Alaska Airlines, still up in the air over the feats of its Olympic favorite, speed skater Apolo Ohno, now proudly announces its partnership with WiFi.
In other words, Alaska plans to offer Aircell’s Gogo on all its aircraft – so you can get online as you fly. They’ll charge $4.95 and up, depending on the length of the flight (no info on when it’ll start, just “soon”).
Meanwhile, the athlete that Alaska sponsors – the fleet-of-skate Mr. Ohno – can be seen lunging across the ice again in Vancouver, tomorrow night.
Odd story out of Canada:
Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney was sitting in row 15 of an Air Canada flight in Vancouver yesterday, presumably minding his own business when he was suddenly physically threatened by “a violent passenger”.
It seems the man suddenly dropped his seat back into Romney’s lap, and the 62-year old Republican reminded him that he had to raise it for take-off. That’s when the fellow is reported to have taken a swing at Romney, who did not respond but let the crew handle it.
No one was injured and once the suspect was arrested, the flight got underway.
Romney, you may recall, was CEO of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake and was in Vancouver as a VIP guest of the current games.
Question: Why the heck was Romney, said to be worth in the neighborhood of $250 million – sitting in coach?
Here’s your feel-good story of the day (tongue firmly adhered to cheek):
United pilots who fly during the Super Bowl traditionally get updates on the scores (it’s for the passengers, okay?) – but that didn’t happen during the exciting Saints-Colts game.
It seems there was some sort of “misunderstanding” at United’s control center (according the Chicago Tribune); apparently the dispatchers there were told not to watch the game, and (sheer speculation here) maybe if they couldn’t watch, nobody could. In any event, they would not provide score updates to United pilots who called in, nor would they give out radio station frequencies.
But the Super Bowl is special – it brings people together, even up in the air – and an American Airlines pilot who was on the same radio frequency as his United counterpart, graciously provided updates. Happy ending.
A United flight that was supposed to leave New Orleans for Los Angeles last night, never got off the ground, and the reasons have to do with the Saints’ Super Bowl win and the inevitable parade which also took place yesterday.
According to the airlines (and a report by WWL-TV), the pilots were late for this flight by more than two hours because their van driver inexplicably drove them into heavy parade traffic; at one point, the pilots even got out and walked.
Then when they arrived at the plane, some passengers thought they might be tipsy. A “stern” United spokesperson denied the allegations, saying law enforcement on the scene found no merit to them (they’d been called by concerned passengers). NOTE: I imagine no one would look their best after wading through hordes of victory-crazed football fans.
So why didn’t the plane fly? United said the crew waiting for the pilots had been on the clock too long and had to go off duty – but a passenger reportedly claimed the pilot didn’t like the “drunk” accusations and said, “We’re done…we’re not flying.”
The passengers are scheduled for a flight to LAX this afternoon.
For the most part, pilots and flight attendants who are fans of the New Orleans Saints do what most of us who have to work on Super Bowl Sunday do – they swapped shifts so they could get off work (I’m sure Colts fans did likewise).
Southwest flight attendant Julie Robinson got someone to cover for her, according to the Times-Picayune – then flew from her home in Chicago to join the party in New Orleans.
If she’d been working? She’d go to the cockpit. Sometimes pilots will request scores from air traffic control (said Robinson, “We say it’s for the passengers, but it might really be for us”).
In case you think air traffic controllers are having one big party on Super Bowl Sunday, no, they are not; in fact, the rules say no television, radio, the Internet or mobile phones allowed. However, they do get breaks, and there is usually a TV in a break room, and somebody will pop in during a quiet period to update the working controllers – and, the pilots and crew.
Meanwhile, sorry Colts fans – and congratulations to the Saints. And our best to YouTube sensation, the “Who Dat” dog – who really came through for his team.
If you want to taste the true regional cuisine of your Super Bowl favorite (with special team touches) – you have to go to the source.
Feeling lucky? Maybe you can still score a cheap deal to these home team towns (but the great food is there year-round). Check out our real-time Where-to-Go Getaway Maps (with prices) today, and see flights to these great destinations. Now for the dining specials:
Indianapolis:
A2Z Cafe: Try the blue pancakes; they’ve been serving them every weekend here as a good luck charm for the Colts.
Claus’ German Sausage and Meats: Try the “blue bratwurst”. $4.55 per pound. Yes, blue brats.
New Orleans:
Gambino’s Bakery: Try the Saints King Cake with black and gold icing ($33.50) or the Saints Helmet cake ($95, feeds 30).
Cammander’s Palace: Now you know this game is serious; on Super Bowl Sunday, the Palace will be closed.
Palm Beach:
The Breakers: Try the Black and Blue Burger ($18), or the Crispy “Colt” Wings ($14), in the Seafood Bar.
If you’ll be jetting in for Super Bowl XLIV in Miami on Feb. 7, better get there before the FAA establishes its 10 mile Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) around the Sun Life Stadium*.
This will be in effect from approximately 4pm until midnight EST (depending on when the Colts and Saints quit pummeling each other).
In case you’re keeping score of the aircraft, the FAA figures between Jan.22 and Feb. 8, there will be as many as 700 extra general aviation flights (for Super Bowl prep, the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl Sunday).
*Stadium: I know, I know – the proper name is Sun Life Stadium (or it has been since Jan. 18 – let me know if it’s changed) but the FAA in its wisdom called it “Dolphin Stadium” in its press release. Fans will recall that was its name from 2006-2009 and for a brief time this year (in 2005 it was known as Dolphins Stadium. And who can forget Joe Robbie?
FareCompare – we help you find the best deals ever – plus, SportsTalk!
Great news for you college football fanatics (and those that love them) – our new Bowl Game Flight Finder.
Want to see Ohio State face-off against Oregon in the Rose Bowl? We’ve got it covered with the best deals to Los Angeles – in fact, our Bowl Game Flight Finder features all the “bowl cities” – from your home airport!
Now the bad news is, when it comes to game tickets, you’re on your own. I notice that the official Tournament of Roses/Ticketmaster site seems to have nothing left – though I also notice one ticket broker has some seats in the end zone for about $300 apiece.
But sometimes, just being in the same city as your favorite team – say, in a cheery, uproarious sports bar – can be almost as good.
