November 2010 - Sightseers' Delight

Delta adding Wi-Fi to regional jets

November 30, 2010 The Travel Trolley

ATLANTA – Delta Air Lines said it is adding onboard Wi-Fi to 223 regional jet aircraft operated by Delta Connection carriers. The addition increases by 40 percent the number of Delta aircraft that have Gogo Inflight Internet service. Delta, which will begin adding the Wi-Fi service in January, said it will be the first domestic airline to offer Wi-Fi service “across its entire mainline and regional aircraft fleets with two classes of service.” “Adding Wi-Fi

Longtime state senator changes to GOP

November 29, 2010 Express Telegraph

A long time Democratic state legislator from South Georgia on Monday switched to the majority party. State Sen. Tim Golden joined the Republican party, further bolstering the party’s lead in the state Senate. Republicans now control 36 seats in the state Senate to the Democrats’ 20, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “With his 20 year record of service and pro-jobs philosophy, Sen. Golden will become an integral part of Republican Party efforts from day one,”

Atlanta airport power outage leads to delays, cancellations

November 29, 2010 The Travel Trolley

A power outage in Concourse B of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Monday led to a number of canceled and delayed flights, according to published reports. The outage, which was reported by about 5 a.m. Monday, was resolved by about noon. According to a report on CNN’s website, Delta Air Lines cancelled about two dozen flights Monday morning. The power outage only impacted 18 of the airport’s 199 gates, The Associated Press reported. In addition

A one-stop guide to Cartersville

November 28, 2010 Todd DeFeo

Cartersville, Ga. (Photo by Todd DeFeo) CARTERSVILLE, Ga. — Admittedly, this exurb located about 40 miles north of Atlanta is easily overlooked. But, this small city of about 16,000 offers a surprising number of attractions, and given its proximity to Interstate 75, it’s an easy drive from Atlanta. Etowah Indian Mounds Etowah Indian Mounts (Photo by Todd DeFeo) These mounds — today known as the Etowah Indian Mounds — have survived for centuries and offer a one-of-a-kind look

Boeing makes 787 changes

November 25, 2010 The Travel Trolley

Boeing said it is developing minor design changes to power distribution panels on the 787 and updates to the systems software that manages and protects power distribution on the airplane. These changes come as the result of what has been learned from the investigation of an onboard electrical fire on a test airplane, ZA002, earlier this month in Laredo, Texas, the company said. “We have successfully simulated key aspects of the onboard event in our

Authorities looking for information on arson

November 25, 2010 The Travel Trolley

ATLANTA — Authorities are calling a Nov. 9 fire that destroyed 2,600 acres in Clinch County’s Arabia Bay area arson, and they are looking to the public for information about the suspect or suspects. “We have determined this fire was intentionally set,” Billy Leitch, lead investigator for the Georgia Forestry Commission Law Enforcement Department, said in a news release. “Our investigation is ongoing and we are pursuing all leads, so now is the time for

Union files interference charge against Delta

November 23, 2010 The Travel Trolley

ATLANTA – The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) on Tuesday said it filed interference charges with the National Mediation Board (NMB), accusing Delta Air Lines’ management of “unlawful conduct during the recent flight attendant representation election.” “Delta and Northwest flight attendants deserve the opportunity to freely participate in an election without being intimidated by management and heavy-handed efforts to keep them from gaining a voice,” AFA-CWA International President Patricia Friend said in a statement. “Delta

Thanksgiving travel expected to increase

November 23, 2010 The Travel Trolley

ATLANTA – The number of people traveling this Thanksgiving is expected to increase 11.4 percent from a year ago, according to AAA. “While Americans remain cautious with household budgets and discretionary spending amidst high levels of unemployment, many are in a better financial position this Thanksgiving than a year ago,” AAA President and CEO Robert L. Darbelnet said in a news release. “This improvement, along with a strong desire to spend time with friends and

Chambliss seeks clarification on new TSA procedures

November 22, 2010 The Travel Trolley

Citing “numerous complaints” and concerns about the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) new enhanced security measures at airports nationwide, U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., sought clarification about the new procedures from Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. “While I recognize the importance of rigorous screening to ensure the safety and security of air travel, some questions have arisen as to the nature of these procedures and their invasiveness,” Chambliss wrote in a letter to Napolitano. The

AirTran Airways’ pilots ratify tentative agreement

November 20, 2010 The Travel Trolley

AirTran Airways announced the successful ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement with its pilots. The agreement, on which more than 93 percent of the eligible pilots voted, was overwhelmingly approved by 86.9 percent. The agreement takes effect Dec. 1, and provides for increased compensation, improved benefits and enhancements to productivity, AirTran said in a news release. “This is good news for our pilots, our customers, and our airline,” Bob Fornaro, AirTran Airways’ chairman, president