Airports Are Being Stripped of Controversial Scanners

If good things come to those who wait, those of you eagerly anticipating your first ride on the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner can find some consolation in, well, waiting a little longer. The Federal Aviation Administration announced on January 16 that it was grounding the innovative jetliner until an apparent risk of fires caused by its lithium-ion batteries is corrected. The move directly affects United Airlines, which operates six Dreamliners. But the FAA’s decision was mirrored around the globe, including two Japanese airlines voluntarily grounding more than 20 planes. The Dreamliner’s journey from drawing board to runway has been fraught with delays, and this latest setback is especially dramatic because it speaks to the very heart of the jetliner’s promise: Each 787 employs two lithium-ion batteries, which help to make it more fuel-efficient and comfortable than any jet before it. While lithium-ion batteries can be charged more quickly than other airpline batteries, they are known to catch fire; in order for Boeing to include them in the 787, the FAA had to issue a special rule. But when pilots on All Nippon Airways smelled smoke and received automatic warnings of battery problems, they made an emergency landing and the current investigation began. As we’ve reported here, the Dreamliner holds a lot of promise both for passengers and for those who’d like to see eco-friendly planes take to the skies. Its light carbon-fiber construction and extensive use of batteries provide 20 percent better fuel efficiency; windows are 30 percent bigger than on any other commercial jets and employ electronic dimming instead of shades; cabin air is cleaner, lower pressure, and more humid; and storage bins and armrests are significantly bigger. TALK TO US! Have you already taken a ride on the Dreamliner/ What did you think? Will this current setback affect your future travel plans once the 787 is back in the air?

What made Apple realize its mapping technology was failing miserably? Maybe it was when folks started pointing out that its maps were missing entire cities. Maybe it was when they realized that they were duplicating islands in the South Pacific. Then there was that farm in Ireland that was listed as an airport (oops—glad the Irish government caught that error before the pilots figured it out the hard way!). More recently, they've been leading people astray in the Australian desert. No wonder Apple CEO Tim Cook issued a public apology—his company released a product that not only annoyed, but actually endangered (and in some cases offended) millions of people. To be fair, it has also provided a great deal of comedic value (the Huffington Post did a nice job of rounding up their more entertaining mistakes).  In any case, all of this is a long way of saying that Apple did the world a huge favor yesterday by releasing Google Maps new app for the iPhone in its app store. The free app is even better than the one that was originally installed on the iPhone. It includes turn by turn directions, three-dimensional views, public transit directions and listings for 80 million businesses around the world. The one perk that users will only find on Android platforms are directions inside buildings such as malls. I'm not the only one who is thrilled to see Google Maps return to the iPhone. The new app is so popular that within just a few hours of being released it had received 10,000 reviews, 90 percent of which gave the product the highest rating possible—five stars. Three cheers for two tech companies that were able to set aside their differences long enough to give the people a mapping product that works. Now, if only some of the other powers-that-be could follow suit...

Labor strikes can wreak havoc on travel, delaying and cancelling flights and ever rerouting cruise ships. But sometimes it's not a work stoppage that disrupts service. Flight attendants for Cathay Pacific, unhappy about a smaller-than-expected pay raise, are planning a smile stoppage during the holidays. According to an article on Business Insider, they will also refuse to serve alcohol and even meals. The union general secretary, Tsang Kwok-fung, said "In a nutshell it means passengers will still be able to reach their destinations except they are paying a five-star price to get a three-star service." There may still be delays, though. Flight crews are also involved in the dispute and could contribute by following all safety precautions to the letter of the law. "We will follow the rules strictly, such as offloading oversize luggage, that could cause a slowdown or even delay of flights," union secretary general Tsang said. What do you think of these tactics? Do they send a message to the bosses without cancelling flights, or does service without a smile make that much of a difference?

Good news for those of you who’ve considered driving into Mexico from San Diego but were put off by reports of massive traffic jams and two-hour delays at the border crossing. On November 1, a new $76.4-million upgrade of the highway rerouted tens of thousands of vehicles, reducing wait times and traffic, and allowing for better inspection for cross-border no-no’s such as weapons and illegal drugs. While a U.S.-funded upgrade has also been planned, which would redirect Mexico-bound drivers on Interstate 5 via a long, soft turn, Congress has not yet funded the project. Consequently, Mexico proceeded with its own plan, which allows Tijuana-bound drivers to make a hard right toward border-inspection booths. With an estimated 35,000 motorists crossing the California-Mexico border at San Ysidro every day, the new route side-steps what some have termed “Carmageddon.” Drivers from San Diego can visit bustling (well, that’s the polite word) Tijuana or hit Highway 1 and head for Baja destinations farther south, such as the breathtaking beach town of Ensenada, 78 miles south of the border, or, for the hardcore driver, La Paz and the resort towns of Todos Santos and Cabo San Lucas at the bottom of the 1,000-plus-mile-long peninsula. But if you want to drive in Mexico, the city of San Diego and the U.S. State Department share some important safety tips: •U.S. citizens require a valid passport to cross the U.S.-Mexico border. •Purchase Mexican auto insurance, but do it on the U.S. side of the border. (To learn more, visit the Automobile Club of Southern California) •Pets are allowed to cross into Mexico as long as you have proof of a rabies shot within the past six months. •Americans in Mexico are subject to Mexican law, and may not have the same rights and privileges they do on U.S. soil. If you need legal help, contact the nearest U.S. consulate (the one in Tijuana can be reached at 01/664-977-2000). •If you’re expecting a party south of the border, know that drinking in public places is illegal. •Exercise caution when visiting Baja, especially at night. The U.S. State Department reports that armed drug traffickers can pose a serious threat to visitors. Your best bet for safety is to limit travel to major resort areas, such as Todos Santos and Cabo San Lucas.