TresSugar

Do You Power Off Electronics During Takeoff and Landing?

Kristy Korcz — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 04:11:57 PDT

In a story that many of us have heard before, engineering and aviation experts are saying that electronic devices can interfere with an airplane's controls. While the experts also say that the signals emitted by electronic devices don't cause a problem every time (and not even close to the majority of the time), they still have the potential to cause trouble in the cockpit during takeoff and landing. In fact, a recent report by the International Air Transport Association cites 75 cases where electronic interference may have caused problems with a plane's autopilot, autothrust, and landing gear, even navigation and communications systems.

We all get the same message when boarding a plane: all electronic devices must be powered off during takeoff and landing, but tell me - how many of you actually follow instructions?

FlyNano Personal Flying Machine: Real or Fake?

GeekSugar — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 06:30:39 PDT

Ever wanted to fly your own personal plane without a pilot's licence? Well look no further than the FlyNano, a water-based personal flying machine that can take you up to 76 miles per hour and 1.8 miles high. The only catch? You have to stay above water - this thing doesn't "do" roads or dry land. So what do you think - is the FlyNano real or fake?

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I'm Asking: Should Kids Fly First Class?

Diana Nguyen — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 05:00:15 PDT

A few weeks ago, my sister used her points to fly to Hawaii for a fun-in-the-sun family vacay. To her surprise, she and my 5- and 3-year-old nephews were upgraded to first class. While I absolutely adore my nephews, Jakey (the 3-year-old) is a terror of a tot. Combined with Johnny (the 5-year-old), chaos ensued; water bottles were thrown; milk was spilled; and dirty looks and complaints from the fat cat in a suit in the next aisle came a comin'.

While these kids are generally well behaved, a six-hour flight was too much for them, and after my sister told us the story of the angry man in first class, a great debate sparked in my very opinionated family. Some said kids shouldn't fly first class because they disrupt other passengers, who pay for a level of peace and comfort; while others said the kids have a right to be there as much as anybody else since their parents paid the expensive airfare. What do you think?

How to Fend Off a Cold When Flying

Heather Dale — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 04:00:40 PST

Airplanes may get you from A to B, but they also transport something else - billions of germs. It may be part psychological, but every time I step onto an airplane, I feel like my immune system goes into overdrive and my body knows it's fight or flight time, literally! I'm not completely overreacting, because according to WebMD, you are 100 times more likely to catch a cold on a plane than you are in your normal day-to-day life. To keep a nice protective barrier between you and this germ-friendly breeding ground, here are some of my favorite defense mechanisms.

I'd Rather Not Fly Than Go Naked

TresSugar — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:15:33 PST

Two women who would rather not disrobe for new airport security measures recently had to abandon travel plans. Last month while traveling through the Manchester Airport, these passengers passed through security and refused to undergo mandatory screening using new body scanning X-rays that leave little to the imagination.

Obviously, there are privacy concerns for passengers who'd rather not let it all hang out on a jaunt through airport security, but with safety in mind, security personnel also assure passengers that there are "strict procedures to reassure them that their privacy will be protected." Still, for these two women, who were randomly selected for the body scan, being exposed was not an option - one refused the X-ray on religious grounds and the other cited health reasons. Regardless of their reasoning, options are slim: get scanned or go home. These two opted for the latter.

To be clear, US airports offer an alternative to this more invasive kind of security scanning, and passengers can opt for a body search instead. What's your take on the new security measures?

Virgin Atlantic Eases Flying Fears With a New App

GeekSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:33:59 PST

I wouldn't go as far to say that I'm one of those people with a fear of flying, but when I hear a weird sound under the wing, or there's a loud clunking noise right before take off, I can't say I easily shake it off.

During a family trip once, my dad ended up sitting beside a woman who was beyond terrified to fly. She was not only crying uncontrollably, but she also clenched both of my dad's hands during takeoff. . .a relaxing way to start the trip for him! Well Virgin's Richard Branson has decided it's high time (ha ha, get it?!) that he fixes this anxiety to fly problem and in doing so, Virgin has just launched a new Flying Without Fear app. The app costs $5, but it's said to include relaxation exercises and fear therapy, and a customized program to prepare you for future flights. It also comes with a fear attack button for emergencies and you get 2,000 bonus Virgin points, just for signing-up!

