TSA security measures are only optional, says Mica by Milota Sidorova

If you don't want to be disturbed and bullied in a plane, use a train or a bus or any other type of transport. That would be the core message of current and considerable issue in the U.S. Thousands of thousands of passengers using airplanes have been complaining on extending security measures that are beyond control, politness and effectivity. Full body scans or pat-down controls, copying datas from your devices and classifying object of daily use as „terrorist“ objects,well that wasn't a typical reality of American airports. And here, in the center of fights and polarized conflict, it's useful to mention several facts. The breaking stone creating an avalanche w! as 9/11 (despite the fact it was several times labeled as carefully prepared action with governmental ties), but from that time pressures for increasing security have been mounting. In 2002, Transportation Security Administration had only 13 employees, but after Democratic push, the very next days it increased and topped enormous number of employees counting 67,000. From that time TSA has been creating more and more security measures, but now 8 years after there have been grave reasons to doubt it they were a tool for violation of basic human rights and many now question their effectivity. One of them, Rep. John Mica who was one of the authors of TSA bill has been expressing doubts – at first he openly quoted that TSA was never meant to be a bureaucratical machinery with such low efficiency. Mica also said it was up to airports to choose TSA policies or not. Literally, the author of this machinery accepted that the „experiment“ went out of control and pass! engers as well as airports should be critical towards their po! licies. These days talks about security policies are reaching the highest positions and soon it will come to the day when airports will have to choose. Media reality is distorting the perception of reality itself– from everywhere we hear about 2009 case of arrested Nigerian citizen carrying a bomb in his underwear. But has anyone counted the number of all daily flights in the U.S. or in the world and compared it to this lonely action? How can this be an excuse or a goal? Some other statistics say TSA succeeded to catch around 24 people suspicious from terrorism. Really a good work for 8 years, one must say. Then media say something about security, fear, anger, policies, faceless enemies and fear once again... The place for opposition came out just few weeks ago when pilots expressed their anger towards humiliating checks. The checks are treating everyone as a potential terrorist – there is no exception not even for a President. And it seems that pilots were the breaking ! stone opening the discussion. The question is how long it will survive to improve things for better. TSA practices have gained a strong criticism even among the highest lawmakers – for example SPOT analysis – a practice to detect suspicious behavior. TSA argumented it took the model from Israel where it was really a successful tool and soon it adapted as its own. But the way it was working was absurd – at first the practice didn't have any scientific background and consisted from several observers who were at the airports and judged people as „suspicious“ and „non-suspicious“. But without any scientific key and revelant database of key signs and behavioral models, it was as subjective as it could be – not to mention the fact that people were observed without their knowledge. Not cameras, not scanners, but living agents observing the situation... Israeli version of SPOT analysis contained a person who was directly asking few q! uestions when passenger submitted the air ticket, so it was cl! ear who was observing. Mica's quote that it wasn't Israeli model, but TSA's screwed-up model now seems bitterly funny and tragic at the same time. However, another holidays are nearing and airports are expecing queues and lines of passengers. The situation of revolting passengers is their worst nightmare – and media statements and humiliation of people protesting against this pracices has began. What seems to be important, is to infrom people that airports can choose between security policies and that it has to be clear what kind of policies are acceptable and not doing inspections only for the sake of inspections themselves...

related story (sgx18658): http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_ai! rport_security;_ylt=Al_gwgyQ...

by Milota Sidorova for Cantell TV (http://cantell.tv)

Cantell TV is the fastest growing provider of digital broadcasting coupled with telecommunications, allowing people to easily control, view, upload and share digital content through proprietary interface coupled with free phone calls. Cantell TV is committed to delivering infinite choices to your world of entertainment at the tip of your fingers.

Security vs. Privacy... Where are the limits? by Milota Sidorova

When you travel from Amsterdam to U.S. be prepared for full body scan. This is the only one European airport that is doing these kinds of practices. Security checks are carefully scanning not only your pockets, but also content of your inner body. What if you could hide some drugs or explosives inside your body? To a common EU citizen it sounds weird, why should somebody scan you to the last detail and of course there were protests against such antiprivate interferences. Surely, you can guess that all these complaints were kicked off in the name of security. Politicians and media tend to repeat that we are living in the age of terrorism, but on the other way they are really! comfortable when it comes to the advantages of such checks. Security is just a side effect of absolute control. And this may be too much for people who want to travel fast. Well, maybe this kind of check is common in the U.S., but it doesn't mean it is popular and accepted. Recently American media made it a weekend show – the case was pilots were complaining against such body checks before every single flight. According to them it showed a bad morals to passengers – because who else should be trusted if not the pilot? For many of them these checks were not far away from sexual harrasment and enormous waste of time. Another reason was decreasing human and professional dignity – pilots should be considered equal and trusted partners of the company, in fact according statistics they are in the bottom line of potential terrorists. Well, here we come into the situation when a quote goes against another quote... Some pilots are complaining and revolting. But wi! ll companies hear them? Will somebody even think of relevance ! of their voices? We are living in weird age of fear policy that says that anyone can be a terrorist. They say there is no such thing as cooperation or general trust. And for this blinded attitutude their voices will be lost. Unless they make a real revolution and stand up for their rights. Why should they be treated as criminals? But why they shouldn't be treated like this?

related story (sgx18621): file:///Users/callamensajero/Desktop/Pilots%20among%20those%...

by Milota Sidorova for Cantell TV (http://cantell.tv)

Cantell TV is the fastest growing provider of digital broadcasting coupled with t! elecommunications, allowing people to easily control, view, upload and share digital content through proprietary interface coupled with free phone calls. Cantell TV is committed to delivering infinite choices to your world of entertainment at the tip of your fingers.

