A Southwest flight crew booted a "cranky-2-year-old" off an Amarillo, Texas-to-San Jose, Calif., flight because the boy "was acting too much his age," The Associated Press reports. AP writes "Pamela Root says she was confident her son Adam's screams of 'Go! Plane! Go!' and 'I want Daddy!' would subside once they took off Monday. Instead, she says the plane returned to the gate in Amarillo, Texas, and the pair was escorted off."
The San Jose Mercury News, which appears to have broken the story, writes "with her luggage heading back home without her, Root was stuck in Amarillo, Texas, and forced to buy a portable crib and diapers and stay another night with her parents. Still fuming, she wants Southwest to apologize and compensate her for the flight and things she bought. Adam's father, Mike Root, a software engineer at Symantec, who was waiting for them in San Jose, is also livid."
Spokeswoman Marilee McInnis tells the Mercury News it's "very rare'' to ask someone to get off flight, adding that it’s especially "unusual" to remove a crying child. The paper says Southwest is investigating the incident "at the request of the Mercury News."
Friday, October 30, 2009
For Those of You That Remember This Incident
Northwest Airlines wins ruling over McCarran accident
By Cy Ryan (contact)
Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009 | 5:29 p.m.
CARSON CITY -- A federal appeals court has ruled that Northwest Airlines has the right to continue its pursuit to recover $10.6 million for damage to one of its plane that rolled down an embankment at McCarran International Airport in February 2002.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the decision of Federal Judge Philip Pro that held Westchester Fire Insurance Company was shielded from continuing its claim.
Northwest Airlines contracted with Phil Mendez, who operated an aircraft maintenance business at the airport. An employee of Mendez was in the cockpit when the plane went down the embankment.
Mendez was insured by a policy issued by Westchester. But he never followed the provision that he must promptly notify the company of an accident or claim. Northwest, after more than a year’s delay, filed suit in Minnesota against Mendez and notified Westchester, which was the first time the insurance company knew about the accident.
Northwest obtained a default judgment against Mendez in Minnesota state court for $10.6 million in January 2005. Ten months later, an attorney for Mendez demanded Westchester provide a defense. The company had canceled the policy before that.
Westchester then filed suit in federal court in Las Vegas saying it had no duty to defend Mendez or pay for the damages to the airplane because Mendez violated the terms of the insurance policy.
Northwest Airlines intervened in the Westchester suit. The insurance company couldn't find Mendez to serve him with papers to appear for a deposition.
Judge Pro granted a default judgment against Mendez for failure to respond to the Westchester suit. The default judgment was also entered against Northwest Airlines, preventing it from pursuing its claim against the insurance company.
The appeals court, in a decision written by Circuit Judge Richard Clifton, said “A default entered against an insured policyholder, Mendez, should not prevent an injured third party, in this instance Northwest, from proceeding on its own behalf.”
Clifton said Judge Pro “should not have entered a default judgment in the action against all defendants based on Mendez’s failure to appear for a deposition.”
The appeals court said it is not making any decision whether Westchester has to pay the claim of Northwest. That will be up to the federal court in Las Vegas.
Mendez maintains the Federal Aviation Agency has absolved him of any liability but he has not produced the documents.
By Cy Ryan (contact)
Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009 | 5:29 p.m.
CARSON CITY -- A federal appeals court has ruled that Northwest Airlines has the right to continue its pursuit to recover $10.6 million for damage to one of its plane that rolled down an embankment at McCarran International Airport in February 2002.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the decision of Federal Judge Philip Pro that held Westchester Fire Insurance Company was shielded from continuing its claim.
Northwest Airlines contracted with Phil Mendez, who operated an aircraft maintenance business at the airport. An employee of Mendez was in the cockpit when the plane went down the embankment.
Mendez was insured by a policy issued by Westchester. But he never followed the provision that he must promptly notify the company of an accident or claim. Northwest, after more than a year’s delay, filed suit in Minnesota against Mendez and notified Westchester, which was the first time the insurance company knew about the accident.
Northwest obtained a default judgment against Mendez in Minnesota state court for $10.6 million in January 2005. Ten months later, an attorney for Mendez demanded Westchester provide a defense. The company had canceled the policy before that.
Westchester then filed suit in federal court in Las Vegas saying it had no duty to defend Mendez or pay for the damages to the airplane because Mendez violated the terms of the insurance policy.
Northwest Airlines intervened in the Westchester suit. The insurance company couldn't find Mendez to serve him with papers to appear for a deposition.
Judge Pro granted a default judgment against Mendez for failure to respond to the Westchester suit. The default judgment was also entered against Northwest Airlines, preventing it from pursuing its claim against the insurance company.
The appeals court, in a decision written by Circuit Judge Richard Clifton, said “A default entered against an insured policyholder, Mendez, should not prevent an injured third party, in this instance Northwest, from proceeding on its own behalf.”
Clifton said Judge Pro “should not have entered a default judgment in the action against all defendants based on Mendez’s failure to appear for a deposition.”
