Errin Stevens's Blog, page 4

Tourists in US urged to be ‘on alert’ amid US government shutdown – USA – Travel

While Disney World will stay operational during the shutdown, it may considerably have an effect on air travel and different companies. The weblog identified: “During the shutdown, federal agencies and services that aren’t considered to be ‘essential’ … will need to pause working. That includes workers like national park employees. TSA officers are considered essential and will continue working.”

The U.S. Travel Association predicts losses of roughly $1bn (£780m) per week if the shutdown persists. Eric Hansen, the senior vice president of government relations for the group, cautioned: “Airports slow down and our economy slows down with it.”

Air site visitors controllers, border employees and security screening personnel will be required to report for responsibility, however they will not obtain cost till the shutdown concludes. The weblog cautioned that this example may end result in employees shortages, prolonged queues, prolonged wait instances and extra problems if staff call in sick or fail to show up for his or her shifts.

“While our personnel have prepared to handle high volumes of travelers and ensure the security of our transportation systems, an extended shutdown could mean longer wait times at airports,” a TSA spokesperson instructed USA Today during a earlier shutdown.

In 2019, a month-long shutdown witnessed controllers and Transportation Security Administration staff failing to seem for work. This resulted in main delays.

Mr Hansen knowledgeable the weblog: “History also shows that when workers, whether it’s air traffic controllers or Transportation Security officers, have to continually show up for work without pay, it adds additional stress.”

Multiple airways have additionally cautioned about heightened stress. A commerce group representing a number of main airways, together with American Airlines, said that “the system may need to slow down, reducing efficiency” if government funding will get suspended.

Although Disney parks in Florida and California operate privately and stay unaffected straight, ripple results may impression UK vacationers via air travel disruptions or closures of close by federally managed places such because the Everglades National Park. In earlier shutdowns, national parks and monuments had been compelled to close or restrict operations.

This week, Politico, a US information outlet, reported that quite a few US parks are ready to operate with solely restricted companies during the present closure.

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isa and passport companies, that are primarily charge-funded, are anticipated to proceed. However, Reuters reported that over 11,000 Federal Aviation Administration employees face potential furloughs, and coaching for new air site visitors controllers has been put on maintain.

The Disney Food Blog suggested vacationers to keep an eye on flight updates, examine airport security wait instances, and anticipate delays. “The best way to handle these changes is to stay informed about your flight and the airport you’re going to,” it advisable.

Royal Caribbean passengers face ‘nightmare’ virus as infection cases rise to 98 – Cruises – Travel

The quantity of norovirus cases continues to rise on a Royal Caribbean International Cruise.

The outbreak aboard the Serenade of the Seas ship was first reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Sunday. Cases have now risen to 94 passengers and 4 crew members.

The vessel has a whole of 1,874 passengers and 883 crew, which means that round 5% of passengers have been contaminated. Symptoms of norovirus embody nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdomen cramps and complications.

Norovirus is a extremely-contagious virus that may have an effect on anybody. It is transmitted most simply in confined areas, with signs usually starting 12 to 48 hours after infection.

The Serenade of the Seas departed San Diego on Sept. 19, and it’s ultimate stop can be in Miami, Florida. Sick passengers are being remoted from the remaining of the ship for the rest of the trip. The CDC declares a cruise ship outbreak if not less than 3% of more than 100 passengers fall in poor health.

Royal Caribbean’s response

A Royal Caribbean spokesperson advised USA Today, “The health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit are our top priority.”

“To maintain an environment that supports the highest levels of health and safety onboard our ships, we implement rigorous cleaning procedures, many of which far exceed public health guidelines.”

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The CDC experiences Royal Caribbean International and the crew aboard the ship are taking the next steps to guarantee cleanliness and security on board:

Increased cleansing and disinfection procedures in accordance to their outbreak prevention and response planCollected stool specimens from gastrointestinal sickness cases for testingIsolated in poor health passengers and crewConsulted with VSP about sanitation cleansing procedures and reporting in poor health casesIncrease of norovirus outbreaks on cruise chips

A complete of 19 outbreaks of gastrointestinal sicknesses have been recorded on cruise ships to this point this yr, 14 of which had been norovirus.

The CDC advised USA Today: “While the number of recent cruise ship outbreaks has been higher than in years prior to the pandemic, we do not yet know if this represents a new trend.

