AMR parent of American Airlines Bankruptcy Filing

American Airlines Boeing 737-800.
(photo: The Boeing Company)

It's been two weeks since the announcement that American Airlines parent company AMR Corp. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in New York. As readers of this blog know American Airlines is my airline of choice where I currently hold a platinum elite level status in their Aadvantage program.

However at this point I can only be reassured that the airline will conduct business as usual as it attempts a reorganization process to unload debt built by years of accelerating jet file prices and labor struggles. As any flier who has built a loyalty in one frequent-flier program, it would be difficult to start from the ground up again. In addition as a matter of habit frequent fliers know what to expect of the airline in terms of service and cabin comfort.

American Airlines and American Eagle has contacted customers mainly via email that they would:

• Fly normal schedules with 3,300 daily flights.
• Honor tickets and reservations
• Fully maintain the Aadvantage frequent-flier program, with miles remaining in intact.
• Continue Admirals Club amenities for eligible customers.

The airlines will also continue to provide employee wages and benefits. It should be noted that American is last of the legacy airlines to seek protection from creditors. News reports indicate the airline reports that is spent more than any other airline to abide by labor-contract rules as it avoided bankruptcy. United and Delta were to able to scrap their existing labor contracts after filing for Chapter 11.

American Airlines JFK Terminal
(photo: Urbanphotoz/flickr)

Even with the bankruptcy announcement being fairly recent that some news outlets are already speculating that one of the major carriers is planning to buy American. That kind of guess work is far too premature.

Coincidentally the filing is the 100th by an airline since 1990, according to the Air Transport Association. Some airlines including Hawaiian Airlines and US Airways, have filed for bankruptcy more than once so it it is amazing that American held out this long. One of the most high-profile filings was the Chapter 7 liquidation of Eastern Airlines in 1991. The ATA does not note that some of the 100 bankruptcy filings comes from smaller unknown carriers such as Mahalo Airlines in 1997, which attempted to complete with Hawaiian Airlines and Aloha Airlines in Hawaii's inter-island carrier market. The list also includes cargo carriers.

Digital Camera Mistakes To Avoid

(photo: PauloBrandao/flickr)

Consumer Reports featured some quick and simple tips to avoid some common mistakes when using a digital camera. However unlike when we used camera film, today we shoot many shots and choose the best ones when we return home. But as we all know this becomes a chore after a while. Better heed these tips to save time while on vacation and when reviewing the photos back at home.

Not reading the user manual. This will deprive you of features that could greatly improve the shots you take. You should brush up on it at home or while traveling to your destination.

Not bringing a spare battery. Even if you charged the battery the same morning, reviewing shots on the camera can deplete it by late in the day. Exposure to cole can also reduce battery life. Charge a spare and keep it on hand.

Trying to squeeze too many photos on the storage card. You can do this by lowering the resolution or increasing compression, but both will reduce the quality of larger prints. Memory cards are cheap. It's better to bring extra along.

Using a flash when you shouldn't. Flash can cause red-eye, wash out skin tones, and flatten scenes. To avoid using flash, shoot with the sun or light source to your back or move the subject closer to a window or other sources of light. Never use flash on a subject more than a few feet away as you'll get a dim subject with a black background.

Using a very high ISO. If your camera has this option it's tempting to crank up the ISO to the highest setting. But this will degrade the quality of the photos you snap.

Click HERE to view the full article.

Architectural Wonder or Curiosity: Wacky Buildings in China

As part of a sports complex in Anhui province's
Huainan City is the "Ping Pong" Hotel.
(Rendering Huainan Municipal Bureau of Sports)

Steering clear of anything traditional, building designers in China continue to push architecture beyond the imagination. In 2008 when Beijing hosted the Summer Olympics, the world gazed upon some of these achievements in the "bird's nest" Olympic stadium and the glowing Water Cube swimming venue. New buildings constructed today and on the drawing boards will help to bring attention to China's design aesthetics for years to come. Take a look at these unusual buildings from an Inman News report.

The "Ping Pong" Hotel is planned as part of $260 million sports complex spread over 165 acres aimed for completion in 2016. The $46 million 500-foot hotel is shaped like a giant ping-pong racket and will include a viewing deck in the handle.

The sports complex itself will include buildings shaped like a volleyball (to house a swimming pool), a soccer ball, basketball and an American football.

