Author: Travel Curmudgeon

San Francisco’s famous “crooked” Lombard Street now requires vehicle users to have reservations and PAY A USE FEE that can range from $5 on weekdays to over $10 on weekends. Local residents are responsible for getting the fee approved and claim that over 6,000 people daily visit the 600-foot long street — causing all sorts of congestion (lines of vehicles stretching for blocks), traffic jams, trash clutter and even trespassing.  Street residents claim the scenic street has become more of an “amusement park” than scenic destination!

It was a very hot mess in the cockpit of a recent Condor Air flight when the pilot spilled a cup of hot coffee on the cockpit controls on a flight over the Atlantic. The hot liquid melted some of the control instruments and the flight was diverted to Ireland for a “safety clean up.”  Some communications and navigation equipment were disabled and there was smoke inside. Condor now requires crew members to use coffee cup lids — and might think of adding “cup holders” — at a spot away from the controls?

UberBoats is now full speed ahead and operating in Lagos, Nigeria — seems a good place to start as the Nigerian capitol city has one of the highest car densities in the world. 

Unable to get their new 737 MAX back in the air this year so far, inspectors have recently found “wing related cracks and damage” in nearly 40 older 737s.  The cracks or structural damage has been found in the parts that attach the wings to the body of the aircraft — Boeing said  they were “looking for the root cause” of the damage?  Guess that’s Boeing talk for “we have no idea what to look for.”

In and effort to ease traffic congestion during messy ongoing roadway and terminal construction — LAX has moved all ride share and taxi drop offs and pick-ups to a new barren lot somewhat near Terminal 1. Travelers have the choice of walking to the new lot or using a new shuttle service that will take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes for terminal drop offs and pick ups — and this is before the heavy travel holiday rush sets in! Don’t worry — it will get much worse before getting any better — IF EVER???

Conde Nast Traveler readers have once again — 2 years running now — picked Alaska as the best US carrier! Although the TC thinks they could use some help with their checked bag programs — after the carrier recently misplaced his bag on a normally short and easy flight from Sonoma County to LAX — all ended well after the carrier found the bag in Las Vegas and delivered 2 days later —  reminding the TC to remind you “don’t put anything valuable in your checked luggage!!!

NASA is, for the first time ever, allowing tourists to make reservations to visit international space stations — prices will start at $35,000 a night and do not include costs for the rocket to get you there and back.  Your nightly fee will include air, bed, water, internet and the use of a toilet — with a maximum of a 30 day visit!  The transport rocket, being developed for NASA by Boeing and Space X, will run a minimum of $60 million and could go as hight as $90 million.  No word on baggage and carry on restrictions?

The popular “fast track” US Passport expedited screening program has slowed service because of a a huge backlog of applicants and staff available to process applications.  The program, run by U.S Customs and Border Protection, has even had to close some of their airport application centers with staff being moved to help out with other priorities on the southern boarders of the US.  The agency says it could take more than 100 days to process a new or renewal application —might be worthwhile to check out other options, especially if just interested in TSA Pre-Check domestic programs??? 

Yes — it really can happen, and has recently on a United flight from San Diego to Houston. Female passenger noticed a video camera in the jets first class bathroom, but the passenger who installed the camera shot video of himself first. the FBI is now “talking” with him (seems they also found other bathroom flight videos on his camera).  Be watchful when you travel — especially of small blinking lights when using the aircraft restroom!!!

The FAA now says that, with proper paperwork (medical, etc.), Pit Bulls are ok to travel as emotional support animals — but bans of emotional support snakes are still in place meaning they aren’t coming on the plane with you.  Most experts agree that the pet emotional support flying program has gotten way out of hand and is really only a “ploy” by passengers to avoid paying fees for traveling with Fido and other assorted critters!