“However, CDC knowledge show a newly dominant pressure is at the moment related to reported norovirus outbreaks on land. Ships usually observe the sample of land-based mostly outbreaks, that are increased this norovirus season.”

Near miss as airliner comes within 10ft of EasyJet plane – Travel News – Travel

An easyJet plane got here “within 10ft” of smashing into one other airliner as it ready to depart, with an pressing investigation now underway.

Travelers aboard the easyJet plane have been positioned on the runway’s head, prepared for takeoff at Nice Côte d’Azur airport in France, after they heard the thunderous roar of an approaching Nouvelair jet making use of most energy to stop a catastrophic collision.

The Tunisian Airbus tried to the touch down on the wrong runway on the facility, which options two intently positioned parallel runways, authorities have confirmed. The information comes amid studies of Disnyeland being ’empty’ after plumetting tourism numbers.

The near-miss occurred at 11:30pm on Sunday (September 21), amid torrential rainfall at France’s third most congested airport.

Philippe Tabarot, the French transportation minister, said “a collision involving two aircraft of the Nouvelair and easyJet airlines was narrowly avoided” and that he had “immediately ordered” an investigation by the air accident investigation department (BEA).

At most capability, the 2 jets – each Airbus A320s – would have been transporting more than 300 passengers and crew mixed. The easyJet flight’s pilot was reportedly heard stating that merely three meters separated the plane.

Airport officers have positioned accountability on the pilots of the descending Nouvelair Airbus, flight BJ586 from Tunis, informing Nice Matin: “It seems that the Nouvelair pilot made an error”. However, this is not the only real potential clarification, as the control tower, which authorizes plane to land, may additionally have been answerable for the error.

Flight monitoring data reveals the Tunisian Airbus approaching the proper northeast-working runway and practically touching down earlier than abandoning the touchdown try. The easyJet Airbus may be seen ready on the identical runway, then leaving it and taxiing back to the terminal. The Tunisian plane flew round after which landed on the parallel left runway.

Outbound visitors had been using Runway 04R all through the night, whereas incoming visitors had been completely utilizing Runway 04L. ADS-B information – which is reported in 25ft increments – by Flightradar24 exhibits the altitude reported by the Nouvelair flight as it handed over the easyJet plane was 50 toes.

An A320 plane has a tail peak of 38ft 7 in. The pilots of the easyJet flight 4706 to Nantes have been left so shaken by the close call that it was subsequently cancelled and the passengers have been despatched home.

The captain appeared visibly shocked when he emerged from the cockpit and knowledgeable passengers that “a crash had been avoided by three metres”, Érard, a 29 12 months previous traveler, instructed Le Figaro newspaper. The captain mentioned the incident had been the fault of the opposite plane, he added.

The BEA has categorised the occasion as a “serious incident”, grounding each flights to conduct a thorough investigation. Both black box recorders have been seized, and interviews with the pilots and air visitors controllers are scheduled.

The opposed climate circumstances may even be examined. The company warned towards leaping to conclusions prematurely, however did affirm that Nouvelair had approached the wrong runway.

An easyJet consultant instructed The Mirror: “The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is easyJet’s highest priority and in line with procedures, we are fully cooperating with the safety investigation that has been launched in order to understand what happened.”

Americans must be fingerprinted entering this European country starting October – Europe – Travel

Americans touring to Croatia this 12 months can count on a particular sort of welcome. Croatia’s new entry course of, starting October 12, will require vacationers to get fingerprinted and photographed. The aim of this new system is to spice up security and make border crossings faster.

This up to date course of is a half of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), which is set to interchange passport stamps. A border officer will no longer stamp your passport—you’ll as an alternative use a self-service kiosk to scan it. The first time a traveler enters a country utilizing the system, they’re required to supply 4 fingerprints and a facial {photograph}.

Subsquent journeys will be a lot faster and easier—with simply a facial scan to confirm the traveler’s identification towards the data saved securely within the system.

The distinction between the EES and the ETIAS processes

The EES course of entails being fingerprinted and photographed on the border. The new high-tech system is supposed to interchange a border agent stamping your passport.

The ETIAS course of includes the $7.50 go that’s set to be launched within the final quarter of 2026. It is the online travel authorization it’s important to apply for earlier than you allow home.