Overview of the planned sports complex in Anhui province.
(Rendering Huainan Municipal Bureau of Sports)

Above are two views of the "Piano House".
(photos: Xinhuanet)

Also in Huainan province is the "Piano House" shaped like an open grand piano and a giant glass violin resting against its side. The violin houses an escalator. Built in 2007, the building has been used as a performance and practice venue and an exhibition space.

Above are renderings of the planned Comics and Animation Museum in
the Zhjiang province, 111 miles southwest of Shanghai.
(Photos: MVRDV Architectural)

Probably the most striking of these new architectural wonders is the plans for the Comics and Animation Museum. To be built in Zhejiang province, location of the International Comic and Animation Festival, the museum will include eight interlocking buildings shakes like speech bubbles. Within the bubbles will be a roof terrace restaurant, comic library and three cinemas. The museum is part of the 33-acre Comic and Animation Centre which begins construction in 2012.

Renderings of the Shenzhen Bao'an International Terminal 3.
(photos: ARUP Engineering)

Less odd but still unusual is the Shenzen Bao'an International Airport Terminal 3 which is shaped like an airplane. Located in the Guangdong province, along the South China Sea, the new terminal is currently under construction and should increase passenger traffic at the airport from 26.7 million to 45 million per year.

Click HERE to view the full article on Inman News which is the leading source of independent real estate news.

Prevent the Recline With A Water Bottle

How's this for an enterprising passenger. A couple of days I included a post about the Knee Defender gadget which is banned by the airlines but no illegal according to the FAA. So maybe a water bottle will do the trick. I'm impressed with the utter simplicity and cleverness of the idea.

Reclaim your seat space as revealed on lifehacker.com.

Knee Fender in Defense of Reclining Seats

The airlines have banned it but the product is still available for purchase. The Knee Defender available at GadgetDuck.com is advertised to "protect" the space from recliners. There is no use of language to say that the gadget "prevents" the passenger in front you from reclining his or her seat.

Introduced in 2003, the product costs $17.95 per pair and can only be used while using tray tables that unfold from seat backs. The gadget slots on to one of the struts that hold the table in place jamming the seat in front in an upright position.

There are reports that the gadget has caused arguments and broken seats but GadgetDuck.com states on their website "What the FAA says" from a 2003 Washington Post report: the clips were not against federal aviation rules as long as they weren't used during taxiing, takeoffs or landings.

And so the argument continues on when it is right to recline an airline seat. Internet reports indicate the device does work preventing recline of no more than one inch. Obviously the passenger whose seat is obstructed to recline will know something is up so being discreet about using the device is out of the question. Expect flight attendants to step in and ask the gadget to be removed.

The most polite passengers will let the passenger behind them know they intend to recline. Myself I usually don't recline if I know the passenger behind me is using their tray table to eat a meal. Best advice: some seats have no recline due to their proximity to emergency exits; book the seats behind them.

What Baggage Handlers Won't Say....

(photo: dwightsghost/flickr)

We all have something to complain about while flying in the cabin of the an airline jet. Imagine what our checked bags would say about their experience. Since that's never going to happen, SmartMoney.com has published a list of ten things that baggage handlers won't say.

1. Don't pack light we need the money. Fliers are checking fewer bags to avoid baggage fees but they are cramming more into them requiring more upper-body strength of bag handlers.

2. We're losing fewer bags because there are fewer to lose. Passengers are checking fewer bags so there is less luggage to lose.

3. Some of us have sticky fingers. One passenger lost out filing a claim for a camera missing her checked bag because the airline's 30-day window had passed. Some airlines require you report stolen goods before leaving the airport.

4. Sure we handle your pet but can your pet handle us. Animals are exposed to loud noises and extreme temperatures when flying as cargo.

5. We don't actually do that much. Most of the heavy lifting is done by machines. The primary task for handlers is transferring bags onto the plane.

6. Not all bags are created equal. The materials of some bags are better than others. Ballistic nylon is the pinnacle of the best. Polycarbonate of hard-shell suitcases is lightweight but strong. Though handlers may like spinner wheels which rotate in circles and easier to move, they are more susceptible to damage.

7. Stressing about baggage claim? You should. What happens if someone walks off with your suitcase at baggage claim? Airlines hope it won't happen. It's more of an honor system. Legally until your belongings are back in your hands, they're still the responsibility of the airline.

