Travel News and Stories for 09/09/2009

Why was Delta Air Lines flight 745 stuck on the tarmac 392 minutes?Almost seven hours on the tarmac? Have these people lost their minds?
http://www.elliott.org

New Procedures for Traveling with PowdersTSA is enhancing its ability to test powder at checkpoints across the nation. We haven’t received any specific threats that led us to this new procedure but certain types of powders can be used in improvised explosive devices (IED) so it just makes sense.
http://www.tsa.gov

A Taste of BelgiumIt was Restaurant Week in D.C., and after perusing a long list of participating restaurants I chose Belga Café, a Belgian bistro in Eastern Market. Walking through the front doors I felt transported to a modern and lively European kitchen, and with one quick glance at the menu I learned there’s much more to Belgian cuisine than waffles and beer (although I sampled plenty of the latter).
http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com

Frontier Airways Joins The Club, Raises Checked Baggage FeesFrontier Airlines, having recently been acquired by Republic Airways, is wasting no time making their new owners some money. The airline is adjusting their baggage fees upwards and will now charge even for the first checked bag.
http://www.jaunted.com

Summer May Be Over, But Off-Season Deals Are Just BeginningIf anything, the end of summer marks the beginning of off-season deals, which we gladly welcome to pocket some extra cash.
http://www.jaunted.com

Airlines improve on-time arrival ratings in JulyAirline passengers got to their destination on time a little more often in July.The Transportation Department said on Tuesday that 77.6 percent of airline flights arrived on time, up from 75.7 percent during the same month last year.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com

The cheapest times to visit expensive spotsIf you want to visit such hot getaways as Hawaii, Aspen, New York City, Paris, or Napa, you can bring a large billfold. Or you can time your visit to the periods during the year when these places are at their most affordable.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com

Is Congress ready to tackle long ground delays?Opposition to a federal passengers’ bill of rights appears to be lessening, possibly partly the result of repeated long ground delays that have ..
hhttp://blogs.usatoday.com

Showdown with Southwest, AirTran looms as JetBlue begins BWI service todayJetBlue will launch service today from Baltimore/Washington International, a move that will increase direct competition among the USA’s biggest …
http://blogs.usatoday.com

The latest weapon in the fight against Somali pirates: laser guns
The UK’s Daily Express reports defense contractor BAE Systems today unveiled a laser defense system for cruise ships and oil tankers that can disable approaching pirates at a distance of 1,000 yards.
http://www.usatoday.com

Ryanair Has Raised the Fee for Checking One Suitcase to Almost $50 Each WayWhy does it matter? Why should a fee affecting flights within the U.K. and Europe be of significance to readers on my side of the Atlantic? It’s because decisions by the U.K.’s leading low-cost airline have a disturbing tendency to influence later decisions by U.S. airlines flying domestically. Ryanair was the first to …
http://www.frommers.com