Coffee, Tea or Johnnie Walker Red Label?

Airlines have not had an easy time of it since 2001, and everyone understands their efforts to stay afloat (aloft, actually). When fuel costs spiralled out of control, first came fuel supplements and higher prices. Then came checked baggage fees, which I've blogged my disapproval of previously. When will it end? Don't get your hopes up...it doesn't sound like it's any time soon. In fact, flight attendants for Spirit Airlines are unhappy with their new uniform design, which is being echoed by The Association Of Flight Attendants. As part of their new uniforms, they are being asked to serve wearing aprons that clearly and openly display brand names and logos for alcoholic beverage companies. The complaint says the uniforms send the wrong signal to passengers, make it harder for flight attendants to enforce alcohol intake and safety regulations. Deborah Crowley, president of Spirit's flight attendants' union chapter, said in a statement the airline is "turning flight attendants into walking billboards, which is unacceptable." You can just about see it now, can't you? Airplanes are soon going to be stickered to look like NASCAR racers:

This overhead bin is brought to you by T.G.I.Fridays, Pennzoil, Mattel, Glaxo-Smith-Kline and McDonald's.

Neither/Nor-o. Everyone has heard about the Norovirus, which is the nasty little strain of bug that seems to hit groups of people in an enclosed area (long plane flights, hotels, cruise ships, schools, etc). But it seems the public education programs may be paying off, telling people how the illness is spread and how to AVOID infection, by being careful and always washing your hands before every meal. Like your Mom told you to do! The CDC reports that in 2006, there were 34 confirmed Norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships. Then in 2007, the number dropped to 21. The figures for 2008 are in, and the reduction continues, with only 15 posted. Being humans, and in many cases humans that drink while on vacation, the likelihood is we'll never see a complete drop to zero of Norovirus cases. But it's promising to see people actually appear to have listened and learned. Good humans! You get a tasty people-treat, but WASH YOUR HANDS first!

You've heard the phrase "brotherly love?" A Michigan man may have taken it to the extreme. Authorities say a 24-year-old man broke into a gas station, then called 911 to report himself, claiming he wanted to go to jail so he could be with his incarcerated brother. St. Clair County Sheriff Tim Donnellon tells the Port Huron Times Herald that deputies were happy to oblige, arresting the man early Tuesday. Authorities say the call came in about 4:30 am, from inside a gas station in Capac, a village northeast of Detroit, and he made no attempt to resist the attending patrolmen. The man's name wasn't released, pending his arraignment later today.
Maybe it was to save other family members (the few who are not in the slammer) from complete embarrassment...

Man. Talk about not adhering to the spirit-of-the-moment! An Ohio firefighter has been given a six-month suspension from his role in an "incident" during President Obama's Inauguration. Video clearly shows Drum Major John Coleman giving a nod and a fleeting wave to the new President, as the Cleveland Firefighter's Memorial Pipes & Drums marched past the podium. Band leader Pipe-Major Mike Engle, said the firefighter from Cleveland Heights violated the proper decorum required in a military parade. He said all members were warned in advance, not to make such gestures during the parade. Coleman says Obama smiled and waved, and that he was just acknowledging the president. Message to Pipe-Major Mike Engle: Other than to the members of your little troupe, this seems like a horrific power-play on your part. If you want to make the man clean the bathrooms, so be it. But a 6-month suspension? Insane.