8. Many of us don't work for the airlines. Many are contract workers employed by ground-handling companies. Third-part vendors are popular as a way for airlines to save money but can mean slower service and mistakes.

9. We can't handle unusual items. Check airlines rules. They may cover rules regarding checking things such as varied as cremated remains, sporting equipment and antlers.

10. If you think we're bad here, just wait till you go abroad. In some parts of the world, smugglers have been known to transport drugs in the luggage of unsuspecting passengers or security is lax and pilfering of bags is of greater concerns.

Visit smarttravel.com to view the complete report.

A bagge handler collects critters that look like baby crawfish that
escaped from their checked container.
(photo: scattered1/flickr)

Re-imagined 'The Phantom of the Opera' to Embark on UK Tour in 2012

One of the most anticipated productions in 2012 will not play Broadway or London. Instead a brand new tour of 'The Phantom of the Opera' will play various dates in the United Kingdom. As 'Les Miserables' was rejuvenated for a world tour in 2010 and now touring the U.S., the new 'Phantom' tour will feature new set designs and direction.

John Owen-Jones

In press statement, producer Cameron Mackintosh said: After 25 phenomenal years and a glorious celebration of the show's success at the Royal Albert Hall, I'm delighted to announce that a spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's legendary musical will open its National Tour next March in Plymouth. With an exciting new design and staging, retaining Maria Bjronson's amazing costumes, be the first to surrender to the music of the night and fall in love with the Phantom in the his new guise all over again.

Earl Carpenter

John Owen-Jones and Earl Carpenter will share the role of the 'The Phantom" and Katie Hall will play Christine. Laurence Connor, director of the 25th anniversary celebration, will stage the tour with new choreography by Scott Ambler. Lighting design is by Paule Constable and sound design by Mick Potter. The production is overseen by Matthew Bourne and Mackintosh.

'The Phantom of the Opera' New UK Tour Dates. John Owen-Jones stars as The Phantom until Sep 29, 2012; Earl Carpenter assume the role on October 1, 2012:

Theatre Royal Plymouth, Feb 27-Mar 3, 2012 

Manchester Palace Theatre, Apr 4-May 19, 2012 

Bristol Hippodrome, May 22-Jun 30, 2012 

Dublin Grand Canal Theatre, Jul 4-Aug 4, 2012

Leeds Grand Theatre, Aug 8-Sep 15, 2012 

Edinburgh Playhouse, Sep 19-Oct 20, 2012 

Milton Keyes Theatre, Oct 24-Nov 24, 2012

Cardiff Wales Millenium Centre, Dec 4, 2012-Jan 12, 2013

Southampton Mayflower, Jan 22-Feb 16, 2013

Further dates to be announced.

Visit thephantomoftheoperatour.com for more information. Play the teaser trailer below.

Keeping A Cruise Ship Afloat: Oasis of the Seas

The Oasis of the Seas docks in Port Everglades where every Saturday
by 6am, semi-trucks unload 750 pallets of food, flowers and supplies.

Entertainment deck
(all photos: Barbara P. Fernandez/WSJ)

The Wall Street Journal published an interesting article about keeping 6,300 people fed, housed and having the time of their life while on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Here's some info about and what it takes to operate the Oasis of the Seas operated by Royal Caribbean Cruises.

