In pondering my favorite forms of transportation, the plane, the train and the automobile, I must tip my beret this week to the ever-evolving locomotive and the lean, mean railed machine that broke the record this week for rail travel time between London and Paris. (Ya gotta love that chunnel.)

In a trial run on its new rail system, Eurostar covered the London - Paris distance in an amazing two hours and three minutes--about what it takes to travel from city center to airport and wade through security. What's particularly stunning aside from the time record, is the investment made to make rail travel a viable, if not preferred, alternative to flying between the two capitals. With a price tag of 5.8 billion pounds or roughly $12 billion, one might conclude that the U.S. is still at the station when compared to its European counterparts.

Thanks to Amtrak's high-speed Acela, we're beginning to "think we can, think we can" actually create fast, convenient and competitive rail travel, at least in the Northeast corridor. Out west, in my hometown of Seattle, I fantasize about a high speed rail link between Portland, Seattle and Vancouver, B.C.  When I currently leave my home 2-3 hours ahead of time just to make it to the airport for a 45-minute Seattle-Portland flight, I bristle at the realization that driving the route would take less time.  

Read more: Eurostar Set London-Paris Record

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This just in...the first pair of tickets for Singapore Airlines A380 inaugural flight came in over $100,000 after being auctioned off for charity on eBay. Don't be disappointed, there are still more tickets to bid on! The BBC offers up more info in $100,00 buy launches A380 Sale.

See related blog entry: So You Wanna Ride on the Big Plane.

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 (photo courtesy of AirBus)

Big planes hold the attention of many a world traveler. For me, I like the size of the Gulfstream, Learjet or Boeing Business Jet, of which the closest I'll get to any of those is in the preceding links.

For Road Warriors who like to super size it, an opportunity may be aloft that could land them on the inaugural flight of Singapore Airlines' A380, the Behemoth of the Skies, the Titan of the Tarmac. Singapore Airlines is auctioning off some select seats on the maiden flight (Singapore to Sydney) of its first A380.  Online auction giant eBay is already to help Singapore Airlines find the highest bidders for this high-altitude prize.  Auction proceeds will benefit charities in Australia and Singapore.

I'd like to start the bidding at....we'll you better take a look for yourself on eBay's A380 First to Fly search results.  Also check out an A380 Photos: Up Close and Personal.

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In-flight broadband connectivity has eluded the airline industry. For the last five years, airlines and Wi-Fi service providers have purported it’s just around the corner.  This week, American Airlines provided a glimmer of hope for air travelers as it announced it had signed a memorandum of intent with AirCell, LLC, to be the first U.S. airline to test AirCell's high-speed broadband connectivity. The test will be conducted in 2008 on American's Boeing 767-200 aircraft that primarily fly transcontinental routes, providing passengers with a high-speed Internet connection, VPN access and e-mail capabilities through Wi-Fi-enabled laptops and PDA devices. See related articles belows:

ARS Technica: American, foreign airlines returning to in-flight broadband plans
USA Today: Fliers' Net-surfing days inch closer

Would you use in-flight Wi-Fi if available?

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Some emails are worth keeping or at least savoring beyond a quick stroke of the delete key. And yesterday one of my pals, Renae Martin, keeper and writer of Expedia Corporate Travel email travel alerts, came across an update warning travelers of hooligan violence. And while the alert was interesting in itself (Do we even have hooligans in the U.S.?), Renae made it my most memorable email of the week:

Renae writes... "So I'm really interested in this hooligan violence. From reading your last blog I thought you'd like to know about Hungarian hooligans. Not only is alliteration at work, but these hooligans are apparently organizing, as opposed to non-alliterative hooligans who tend toward anarchy. Hooligan sounds like it's one step above mischief maker. What do we call hooligans in the U.S.? Criminals? Also, don't these two countries Bosnia and Herzegovina-Croatia have some kind of a UN restraining order?
 

The following five matches have elevated potential for hooligan violence:

England-Germany
Time: 2000
Location: Wembley Stadium, London
Authorities are effective in preventing hooliganism, but violent unrest near the stadium, especially after the game, is possible. Avoid Wembley Stadium and nearby public transportation between 2200-2400 Aug. 22.

Time: 2000Location: Wembley Stadium, LondonAuthorities are effective in preventing hooliganism, but violent unrest near the stadium, especially after the game, is possible. Avoid Wembley Stadium and nearby public transportation between 2200-2400 Aug. 22.