Carnival Splendor safe in San Diego port by Zuzana Zelenakova

Cruise ship Carnival Splendor arrived safely to the San Diego port on November 11 after spending several days at sea without power. Six tug boats guided Carnival Splendor to the port with nearly 4,500 passengers and crew aboard. These had to put up with challenging conditions for three days as an engine room fire caused the loss of power. Pools and casinos were shut down so people did not get much of fun they originally signed up for. Fortunately, cold water was running aboard due to generators. Basically, there was nothing to do for passengers but to wait for the next mealtime. So, they passed their time singing, playing cards or simply chatting. After the cruise liner ca! me to the port hotel rooms and transportation were already arranged for the passengers greeted at the port by their friends and families. “Obviously it has been a challenge but let me tell you the most important facts, and those are that the ship is safe, the guests are safe and that nobody was injured in what was a very difficult situation. I also want to tell you that the guests have been magnificent and have risen to the obvious challenges and difficult conditions onboard,” wrote John Heald, senior cruise director on the carnival Splendor in a blog post. This case confirmed to many people that vacation at sea can be rather unpredictable. "If you want a completely predictable vacation don't go on the sea," said Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor at Cruisecritic.com who knows her way around on cruise ships. "Ships are bigger and have better stabilizers than ever before, but they are still on the sea and the sea is nature and nature is unpredictable.'" Fortunately, ! the situation concerning Carnival Splendor was handled success! fully, a nd that was also due to 6,000 sailors from USS Ronald Reagan that happened to be in the area performing training exercises.

related story (sgx18606): http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20101113/ap_tr_ge/us_trave...

by Zuzana Zelenakova for Cantell TV (http://cantell.tv)

Cantell TV is the fastest growing provider of digital broadcasting coupled with telecommunications, allowing people to easily control, view, upload and share digital content through proprietary interface coupled with free phone calls. Cantell TV ! is committed to delivering infinite choices to your world of entertainment at the tip of your fingers.

Carnival Splendor stranded after engine fire by Barbora Misakova

Just like millions of other people I am still fascinated by the story of the ‘unsinkable’ Titanic. Story of hundreds of people whose lives were lost at that dark and cold night is fascinating me over and over again. And every time we build something ‘indestructible’ I am expecting similar tragedy. Those who were onboard the Carnival Splendor – cruise ship stuck in the middle of nowhere – probably had similar thoughts. When the ship lost power after an engine fire Monday, it was adrift about 200 miles outside San Diego and 44 miles off the coast of Mexico. It was not only out of cell phone range, but the fire left the ship without air cond! itioning, hot water or hot food. Problem was also with water – pumps were not working so “the worst part of the incident was the backed-up toilets” said Edward Warschauer, one of the passengers. Ginger Kalin said the worst part was “not knowing what was going to happen and how many days we were going to be like this.” Even though this story differs a lot from that Titanic’s one, people were frightened anyway. But later the fear was substituted by disappointment. “We have not had a hot cup of coffee in four days. This was my first cruise and it was no luxury, no fun.” said one of the passengers. All passengers will get a refund, including airfare, and a free cruise. Those holding reservations on the next Splendor cruise will be offered full refunds and a 25 percent discount on a future cruise. There is only one last question: who will be willing to go on the cruise again after this experience?

related story (sgx1! 8591): http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101112/ap_on_re_us/us_cruise_sh...

by Barbora Misakova for Cantell TV (http://cantell.tv)

Cantell TV is the fastest growing provider of digital broadcasting coupled with telecommunications, allowing people to easily control, view, upload and share digital content through proprietary interface coupled with free phone calls. Cantell TV is committed to delivering infinite choices to your world of entertainment at the tip of your fingers.

