Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
If you're a traveler -- and I guess that most people who read this blog are -- I need to alert you to a bit of news you may have missed: The Galactic Suite Space Resort is still right on track to accept its first guest in 2012.
Upon hearing this bit of news my first thought was "thank God" since I was getting a bit nervous with this $4.4 million burning a hole in my pocket. That's the price for a three-night stay in this galactic pod room which will be traveling at 18,000+ miles per hour 280 miles above the earth. The developers think it's quite a deal since the price also includes an eight-week training course on a tropical island. For that price they better resurrect Marlon Brando to be my island host.
Each pod will hold four guests who will wear Velcro suits so they can stick to the walls like Spiderman instead of floating all over the place. It will also hold two astronaut-pilots, which is a pretty good idea for anyone who needs to be back at work on Monday morning.
But to get to the resort you'll need to first get yourself to Spaceport America in New Mexico, where British tycoon Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic, still being developed, will propel you up to the station. And that will be another $200,000 a pop unless the Galactic Suite Ltd. Folks can cut you a package deal.
"When the passengers arrive in the rocket, they will join it for 3 days, rocket and capsule. With this we create in the tourist a confidence that he hasn't been abandoned," says a representative of the company.
I like that part the best, you know, about feeling that I haven't been abandoned. After all, what right-minded traveler wants to be stuck up there for eternity with a bunch of old Russian satellites when you still have Machu Picchu and the Great Barrier Reef to see?
On the other hand, you will get to see the sun rise and set 15 times a day. Now that could be really romantic.
Jim Ferri
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Every once in a while you hear of celebrities that own and pilot their own planes. John Travolta and Morgan Freeman are two that immediately come to mind.
I've often wondered -- as I guess anyone with just an inkling of testosterone has also -- what it must be like to own your own plane. Ah, that's the way to travel.
So I'm writing now to tell you that two opportunities may be knocking at your door. But remember, I'm just the messenger -- not your personal banker.
The first, brought to my attention by Jaunted, is the opportunity to snatch a plane I've seen a few times at New York's LaGuardia -- Trump's private jet. Yes, that Trump, aka Donald. I guess things must be getting a bit tight.
Trump's plane is a 727, a plane I've refused to fly for years since most are over 40 years old. Donald's, however, is done up in style and listed as "stunning, recently refurbished 24 passenger interior in a VIP configuration". That's it to the right -- if you'd like to see more photos of what life must be like on the flying carpet go to the Leader Aviation website. And you'll need to ask for the price.
Our second plane -- an Airbus 320 -- is not quite flyable but it does have great significance. Yes, according to Gothamist, the Airbus that was the famous US Airways Flight 1549 -- the very plane landed by Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger in New York's Hudson River after a bird strike took out both engines -- is about to be auctioned by the insurance company Chartis.
There are a few issues with the aircraft, of course. First off, it is listed as having "severe water damage throughout airframe." Geez, what a surprise.
And it also it has no engines and comes in quite a few pieces which you can view on the insurance company's aircraft salvage page.
But if you can overlook the water damage for the moment, look at the opportunities here. If you're a do-it-yourselfer, it would make a rather nifty, although quite long, coffee table. Or you could just salvage the seats and have all your friends sit in them to watch the premier of the movie "Miracle on the Hudson" whenever Hollywood gets off its butt and gets around to filming it.
Starring John Travolta, obviously.
Jim Ferri
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For everyone who feels that all the applications (or apps) on smartphones are just so much junk, this is for you.
I have an iPhone and, yes, I agree that a lot of the apps are junk and frivolous -- mugs of beer, xrays of hands, etc., etc. But there are some very good and useful ones, however, which can make life on the road or tarmac a lot more bearable.
I like FlightTrack which tracks flights in real time (also visually on a map, so you can see where a plane is) and provides the departure and landing gates even before the folks at the airport know them. It's saved me a lot of time when I need to pick up people at the airport. There are also apps for transit systems (want to know which subway to take in New York to get to Columbus Circle plus when is the next train and how frequently they run?) and Zagat guides and a thousand others.
What's really interesting though is the development of a new app which shows how ingenious some businesses can be. Out in Sin City Harrah's Entertainment has developed an app with a GPS locator that can follow you through any of the company's Las Vegas properties. And don't let me hear all that whining about Big Brother -- if you're that paranoid about BB don't use the app.
What really makes this a standout -- it's an industry first -- is that since it tracks you it can send special offers to your phone that coincide with attractions in the area where you are.
Think of it: if you're in the area of Paris Las Vegas - voila! -- they could text two free admissions to your phone. If there are tickets left for a show and you're in the area, they could offer you discount tickets to see Bette Midler or Elvis...well Bette Midler, anyway.
It's a good use of technology to enhance customer service and provide an edge over the competition.
If anyone else knows of good apps I'd like to hear about them.
Jim Ferri
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