Virgin Likes It On Top

According to Conde Naste Traveler's latest survey, the #1 airline in the USA is: Virgin America. Yes, that's the recent stepchild of Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic, and from the survey results people still enjoy cleanliness and service when flying. You didn't get cleanliness and service on your last flight around the US? Well, maybe happy days are coming - if the competition cares to compete with up-and-coming Virgin America. Second on the list was Jet Blue, followed by a list of lesser-knowns and mostly regional carriers. Of the largest airlines, only Continental and Alaska Air made the cut. Notably absent were American, Delta (including new acquisition Northwest), Southwest and USAirways. Let's hope Sir Richard's influence will be felt among the masses, somewhere down the road.

Last Thursday, passengers aboard the Caribbean Princess were getting off the ship in Bar Harbor ME, enjoying the sights and sounds and fall foliage colors. They were a little surprised to see a fellow passenger removed from the ship, and led away in handcuffs. 57-year old Saul Canizales-Osuna, listed as being from Albuquerque NM, apparently has a slightly more checkered past than his shipmates thought. It was discovered that Mr. C-O is an illegal immigrant from Mexico, who had previously been deported in 1998 after a conviction for assault with a firearm, with instructions to never return to the US. As it turns out, he re-crossed within days using an old "Green Card", and established himself in New Mexico, before thinking recently that he might enjoy a Canada/New England cruise. For any of you who have cruised over the last couple of years, you know the rules are much tighter now. Cruise lines are requiring legal names, birthdates and other background information in conjunction with the Department Of Homeland Security directives, for exactly these reasons. Mr. C-O is not the first person caught, either. There have been "deadbeat dads", people with outstanding arrest warrants, and others who have found themselves in the newly-developed safety net. Of course the larger intent is to recognize and intercept any potential terrorists, but the new regulations have had a trickle-down effect of locating other undesirables as well. I'm sure his dining table-mates had plenty to talk about the rest of the cruise.

Among the losers in the recent housing crash was "The Shire" in Bend, Ore., which was to be a village of 31 homes in the style of those in the Lord of the Rings series. Acccording to a report in the Bend Bulletin, the homes were to be built of "unique stonework, artificial thatched roofs, terraces, gardens, and a network of streams and ponds with a pathway to a Ring Bearer's Court." Developer Ron Meyers said he hopes that new ownership will respect his fantasy-based concept, and help complete his dream. Precious, to say the least....