Day: August 20, 2008

Reason #49,367 to not travel to the US anymore

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TSA Snafu Damages Nine Planes at O’Hare Field – Pilots Furious with Misstep

Nine American Eagle airplanes were grounded Tuesday after a TSA inspector, conducting an overnight security check, used sensitive instrument probes to climb onto the parked aircraft at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. A TSA official confirmed the incident.

The TSA agent, as part of spot inspection of aircraft security, climbed onto the parked aircraft using control sensors mounted on the fuselage as handholds, according to a TSA official.

“Our inspector was following routine procedure for securing the aircraft that were on the tarmac,” said the official. The TSA agent was attempting to determine if someone could break into a parked aircraft, according to the agent.

Pilots were furious at the TSA misstep.

“The brilliant employees used an instrument located just below the cockpit window that is critical to the operation of the onboard computers,” one pilot wrote on an American Eagle internet forum. “They decided this instrument, the TAT probe, would be adequate to use as a ladder,” the pilot wrote.

Another pilot wrote the TSA agents, “are now doing things to our aircraft that may put our lives, and the lives of our passengers at risk.”

The TSA has been conducting such overnight spot checks at airports around the country.

Source: ABC

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HUPO 2008 – Day 3

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I had really weird dreams last night. I don’t really remember them, but I do recall that they were weird.

I woke up to the usual noise. The Dutch builders are very punctual and assiduous in their work ethic.

I checked out of my hotel and brought alll my bags to the conference center. My tram was delayed on the way so I missed the opening keynote. Le poo. The auditorium is… huge! Having said that, I can happily report that my talk went very well. I didn’t swear or say anything inappropriate (always a fear). I don’t remember anything of what I said – that tends to happen a lot when I give a talk in public – but the feeling I have and the confirmation from my colleagues is that I came across very well. I always think that I talk too quickly, but at least it comes across clearly so I can live with that.

I managed to find a chhicken salad that didn’t look like it would kill me (and as I’m writing this now, it would seem that it won’t) and it was actually rather tasty.

The plan now is to hang around here until 4:30, when we’re scheduled to break down the stand and pack everything up. I’ll accompany the other people that are also leaving tonight and we’re taking a cab to the airport. The flight is scheduled for 9:30 local (and we land at 9:35 BST, imagine that!) so we’ll probably eat and shop a bit at the airport. If all goes well, I should be home by 10:30.

That last thought makes me happy.

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HUPO 2008 – Day 2 (addendum)

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My plans were thwarted when I arrived to find the bagel place closed. Shops close very early in Amsterdam, apparently. This did not make me happy, as I now had to go scavenge for food. I came across a deli that looked promising, but the only meat that seemed Richard-friendly at first glance had a mixed spice rub so I didn’t really want to chance it. Luckily, I have noticed three things about the Dutch.

They love bicycles.

They love to smoke (everything!).

They love steak.

Never in any country – including the US of A – have I seen a higher concentration of Argentinian steakhouses. I counted 4 visible from a single intersection – two being of the same chain and across the street from one another. So I didn’t starve, but my diet is still shit for this trip. I would have much preferred the bagel, but what can you do.

I did manage to make it back to my hotel at a decent time and the rest of my evening pretty much went according to plan.

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