Businesstraveller.com compiles this week’s news from the lighter side of business travel.
Lost in translation
Ever left your wallet or a pair of glasses on a flight? Well, if you flew with Korean Air there’s a chance you might get them back, as the carrier has a section on its website which allows passengers to search through a list of property left on its planes, complete with dates and pictures to help identification. Aside from the expected items such as pens, mobile phones and watches, you’ll find interesting entries like an “i-Pot” and a “something case”, as well as a novel entitled When Love Calls You’d Better Answer, a pair of teeth, and a packet of Danish butter cookies. It’s not clear if the last two entries are related. Click here to start your search.
A load of old croc
A passenger was asked to leave a Ryanair plane when she refused to stow her metre-long stuffed crocodile in the overhead locker. The budget carrier said the women, who was on an aircraft due to fly from Rome to Milan, was asked to disembark for “refusing repeated requests to stow her hand luggage as required under flight-safety rules”. The lady eventually left the plane with her croc in tow, no doubt telling her friends that she had been snapped at by the Ryanair crew.
Mobile boarding
Continental Airlines is trialling technology allowing passengers to board flights using a mobile phone or PDA at Houston International airport. A barcode containing the traveller’s name and flight details is sent to the user’s mobile device, which is then scanned at security – this combined with the passenger’s photo identification is enough to allow boarding. Make sure you keep your mobile charged though, or it could be a case of “Houston, we have a problem”.
Going Underground
Transport for London has confirmed that several London Underground stations will have their names changed in order to boost local tourism and avoid confusion. Shepherd’s Bush is to get “Market” added to its name to reflect the famous market in the area, while the two sections of Edgware Road could be renamed Chapel Street and Church Street Market. There have also been calls to change Aldgate East to Brick Lane and Arsenal station to Gillespie Road. Maybe Transport for London will also consider renaming Waterloo “the station formerly known as Eurostar”?
Who's crackers?
Stansted has issued packing guidelines to passengers travelling over the festive period. The airport has reminded travellers that crackers are not allowed in either hand luggage or checked baggage, and that all presents taken in hand luggage must be unwrapped for clear identification. Rumours that security staff are also handing out mince pies and mulled wine are unfounded.
Mark Caswell
