Nastia Parades Through Parker
August 30, 2008 at 10:41 am | In Uncategorized | Leave a CommentDeborah Ferguson and Ken Arnold brought us some great live coverage of Nastia’s big homecoming this morning on NBC5 Today. The Olympic gold medalist rode in a pink Saab convertible.
So what’s next for Nastia? Her agent recently told the Sports Business daily that she can be bigger than Mary Lou Retton on the endorsement circuit. She already has deals with companies including Cover Girl and At&T.
She’s also planning to take part in a mulit-city gymnastics tour. And, she has her own theme song now — check it out on her website:
Free Airline Snacks Never Tasted Better
August 27, 2008 at 12:20 am | In Uncategorized | Leave a CommentI had to laugh a little, talking to a passenger tonight who was on one of the flights caught up in the FAA flight planning computer crash that happened this afternoon.
Trapped on a plane for three hours on the ground in the Atlanta heat, she explained how finally when they took off they could get some snacks and a can of soda. She told us it wasn’t enough food after all those hours cramped in her seat — but at least it was something.
She’s lucky she wasn’t flying United. That snack might have cost her $6 under the airline’s new “no free snack policy”…. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121928635607759283.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
This was one day when six bucks would have felt like $100 if you were forced to fork over some money for cookies and pretzels after a long hot afternoon sitting in a long line of planes.
FAA Investigates Near Miss at DFW
August 25, 2008 at 11:26 pm | In Uncategorized | Leave a CommentTags: FAA investigates near miss DFW
In May, we first reported the concerns surrounding the use of high speed tugs on the airport runways at DFW. American Ailrines bought them to save fuel, by pulling planes from gates to maintainance bays without turning on the plane’s engines.
But, when one plane was accidently pulled into the path of another plane coming in for landing, the FAA started to question the safety of the program. Air traffic controllers added more concerns about planes being towed across runways at night without any lights.
Now, in a letter we obtained, the FAA seems to be saying the fuel saving measure may not be worth the risk to passengers. FAA inspectors recommend the airport re-evaluate the necessity of the program. I wanted to insert the full letter here – but the old blogging tool wouldn’t cooperate tonight — so look at the next posting below this one on my blog and you can see the full copy.
The really interesting unanswered question here is: why couldn’t the tug drivers stop in time to avoid that near miss. Mechanics at AA tell me privately that they question whether a 777 loaded with fuel is just too much weight for the tug’s brakes to handle. Others have suggested the brakes didn’t work the way they were designed. We’ll see. The tug involved in the April near miss is now at the manufacturer in Germany for tests. AA, DFW and the FAA are all waiting for the results to decide if hgih speed towing across runways is really a good idea.
Full Text of FAA letter Re: Near Miss at DFW
August 25, 2008 at 11:03 pm | In Uncategorized | Leave a CommentTags: Near Miss DFW American Airlines
Tons of Wasted Water Washes Down the Drain in Plano
August 19, 2008 at 10:26 pm | In Uncategorized | Leave a CommentTags: Water Wasted in Plano
Maybe the City of Plano should write itself a ticket. After summers of preaching water conservation and enforcing water restrictions in dry years, guess who’s been wasting millions of gallons this summer?
The City’s sprinkler system went haywire – when radio signals from a dispatch center upgrade miles away in Desoto wound up on the same frequency as the sprinkler controllers. Apparently those radio waves travel a long way.
Now, during this rainy week, the sprinklers are still pouring water onto the lawn at some Plano parks and city buidlings. Other parks have dead patches of grass where the sprinklers haven’t run much at all. And at another, people told us areas have been flooded much of the summer by sprinklers run amok.
Now, Plano is complaining to the FCC and arguing it needs more time to switch to a new frequency. But at the dispatch center in Desoto, they believe the law is on their side and emergency users get priority on that frequency.
Sounds like the FCC needs to step in, sort this out, and then explain why there wasn’t better communication and regulation before this mess happened.
Just think back two summers ago — when lakes were shrinking and water was being rationed and you remember why water is one thing we can’t afford to waste.
How’s Your Water Pressure?
August 19, 2008 at 12:18 am | In Uncategorized | Leave a CommentTags: Flower Mound Water Pressure Problems
The signs are up in Flower Mound. Big, electronic signs alerting people to the town’s new water restrictions. Tonight we reported the reason behind the restrictions: low water pressure in the western part of the town. It’s worst in the morning when sprinklers and showers are all running at the same time.
