News and notes from around the interweb:

• Easily (and quickly) enter my giveaway for 3 nights with premium view and club lounge access at the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, one of my favorites in Southeast Asia. (Thanks to Luxury Travel Diary for the contest.)

• Second US passports are now valid for 4 years

• So this is kinda creepy: DFW Airport to gather data on security lines from passenger cellphones. Useful if TSA would/could redeploy screeners on a dime.

• The Onion: The TSA’s Plans For Improvement (HT: Stephen G.)

• 9 Reasons Why I Don’t Fly Southwest. While these resonate with me, I balance them against schedule and price and can always get a decent seat by paying $15 to be pre-checked in. At least they usually have wifi and they participate in PreCheck. Ultra low cost carriers are a different story.

• United Airlines Team USA amenity kits

• An Airline Made Sneakers That Vibrate to Lead You Around Cities You’re Visiting

  U.K.-based regional airline easyJet is trying to solve that problem, at least in theory, with a new pair of internet-connected sneakers that signal to wearers when to turn left or right by vibrating underneath the respective foot. This way, sightseers’ heads can stay up, taking in the surroundings while they walk, without losing their way.

  The shoes buzz twice to indicate a wrong turn, thanks to a connection to Google Maps via Bluetooth, and easyJet’s proprietary app. They also adjust to provide a new route if a user veers intentionally off course. Upon arriving at the destination, both sneakers will buzz.

• Delta was also ticked off at Atlanta’s Mayor for speaking at an event for the launch of Qatar’s Atlanta-Doha flight (HT: Nick B. and Ryan C.)