News and notes from around the interweb:
- Ex-flight attendant caught smuggling 100 lbs. of deadly new drug made of human bones
Charlotte May Lee, 21, from the United Kingdom, was seized at Bandaranaike Airport in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo earlier this month after allegedly carrying suitcases full of “kush,” a new drug originating in West Africa which kills an estimated dozen people a week in Sierra Leone alone.
- Marriott guts Best Rate Guarantee. Another day, another devaluation, just business as usual in Bethesda.
Marriott has changed its best rate guarantee rules. They want to market they offer the best rates, without having to stand behind the claim. Rate differences used to just have to be $1, but will now be 1% minimum to qualify (2% if in different currencies) and all inclusions and cancel policies must match.
A hotel can offer a cheaper rate outside of Marriott channels simply by offering some add-on into the cheaper rate, or by offering a more generous cancellation policy. Then it’s ineligible for the match. And even Visa, Mastercard, or Amex-specific rates are carved out.
- “First class”
@AmericanAir just boarded my 5 hour flight from Seattle to Charlotte. I'm in 1f and this is what I see. Gonna be hard to eat and also use my computer to get some work done on the flight. Its the first flight of the day so wondering why I wasnt moved prior or this wasn't fixed pic.twitter.com/h3ugWJoOu7
— todd taylor (@toddtaylor78) May 28, 2025
- Travelers are stuffing basic household item with clothes to avoid flight baggage fees This kinda worked before the 2023 TikTok craze but now travelers don’t really get away with it as much.
“It’s not going in the overhead bin, or underneath your seat, usually. So you’re betting that it just gets a pass.”
“This trick has been talked up enough, I think, that it’s become too obvious to work in many cases. At least there’s enough risk that it won’t that it’s probably not worth trying,”
- And all I see here is seatback entertainment screens.
This is actually my worst nightmare pic.twitter.com/ip9gDrSE0z
— The Notorious J.O.V. (@whotfisjovana) May 28, 2025
- Yemenia is the domestic airline of Yemen operating from Houthi-controlled territory.
Israel just destroyed the Houthis last Yemenia A320.
This comes after multiple ballistic missile attacks on Tel Aviv https://t.co/mciP4cP5z4 pic.twitter.com/nrJQuup2VW
— Polymarket Intel (@PolymarketIntel) May 28, 2025
- On May 26, United flight 889 from Beijing to San Francisco had an engine fire during takeoff. Passengers were delayed 24 hours.
@united I was on Flight 889 from Beijing to SFO on May 26th when the engine caught fire during takeoff. 24hr delay, missed my connection, and just $175? I was left scared witnessing the fire from the window and more cautious about flying United. #Flight889 #united #unitedairline pic.twitter.com/kjwjKzd8ov
— Antonio Valverde (@toto_valverde) May 29, 2025
- Humiliated passenger forced to scrub off heavy makeup because her face didn’t match her passport
Well, that’s messed up. At least it’s not ivory or pangolins this time… *sigh*
Marriott has done literally nothing pro-customer since launching Bonvoy. And yet, the blogs still promote Marriott credit cards.
Meanwhile, properties rip-off Marriott by selling rooms on Airbnb.
Ms. Lee had 100 pounds of drugs with her for a flight that she could have made with only a carry-on bag so I find that her claim of the drugs being planted is a stretch.
Girl who had to remove her ridiculous makeup. She looks beautiful without it!
So, a drug that uses human bones in its manufacturing causes 12 deaths a week, generating more available human bones. Recycling at its best. I’m pretty sure I’d notice if my suitcase or two were emptied and filled with 100 lbs. of something else.
She won’t do it again – Sri Lanka law enforces the death penalty for drug smuggling. I’d almost nominate this woman for a Darwin Award, but I have respect for the award and no respect for drug smuggling.
Hi Gary,
There is cleavage in the photo for this story.
Please remove as highlighting that is objectifying.
Thanks.
@Un – are you gay or something? Otherwise why upset with cleavage. SMDH!!!
@Un should stick to reading whatever material his/her religion and or gender bias stuff he/she relates to.
I choose to read or leave what I want. I am not forced.
@Retired Gambler — One can have a preference or an aversion to cleavage, regardless of sexual orientation; for instance, if you’re overweight enough, biological men can have ‘cleavage,’ too. Bah!
Yet, @Un, I’d hardly expect adherence to strict ‘modesty’ at VFTW; it’s Gary’s site, after all, not the Associated Press.
So, @Steve M has the right idea, though he could have said it without the unnecessary attack on beliefs or background.
UK. Canadian earlier. Remember this when rushing to the ugly American comments. There are plenty of ugly (and good) people everywhere.