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Tagged With "European Capital of Culture"

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Re: New safety rules after crash: No solo pilots

Travel Rob ·
I don't know if there were two people or not in the cockpit the time the Egypt Air Pilot allegedly crashed that plane ,but I can't imagine it would stop a pilot bent on doing that. And we don't require two bus drivers with controls when going on mountainous journeys. I looked at a list of hijackings and attempts and after 2001 the attempts haven't been successful I think in part because of the doors and the fact that crew and passengers don't remain passive anymore. ...
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Re: New safety rules after crash: No solo pilots

Paul Heymont ·
Good points, Rob...although I think a second pilot, not a flight attendant, could have grabbed the controls and/or during those 8-10 minutes have opened the door and gotten help. Remember also that the original purpose of multiples in the cockpit was to deal with strokes, heart attacks, etc. Far more likely a passenger could stop the bus than fly the plane.
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Re: New safety rules after crash: No solo pilots

Travel Rob ·
You do raise some good points with medical conditions, but those occur while driving too .I do it think it would be almost impossible to get to the bus driver in time if he drove off a cliff or bridge and also some bus drivers are driving children. We seem to accept those small risks in other forms of transportation and life.
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Re: New safety rules after crash: No solo pilots

DrFumblefinger ·
I think we can all accept accidents happening. We do not accept a murderer using public transportation to kill large numbers of people. Planes are high profile because of the tremendous data we can retrieve when it crashes, which usually allows us to understand what happened to make it crash. Also because of the large number of passengers involved and lastly the tremendous cost of the planes. And yes, flying is still the safest way to travel. Going through Rob's link, there are hijack...
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Re: New safety rules after crash: No solo pilots

Paul Heymont ·
The reason the danger appears to be on the inside of the cockpit is that there are effective mechanisms for keeping intruders out. Remove those, and you remove that. Now, as I pointed out above, comes the need to reduce the risk from within by both requiring more than one person in the cockpit, and by more effective mental and physical screening of pilots. We have enough passenger screening...now we need the rest.
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Re: New safety rules after crash: No solo pilots

Travel Rob ·
I saw a good article that points out just how safe flying really is. He was talking about 2013 but 2014 was even safer. As far as murderous pilots ,I'm sure statistically that's extremely low too. It's a horrible tragedy and we openly see it on the news ,but safety is one thing we have to give the airline industry some credit. The outsourcing of maintenance is what would be my biggest concern on the industry A couple of quotes. "Around 3 billion people boarded some 35 million flights, each...
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Re: New safety rules after crash: No solo pilots

PortMoresby ·
I saw a Delta ad for the first time this morning, not apparently a new slogan, but given new meaning by recent event..."Keep climbing".
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Re: New safety rules after crash: No solo pilots

GarryRF ·
Lufthansa has been in dispute with its pilots for over a year. "Lufthansa’s industrial relations problems hit services for a tenth time in 2014 with pilots again taking action" Perhaps the last straw for the angry young man.
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Re: Happy No-Border Birthday! Schengen celebrates 20 years

Travel Rob ·
Another part of the agreement is of interest to US travelers. We can only spend 90 days in the Schengen country for every 180 day period,without having to contend with Visas . I haven't heard too much about the consequences of overstaying the 90 days ,until I saw this comment online about getting a $500 fine for overstaying. http://www.latimes.com/travel/...-20150405-story.html More info on the 90/180 day rule http://www.latimes.com/travel/...20150329-story.html#
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Re: Berlin's airport fiasco: Another €2.2 billion and 2 more years

GarryRF ·
The EU has become a Money Pit for lame ducks. Another EU approved loan of 2.2 Billion Euros. Another reason for the UK to quit the European Union. Since it was Officially declared 'open' in March 2011, no commercial flight has actually left from or landed at Castellón-Costa Azahar Airport. Spain. Built at a cost of 150 million euros. The enduring feature of this freshly-deceased airport near Valencia is a statue in honour of Carlos Fabra, the local politician who was the driving force behind...
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Re: Berlin's airport fiasco: Another €2.2 billion and 2 more years

Paul Heymont ·
Actually, there's no EU spending involved here. They only gave the German government permission to guarantee Berlin's loans. I'm not sure about Castellon...thought it was a private fiasco. Ryanair is finally using it...vut I believe they are being subsidized to do so...
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Re: Berlin's airport fiasco: Another €2.2 billion and 2 more years

GarryRF ·
Yes Paul. That's what an EU Approved loan is.
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Re: Berlin's airport fiasco: Another €2.2 billion and 2 more years

