TSA misconduct up 26%

The Transportation Security Administration was created to make sure we are safe in an airport, on our flights, and make sure whoever comes to our cities, states, or country doesn’t do anything to harm us or bring crime.

However, the TSA has had bad reputation for many years. They have been accused of taking bribes, not doing their job effective and stealing from luggage. A new Government Accountability Office report cites that there has been an increase of misconduct by TSA from 2010-2012 by 26%. The report finds employees are skipping important security protocols, are late to work or not showing up to work, making inappropriate comments, and sleeping on the job.

These kind of behaviors reminds me of TSA employees at JFK or LGA airports in New York City. It surprises me that nobody is watching over their work ethics and disciplining them. I have personally experienced them chatting in groups, not even watching the passangers, making sexual/racial comments, being rude and they never seem to be happy even being there. Why did they apply for this job? It’s a serious responsibility they have.

I hope TSA gets their act straight and fix what needs to be done.

Very cheap flights between NYC and Colombia!

I just stumbled onto very cheap flights between New York and Colombia. I went last year around this time and I paid over $800. Currently, some dates in September, I am seeing mid $300 for NYC to either Medellin or Cartegena. I really wish I can go again!
Look for flights on Avianca.

Free 10% off American Airlines ticket

American airlines is currently running a contest (click here for contest) where you can win a trip for four around the World.
What I am really interested in is that even if you don’t win by playing the “flight sim” game, you can get a 10% off American Airlines ticket!
Play their cheesy game and get the 10% off code.

Terms and conditions of the promotion code:

Book by August 31st
For travel from August 15th – November 15th
Blackout dates of August 31st and September 2nd (so will not work on Labor Day weekend basically)
Depart from the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands to anywhere with American service (must be on American or American Eagle. No codeshares)
Up to 2 passengers per reservation.

My delayed and cancelled flight RDU-LGA!

I was scheduled to fly home from RDU tonight at 5:55pm.  Due to weather, it got delayed then cancelled.  I got on the phone with American Airlines, waited at their Ticket Desk and got on Twitter at  the same time.  American Airline’s twitter crew (@AmericanAir) was able to get  me rebooked to a later flight much faster than AA customer service and ticket desk.  I was quite impressed by their speed in helping me.  Then the annoying thing happened.  My new flight got delayed twice and then  finally cancelled.  Again @AmericanAir was able to rebook me fast.  I figured these cancellations were due to the incoming weather in NY.

Then I read online a Sourthwest plane was landing in LGA and it crashed as the front wheels broke off just as they were landing.  OUCH!

What’s going on these days with all the accidents in the air? I hope everyone is ok.

Flight Track Pro free app code

I have few itunes app code for Flight Track Pro if anyone wants it.

I use it to track flight informations such as delays, changes, terminal info/map, weather, etc.

If you are interested in the code, email me and I will send you a code.
Yako777@yahoo.com

Chicago to San Juan, Puerto Rico $282

These fares are sparse but if you have a flexible schedule this might work for you.

Search on United.com and check for fares during winter time.

Example dates: Nov 29 – Dec 4

Another plane crash

Just 1 day after the crash of Asiana at San Francisco, an aircraft operated by Rediske Air crashed in Soldotna, Alaska killing all 10 people onboard.

This aircraft was used as an air taxi. When it crashed it was engulfed in flames. All 10 bodies has been recovered.

Asiana 777 crashes @ SFO Airport!

It’s being reported that an Asian boeing 777 landing @ San Francisco International Airport crashed.  After crashing most of the passengers were reported walking out of the plane.  According to anonymous  passengers, they saw smoke coming out of the back of the plane due to the tail being ripped off.

I hope everyone is ok.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/06/asiana-airlines-plane-cra_n_3555309.html

Southwest announces free tv

Southwest announces 14 channels of free live tv and 75 on-demand shows on their wifi enabled planes. Currently, about 75% of their fleet has wifi enabled. Instead of back of seat monitors, flyers will be watching the shows from their internet-ready personal devices such as Ipads, Iphones, Itouch, etc.

The satellite provider will be DISH network. Southwest is revolutionalizing free tv streaming inflight.

Southwest will save approximately save 5lbs per seat in turn will save fuel.
I hope they have power outlets in each seats so flyers can charge devices instead of landing at a destination with dead smartphones.

Review: Comfort Inn Time Square West

Comfort Inn Time Square West is located right next to Time Square. The hotel’s location is great for tourists that do not want to have to take the subway system in NYC to get around too much. It’s a great location where you can walk to most of the places.

I checked in at 5:00pm and was booked for a room with Queen Size bed. The front desk staff mentioned that he will upgrade my room to a King size bedroom because their Queens size bedroom that is available is below the ground floor. I thought that was very nice of him. After going through the check-in process, I was given a room on the third floor. The room is clean and bathroom is adequate. It also came with a refrigerator, coffee/tea machine, and a safe. What I did not like was the lack of leg space you had between the refrigerator and the bed in order to get to the window/desk side of the room (see picture below). Also, the safe was located under the desk which took away from leg space when sitting at the desk.

I tested the wifi out and for me at 5pm, it was kind of slow. I ended up tethering off my smartphone’s data plan. The room also comes with a complimentary breakfast starting from 6:30am and ends at 9:30am. During my stay, the breakfast consisted of eggs, bacon, cereals, toasts, bagels, yogurts, bananas, apples, oranges, waffles, pastries, orange juice, apple juice, teas, and coffees.  The hotel does not have a fitness center.

Update: at 6:30pm, the wifi was faster.  It might be due to less people using the wifi (maybe dinner time?)

View out my window

Safe under the table?

My leg barely fits