Russia-Poland
Time: 2100
Location: Lokomotiv Stadium, Moscow
Violence and a heavy-handed police reaction are possible. Expect congestion and an increased risk of petty theft in nearby metro stations, especially the Chekizovskaya Station (Red) Line near the stadium.

Time: 2100Location: Lokomotiv Stadium, MoscowViolence and a heavy-handed police reaction are possible. Expect congestion and an increased risk of petty theft in nearby metro stations, especially the Chekizovskaya Station (Red) Line near the stadium.

Hungary-Italy
Time: 2100
Location: Puskas Ferenc Stadium, Budapest
Hungarian hooligans are attempting to rally supporters for violent unrest before and after the game. Expect large numbers of Italian fans. Avoid the area near the stadium and Andrassy Avenue between Hero's Square and Octogon before and after the match; avoid the M2 (Red) Line between Deak Ferenc ter and Ors Vezer tere unless going as far as Keleti Station. Also, avoid the M1 (Yellow) Line between Deak Ferenc ter and Mexikoi ut.

Time: 2100Location: Puskas Ferenc Stadium, BudapestHungarian hooligans are attempting to rally supporters for violent unrest before and after the game. Expect large numbers of Italian fans. Avoid the area near the stadium and Andrassy Avenue between Hero's Square and Octogon before and after the match; avoid the M2 (Red) Line between Deak Ferenc ter and Ors Vezer tere unless going as far as Keleti Station. Also, avoid the M1 (Yellow) Line between Deak Ferenc ter and Mexikoi ut.

Bosnia and Herzegovina-Croatia
Time: 2100
Location: Hase Olympic Stadium, Sarajevo
Violence usually accompanies matches between the two countries' teams, and is likely this time. Police may have difficulty containing unrest. Avoid the stadium and districts to the southwest late Aug. 22, early Aug. 23.

Time: 2100Location: Hase Olympic Stadium, SarajevoViolence usually accompanies matches between the two countries' teams, and is likely this time. Police may have difficulty containing unrest. Avoid the stadium and districts to the southwest late Aug. 22, early Aug. 23.

Greece-Spain
Time: 2100
Location: PAOK Stadium, Thessaloniki
Violence is likely as hooligans and anarchists often take advantage of sports events to engage in unrest. Expect a heavy police presence and traffic disruptions near the stadium. Avoid nearby public transportation late Aug. 22, early Aug. 23.

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Travelers may be interested to know that New York became the first state to ratify legislation created to ensure airline passengers on severely delayed flights are provided with basic customer protections.

Effective January 1, 2008, the legislation stipulates that all airlines operating out of New York airports are required to provide passengers with food, water, fresh air, power, and working restrooms on any flight that has left the gate and been on the tarmac for more than three hours. New York State will also establish the Office of the Airline Consumer Advocate within the Consumer Protection Board to oversee compliance with the airline passenger bill of rights.

Governor Eliot Spitzer supported the bill and his office released the following statement: 

August 2, 2007

GOVERNOR SPITZER SIGNS AIRLINE PASSENGER BILL OF RIGHTS

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Governor Eliot Spitzer today announced that he has signed legislation that will ensure airline passengers on severely delayed flights operating out of New York airports are provided with basic customer protections. This legislation was proposed in response to several incidents of severe airline delays due to inclement weather at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, where passengers waited for hours with no food or water, overflowing toilets and a lack of ventilation.

“As a major international travel hub, it is our duty to take the lead in adopting measures that will ease air travel for passengers,” said Governor Spitzer. “This law establishes much needed consumer protections that will help guarantee greater passenger safety and comfort when severe delays impact their travels from New York airports.”

Assemblyman Michael Gianaris said: “I would like to thank Governor Spitzer for his support in making New York the first state to stand up for passengers at the most delayed airports in the country. This law will be the first of its kind to establish much needed guidelines of respect for New York’s airline consumers.”

Senator Charles Fuschillo said: “New York is home to some of the world’s busiest airports, and in adopting this new law, we have taken the lead in protecting the rights of passengers. This first-in-the-nation law will ensure that stranded passengers are treated with respect by the airlines that serve our airports and are not held hostage on delayed flights without basic amenities.”

The legislation stipulates that all airlines operating out of New York airports are required to provide passengers with food, water, fresh air, power, and working restrooms on any flight that has left the gate and been on the tarmac for more than three hours.