The ETIAS infrastructure can’t be put into observe till the EES system is working.

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Croatia is the primary European country to adapt the EES infrastructure

If you plan to travel to Croatia after October 13, you can see your self directed to the new EES kiosks. The course of is usually simple, and includes scanning your passport, offering your fingerprints and photograph, and answering a few questions on the screen.

TSA reveals popular phone that is too dangerous to take on plane – Travel News – Travel

A video shared on social media revealed that a almost decade-outdated prohibition on the use of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphone on airplanes stays lively.

The machine, which launched in 2016, poses explosion and fire dangers due to battery overheating points.

The footage was uploaded to TikTok by consumer Malckbro on June 6, garnering 2.5 million views, stories Mirror US. 

The clip reveals a TSA signal inside an airport warning vacationers towards carrying the machine.

The signal reads: “FAA BANNED ITEM / Samsung Galaxy Note 7 / Individuals may NOT transport this device on their person, in carry-on baggage, or in checked baggage on flights to, from, or within the US.” 

Samsung completely pulled the Galaxy Note 7 from the market, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issuing a ban in October 2016, fewer than two months following its launch.

Manufacturing defects within the smartphone batteries led quite a few models to overheat and ignite or detonate.

The battery manufactured by Samsung within the initial machine release featured a design defect that left sure electrodes weak to warping, often inflicting thermal runaway and electrical failure.

Officials labeled the machine as hazardous materials, with Amtrak trains and choose bus terminals additionally implementing bans. “We recognize that banning these phones from airlines will inconvenience some passengers, but the safety of all those aboard an aircraft must take priority,” former Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx mentioned in 2016.

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“We are taking this additional step because even one fire incident inflight poses a high risk of severe personal injury and puts many lives at risk.”

The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 stays listed as a banned merchandise on the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) web site in 2025.

“The U.S. Department of Transportation, with the Federal Aviation Administration and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, have issued an emergency order to ban all Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphone devices from air transportation in the United States,” in accordance to the TSA web site. 

“Individuals who own or possess a Samsung Galaxy Note7 device may not transport the device on their person, in carry-on baggage, or in checked baggage on flights to, from, or within the United States.”

Cyberattack on European airports disrupts flights to and from the USA – Travel News – Travel

Several airports in Europe have been hit with a cyber assault Saturday, disrupting operations and delaying flights.

The assault focused test-in and boarding systems at Brussels, Berlin’s Brandenburg and London’s Heathrow airports, experiences the Associated Press. Only handbook test-in and boarding are attainable till the assault is resolved.

The disruptions have been centered on MUSE software program made by Collins Aerospace, not the airports or airways themselves. The impacts are anticipated to stretch into Sunday.

The Brussels airport mentioned in a assertion, “There was a cyberattack on Friday night 19 September against the service provider for the check-in and boarding systems affecting several European airports including Brussels Airport.”

The airports in Cork and Dublin additionally noticed a minor affect. The Dublin Airport evacuated passengers from Terminal 2 Saturday, however a spokesperson mentioned it was “unrelated” and as a “precaution.”

The perpetrator behind the cyber assault is unknown. Experts mentioned it might prove to be hackers, legal organizations, or state actors.

Travel analyst Paul Charles instructed Sky News he was “surprised and shocked” by the assault that has affected one of the world’s high aviation and protection firms.

“It’s deeply worrying that a company of that stature who normally have such resilient systems in place have been affected,” he mentioned.

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“This is a very clever cyberattack indeed because it’s affected a number of airlines and airports at the same time — not just one airport or one airline, but they’ve got into the core system that enables airlines to effectively check in many of their passengers at different desks at different airports around Europe,”

Axel Schmidt, head of communications at the Brandenburg airport, mentioned that to this point, no flights have been canceled because of this, however “that could change.”

Heathrow Airport in London is Europe’s busiest airport, and disruptions have been “minimal” as no flights have been canceled associated to the assault. It’s unclear how many flights have been delayed.

The cyberattack on European airports is disrupting some flights between the USA and Europe, inflicting delays and cancellations at key hubs like London Heathrow and Brussels, however there’s no signal of direct affect at U.S. airports or on home U.S. flights.

Travelers flying to or from the USA through affected European cities could expertise delays and are urged to test with airways for updates.

