Watercooler Stories

STRANDED FLIERS DOCUMENT THEIR PLIGHT

Officials at the Indianapolis International Airport are investigating an incident where a plane collided with a de-icing truck. Although there were no injuries aboard the ATA 737-800, it took 10 minutes for the airport's emergency crews to be mustered and get to the plane.

What followed has provided some interesting lessons in airport safety coordination and just how far technology has advanced.

The Indianapolis Star says that the plane was in the process of returning to the gate (because of a sick passenger on board) when the collision occurred.

To make matters worse for the passengers, they were kept in their seats for nearly two hours while workmen carefully raised the fuselage and removed the stuck truck from under the wing. It is in the wing that much of a plane's fuel is carried. The jet had just tanked up prior to taking off for Chicago Midway and eventually for Seattle.

Passengers are being compensated with coupons for future free trips.

Additionally, the experience proved an interesting commentary on the progress of technology. Some on the plane, during the two-hour delay, took out their video cameras, shooting pictures of the "rescue" operations. Several had interfaces for their cell phones, allowing them to send the nearly live photos to friends, showing them what kind of mess they were in. The passengers became instant on-scene reporters.

'NETWORKING' KEY TO HELPING KIDS

A group in Boise, Idaho, has been told that the best way to keep kids drug-free is to talk with teens and with other parents. Setting up a networking system is one good way to find out what teens are doing.

The forum that heard the message assembled in the Idaho state capital at Timberline High School. Area drug abuse experts were on hand to answer questions and give the parents ideas on how to stop drug abuse before it starts.

One interesting part of the message deals with reactivating a system that used to be part and parcel of parenting. Until a few decades ago, at least in many communities, "every adult had a role in parenting, for their child and others." Kids realized that if they messed up, a neighbor or other adult would tell them about it. There was a massive support group back then. It no longer exists.

The message being told in Boise is that that kind of "archaic" approach is still necessary. Parents need to know other parents and know how to share information about where kids are and what they are doing.

It's not spying, experts claim, it's simply a return to parental supervision.

USED CAR CHAINS STILL EXPANDING

Although some have come and gone, several chains specializing in used cars continue to open more outlets. One such company is J.D. Byrider. That merchandiser of less-than-new vehicles is based in the Indianapolis suburbs.

The latest city to see a Byrider franchise open is San Antonio, Texas.

The company is one of several national used vehicle chains that are operating in a multi-state configuration, often able to find cars and trucks in other areas and have them shipped to potential buyers.

The Indiana company operates some 130-plus sales locations in nearly 30 states.

In what is called "second-chance marketing," other players include EZ Motors and the Drive Time chain.

The news provider mysanantonio.com says that in the used vehicle marketing world, the new perk to get buyers is increased warranty protection. Byrider, for example, has just upped its warranty to 18 months or 18,000 miles. The protection, though, comes at a special "extra" cost at some sellers.

NOW WHERE SHOULD I PUT MY TICKET?

If all goes well, during a Miami-Cancun, Mexico flight next May the only thing the passengers will be wearing will be their seatbelts. A company is promising the first truly "Naked Airlines" experience.

OK, there's Naked News on TV in Canada, but has there been a "naked" airlines before? James Bailey, co-owner (with his wife) of Castaway Travel, tells the Miami Herald that he's planning a trip to Cancun where the passengers can cast away their duds as soon as the plane reaches cruising altitude. The trip will take place on a full-size jet aircraft with possibly more than 100 on board.

Bailey's company has been a long-time provider of "clothing optional" tours, but this is the first time he's made arrangements for participants to shed their clothing before reaching their destination.

The cost of the trip will be $499 for roundtrip airfare from Miami International Airport to Cancun.

Bailey says that during the two decades he's been in the travel industry, he's booked up to 50 nudist groups each year to interesting, clothing-optional destinations.

If the naked roundtrip is a success, he says, he might just make it a regular thing.

By the way, in the spirit of great journalism, the Herald's Ina Paiva Cordle came up with a great line in covering the story. When it comes to the naked flight, "the FAA is taking a 'hands-off' approach."

(Just think, if the naked flight began outside the terminal, the new screeners would have less trouble looking for contraband.)