I live in Flower Mound, and I gotta admit I missed this one. Haven’t noticed a change in my water at all. But when I started asking around, other people have sure seen a difference. Slow running showers, faucets, and wash machines slow to fill. And, town officials admit they’ve got a problem. They’re adjusting the water flow and looking now at setting up a new pumping station to help.
Maybe it’s my schedule. I’m either up early or late depending on when I’m working – so I’m not always using water at peak times. Or, maybe my street just hasn’t been as bad. I’m hoping it’s one of those things. I don’t want to admit that I might have been missing a story right under my nose!
When you think about it, it’s surprising more local cities aren’t having similar problems right now. Growth, drought, and warm summer weather have all driven up demand. Surely you’ll notice if it happens to you. Just don’t forget to mention it to the reporter on your block, in case he didn’t!
In the meantime, Flower Mound needs a fix. My neighbors are waiting. And they can’t all shower at my house.
Murdered Little League Coach Remembered
August 11, 2008 at 10:23 pm | In Uncategorized | Leave a CommentTags: Paul Bowman Arlington Little Leage Coach Murdered
Sometimes, as a reporter, it’s hard to get kids to talk. When you interview kids you often get barely more than one or two word answers.
That was not the case in Arlington tonight as we talked to the kids who played baseball for Paul Bowman – the Southeast Arlington Little League coach found murdered inside his home on Sunday.
Some of the kids told us Bowman was the nicest coach they ever had. And you could tell they meant it. A neighbor described Bowman as the “salt of the earth” and every other cliche, he said, that you’d use to describe a great neighbor.
The president of the Southeast Arlington Little League told me he really can’t put into words how much Bowman mean to the community and the many kids he coached over the years.
So the question is, why would anyone hurt him? Police say they have a long way to go to answer that question. They’re talking to neighbors and family to start peeling back the layers – to figure out what happened.
In the meantime, the kids are making plans to say goodbye to their coach – starting with a big vigil on a little league field Tuesday night. And from what we saw, these kids will have a lot to say about what their coach meant to them.
American Airlines Big Announcement? Still Waiting.
August 11, 2008 at 10:12 pm | In Uncategorized | Leave a CommentTags: American Airlines British Airways Deal
There was a lot of chatter indicating Monday might be the day that American Airlines would announce its new alliance with British Airways. It didn’t happen. But, it may still come later this week.
Should you care about this, as a traveller? Sir Richard Branson thinks so. In fact, the lack of an announcement from AA, didn’t stop Branson from blasting the deal: http://www.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idUSHO05359220080810
Of course, Branson runs one of AA and BA’s competitors, Virgin Atlantic, so he’s got a big financial stake in what happens. But, his argument is that the deal could turn out to be bad for all of us as travellers.
If AA and BA are allowed to set prices and routes, essentially as one airline, they could further limit competition on routes between London Heathrow (the major gateway to Europe) and the United States. The two airlines combined already control about half of the traffic between Heathrow and the U.S. Branson is now appealing to both of the US presidential candidates, arguing that an AA-BA deal will kill competition and drive up fares.
Over at AA HQ in Ft. Worth today, there was no official response to Branson. After all — this deal isn’t even done. Stay tuned.
Report: AA Charges Soldiers For Extra Bags
August 4, 2008 at 9:22 am | In Uncategorized | 2 CommentsAccording to The El Paso Times, soldiers travelling at El Paso International Airport say American Airlines Charged them as much as $300 for checking several extra bags. The soldiers were reportedly headed for a base where military members prepare for deployment overseas.
Full Story: http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_10044818?source=most_emailed
American Airlines told the paper it does allow soldiers to travel with two checked bags and a carry-on at no cost, and that the two bag allowance has typically covered most military members. Many airlines have implemented additional bag fees for civilian travellers recently, as they try to fight rising oil prices.
A solider interviewed in the story claims other airlines have never questioned him when he’s travelled with extra bags.
So where is the line here? Should airlines be required to take all military baggage – no questions asked? Or, should the military find another way to ship the bags if they exceed the airline’s allowance? Either way, it seems like something needs to be worked out in advance. Soldiers shouldn’t have to hand over their own money at the ticket counter – and then wait to see if they’ll be re-imbursed for carrying the equipment they need.
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