July 2010 - Sightseers' Delight

House approves airline safety provisions

July 31, 2010 The Travel Trolley

The U.S. House of Representatives this week agreed to a short-term extension of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) programs that include airline safety and pilot training provisions. The extension is the 15th extension. Airline safety and pilot training provisions in the FAA extension include: Establishes consolidated database of pilot records for hiring decisions Addresses pilot fatigue concerns within 90 days of enactment Requires prescreening standards for pilots to ensure only the best applicants are hired Requires

Enjoying nature at Pickett’s Mill Battlefield

July 31, 2010 The Travel Trolley

UPDATE: DOT fines Comair for violating ‘bumped passenger’ rules

July 27, 2010 The Travel Trolley

ATLANTA – The U.S. Department of Transportation this week fined Comair $275,000 “for violating federal rules regarding passengers denied boarding” – better known as bumped passengers – “on oversold flights.” “Our bumping rules are designed to protect passengers when airlines overbook a flight,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement. “We expect carriers to comply with these rules and will take enforcement action when they do not.” The DOT’s Aviation Enforcement Office opened

DOT fines Comair for violating ‘bumped passenger’ rules

July 27, 2010 The Travel Trolley

ATLANTA — The U.S. Department of Transportation this week fined Comair $275,000 “for violating federal rules regarding passengers denied boarding” — better known as bumped passengers — “on oversold flights.” “Our bumping rules are designed to protect passengers when airlines overbook a flight,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement. “We expect carriers to comply with these rules and will take enforcement action when they do not.” The DOT’s Aviation Enforcement Office opened an

‘Ticket frenzy’ email said to be a hoax

July 23, 2010 The Travel Trolley

An email claiming that “a 30 day speeding ticket frenzy” kicks off Aug. 1 is really a hoax, according to Georgia authorities. “Starting Aug 1, Georgia will launch a 30 day speeding ticket frenzy,” the email reads. “The state estimates that 9 million dollars will be generated in speeding tickets. 1 million will go to pay state troopers’ overtime. The rest to help with dwindling budgets.” Local media confirmed the “ticket frenzy,” the email claims.

Marietta council votes to tear down building

July 23, 2010 Caboose Chronicle

The Marietta City Council has agreed to spend $90,000 to demolish a partially constructed building.

Feds investigate airline fees

July 17, 2010 Todd DeFeo

The federal government is taking note of the fees that airlines charge for checked bags and other services, and additional regulations of — and federal tax revenue from — these fees could soon follow. “Travelers often experience difficulty understanding what airlines charge since fees are not printed on boarding passes, are not displayed on travel Web sites, and are often not clearly displayed on airlines’ Web sites,” U.S. Rep. James L. Oberstar, D-Minn., said in his prepared

New arts festival coming to Atlanta

July 10, 2010 The Travel Trolley

ATLANTA – Atlanta officials announced the debut of a regional arts event this fall. The Midtown Festival of the Arts is scheduled for Sept. 25-26 and will take place along the so-called Midtown Mile – Peachtree Street between 5th and 10th streets. A public art display and the Midtown Mile Road Race are among the festival’s events. “The two-day neighborhood event promises to be a joyous gathering that showcases the important cultural assets of our

Smyrna approves rail crossing quiet zones

July 10, 2010 Legacy Content

The new Rail Crossing Quiet Zones are approved for use in the downtown and trains are no longer required to sound at the Quiet Zone intersections, but residents may expect to hear horns at various times.

DOT: Five planes experience delays of three hours or more

July 9, 2010 The Travel Trolley

ATLANTA — Five flights in May experienced tarmac delays of three hours or more, the U.S. Department of Transportation reported. The delays came during the first month of new rules that stipulate airlines can only keep passengers waiting on the tarmac for three hours before it would be required to let them disembark. Four of the five flights were operated by United Airlines, according to The Associated Press. The fifth flight was a Delta Airlines