• Five times as large as the Titanic.
• Population during a seven-day Caribbean sailing is larger than many American small towns.
• More than 8,600 are on board when fully booked including staff.
• As long as five Airbus A380 airplanes.
• Includes a small-scale imitation of New York's Central Park surrounded by some of the ship's 24 restaurants.
• Three smokestacks can retract to pass under the bridges.
• Includes a helicopter landing pad for emergencies.
• The ship has a jail where lawbreakers are held until the ship can reach port.
• Entertainment options includes a carousel.
• 700 tons of new supplies are loaded each Saturday.
• Guests consume about 20 gallons of maraschino cherries and 80,000 bottles of bear.
• Activity spots include two rock climbing walls, a zip line and surf machines.
• Competitor Carnival Corp compares the ship to the Mall of America.
• The ship is too big to dock in popular spots such as Venice and Bermuda.
• The outdoor Aqua Show is cancelled about once a week due to rough seas.
• Dozens of people and 18 robots wash windows each day.
• The laundry room hums 24-hours a day with 34 crew members.
• 20,000 pieces of linen such as towels, table cloths and sheets are washed daily.
• Three doctors are on board.
• An intensive care unit can keep one peers at a time on life support.
• One of ship's doctor reports that ever few weeks a passengers has a heart attack.
• During a seven-day sailing, the medical staff dispenses about 2,000-3,000 meclizine (a drug that treats seasickness).
• 200 crew members are dedicated to entertaining passengers.
• 26 kitchens feed the thousands on board.
• Each Saturday trucks unload about 750 pallets of food, flowers and supplies on to the ship.
• Supplies are fluctuated: When more Germans are on board, extra pork is ordered; Americans tend to favor chicken and beef; in the summer when lots of families sail, more ingredients for Caesar salad is needed.
• To prevent disease, food storage, food preparation and actual cooking are done in separate areas.
• Weights 225,282 tons.
• Three Azipods (giant propellers) under the ship's belly can rotate 360 degrees.

Visit RoyalCaribbean.com to learn more about the Oasis of the Seas. Click HERE to view the full Wall Street article.

Where's Julie McCoy: The cruise director manages a 200-member
staff who work in entertainment on the ship.

The ship's recycling center.

Top loaded alcoholic drinks: (in order) Corona, Budweiser and Bud Light.

Common area inside the ship where guests enjoy food and drinks.

One of the three doctors on board.

The ship pulling out of the Port Everglades.

Loft Suite.

A Disney Theme Park Insider Confesses Some Secrets

(photo: Jeff Noel)

Robert Niles of Theme Park Insider worked five summers at Walt Disney World at such rides as Pirates of the Caribbean and Tom Sawyer Island. In an article last year on BudgetTravel.com he submits some confessions as a cast member:

• Having to ask women in line if they're pregnant: "Hell hath no fury like a women who's been mistaken for being pregnant."
• Name tags don't always match the name of the person wearing it: After losing his name tag he was forced to get a new one. "There wasn't a single Robert left, so until a replacement could be made, I pretended to be Randy, a name that amused visitors from the U.K. to no end."
• Selection of volunteers from the audience is far from random: "Typically, you need to be a certain gender, size and age for each different roles. You might even need to be wearing a specific item of clothing....also helpful to getting picked: cuteness and enthusiasm."
• People who work there have come to loathe strollers: A cast member's job includes keeping strollers neatly in place at designated areas. But park visitors keep their strollers in appalling condition, loaded up with dirty diapers, rotting bottles of milk. Others see no problem with parking their strollers right in front of an attraction's exit or entrance. Thoughtless individuals like this incur the wrath of the stroller police and these strollers are relocated to a place "far, far away" at the very back of area cordoned off for strollers.
• This attraction has been camera monitored for your safety: A couple had a boat to themselves while parkgoers were watching the fireworks display. The real fireworks display was visible on the security cameras. The show the couple put on wasn't exactly G-rated.

Visit budgettravel.com to read the full article.

Hawaiian Airlines Announces New York Flights

Since the news announcement last week numerous friends and acquaintances have been kind enough to make me aware that Hawaiian Airlines will schedule daily flight service to New York City.

Currently the only non-stop flight from Honolulu to NYC is on Continental Airlines via Newark Airport. The Hawaiian flights starting on June 4, 2012 will arrive and depart from John F. Kennedy International Airport. The airline is promoting the service with a special $212 one-way coach fare (a play on a NYC area code) and $808 first class (a play on the Hawaii area code). For June departures, Continental prices the round-trip economy fare between $680 and $1,000. Hopefully another difference will be the hospitality that is one of the signatures of Hawaiian's in-flight service which includes meal service for both economy and first class passengers.

It would be interesting to take these flights. However upon closer inspection of the fares on Hawaiian, the $212 special is for flights departing from Honolulu. The return trip fares are priced more. Although I hold a gold level status on Hawaiian from all the business travel I make inter-island, for overseas flights my carrier of choice is American Airlines. Because I plan to maintain my platinum elite level status with American and 10,000 miles is earned round-trip to the east coast from Hawaii, it's unlikely I'll switch carriers when flying to the mainland.