I'm a bit of a skeptic, but for $5 it's worth taking for a test flight. I can just see it now - everyone being calm and collected until the flight attendant says, "You must now turn off all wireless devices, including iPod Touches and iPhones." Yikes!

Where Do You Stand? Flying With a Sex Toy

DearSugar — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 10:00:00 PDT

A friend of mine went overseas for a long business trip, and since she wasn't going to be seeing her boyfriend for almost a month, she took her vibrator along for the ride.

Now I'm sure you can relate to missing your significant other - especially the lovemaking - but would you go as far as packing a vibrator in your carry-on? With the souped-up security in the airport, would you be worried someone would discover the treasure you packed, or do you feel safe traveling with anything (even your unmentionable) discreetly?

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Mommy Dearest: Is It Alright For a Mama-to-Be to Take Flight?

LilSugar — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:00:21 PST

Mommy Dearest,

There are several trips (personal and work-related) that I will need to take, but my husband and I are thinking of starting a family in the very near future. Besides morning sickness in the first trimester and delivering late in pregnancy, would there be any concerns about flying while with child?

- Alright for a Mama To Take Flight

To see the response from Mommy Dearest,

Alright for a Mama to Take Flight,

The best answer to your question is to check with your OB/GYN once you are pregnant. But as a general guideline, my doctor said it was alright to travel up to 32 weeks if the mama-to-be has an uneventful pregnancy. Many airlines advise that women should not fly one month before their due date. In addition to the risk of flying too close to full term and delivering on the plane, those expecting should walk around every hour to ensure proper circulation and be careful about lifting heavy luggage.

If you're planning a trip while expecting, take a few tips from our in-house traveling pro, babysugar!

- Mommy Dearest

Submit a question for this feature at the Mommy Dearest Group on TeamSugar.

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He Runs, He Jumps, He . . . Flies?

GiggleSugar — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 13:00:00 PST

I usually don't pay these halftime slam-dunk challenges any attention, but this is too funny to pass up. Watch this fan get a head start on a slam dunk. He may not be much of a ball player, but I bet he's one hellavuh bicyclist. Just a hunch.

Best Bites in Flight

FitSugar — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 15:30:00 PST

One of the toughest parts about traveling is figuring out what to eat when in the airport and even while on the plane. With airlines not offering much when it comes to food these days, our choices are limited. What's even more limited? Healthy food choices. Luckily the Diet Detective has deciphered through all the food on major airlines in an effort to find the best options in flight.

Here are highlights:

United: Go for either the Rightbite or the Smartpack snack box. The Smartpack is all natural, trans-fat free, and vegetarian friendly, but it has a lot of food and can be high in calories for one person, so you would have to share it.

There's many more so

Continental: Both sandwich options are fine; impressive that they offer light mayo.
Jet Blue: If you’re really hungry, try the nuts; they have protein and good fat and will satisfy you. Eat them one at a time.
American: If you really want a snack, or if a meal is not offered, your best bet is the Nut Blend.
US Airways: Ask for the Snack Pack and eat only one-third of the fruit and nut mix (give the rest away or save it) and the chicken salad; skip the fruit bar and the cookies and you’re good to go.
Delta: Go with the peanuts from the snack basket for the most satisfying and nutritious of the snack choices. Among the snack box offerings, the raisins would be the only keeper.
Northwest: All flights offer a choice of Pringles or the Good Sense Snack Mix. Pick the mix - it will be significantly more satisfying and give you more energy.
Southwest: Go for the nuts and skip the pretzels. If you purchase the snack pack, eat the dried fruit and the nuts and skip the crackers and cookies.

So what's to be learned from this? Bring your own food from home, not only will you save dough, but you'll also save yourself from trying to figure out what to eat.

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