It’s all garbage politics, garbage policies or just garbage this week. Seems like the Icarus nominees still haven’t learned how to follow the rules and clean up after themselves. See where debris is being scattered in Lily J. Kosner’s round up of all that’s dirty in this week’s travel news.
A Pointed Perk
Business travelers flying from Amsterdam to the United States on Delta found an unexpected surprise in their complimentary sandwich: a sewing needle. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is now looking into needles that were found in six sandwiches on four Delta flights catered by Gate Gourmet. Both Delta and Gate Gourmet have issued statements indicating that they are conducting investigations. One of the passengers, who was served a sharp sandwiches, is now on Truvada, a drug used for HIV prevention.
Faulty Fishers
You might think the Hawaii coastline is know for its crystal-clear blue water, but the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration spent the week hauling 50 metric tons of debris off the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. This year half of the debris was fishing gear and lose plastic, which poses a danger to sea turtles and other marine creatures. Interestingly, debris from the Japan tsunami was not found.
Merry Miniskirts
When you think Lady’s Night, you probably aren’t imagining a Chinese theme park. The Merryland Resort, outside Guilin, China is stirring up a lot of international attention for the “Love Miniskirts” promotion that allows female in skirts under 38 centimeters discounted admission. The promotion is an annual event that started in 2007, but it every year it is criticized for encouraging lewd and vulgar behavior.
No Love at Love Field
Last year the Texas government was infamous in their stand against the TSA, but now agents at Dallas Love-Field are in the hot seat. Earlier this week, John Deaton spoke out after agents mishandled his wife, Melinda Deaton, who has a 4-inch feeding tube coming from her stomach. The Deatons were prepared to handle the security hassles of the tube, a complication of gastric bypass surgery. Melinda Deaton was traveling with a medical bracelet with a USB drive that explained the situation. Instead of just a pat down, the agents strip searched and swabbed the tube, endangering Deaton’s health. The Deatons were allowed to proceed to their flight, but have issued a complaint about their treatment. In a statement the TSA noted that touching medical devices were not supposed to happen.
Laser on the Loose
Another handheld laser was on the lose this week in New York’s John F. Kennedy airport. This marks the 47th incident of laser pointers being pointed at planes for just the New York area this year. According to the New York Post, 3,576 aircrafts were lasered in 2011, 141 of those in New York area. The most recent incident, endangered 84 passengers on Jet Blue Flight 657 flying from Syracuse to JFK and sent the pilot to Jamaica Hospital with temporary blindness. His colleague was able to take over and land the plane safely. The FBI is now investigating.
New Born Carry On won last week’s Icarus Award. See all the winners and losers in the Icarus Award archives.
[polldaddy poll=”6404939″]
By Lily J. Kosner for PeterGreenberg.com
Related links: Reuters, Yahoo, Telegraph, New York Post, MSNBC
