Newsweek
Sunday, February 27, 2005
Spotters keep their eyes on the CIA
Plane Spotting in the news. It seems that the CIA is upset that they cant fly clandestinely around the world without some spotters photographing their aircraft and putting the details on the web.
Yea due to the internet the old "Cloak & Dagger" gets harder. Read the article in NEWSWEEK
Yea due to the internet the old "Cloak & Dagger" gets harder. Read the article in NEWSWEEK
Saturday, February 26, 2005
Living at Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris
This guy should take up plane spotting. Merhan Karimi Nasseri, a man without country, trapped by his lack of papers in Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris, France, since 26 August 1988.
Nasseri was expelled from Iran a decade ago for his political views. Through a series of fateful missteps, he landed at CDG without any documents. Since then, Europe's increasingly stiff stance toward refugees and his fragile mental state have kept him at the airport here in legal limbo.
At first, the French police arrested him for illegal entry. But as Nasseri had no documents, there was no country of origin to which he could be deported. So he took up residence in Terminal One. From its circular confines, he and his attorney, the Paris-based human rights lawyer Christian Bourget, battled to define his status and send him to London. In 1992, a French court finally ruled that Nasseri had entered the airport legally as a refugee and could not be expelled from it.
Nasseri is known for his honesty and his refusal of charity. On two occasions he turned in billfolds full of money that had been mislaid by passengers. Airline and airport personnel push meal vouchers on him so he can eat.
The 2004 Tom Hanks film The Terminal is loosely based upon the experience of Merhan Karimi Nasseri. As of the summer of 2004, Nasseri is was still living in the airport. He does not lack for money — Dreamworks paid him a rumored $250,000 for the rights to his story.
Nasseri was expelled from Iran a decade ago for his political views. Through a series of fateful missteps, he landed at CDG without any documents. Since then, Europe's increasingly stiff stance toward refugees and his fragile mental state have kept him at the airport here in legal limbo.
At first, the French police arrested him for illegal entry. But as Nasseri had no documents, there was no country of origin to which he could be deported. So he took up residence in Terminal One. From its circular confines, he and his attorney, the Paris-based human rights lawyer Christian Bourget, battled to define his status and send him to London. In 1992, a French court finally ruled that Nasseri had entered the airport legally as a refugee and could not be expelled from it.
Nasseri is known for his honesty and his refusal of charity. On two occasions he turned in billfolds full of money that had been mislaid by passengers. Airline and airport personnel push meal vouchers on him so he can eat.
The 2004 Tom Hanks film The Terminal is loosely based upon the experience of Merhan Karimi Nasseri. As of the summer of 2004, Nasseri is was still living in the airport. He does not lack for money — Dreamworks paid him a rumored $250,000 for the rights to his story.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
The First 757 to be Scrapped
757 line number #36, D-AMUR was delivered to LTU on May 25, 1984. It made its way to LTE International and then to Volare still wearing the basic LTU color scheme. I ran across the hulk at Opa Locka, Florida last fall. Only lasting 20 years this is the first 757 to be parted out.
Monday, February 21, 2005
A New Look For the Flying Dorias
Guggenmusik and beer, we missed them this year, but I checked out their webpage and found this new look for 2005. They had a very busy schedule for the Winter Carnivale February 11th and the 18th. I hope we can see them again some time in the future.
Sunday, February 20, 2005
Road to Morocco
After getting up today and seeing a great winter morning.. YUCK!! I started thinking that it was only seven weeks ago on a Sunday morning that I was sitting at a sidewalk cafe in Casablanca sipping mint tea in the warm January sun. Palm trees and warm mornings, Morocco was OK.
I ran across this old picture at Casablanca's Mohammed V airport of a Royal Air Maroc 747 SP and thought that here are two things you wont see anymore. RAM does not have any SP's and due to pollution you wont see any real clear days in Casabalanca.
The airport is 30 miles from the Atlantic Ocean and downtown Casablanca. I did not know that this is a former US Air Force Base.
Back in the 1950s, before Moroccan Independence, the country was technically part of NATO under the French. Today, this history of American-Moroccan cooperation is still well known in Morocco but few Americans know that Morocco was the first country, in 1777, to diplomatically recognize the United States promising to assist President George Washington against pirates.
My advice for travelers...stick to the Heinekin and avoid the local beer.