The appeals court said it is not making any decision whether Westchester has to pay the claim of Northwest. That will be up to the federal court in Las Vegas.
Mendez maintains the Federal Aviation Agency has absolved him of any liability but he has not produced the documents.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Quite Possibly the Best Thing I've Ever Posted.
Dear Mr. 8C:
I'm sorry your Silver Elite status on Northwest Airlines didn't qualify you for a first-class upgrade on your recent flight from New York to Minneapolis. All of us, your fellow passengers, shared in the incredulity you expressed so vocally to the gate agent when informed that you would be flying coach.
The subsequent announcement that our departure would be delayed clearly inconvenienced you alone. Your expletive-laden denouncement of the airlines, while unsettling to many of those standing near to you, was an opinion that you obviously deemed necessary to share with all within earshot. It is shocking that the airlines would let a little thing like a mechanical problem with the plane interfere with your very important schedule. Trust me, we all heard you when you said how (expletive omitted) upset you were.
While being a requirement for all of us, your fellow passengers, I understand that the size of carry-on luggage is only a suggestion for you. No, I can't believe the "gall" of the flight attendant who told you that your suitcase would need to be tagged and put in the cargo hold because it was too large to fit in the overhead compartment or underneath the seat in front of you. Of course, it's not your fault that the flight will now be further delayed so the ground crew can stow your oversized suitcase.
By the way, it sounds like your wife or girlfriend or whoever it was you were talking to so loudly on your cell phone really doesn't appreciate you. It seems like the least she could do is to go to the grocery store, get what you want for dinner and pick you up at the airport. After all, no one can seriously think that you will pay five (expletive omitted) dollars for a snack pack in coach.
I'm sure it's hard for you to hear your wife or girlfriend or whoever it was you were talking to when the announcement is made to turn off all electronic devices for takeoff. And, who does the flight attendant think she is to come over and insist that you turn your cell phone off so the flight can depart? Doesn't she know that the rules don't apply to you?
Yes, I know that you would have gotten drunk if the beers were free, but I'm glad that you didn't. Having followed you in line for the lavatory, I clearly see you're one of those men who can't be bothered to lift the toilet seat. You're right. That sticker on the mirror in the lavatory asking passengers to be courteous and clean up after themselves is a "real farce." It's just those flight attendants being too lazy to do their jobs.
None of us in our section of the plane can believe, once we have landed and you are immediately back to talking on your cell phone, that your wife or girlfriend or whoever it was, hadn't even left the house yet, let alone gone grocery shopping for you. Although we all know that you will have to wait for your suitcase in baggage claim and that your ride is going to be late in arriving, it's clear why you need to position yourself in the aisle to better elbow your way to being one of the first people off the plane. Why should you be delayed by anyone sitting in front of you or by someone who just might need a few seconds to collect their things?
I agree with your parting comment that "air travel just ain't what it (expletive omitted) used to be." Though, like your behavior throughout the flight, you are oblivious as to why I agree with you.
Kevin Winge is the executive director of Open Arms of Minnesota, a nonprofit organization that provides nutritious meals to people living with diseases. He wrote this for the Star Tribune's Your Voices blog: startribune.com/yourvoices.
I'm sorry your Silver Elite status on Northwest Airlines didn't qualify you for a first-class upgrade on your recent flight from New York to Minneapolis. All of us, your fellow passengers, shared in the incredulity you expressed so vocally to the gate agent when informed that you would be flying coach.
The subsequent announcement that our departure would be delayed clearly inconvenienced you alone. Your expletive-laden denouncement of the airlines, while unsettling to many of those standing near to you, was an opinion that you obviously deemed necessary to share with all within earshot. It is shocking that the airlines would let a little thing like a mechanical problem with the plane interfere with your very important schedule. Trust me, we all heard you when you said how (expletive omitted) upset you were.
While being a requirement for all of us, your fellow passengers, I understand that the size of carry-on luggage is only a suggestion for you. No, I can't believe the "gall" of the flight attendant who told you that your suitcase would need to be tagged and put in the cargo hold because it was too large to fit in the overhead compartment or underneath the seat in front of you. Of course, it's not your fault that the flight will now be further delayed so the ground crew can stow your oversized suitcase.
By the way, it sounds like your wife or girlfriend or whoever it was you were talking to so loudly on your cell phone really doesn't appreciate you. It seems like the least she could do is to go to the grocery store, get what you want for dinner and pick you up at the airport. After all, no one can seriously think that you will pay five (expletive omitted) dollars for a snack pack in coach.
I'm sure it's hard for you to hear your wife or girlfriend or whoever it was you were talking to when the announcement is made to turn off all electronic devices for takeoff. And, who does the flight attendant think she is to come over and insist that you turn your cell phone off so the flight can depart? Doesn't she know that the rules don't apply to you?
Yes, I know that you would have gotten drunk if the beers were free, but I'm glad that you didn't. Having followed you in line for the lavatory, I clearly see you're one of those men who can't be bothered to lift the toilet seat. You're right. That sticker on the mirror in the lavatory asking passengers to be courteous and clean up after themselves is a "real farce." It's just those flight attendants being too lazy to do their jobs.