Major airlines take action against employees over Charlie Kirk comments – Travel News – Travel

Three main airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and United Airlines, have confirmed the suspension and termination of employees over social media posts associated to the current deadly capturing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The airlines have issued inside memos and statements, emphasizing that they don’t tolerate any social media content material that violates their company insurance policies.

While the particular content material of these controversial posts stays undisclosed, it is clear that the airlines implement strict guidelines against employees sharing politically charged violence, even on personal accounts. This action follows quite a few stories of corporations severing ties with employees over social media posts regarding Charlie Kirk’s dying.

Delta

Delta Airlines’ CEO Ed Bastian addressed the difficulty in an inside memo that has since been shared online and verified by CNN.

“We were made aware of Delta employees whose social media content, related to the recent murder of activist Charlie Kirk, went well beyond healthy, respectful debate,” Bastian mentioned.

He additional added, “These social posts stand in stark contrast to our values and our social media policy, and these employees have been suspended pending an investigation.”

Bastian clarified within the inside communication that Delta employees members function company representatives across the clock, whether or not working or not, and any breach of the social media pointers will end in disciplinary action that would result in dismissal.

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American Airlines

American Airlines issued its own assertion, confirming that staff who used social media to “promote such violence on social media were immediately removed from service,” based on CNN reporting.

The provider posted on X: “American Airlines condemns violence of any kind. Furthermore, hate-related or hostile behavior runs contrary to our purpose, which is to care for people on life’s journey.”

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy revealed that a number of American Airlines pilots have been “grounded and removed from service.

“This habits is disgusting and they need to be fired. Any company accountable for the protection of the touring public can not tolerate that habits,” Duffy declared.

United Airlines

United Airlines took similar action by distributing a memo to all pilots reinforcing the company’s social media guidelines. The airline verified to CNN that staff members have faced suspension for policy violations.

“We’ve been clear with our prospects and employees that there is zero tolerance for politically motivated violence or any try and justify it,” United stated.

Trump administration targeting anyone ‘celebrating’ Kirk’s death

Secretary Duffy has been vocal on social media about the recent employee terminations, stating, “Any worker caught celebrating the assassination of Charlie Kirk will probably be held accountable.”

He emphasized that the U.S. Department of Transportation “will not tolerate our employees celebrating political violence.” He also commented on specific airlines taking disciplinary action against employees.

“It is the appropriate of each American to really feel protected and free of political hate in our airspace,” Duffy expressed on social media. “Thank you @Americanair, @united, and @Delta for suspending employees who praised Charlie Kirk’s assassination… @USDOT applauds you for taking step one in sending the appropriate message.”

Numerous different employees from eating places and numerous companies nationwide have additionally risked their jobs by posting about Kirk on social media.

Spirit Airlines pilots slammed in humiliating audio for flying close to AF1 – Politics – News

A Spirit Airlines pilot was reprimanded by air visitors control on Tuesday for not instantly adjusting course because it handed Long Island, the place Air Force One was flying over on his manner to his historic second state go to to the U.Ok.

The passenger flight, Spirit Flight 1300, was about eight miles away from the presidential plane, flying prospects from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Boston Logan International Airport. The two had been quickly closing in on one another as they had been flying over the president’s hometown of New York City. 

“Spirit 1300 turn 20 degrees right,” an air visitors controller radioed, in accordance to audio captured by LiveATC.internet. Following 5 seconds of no response, the controller repeated the instructions, “pay attention, Spirit 1300 turn 20 seconds right. Spirit 1300 turn 20 degrees right, now. Spirit 1300 turn 20 degrees right, immediately.”

After the transient delay, the pilots acknowledged the instructions and commenced making the changes. It stays unclear why they didn’t instantly reply; nevertheless, in accordance to CNN, pilots are skilled to make flying the plane their first precedence earlier than speaking.

Later, after the Spirit pilot didn’t reply to one other command, the controller turned annoyed, ordering the pilot to “pay attention.”

“Safety is always our priority,” a Spirit Spokesman advised CBS News following the incident. “Spirit Airlines flight 1300 followed procedures and Air Traffic Control (ATC) instructions while en route to Boston and landed eventually (in Boston).”

The FAA additionally issued a assertion concerning the incident, saying a “preliminary investigation shows aircraft maintained the required separation.”

The White House didn’t instantly touch upon the state of affairs.