I ran across this old picture at Casablanca's Mohammed V airport of a Royal Air Maroc 747 SP and thought that here are two things you wont see anymore. RAM does not have any SP's and due to pollution you wont see any real clear days in Casabalanca.
The airport is 30 miles from the Atlantic Ocean and downtown Casablanca. I did not know that this is a former US Air Force Base.
Back in the 1950s, before Moroccan Independence, the country was technically part of NATO under the French. Today, this history of American-Moroccan cooperation is still well known in Morocco but few Americans know that Morocco was the first country, in 1777, to diplomatically recognize the United States promising to assist President George Washington against pirates.
My advice for travelers...stick to the Heinekin and avoid the local beer.
Friday, February 18, 2005
Auto Show Time
Its time for the autoshow again! DC and I went yesterday to look at what we will be buying in 5 years. I like the $107,000.00 Volkswagen, but it may be more like 15 years before I get it for 10 grand.
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Diary of a Fired Flight Attendant
Check out the Diary of a Fired Flight Attendant. This poor girl got fired for posting some pictures of herself that Delta thought were "inappropriate". She was never told which pics were "inappropriate." You can check out her blog and see for yourself.
You might think that Delta should have more on their minds than a flight attendant's blog. Some day they should check out the pictures posted on the walls of Southwest headquarters in Dallas. The really fun ones are of the CEO.
And Delta wonders why they are going down the tubes!
You might think that Delta should have more on their minds than a flight attendant's blog. Some day they should check out the pictures posted on the walls of Southwest headquarters in Dallas. The really fun ones are of the CEO.
And Delta wonders why they are going down the tubes!
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Chicago Express to Shut Down
Chicago Express, which flies to seven Midwest cities, now appears on course to shut down as scheduled on March 28. ATA announced last month that the 600- employee commuter line would close while ATA drafts a plan to emerge from bankruptcy.
Monday, a federal judge rejected an investor's bid for ATA Airlines' Chicago Express regional carrier as part of the airline's bankruptcy reorganization. Robinson's NatTel LLC of Stamford, Conn., had offered $25,000 for the 17- aircraft commuter line on the condition the acquisition move forward before Chicago Express ceases operations.
Monday, a federal judge rejected an investor's bid for ATA Airlines' Chicago Express regional carrier as part of the airline's bankruptcy reorganization. Robinson's NatTel LLC of Stamford, Conn., had offered $25,000 for the 17- aircraft commuter line on the condition the acquisition move forward before Chicago Express ceases operations.
Sunday, February 13, 2005
Its Nice to Have Money
777 VP-BRH was seen by DC and I at La borget, Paris January 16, 2004. It is owned by Saudi Oger is a construction company based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The owner is Rafic Hariri who is also the Prime Minister of Lebanon. It's technically the company airplane of Saudi Oger but more likely functions as a private plane for Mr Hariri.
Mr Hariri also owns a 727-200 and a 737-800 (BBJ2). The registration is the initials of his son; Baha Rafic Hariri.
The owner is Rafic Hariri who is also the Prime Minister of Lebanon. It's technically the company airplane of Saudi Oger but more likely functions as a private plane for Mr Hariri.
Mr Hariri also owns a 727-200 and a 737-800 (BBJ2). The registration is the initials of his son; Baha Rafic Hariri.
Woodward Dream Cruise
This year its Saturday August 20th 2005
I know there is still snow on the ground, its the middle of winter and the sky is grey, but it will end and its time to start making plans for the 2005 Woodward Dream Cruise. This year another caravan will be making its way to Detroit for a weekend of Cars & Beer at the famous Just Ducky's bar.
For all you spotters of classic, vintage and muscle cars the Dream Cruise has it all. There is variety, color, loud noise and screeching tires. The price is right as admission is free. They could only do this in Detroit. Plan on going now and that way you will not be left out.
Check out the webpage for Woodward Dream Cruise
I know there is still snow on the ground, its the middle of winter and the sky is grey, but it will end and its time to start making plans for the 2005 Woodward Dream Cruise. This year another caravan will be making its way to Detroit for a weekend of Cars & Beer at the famous Just Ducky's bar.
For all you spotters of classic, vintage and muscle cars the Dream Cruise has it all. There is variety, color, loud noise and screeching tires. The price is right as admission is free. They could only do this in Detroit. Plan on going now and that way you will not be left out.
Check out the webpage for Woodward Dream Cruise
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