Queer Musings

American Airlines Supports ENDA

I normally don't talk about work, but I just saw that my company sent a letter to Congress in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).

Our endorsement of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) is consistent with our longstanding Statement of Equal Opportunity … The principles fostered by ENDA are consistent with our corporate principles in treating all employees with fairness and respect. On behalf of our more than 80,000 employees, we appreciate your consideration and encourage Congress to enact this important legislation.

It's things like this that make me glad I work for such an inclusive company.

Homeland Security Testing Biometrics

In hopes of stopping another terrorist attack the Department of Homeland Security is testing no contact biometric scanning of individuals. It would work on the same principle of a polygraph test. It would measure skin temperature, fluctuations in breathing patterns, and minute facial ticks.

There's a reason polygraph tests are not admissible in a court of law. They are not 100% accurate.

I don't see this as being a useful or accurate tool for screening passengers. What about passengers that had something unexpected happen on the way to the airport, or finding out their flight was canceled. Never mind the anxiety of dealing with the check in process even on a good day.

A Queer Museum - Proud Heritage

Proud Heritage is off to a good start of a three year project to create a national museum of GLBT history in the UK.

They've included a map showcasing GLBT establishments, and well as other sites that may be of interest to GLBT travelers.

via: [the chaser blog]

Ironic Union News

While checking the local aviation blog to see what they had to say about my company, I found this amusing story about the Allied Pilots Association. The APA is the union that represents our pilots.

I find it ironic that the union headquarters was being picketed five days after the pilots picketed in Dallas, Chicago and London.

Where to go

I'm trying to figure out where I want to go this year. I stumbled upon the GLBT travel section at Wikitravel. I'll have to check it out further.

Because of the way my company handles vacations, I've ended up with most of September and October for my vacation this year. It's been split up where I work a week, take vacation, work a week... Well you get the picture. I'm going to see if I can't have a week or two changed so I don't have those odd weeks that I work. If I can I'm going to try to go to Europe for a few days. Then, maybe, go to South America for a few days. After that I will try to go visit my old roommate in Chicago, and another old roommate in Florida.

It sucks though that I have to wait a year before I get to take vacation. After 14 years with the company, I got spoiled by being able to spread my vacation throughout the year. It might be nice taking all four weeks at once (I'll keep telling myself that and we'll see how it goes).

Getting Ready to Travel

Heading to Prague tomorrow. Flight leaves at 8 A.M. and I'm not totally ready. Will be heading up to Chicago then London. After that on to Prague.

Will post some when I get the chance. The hotel has free wi-fi, so I should have a free moment or two while I'm there.

Interesting E-Mail

I got an e-mail today that this picture was short listed for inclusion in the Schmap Travel Guide. It would be great if it made it into the guide for San Francisco.

Wish me luck!!!

Technorati Tags: Flickr, San Francisco, Schmap, Travel Guide

Crazy Things I See at Work

Every once in a while someone at works runs across something that is just too funny. One of the other airlines had a fare basis code (the code that helps the airline determine the rules of the fare) that spelled out what would be considered a naught phrase. OK, I'll cut to the chase. It was BLOWJOB.

I can tell you pretty much what the BLOW part would means, but the JOB part I can't remember.

The B is the booking code. L would indicated the season the fare is valid. Finally OW indicates that it is a one way fare. I really wish I could remember what the JOB would mean. I tried doing a search for Passenger Air Tariff since they are the complete reference for all things fare basis, and came up with bumpkis.

The part that made it even more amusing is it was an airline from a fairly conservative country. I'm sure that whoever was imputing the data for the fares that day is not a native English speaker. How were they to know they were doing something that would elicit a chuckle from others. The fare didn't last long in the system however, it was pulled the same day it was published. So I guess someone clued them into what it how it reads in English.

Technorati Tags: Airlines, Fare Basis Code, Passenger Air Tariff

Weather is a Cruel Bitch

So here I am sitting at Chicago O'Hare airport hoping I get on a flight back to Dallas. I thought I was being smart in trying to get out of Chicago before the winter storm hits. It is currently predicted that there will be massive snow here tomorrow.

What I didn't plan on was a winter storm back home...

Having lived in Oklahoma, I can tell you it is pretty serious when they activate their State of Emergency System. It is not supposed to be any better in Dallas.

I've called home and talked to a couple of friends and they said that it is just cold and rainy. So far the only ice has formed in trees and not on the roads. That could change.

Also a lot of the flights from Chicago to Dallas are canceled today. I think the only thing I have going for me is that I'm trying to get out on the 777. That plane pretty much has to be in Dallas so it can be dispatched on an international flight, or at least I hope that is the case. It also looks like all passengers have already been re-accommodated from canceled flights, and there is still availability.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I don't have to be back to work until Tuesday. If I don't get out tonight, I'll just catch the train back to J's apartment and try again tomorrow.

Technorati Tags: Snow, Weather, Winter Storm

Just Hanging Out

There's a reason why I don't live here in Chicago... It's too freakin' cold.

Needless to say I haven't been out much. The last couple of days. I'll be heading home tomorrow, so I thought I would share the link to the photos I've taken on this trip. I know there's a lot of pictures in the set right now. I'll thin it out some when I get home.

Technorati Tags: Flickr, Photos