Disabled Carnival Splendor reaches the shore by Zuzana Zelenakova

It is a dream of many people to spend holiday aboard cruise ship headed to some exotic location. Now, imagine your trip that you worked so hard for does not go as planned and services aboard the ship you were looking forward to are drastically reduced. That is what happened to passengers aboard cruise liner Carnival Splendor after an engine fire earlier this week. The two tugboats have been pulling 952-foot ship towards San Diego Bay. It is expected that the cruise liner reaches the port late Thursday. 4,500 passengers and crew members are all safe, only exposed to challenging conditions. An Access to the Internet is not possible and also cellphone conncetion was lost unti! l Wednesday. Main attractions aboard the ship, the pools and casinos, were closed and there was only cold food served. "Obviously it has been a challenge but let me tell you the most important facts and those are that the ship is safe, the guests are safe and that nobody was injured," said Cruise Director John Heald who has been making a lot of announcements in recent days as he tried to keep passengers informed about the latest development of the situation. Basically everything powered by electricity went out after a Monday morning fire, that means no hot water, no air-conditioning, and so on. Generators kept at least toilets working. People tried to pass time somehow, playng different games, singing or just chatting. "So really, all we're doing is just kind of hanging out on a boat waiting for the next mealtime," said David Zambaro, one of the passengers. "It's almost like a diet cruise because we've been eating salads and fruit and small sandwiches," he said. Passengers ! will be given some refunds and also free replacement tri pas G! ary Cahi ll, Carnival CEO, said.

related story (sgx18579): http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_cruise_ship_fire;_ylt=AmLbLyUv...

by Zuzana Zelenakova for Cantell TV (http://cantell.tv)

Cantell TV is the fastest growing provider of digital broadcasting coupled with telecommunications, allowing people to easily control, view, upload and share digital content through proprietary interface coupled with free phone calls. Cantell TV is committed to delivering infinite choices to yo! ur world of entertainment at the tip of your fingers.

No lights! by Milota Sidorova

The situation when you book expensive holiday boat trip in November, hoping to enjoy beauties of Mexican shores, finally you get on the ship and after few hours everything remains without electricity, that is a scene worth of recent Holywood movie named the Road. Of course these things happen and machines are never certain, but this is the reality for about 4,500 passengers and crew of the Carnival Splendor sailing along Mexican Riviera. According to reports a fire spread out of engine-room and cut power that resulted in loosing air conditioning and hot water. The ship moved the next day (Tuesday) towards San Diego where all passengers would be Thursday night. The ship is r! unning on safe mode having enough electricity just to run the toilets and cold water. That also means people can't get warm food and so far they have been on cutting mode as well. The ship was out of supplies on Tuesday noon, so U.S. sailors loaded cargo planes and deported them on the boat, passengers however stayed on the boat. According to Navy Commander Greg Hicks more than 50,000 pounds of food has been delivered to the ship on Tuesday. And while passengers face not very pleasant conditions at the moment, it is clear that it will have costly consequences for Carnival. The cruise line will have to refund passengers and then they will have to re-establish its image. So far the company reported it could be rather bleak, since many cutomers tend to avoid of Mexican area because of drug smuggling. The shares of the company went down about 1 percent that day.

related story (sgx18563): http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_cruise_ship_fire;_ylt=AkHM2Jyi...

by Milota Sidorova for Cantell TV (http://cantell.tv)

Cantell TV is the fastest growing provider of digital broadcasting coupled with telecommunications, allowing people to easily control, view, upload and share digital content through proprietary interface coupled with free phone calls. Cantell TV is committed to delivering infinite choices to your world of entertainment at the tip of your fingers.

Singapore Airlines grounded three superjumbos to resolve engine problems by Zuzana Zelenakova

Singapore Airlines, the flag carrier of Singapore founded in 1947, has a strong brand name in the aviation industry. One of the most highly acclaimed companies in the world and a successful trendsetter was forced to ground three of its A380 superjumbos as recent rests uncovered engine problems. Four engine airliner manufactured by European Airbus is the largest passenger airliner in the world. The problems on Rolls-Royce engines in its A380 experienced also Australian airliner Qantas. An engine on the superjumbo exploded shortly after a take-off. As Singapore Airlines informed oil stains were discovered on the engines in the A380s. planes are to be transported to Singapore! where they will be equipped with new engines. "This is a precautionary move to find out what caused the oil stains." a Singapore Airlines spokeswoman said. "Rolls Royce recommended a detailed inspection of the engines." Qantas engine explosion occured during the flight from Singapore to Sydney on Nov 4. One of the plane´s four engines exploded over the Indonesian Island of Batam and the plane had no choice but to turn back. On Monday, Qantas officials announced that oil leaks had been discovered in the turbine areas in three different A380s. As the company´s CEO Alan Joyce said such leaks should not occur on new engines. Wednesday, the whole Qantas A380 fleet was grounded. The most likely cause of the oil leakage is a crack in the bearings´ oil supply pipe. "Normally it's not a critical problem, but if it's associated with a growing crack, then obviously it becomes a problem," said John Page, an aircraft designer and lecturer at the University of New South ! Wales in Sydney. "If it's a first indication it's a growing cr! ack, the n it's serious." The international investigation is led the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

related story (sgx18569): http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101110/ap_on_bi_ge/superjumbo_w...

by Zuzana Zelenakova for Cantell TV (http://cantell.tv)

Cantell TV is the fastest growing provider of digital broadcasting coupled with telecommunications, allowing people to easily control, view, upload and share digital content through proprietary interface coupled with free ph! one calls. Cantell TV is committed to delivering infinite choices to your world of entertainment at the tip of your fingers.