific flight last week made international headlines and was met with well wishes and an airline gift of one million frequent flier miles for the baby. Despite delivering several weeks before her due date, the mother and baby are reportedly doing well. The flight crew nevertheless decided to divert the Dubai… Read more »
Twenty years have passed since a DC-9 operated by budget carrier ValuJet crashed into the Florida Everglades, taking the lives of 110 people. After months of investigation, the NTSB determined that an illegal shipment of uncapped oxygen generators (secured only by duct tape) fueled a cargo fire which included tires and other ValuJet company materials, and brought down the Atlanta-bound airliner shortly after takeoff from Miami International Airport on May 11, 1996. The NTSB never determined the ignition source that started the fire.
What took so long is an issue for another day, but the FAA has finally acted to keep electronic cigarettes and lithium ion batteries out of checked baggage. Why? No, it’s not because Americans will pack airplanes by the millions this Thanksgiving. It’s because e-cigs can catch fire.