But regardless of the tense exchange, President Trump and the primary woman arrived safely in the U.Ok. to kick off the historic state go to, at London Stansted Airport. The couple took off from the U.S. from Joint Base Andrews, in Maryland.

After arriving in London on Tuesday, the Trumps flew by helicopter to Windsor on Wednesday to meet with King Charles III and Queen Camilla. He is anticipated to meet with Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday at his countryside property, Chequers, the place they are going to signal a flurry of offers and maintain a joint press convention.

Royal Caribbean cruise brawl forces ship to return to Florida port – US News – News

A Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas cruise ship was compelled to return to Miami after a number of passengers engaged in a huge brawl onboard, ensuing within the harm of a quantity of visitors.

Two passengers have been reportedly transported to the hospital as soon as the vessel returned to Port Miami Monday evening, in accordance to WSVN.

Officials of the Miami-Dade Rescue personnel arrived on the scene and handled the injured adults concerned within the earlier incident. One witness claimed they noticed a giant group of people race to the pool space shortly earlier than the captain introduced the return to port, in accordance to local10.

As seen in photos circulating on social media, there was a appreciable police presence on the port, and a number of other ambulances have been additionally within the neighborhood. 

One one who posted photos from onboard the ship mentioned the brawl concerned round 12 people who have been later escorted off the vessel.

An analogous incident occurred in August when a group of visitors aboard a Carnival Cruise reportedly brawled “over chicken tenders.” Footage confirmed a violent scene as younger vacationers engaged in a brutal battle, as spectators watched in shock. 

Security guards rushed in to control the state of affairs, with one seen talking into his walkie-talkie to seemingly request backup.

As the battle ensued, many bystanders are seen recording on their telephones. One screamed: “Where the f— is security?”

Church’s surprising verdict on Virgin Mary statue weeping olive oil – Weird News – News

Thousands of pilgrims from throughout the globe embarked on the prolonged trek south of Perth, Australia, hoping to witness the outstanding Madonna statue at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, all for one extraordinary motive.

The statue was put in in 2003 and rapidly captured the eye of devoted spiritual followers who noticed what they believed to be a miraculous phenomenon. Within months of being displayed, guests started claiming they witnessed the determine shedding oily tears.

Following information of a ‘miracle’ at a US church that noticed worshippers allegedly witness a statue blinking, the Madonna statue serves as a illustration of the Virgin Mary, embodying ideas of purity, motherly devotion, religion, hope, and redemption within Christianity. The phrase itself stems from the Italian expression ‘ma donna’, that means ‘my girl’.

Before long, the archbishop initiated a formal inquiry into what believers had been describing as a potential miracle, looking for to deal with the rumors and conjecture that the oil tears would possibly really be fraudulent. Though he professed to “believe in miracles,” Archbishop Hickey declared on the time that they could not but decide if this was “definitely one of them,” in keeping with The Age.

Notably, the church maintains a particular set of official standards that should be happy earlier than any phenomenon might be proclaimed a miracle. In this occasion, there have been no established tips relating to a crying statue, but no different rationalization existed past supernatural involvement, experiences the Mirror US.

He mentioned: “I’m not saying it wasn’t a miracle, by the way; I’m saying we haven’t sufficient proof. I don’t know how it happened; all I can say is other interpretations are possible.” Following complete examination by a physician, priest, and microbiologist, no proof of tampering was found during detailed evaluation of the statue. The hole determine underwent magnification, X-ray, and CT scan procedures throughout 4 days, the archbishop reported.

He said there have been no “hidden channels for the passing of liquids outside the statues.”

The testing revealed the oil was really vegetable oil containing rose oil droplets, believed to point human manipulation.

The thorough investigation additionally tracked the timing patterns of the statue’s weeping, which allegedly began on March 19 during the feast of St. Joseph. It endured all through the 4 days of Easter that 12 months, and during the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady into Heaven, it wept nearly nonstop till mid-January.

The archbishop famous there have been a number of events when the statue remained dry. “One was the four days during which they examined the statue,” he mentioned.

“And one was the month I asked for the statue to be isolated in the office of the parish priest of Rockingham.”

After the puzzling weeping incidents and thorough investigation, the statue was ultimately returned to its unique proprietor, parishioner Patty Powell. The weeping Madonna was by no means exhibited in church again.