Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
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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I watched President Obama's press conference on security yesterday afternoon, the one in which he said that he's going to clean up this security mess -- or lack of security -- that almost resulted in a catastrophe on that Northwest jet on Christmas day. I think we all feel that someone in Washington had better start kicking some butt if our national security apparatus is actually going to make us more secure.
I've been giving it some thought and I think I can help the president on this. And, by the way, at the same time put some money into the federal coffers.
Remember Richard what's-his-name, the infamous shoe bomber who tried to bring a plane down nine years ago by igniting explosives in his shoes? And remember what security measures were taken after that episode? Yes, now all of us must take off our shoes as we walk through security check points at airports.
Well, if we put two and two together it's obvious what's going to happen now. Since our latest fanatic had explosives sewn into his underwear you can bet that in the next few days TSA is going to mandate that we all have to take off our underpants and have them x-rayed as we go through security.
I know some will certainly say this is a clear violation of privacy. But isn't the shoe policy a violation of privacy? After all, everyone gets to see your bunions and the holes in your socks.
But rest assured that there really shouldn't be any problems with the new policy. In fact, I've heard from a highly placed administration source that since the shoe policy has already set a precedent, the underpants policy should fly through without a problem.
But I think we should take this whole thing even further and get all those new see-you-naked xray machines funded by the private sector. I hope the folks at TSA are listening since this could save some big bucks.
Since we already sell naming rights to sports stadiums, why not just also sell naming rights to the xray machines? Just think of the money it will bring in and the marketing possibilities..."Fruit of the Loom welcomes you to Newark Airport"..."Calvin Kline reminds you to put your laptop and underpants in separate bins"..."Welcome to Security Portal 34D, Sponsored by Victoria's Secret"...
Well, Mr. President, there's one less problem for you to worry about.
Jim Ferri
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