The Friedman Files

Interesting story in the NY Times today. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/10/business/10lines.html?_r=1&ref=travel&oref=slogin

Apparently most of us think we’re “experts” when it comes to travelling.  Or we’re too cool to admit we don’t understand all of the TSA’s ever-changing rules.

The TSA set up an experiment at Love Field and several other airports across the country to speed up security lines.  They put up signs dividing the lines by level of travel experience.  It turns out most people pick the “expert traveller” line.  In some cases that’s slowing down the lines when people who thought they were experts get busted for having that shampoo bottle that’s one ounce over the limit – or forget to take the two last dimes out of their pockets.  

Maybe just letting people pick a line by length isn’t such a bad idea after all?

American Airlines has pulled back it’s latest $20 per ticket price increase.  That’s according to the fare watchers at FareCompare.com.  They have technology that allows them to see fare changes before they hit consumers.

Continental and Delta have also rolled back their latest increases.  Makes you wonder if demand for air travel is starting to slow down because of rising prices.  Most fare increases this year have stuck, this one did not.

United Airlines is already attempting another $20 increase.  But, Farecompare.com points out this time United is being careful not to apply that increase to markets where they compete with discount airlines like Southwest.

The next time someone breaks into your car — you’ll probably remember this case and ask police for the same kind of special treatment.

Investigators with the Lewisville P.D. have cracked a burglarly case using DNA evidence.  They typically don’t run DNA testing in theft cases because of the expense and the small likelihood that they’ll actually find a match.

But, after 12 boats were burglarized at a boat dealer along I-35, police found blood on some of the boats.  They ran it and matched it to a guy who’s previously spent time in Texas prison.  They now have a warrant for his arrest.

The news brings big cheers from boat dealers along I-35 near Lake Lewisville – where they’ve spent years dealing with people breaking into fancy boats and stealing stereos and TV’s. 

But don’t expect the same treatment the next time someone takes your car stereo — police insist they did the DNA testing only because of the large number of thefts.  A case that would make those T.V. crime scene technicians proud.   

I lived in London for about 6 months when I was in college, and I have to admit I enjoyed an occasional Foster’s Lager on the London Underground. 

I always thought it was a little odd that the local laws allowed drinking on subway trains.  But, as a college kid out for the night with friends we took advantage, sometimes sharing the first or last beer of the night on the way to or from our evening destination. 

That tradition is no more.  London’s new mayor banned drinking on the Tube as part of a crackdown on lager louts in the British capital.  So London said goodbye in out-of-control style.  Here’s a BBC video of what happened as booze toting Brits celebrated their last alcohol infused night on the trains:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/7429638.stm

The video also brings back some not-so-fond memories of a few Saturday afternoons riding with a train load of soccer fans – singing their team songs while they downed emormous cans of beer.  Ah…the good old days.