Oh my god. Well if it wasn't obvious before, it is now: airline/airport flashmobs are the new black.
Latest on the travel flashmob trend is Delta, who just barely released a 5-minute dance, incorporating flight crew and operations peeps from ATL, JFK, DTW and TOC (Technical Operations Center).
It starts off corny, but stay with it. It gets...cornier, but omg do we want to hug everyone involved. See the full video:]]>
We really don't want to be those travel bloggers. The ones who reflexively complain about everything TSA does just because it's really easy to pick on TSA. We try to be fair about moron passengers, we take pains to explain why TSA agents sometimes have to conduct intrusive inspections, and we give the agency credit when they improve their security protocols.
But the more we read about TSA's shift to Israel-style airport security inspections—which are now being called "chat-downs" by journalists and politicians, because naming things is fun—the more worried we get. This is the agency's new SPOT program, where agents ask you personal questions while you wait in line, and then they try to read your body language to determine whether you're making things up. We haven't quite figured out what's wrong but we're pretty sure we don't like it.]]>
TSA has been a veritable mad scientist's laboratory of experiments lately, all aimed—depending on how cynical you are—either at improving security, getting the public to stop whining about intrusive security measures, or some combination of the two (hint: it's some combination of the two).
They're going out of their way not to pat down babies, they're launching Israeli-style security screenings, they're rolling out gingerbread man scanners, and now they're launching a new program to speed frequent fliers through security. Ambitious!
The new program, dubbed PreCheck, is in its pilot phase at ATL, MIA, DFW, and DTW. Selected frequent fliers who shared their information with TSA before they arrived at the airport are being offered—in exchange—a line that allows them get through screening much more quickly. It's kind of "basic trade-off," as the Associated Press writeup so eloquently puts it. ]]>
To celebrate the arrival of Avión Tequila at Delta SkyClub airport lounges, Delta and Avión have been hosting happy hour shindigs from 5pm to 7pm on Thursdays. We just happened to be in the neighborhood last week, and we’re already looking forward to another layover filled with agave spirits.
While killing some time in Atlanta we made our way to the SkyClub in the center of Concourse A near the Chili’s—after stopping at Chick-fil-A obviously. We got there a little early and warmed up with a glass of Sweetwater Pale Ale and waited for 5pm to arrive. ]]>
If you’re looking for something to do between flights—and you always travel with your clubs—there might be a place convenient to both the fairways and the runways. Check out our picks for some of the best golf courses that are like only 10 miles from the airport or less:
· Colwood National Golf Club - PDX
There’s four courses that are within a short cab ride from Portland International Airport, but the easiest to access is Colwood National Golf Club. It’s so close to the airport—as well as the Air National Guard Station—that there are places where you can see the planes taxi and take off.
It’s a full 18-hole course, and this summer playing all the holes will set you back around $30. There are a lot of red-eye flights out of PDX back to the east coast—and beyond—so we recommend hitting up one of their twilight specials before heading to the airport. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays it's just $9 to play 8-holes as long as you begin after 3:00pm. ]]>
Remember Northwest Airlines? Of course you do, as they haven’t been gone too long. Although to some it must seem like they’ve been gone forever, as plenty of old Northwest Airlines stuff is starting to draw quite the crowd from airline collectors.
Delta's museum is looking for some donations of old airline memorabilia, and of course it would be great if you wanted to give away some stuff for free. However, if you’re hoping to raise some funds for your next trip on the new Northwest—we’re talking about Delta—then you might as well turn to eBay. There’s all kinds of junk up for sale on the auction website, and the red-and-gray NWA bits are starting to fetch a pretty penny. ]]>
Being stuck at the airport on St. Patrick’s Day is definitely not the best way to celebrate the holiday. However, we’re pretty sure you can find some fellow travelers eager to toast to the Irish this week at airports across the globe. So pull up a stool, belly up to the bar, and order a pint of Guinness at one of our picks for the five best airport bars to celebrate all things green:: · Corcoran's Irish Pub at LAS
Lady Luck meets the Luck o’ The Irish at Las Vegas-McCarran Airport in Las Vegas. You’ll need to take a break from the terminal slot machines—like you have any money leftover anyway—to check out Corcoran's Irish Pub between gates C1 and C2. Expect the usual not-that-authentic recreation of a neighborhood pub, but that’s exactly what we want to experience this Thursday. Just take it easy with those Irish Car Bomb shots, as you don’t want to be turned away before boarding.
· Fionn MacCool’s at YYZ
Canada’s largest airport Toronto-Pearson will be celebrating the season this week with their version of an Irish Pub right within Terminal 3. The place has only been around for a year or so, but they promise to fill you up with both Irish inspired food and beverage. Get something to go along with your liquid lunch like a Guinness Steak and Mushroom Crock, but we’re sure they have a burger if you’re not that into the Irish food offerings this week. ]]>