In addition to providing passengers with basic services, this legislation will also establish consumer protection guidelines, which will:

• Create a consumer bill of rights for airline passengers;
• Establish the Office of the Airline Consumer Advocate within the Consumer Protection Board to oversee compliance with the airline passenger bill of rights;
• Mandate that all air carriers provide consumers with notice of complaint contact information to be posted at all service desks and other appropriate areas;
• Provide the public with a New York State-based consumer advocate and contact person who can help to coordinate with the appropriate airline industry officials, federal agencies and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in the event an incident occurs.

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At last, 2001, A Space Odyssey comes to the hospitality industry as Galactic Suites orbits the newswires with the announcement of a planned space hotel checking in by 2012. No mention if HAL-9000 will be at the front desk.

Brainchild of a group of architects, engineers and big-idea dreamers in the United States and Spain, the Galactic Suite Project has presented the first space tourism package to include preparation, transport and accommodation in an orbital hotel. The journey is likely to last 18 weeks, and the first tickets should go on sale in 2008.

According to Xavier Claramunt and Marsal Gifra, the directors of Galactic Suite Project, “This is the first package deal, as it includes transport from the tourist’s home to the Caribbean island, the training required for journeys into orbit, the flight to the hotel and three nights’ accommodation in the Galactic Suite”.

And just so you know, this will be a working vacation where the space tourists will also take part in scientific experiments, all while enjoying a journey that will orbit the Earth 15 times every day. What's not to like about 15 sunrises and sunsets. As for location, the hotel will be located at a certain angle from the equator about 300 miles in space.

With an initial price tag of $4 million for a three-day stay in space, the out-of-this-world vacation does include beach time in a tropical location between training regimens. I wonder if the mint will be velcroed to the pillow?

To infinity and beyond...but first a good night's sleep.

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First my apologies to deadbeat moms everywhere for any exclusion in the title, but because I abuse aliteration (always), I had no choice.

That said, this next news tidbit is not gender specific and can stop any deadbeat parent in his or her tracks should they need a passport. 

According to an Associated Press story, a parent owing more than $2,500 in child support payments will be denied a passport. Once the payment is made, they can reapply for a passport. In the words of Bart Simpson, "The ironing is delicious." Which brings me to the word of the day: schadenfreude.

Visit MSNB for the full story: Passport Rules Snag Child Support Cash

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I’ve outgrown my need for pronouncements like, “I don’t watch TV.” Yep, I watch it, I embrace it and I no longer apologize for it. Whether watching Bill Moyers Journal or America’s Got Talent, there is always something to learn (like I’ll never watch this show again).

I must admit, cable has made TV viewing tolerable and the Sundance Channel had me at “hello.”  In particular, there’s a great show called ECO BIZ which profiles businesses with innovative environmental practices.

There’s an engaging clip which features TerraPass, and profiles the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania professor whose business model launched the company that allows consumers to buy carbon off-sets and reduce their “carbon footprint.”  Expedia has partnered with TerraPass and now provides travelers with the opportunity to balance their environmental impact from travel.

Grab some popcorn and view the video clip: ECO BIZ - TerraPass

At current count, there are 19 ECO BIZ videos--compelling stories all.  Take a look at the businesses making a difference.

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Holy double-take Batman!

Yep, while that headline wouldn't have been my first choice, the TSA's Web site sees it as a suitable heads-up for its upcoming August 4 policy change for two remarkably different carry-ons.

The TSA press release begins:

In an effort to concentrate resources on detecting explosive threats, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today announced it will no longer enforce the ban on common lighters in carry-on luggage. Torch lighters will continue to be banned in carry-ons. The agency collects more than 22,000 lighters a day which represents a high percentage of all prohibited items surrendered at checkpoints nationwide. The measures will be implemented on August 4th.

TSA is also modifying the procedures associated with carrying breast milk through security checkpoints. Mothers flying with or without their child will be permitted to bring breast milk in quantities greater than three ounces as long as it is declared for inspection at the security checkpoint.

Read TSA's New Policies for Lighters and Breast Milk

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I recall my first encounter with the stubby little "water fountain" that shared close proximity to the toilet in my hotel room.

Fascinated that one would have to kneel to take a sip of water, I still found it curious and unabashedly bold to place something intended to refresh so close to something that was destined to be