DrFumblefinger ·
I guess I'm a little confused by all this. Germany can't issue it's own bonds to built an airport in Germany (even a dog like this one)? It needs the EU's approval? Really?
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Re: Berlin's airport fiasco: Another €2.2 billion and 2 more years

GarryRF ·
Under EU Law the Government of a country can not subsidise a private venture. That would produce unfair competition. Like if Ford were given a Government subsidy, but not to another car producer. But the Government can act as a Guarantor to promise repayment if the venture fails. The EU does however give money to Countries with high unemployment to build factories that produce goods. Like in Poland, Lithuania, Bulgaria - old eastern block countries. Then the new factory owner - an...
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Re: Berlin's airport fiasco: Another €2.2 billion and 2 more years

Paul Heymont ·
As Garry points out, it's an issue of state aid and competition. In the case of the airport, the company at the end of the chain, FBB (Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg), is structured as a private enterprise, although the Berlin and Brandenburg state governments (37% each) and the Federal government (26% each) are the investors. So, it is subject to the rules for government loans to private companies. In this case, the Commission ruled (click here for the ruling) that the activities and the loan...
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Re: Europe to require visas for U.S. travelers?

PortMoresby ·
I'm surprised to see that Canadians will be included along with Americans in the vote for possible visa requirements. The US excludes 5 EU countries from the visa waiver program, Canada 2.
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Re: Europe to require visas for U.S. travelers?

DrFumblefinger ·
Canada actually has far tougher immigration standards than the USA does. So this doesn't surprise me. But it will make traveling less convenient and more expensive.
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Re: Europe to require visas for U.S. travelers?

PortMoresby ·
I hope it's an empty threat because, if passed, it would seem to have more serious consequences for our destination countries in the EU than for travelers. There are a number of places in Asia, for instance, that I postponed visiting for years while it was a pain to get visas. At this stage of the game I might not bother, having seen a great deal of Europe and content to revisit my favorites in future that make it easy. I suspect there's a large percentage of Americans who will content...
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Re: Europe to require visas for U.S. travelers?

Paul Heymont ·
It doesn't seem to me there's a lot of sentiment in DC, and especially Congress, for expanding waivers, so this may come to pass. If so, hopefully easy online digital visas such as Turkey uses, and not the get-in-line-at-the-consulate sort.
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Re: Europe to require visas for U.S. travelers?

Travel Rob ·
The European Commission delayed by three months whether to introduce visa requirements for USA and Canadian citizens by asking EU member states and the European Parliament to discuss their stance. Even if there is new European Union's visa policy, travel to the UK and Ireland will still not require a visa for Canadians and Americans because the United Kingdom and Ireland have opted out of the European Union's visa policy.
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Re: Air France returns to Tehran in April

Travel Rob ·
I think potential European travelers to Iran now have to consider the likelihood of those traveling to Iran not being able to use the US's Visa Waiver Program when traveling to the States. The Reform Bill passed the House and the Administration supports it. It most likely will pass the Senate and be signed into law by the President. https://www.travelgumbo.com/blo...-free-travel-program
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Romerberg houses, Frankfurt

Paul Heymont ·
Romerberg houses, Frankfurt
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St. Bartholomew's Cathedral, Frankfurt

Paul Heymont ·
St. Bartholomew's Cathedral, Frankfurt
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So where's Rocky?

Paul Heymont ·
So where's Rocky?
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The Euro, Frankfurt

Paul Heymont ·
The Euro, Frankfurt
Blog Post

Luxembourg City: A Perfect Blend of Old and New

Barry Barford ·
Luxembourg City boasts a rich history dating back to Roman times, evident in its well-preserved medieval architecture and UNESCO-listed Old Town.
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Re: Luxembourg City: A Perfect Blend of Old and New

DrFumblefinger ·
Terrific post on a terrific city! Brought back some nice memories.
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Re: Luxembourg City: A Perfect Blend of Old and New

George G. ·
A very interesting and historic place to visit. Visited twice. First time it was snowing so hard when my wife and I visited, that we had to use a rain umbrella to keep from becoming a snowman or snow woman. Photo from the second visit without the snow.
Blog Post

Happy No-Border Birthday! Schengen celebrates 20 years

Paul Heymont ·
Thirty years ago it was signed, and 20 years ago today it went into effect: The European agreement that wiped out land borders for travelers throughout most of Europe, and also had the side effect of making a tiny town in Luxembourg into a world famous name: Schengen.
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