But the real bonus of the Hawaiian flights is the added accessibility to Hawaii for East Coast residents that should help boost the 50th state's economy; and with another carrier flying non-stop flights to NYC, prices could become more competitive in the airfare wars. Visit hawaiianair.com for booking information.

The Phantom of the Opera: 25th Anniversary Box Set

'The Phantom of the Opera' 25th Anniversary Celebration box set.

Covers of the book 'The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary';
Box-set insert including text titled 'The Phantom Phenomenon';
Reproduction of 1986 Opening Night Program.
(photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

First of all this set does not contain a CD or DVD/Blu-ray recording of the 25th Anniversary Celebration at Royal Albert Hall that was beamed live to movie theaters across the country last month. With that said, this limited edition collection will delight fans of the 'The Phantom of the Opera' and composer Andrew Lloyd Webber.

'Phantom of the Opera: 25th Anniversary Box Set' which retails for $150 includes:

• 'The Phantom of the Opera' 2-CD Original Cast Recording in gatefold sleeves and new cover artwork.
• 'Love Never Dies' 2-CD Original Recording in gatefold sleeves and new cover artwork.
• 'The Phantom Phenomenon' 60-minute DVD with archive footage.
• Reproduction of the original opening night 60-page program of 'The Phantom of the Opera'.
• 'The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary Edition' 160-page book by Michael Heatley.
• Exclusive Medallion mounted on numbered mini-certificate.
• Exclusive web access to download one of the eight international cast recordings of the musical.
• Handsome box packaging and gatefold 'The Phantom Phenomenon' insert.

Five disc collection and limited-edition medallion.

Pages from 'The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary Edition' book:
The auditorium of the Las Vegas production.

Those who already own the recordings of 'The Phantom of the Opera' and 'Love Never Dies' may not see the need to purchase this set. However this limited edition box set appears geared toward the true collector of the show. The book by Heatley offers an in-depth history of the musical from London to Broadway to feature film and its worldwide popularity. It serves as an extension of the first book about the musical by George Perry published in 1988.

The reproduction of the London opening night program is like stepping back into time as one flips through the pages and sees the photos of all the major players 25 years ago along their bios. Even reproduced is the advertising (e.g. an ad heralding the 2nd Sell Out Year of 'Les Miserables' at the Palace Theatre).

The true collector's item in the set is the silver medallion (enclosed in a case). On one side is the famous logo mask and the show's title. On the flip side is 25 years at center surrounded by the wording World Premiere 9th October 1986.

Pages from 'The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary Edition' book:
Posters advertising the London production of the years.

Pages from 'The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary Edition' book:
Chapter featuring the story of 'Love Never Dies'.

The archival footage on the DVD is a true bonus. They are short but informative and look back on show 25 years ago. The footage includes two interviews with Lloyd Webber, one made before the opening of the 'Phantom' and the second during the London run and also features Sarah Brightman. The third is a news report of the Phantom phenomenon after the Broadway opening.

The remaining contents on the DVD have been available elsewhere including the 'Phantom' songs performed at Lloyd Webber's 50th birthday celebration from 1998 which includes the Phantom Overture, "The Phantom of the Opera" (Antonio Banderas & Brightman), "All I Ask of You" (Michael Ball & Brightman), "Music of the Night" (Brightman). Also previously released but included here are the music videos of the singles versions of the title track (Steve Harley & Brightman), "All I Ask of You" (Cliff Richard & Brightman), "Music of the Night" (Michael Crawford & Brightman) and "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again (Brightman).

Some will balk at the box set's price tag. But if the CDs and the music videos are available elsewhere the remaining items documents the history of the musical not to mention of having one of the keepsake coins. Click HERE to view the product details on Amazon.com.

Note: If you are Mac owner, the file to download the international recording may not open. Since I already own these recordings it was not a huge issue but a disappointment. If anyone knows how to open the file on a Mac, please share your recommendation.

Pages from the reproduction of the 1986 opening night program at
Her Majesty's Theatre.

Box-set insert opens to reveal text titled 'The Phantom Phenomenon'.

Exclusive access to download one of the eight international cast recordings.

Five discs: 'The Phantom of the Opera' 2CD, 'Love Never Dies' 2CD
and 'The Phantom Phenomenon' DVD.

Exclusive medallion

Medallion numbered certificate.