10 People Hospitalized After Device Fire Breaks Out On Spirit Airlines Flight

by Gary Leff

Mar 02 2023

Spirit Airlines flight 259 from Dallas to Orlando diverted to Jacksonville, Florida on Wednesday afternoon as smoked filled the cabin of the aircraft when the battery of a passenger’s electronic device caught fire in an overhead bin. Once on the ground, 10 passengers and crew were hospitalized.

Smoke also reportedly filled the cockpit. A retired fireman assisted cabin crew in dousing the flames. Meanwhile, air traffic control gave the flight’s captain a direct routing to get on the ground.

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$50 Per Minute For Late Checkout And $2000 Per Extra Trash Bag, Airbnb’s Fees Can Be Insane

by Gary Leff

Mar 02 2023

I’ve seen horror story after horror story, from requiring guests to mow the lawn to losing a day of their long weekend having to wait for plumbers. But I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anything quite like the listing from Corpus Christi, Texas that includes a charge of $50 per minute for late check-out and $50 per minute for early check-in (something usually offered free, if a unit is available). The property owner likes $50 charges, adding that much if guests wear shoes in the house. also

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Want Great Dumplings? Taiwan Will Pay Tourists To Visit

by Gary Leff

Mar 02 2023

Taiwan had early success containing Covid-19. Like much of Asia it was heavily locked down during the pandemic. And despite re-opening, pandemic restrictions haven’t been completely lifted. It’s not yet seen as a major tourism destination. Fewer than one million tourists entered Taiwan in 2022.

That’s a problem for Taiwan because cultural exchange and deepening ties with the rest of the world are its best path forward for securing support that will deter Chinese invasion. So they’re literally going to pay tourists to visit!

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Hyatt Changing Award Prices, With U.S. Hotels, All-Inclusives And Luxury Properties Costing More Points

by Gary Leff

Mar 01 2023

Hyatt has announced its annual redemption category changes which will go into effect March 28 at 8 a.m. Central time. Overall 372 properties are changing category, with 214 going up and 158 going down.

Overall U.S. hotels are going up, while Europe and Asia should get less expensive. In general the best and most luxurious hotels are going up, even in regions where redemption categories are falling generally. And all-inclusives get more expensive.

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Do Airline Pilots Deserve To Make Over $300,000 A Year?

by Gary Leff

Mar 01 2023

Traditionally a pilot at a regional airline might start out earning less than $50,000 per year, but get hired on by a major airline and that goes up quickly into the six figures, and well over $300,000 for senior captains flying widebody aircraft overseas. Some earn over $400,000.

Yet we’ve heard a lot of complaining by pilots recently. Contracts are open for negotiation at American Airlines, Southwest, and United.

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