None of us in our section of the plane can believe, once we have landed and you are immediately back to talking on your cell phone, that your wife or girlfriend or whoever it was, hadn't even left the house yet, let alone gone grocery shopping for you. Although we all know that you will have to wait for your suitcase in baggage claim and that your ride is going to be late in arriving, it's clear why you need to position yourself in the aisle to better elbow your way to being one of the first people off the plane. Why should you be delayed by anyone sitting in front of you or by someone who just might need a few seconds to collect their things?
I agree with your parting comment that "air travel just ain't what it (expletive omitted) used to be." Though, like your behavior throughout the flight, you are oblivious as to why I agree with you.
Kevin Winge is the executive director of Open Arms of Minnesota, a nonprofit organization that provides nutritious meals to people living with diseases. He wrote this for the Star Tribune's Your Voices blog: startribune.com/yourvoices.
Friday, October 23, 2009
WVU Students show support for UConn's Jasper Howard
Picture from CoachStewart TwitPics, Story from The D.A., WVU's student newspaper.
West Virginia University students signed a banner in the Mountainlair Thursday in memory of Connecticut cornerback Jasper Howard, who was stabbed to death early Sunday morning on UConn’s campus.
The banner, which will be in the Mountainlair again today, is expected to be given to the UConn football team prior to the West Virginia/Connecticut football game Saturday in Milan Puskar Stadium, Mountaineer Maniacs President Cassie Werner said earlier this week.
This will be the first time the Huskies will play a game without Howard, but UConn’s head coach Randy Edsall said the team will bring Howard’s jersey and helmet with them on the trip.
In addition to the banner, the Mountaineer Maniacs will also hand out dark-blue ribbons to students as they enter the gates Saturday.
The Mountaineer football team will be wearing Howard’s number on a sticker on its helmets and will hold a moment of silence prior to kickoff. UConn will also wear a sticker with Howard’s initials.
WVU’s Vice President for Student Affairs Ken Gray and Werner are urging fans at the game Saturday to cheer for the Huskies when they enter the field for the first time prior to the start of the game.
West Virginia University students signed a banner in the Mountainlair Thursday in memory of Connecticut cornerback Jasper Howard, who was stabbed to death early Sunday morning on UConn’s campus.
The banner, which will be in the Mountainlair again today, is expected to be given to the UConn football team prior to the West Virginia/Connecticut football game Saturday in Milan Puskar Stadium, Mountaineer Maniacs President Cassie Werner said earlier this week.
This will be the first time the Huskies will play a game without Howard, but UConn’s head coach Randy Edsall said the team will bring Howard’s jersey and helmet with them on the trip.
In addition to the banner, the Mountaineer Maniacs will also hand out dark-blue ribbons to students as they enter the gates Saturday.
The Mountaineer football team will be wearing Howard’s number on a sticker on its helmets and will hold a moment of silence prior to kickoff. UConn will also wear a sticker with Howard’s initials.
WVU’s Vice President for Student Affairs Ken Gray and Werner are urging fans at the game Saturday to cheer for the Huskies when they enter the field for the first time prior to the start of the game.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Does it need to do this in mid-October?
This is what we dealt with once we got to Winnipeg on Friday night.If you saw my status message on Friday night you saw that we had a bit of an issue upon landing in Winnipeg. The city had gotten hit with an unexepected snowstorm and they had not plowed or cleared the runways or taxiways. We touched down, threw the engines in reverse and slowed down. Usually after the reverse thrusters slow us, they are cut and braking brings the plane to a stop or near stop but not this night. The brakes proved of no worth and we continued down the runway until the reversers were engaged again. Once we were able to stop we turned to enter the taxiway when the tail swung out from behind us..we FISHTAILED! We regained control and attempted to head to the gate but had a horrible vibration that shook the whole plane.
Eventually it was discovered that the plane's wheel had locked at a 90 degree angle and we were stuck in the snow with a bum aircraft. We had to be towed to the gate after sitting for nearly an hour. What a crazy night!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Facebook Status Classics #2
Melissa Bradley Hamlett
so I am on my way home from a photo shoot, I exit 75 N near Macon and I see a couple holding a sign at the end of the ramp it says..."need fuel for rocketship"....seriously???on Sunday
Facebook Status Classics...A new recurring entry.
Ok, I've built up quite the Facebook community pushing nearly 500 friends, coworkers and such so I thought it'd be fun if I captured and posted some of the best status updates for my blog watchers to enjoy.
The first entry is from my friend Scott who has this....
The first entry is from my friend Scott who has this....
Well, I didn't see that coming. Jesus just stopped by, cross on his sholder (sic) and all. But he had a rose with him. Like is he looking for a lover. Guess he was looking for a religous experience. I opened the door and he goes, "I guess I ...have the wrong place" and I was like, "Yes you do have the wrong place."
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