April 13, 2018: Yup — happened last year — in September — so if you traveled anywhere on Delta during that time period, expect your private information (passport number, frequent flyer number, credit card info, etc.) to now be resting on “open ground” in cyber space. Delta says “sorry” and is going to set up a “secure” website to deal with flyers who get charged for flights and services they never used — Thanks Delta — keep on flying — no matter who pays?
April 12, 2018: Under a new rule, all applicants for a US Visa — estimated to be nearly 15,000,000 a year — will have to include their social media user names for the past five years as part of the application process. The new procedure covers more than 20 social media platforms and is being imposed by the US State Department to enhance border security! Look for the State Department to enhance these background checks with even more information being required — like past passport and visa numbers — some US friendly countries, like Britain, Canada, and France will be exempt from he new rules.
April 11, 2018: Now, not only do you need to remove your shoes when heading through TSA check points, you also need to take off and empty your backpack and any carry-on bags, including those with food! TSA says there is no new security alert requiring this — but is doing so at the request of the airlines who say more and more passengers are putting more into carry-on bags so they don’t have to pay a fee for checking a bag! The new requirement will certainly slow down security checks during these heavy spring and summer travel seasons — the TC’s take — “pack your patience”!
April 9, 2018: Yup — here’s the 12 longest flights in the world (currently anyway) — ranging in time between 16 and 18 inflight hours — don’t pack your bags yet as later this year the number one longest airline flight in the world will go to Singapore Air with their new nonstop service between Singapore and New York — logging in at just over 18 hours in the air!!!
1 Auckland to Doha / Qatar / 9,032 miles / Boeing 777-200LR
2 Perth to London / Qantas / 9,010 miles / Boeing 787-9
3 Auckland to Dubai / Emirates / 8,824 miles / Airbus A380
4 Los Angeles to Singapore / United / 8,770 miles / Boeing 787-9
5 Houston to Sydney / United / 8,596 miles / Boeing 787-9
6 Dallas to Sydney / Qantas / 8,578 miles / Airbus A380
7 San Francisco to Singapore / Singapore & United / 8,446 miles / Airbus A350-900 & Boeing 787-9
8 Johannesburg to Atlanta / Delta / 8,439 miles / Boeing 777-200LR
9 Abu Dhabi to Los Angeles / Etihad / 8,390 miles / Boeing 777-300ER
10 Dubai to Los Angeles / Emirates / 8,339 miles / Airbus A380
11 Jeddah to Los Angeles / Saudi / 8,332 miles / Boeing 777-300ER
12 Doha to Los Angeles / Qatar / 8,306 miles / Boeing 777-200LR
(Data via: https://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2018/03/30/worlds-farthest-flights-2018/)
Modern Day Travel Guru Shares Death Defining Adventures, Non-Fake News, and Traveler Edification
ANYWHERE, Earth – April 9, 2018 – The Travel Curmudgeon (TC), a legendary anonymous traveler with worldwide recognition from the oilrigs of Galveston to the sinking streets of Venice, announced the significant milestone of sharing more than 500 stories, experiences, and advice to thousands of fans in just three years.
The Curmudgeon has already shared stories from the well-beaten path to obscure destinations while gathering an impressive social following with thousands of fans worldwide. He tells it like it is in a full frontal and curmudgeony tone that only he can deliver.
The Travel Curmudgeon gained early fame through timely travel insight covering hard-hitting topics like fee-crazy airlines, and bed-bug friendly hotels, but only began sharing his experiences of the trials and tribulations of cold airline coffee and Airbnb bedroom cameras with an international audience online in 2015. Prior to blogging, the Curmudgeon provided commentary for PBS and radio in which he reported on the wildlife and natural wonders of the Galapagos Islands, dined in Beijing at the Great Hall and interviewed Sesame Street’s Big Bird!
While the official three-year anniversary of the Travel Curmudgeon blog was April Fools’ Day, make no mistake – all of these impressive achievements are, in fact, a reality all made possible through the fan support and fast-growing following, as much as the unsupportive airline customer support and lackluster hotel and wait staff that provide the Curmudgeon with endless material.
As the Curmudgeon looks toward the future, he will continue to provide hard-hitting, controversial content from the road as he follows Oprah on the campaign trail, goes undercover at a Moscow-based Facebook hacking center, and finally catches the long-awaited Southwest flight to Hawaii (though he’s still not sure when that day might come).
The Travel Curmudgeon can be found on his website, travelcurmudgeon.com, or his social media pages on Facebook and Twitter, spreading travel tips, and good humored fun to an ever growing fan base.
About the Travel Curmudgeon:
A former PBS and radio travel commentator, the Travel Curmudgeon has spent years documenting his misadventures in the perils of consumer travel. The Curmudgeon is a seasoned traveler with more than 3 million air miles, who has touched down in more than 150 airports across six different continents. Prior to commentary, his professional career included executive management positions and representation of leading hotel-lodging groups, major transportation groups and consulting assignments with international and government entities involved in travel services – giving him a unique insider-perspective. His journeys, travel experiences, and commentary on the state of the travel industry can be found on his blog at www.travelcurmudgeon.com.
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April 5, 2018: A couple is suing Walt Disney Parks and Resorts for $15,000, saying a rat bit a man when he grabbed it off his wife’s wheelchair. Galen Haldeman, then 59, and his wife, Carol, who rode in a wheelchair, exited Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin in Tomorrowland when a large rat ran into the merchandise store near the ride, according to a lawsuit filed March 19 in Orange County Circuit Court. “Disney violated its duty to keep its park clean and safe by allowing conditions to get to the point where rats were inhabiting the park and were even bold enough to come out openly, among people,” read the lawsuit. Disney officials had no immediate comment.
April 4, 2018: Some airlines, like Virgin Atlantic, offer flat bed seats — seats that turn into beds on many long haul flights — but on older aircraft, like the A340, it takes a flight attendant to set up and dismantle the bed. And, once you’ve commited to being flat, you have to have the flight attendant return to bring the seat (and associated parts and bedding) back to a seating position. Check in with Seat Guru (be aware – not always on top of aircraft models for your flights) and the airline to know the “lay of the land” as it were! Some of the best seating in all class configurations is offered on the ultra high teach 787 — and a few updated 777’s — the TC advises to keep with Boeing and stay away from most any AirBus model — most cramped and very uncomfortable — even for walking down the aisle!!
April 3, 2018: Have you checked out domestic airfares to just about any where these days? Yes, there are some great deals on very advance purchase travel. But on the whole, airfares are up — despite the convoluted formulas the carriers use to convenience you otherwise. The real bargains are in business class — if you can book far enough in advance and be flexible with travel dates. Don’t be surprised to find some domestic deals on trips to and from the east coast — even under $300 round trip to The Big Apple.
