Some positive changes in airport

Some positive changes in airport security — but not enough James M. Loy, the head of the Transportation Security Administration, is looking to get rid of more stupid rules. Already gone are the “security questions” that never foiled a terrorist in sixteen years, the ban on nail clippers, and the rule against carrying coffee through security. Others potentially on the chopping block: The 30 minutes without peeing rule, which forbids getting up from your seat within half an hour’s flying from Washington National airport Restricted parking within 300 feet of the airport (making parking lots at many airports useless) “Random” searches of passengers at the boarding gate after the same folks have been searched at the security checkpoint (also known as “gate rape“) These are a good start. They are all obvious changes that can…

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More bonuses:Double miles on all

More bonuses: Double miles on all Alaska airlines flights through Oct. 31st. Make sure to register Register for two free weekend nights after three separate stays before January 31st with Marriott Priority Club is offering 2,000 bonus points or 500 bonus miles for every second stay at Inter-Continental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, or Holiday Inn Express. Naturally, you have to register (and enter promotion code 5700) Hyatt is offering “Faster Free Nights” — a free night after every two stays when paying with MasterCard before Feb. 28, 2003 (redeem from Nov. 1, 2002 through April 30, 2003). Register here and then try a trick — when using a free night, make sure to charge something to your room (a bottle of water from room service?) — you may get lucky and have the free night…

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The cover story in the

The cover story in the current Washington City Paper is a “Best of the Protest” awards piece. My favorite: Best Obvious Anti-Protester Sign.. “Welcome Rich White Kidds.”

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Random notes from my travels.United

Random notes from my travels. United airlines needs to mix up its first class meals a bit. In 9 days I at the portabella ravioli three times and the Reuben sandwich twice. Come on! Noise reduction headsets are back on United’s Boeing 777 aircraft! Security is still a joke. United Express stations are still pulling the first person in the boarding line aside for random screening. The major airports wait for the third or fourth person. It’s still easy to board without getting gate raped as long as you hang out and make sure to line up when security is already screening someone else. Security is still a joke, part two. At Los Angeles, I watched final boarding of a Sacramento-bound flight. A man and woman rush up at the last minute to board. The…

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