travelwriter

An American Airlines flight from San Francisco to Miami was forced to make an emergency landing at LAX shortly after takeoff this past Monday.

Airport officials said that the pilot reported “smoke and the smell of fuel in the cockpit” but after investigation no fire was found.  Maintenance crews had just completed work on the aircraft hydraulic system which can sometimes cause excess fuel to spill.  It is not clear whether this had something to do with the report made by the pilot.

The Boeing 757 was carrying 180 passengers and there were no reported injuries.  The passengers de-planed and boarded another aircraft to continue their flight to Miami.

Since 2001, the Artificial Reef Society of B.C. (ARSBC) has sunk 5 naval ships, 1 freighter and a full-size Boeing 737 jet in the Georgia Straight near Vancouver creating one of the best wreck diving destinations in the world.

Though the water temperature is a chilly 7 degrees year round, the abundance of starfish and anemones is attracting wreck divers worldwide to this most unique marine habitat.

The ARSBC advises that “these projects quickly attract an impressive variety of marine life. Biological surveys have documented the accumulation of over 110 species of vertebrate and invertebrate life on some of the man made reefs in just the first two years after sinking.”

“If you sink it they will come” is the credo for this non-profit group made up of volunteers.”  As their next project, the ARSBC plans to sink a naval destroyer, the HMCS Annapolis in 2009. 

According to a recent report by ABC News, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has kept over $1 million in coins that passengers have left behind at airport x-ray security check points over the past three years.

The story goes on to say that the TSA has legally been allowed to keep this money, which helps to defray security costs, on the basis of a Congressional Federal Law passed back in 2004.

Here are a few cities and the $$ amounts of the coin left behind by travellers:

·         Passengers at LAX left a cool $89k

·         Orlando passengers lost out on almost $17k

·         JFK passengers in New York were a little more thrifty leaving behind only $5k

·         And the tightest of all was Chattanooga, TN with only $1.20

Well, I guess that means I’ll be checking that gray bin a little bit closer next time, won’t you?

On its fleet voyage back to Spain in September of 1622, the Santa Margarita was first run aground and then broken up into pieces before sinking to the depths of the Caribbean during a hurricane. 

Instead of sending the remainder of the fleet on to Spain, a four year recovery was launched to recover the valuable cargo of silver, gold and pearls.

In more current years, the hunt for Santa Margarita’s booty was led by treasure hunter Mel Fisher who discovered its current site, only 20 miles off the coast of Key West, FL. 

Just a few days ago a ship salvage diver found a piece of treasure from the lost ship in only 20 feet of water –an ornate gold chalice with two detailed scrolled handles.  The estimated value is $1 million or more.

American Airlines (AA) announced yesterday that it’s ceasing operations entirely at three of its airport worldwide:  Oakland, CA, London’s Stansted and Barranquilla, Colombia.American Eagle (AE) will cease operations into Albany, NY, Providence, RI, Harrisburg, PA, San Luis Obispo, CA and Samana, Dominican Republic.In addition to discontinuing operations above, AA has also announced elimination of:

·         5 AA and 37 AE flights into LaGuardia, NY

·         28 AA and 34 AE flights into Chicago, IL

·         8 AA and 35 AE flights into St. Louis, MI

·         19 AA and 23 AE flights into DFW, TXThese schedule changes are to take place in November and according to an AA press release are “being instituted to reduce costs and create a more sustainable supply-and-demand balance in today’s high fuel-cost environment.”AA went on to express their “regret the potential impact these schedule changes will have on its people.” 

The 50-kilo new baby beluga, born at the Vancouver Aquarium on Jun 13^th, has been suffering through an infection this past weekend.Aquarium officials said they noticed “new behaviours and episodes of apparent weakness” of the calf on Sunday.  After a physical examination found a lump, antibiotic treatment was started immediately.After only a few hours of medication, the “calf’s energy improved tremendously” and mom, Qila, and baby were doing fine.

It was reported this morning that they have formed a strong nursing bond and the baby continues to swim very well.  As a precaution, 24 hour observation of both Mom & baby continue at this time.

Check out the beluga cam at the Vancouver Aquarium here!

Typhoon Fengshen swept through the Philippines this past weekend leaving an estimated 30,000 people stranded on their rooftops high above the rising waters. 

Wide spread flooding, mud and landslides, have affected an estimated 100,000 families. 

The MV Princess of the Stars ferry capsized near Sibuyan Island during the typhoon.  There were 740 crew and passengers onboard with only 40 apparent survivors. 

Responding to a request from the Philippine government, a U.S. Navy ship is scheduled to arrive with rescue divers on Tuesday to assist with search & rescue efforts.

Donations are being graciously accepted by the Philippine National Red Cross.

If you’re planning to fly on an airplane this summer, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has devised an easy way to help with packing your carry-on luggage.  And It’s as simple as 3-1-1. 

3.  All liquids, gels & aerosols must be 3 ounces in size or smaller.

1.  All liquids, gels & aerosols must fit into 1 quart-size clear plastic zip-top bag.

1.  Only 1 zip-top bag is allowed per person and it must be placed on the conveyor belt/in a bin for x-ray screening.

Since August 2006, when a terrorist plot using liquid explosives was foiled, liquids, gels & aerosols have been severely restricted in passenger carry-on luggage. 

If you do want to take larger quantities, you can always place them into your checked baggage.  But I really wouldn’t recommend taking that giant Costco sized bottle of shampoo – it would be easier just to buy another bottle at your destination than to have it leak everywhere in your luggage.

As part of the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Aviation Direct Access Screening Program (ADASP), airline passengers can now be subject to random security screenings at the gate.

According to the TSA, these random checks can include “checking passenger identification and boarding passes, conducting physical searches of carry-on luggage, using handheld explosive detection units and screening of individuals.”

These screenings would be in addition to any other required security inspections during the departure process.  Accompanying TSA inspectors will be Behaviour Detection Officers (BDO) who are highly trained to recognize body language which could help to identify ill willed passengers.

The new security measures are designed to maintain the TSA’s commitment to passenger safety.

Approximately 28,000 spectators viewed the Summer Solstice at 4:58 a.m. on June 21^st at the spectacular ancient circle site, Stonehenge.

Stonehenge is one of Britain’s most popular tourist attractions allowing visitors to gaze and wonder about the amazing 3,000 year old megaliths and what their purposes may have been.  Some claim that to be at Stonehenge during a solstice is a purely spiritual experience.  No matter what religion you may aspire to, the allure of Stonehenge is unmistakeable.