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MouseSavers.com - Disney Discount Source - Disney World Discounts, Disneyland Discounts, Disney Cruise Discounts Great deals on all things Disney! Welcome to MouseSavers.com sm , your source for Disney discounts, helpful information for Disney vacations , and codes and coupons for Disney merchandise . Want to save money on your next vacation at Walt Disney World or Disneyland ? Looking for a discount on a Disney guidebook or other Disney merchandise ? If you need any kind of Disney discount, you're in the right place! MouseSavers.com also offers discount information for Universal Studios, SeaWorld, Legoland and other Southern California & Florida attractions . Walt Disney World Disneyland Disney Cruise Line Transportation for Your Disney Vacation Other Disney Travel Savings Discount Disney Shopping Mall Live Disney Shows Disney Freebies Disneyland Resort Paris Disney Parks in Asia Disney's Vero Beach/Hilton Head Non-Disney Theme Parks & Attractions More information: About MouseSavers.com Frequently Asked Questions Trip Reports and Articles Links Testimonials Privacy Policy & Legal Stuff Contact Mary LATEST HOT DEALS - AS OF 12/28/05 Is your New Year's resolution a trip to Disney for your family, but you have no idea how to afford it? Take a look at this page on how to save money for your Disney vacation . Maybe it will inspire you! You might also be interested in these articles about how a family of 4 may be able to visit Walt Disney World on a $1000 shoestring budget or a $1500 budget . FREE shipping on orders of $75 or more at DisneyShopping.com . Plus, up to 70% off sale . Combine this with a coupon code to save even more! Hotel Royal Plaza in the Walt Disney World Resort is about to reopen after more than a year of renovations. You can now book MouseSavers rates for stays beginning January 21! May-December 2007 3-night and 4-night sailings on the Disney Wonder are now on sale. (Exceptions: the 6/17/07, 6/24/07 and 7/1/07 sailings are being held back and are not bookable at this time.) Contact a Disney specialist travel agent to book your stateroom. Fantastic MouseSavers exclusive offer at Hilton Anaheim : $50 credit toward Disneyland tickets, plus kids eat breakfast FREE and lunch & dinner for 99 cents ! If you are planning to purchase multiple Disney movies in the next two years, be sure to check out the great deals available through Disney Movie Club . Click here for details! Need luggage for your Disney vacation? MouseSavers.com readers get an exclusive 20% discount at eBags -- applies to almost all luggage items! Are some links not showing up in the text above? Are words missing from sentences? Click here to learn why. Sign up for the FREE MouseSavers Newsletter and get exclusive discounts not available on the web site! Sign up to watch this page for updates! (The update service is provided by ChangeNotes, which is not affiliated with MouseSavers.com. If a new offer is added to this page, it sends you an e-mail the next day.) There is now a MouseSavers.com newsfeed! Click on this icon to start using RSS now! Back to top Content of MouseSavers.com is © Mary Waring & MouseSavers 2001-2005. No part of this website may be reproduced in whole or in part without permission.

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Europe Travel - A European Vacation Travel Guide  You are here: About > Travel > Europe for Visitors Travel Go Europe Essentials European Vacation Planning Map Europe Travel 101 - Before you Go European Distances The Best of Europe European Photo Gallery Articles & Resources Europe Travel Planning What to do In Europe Lodging - Hotels and More European Travel Maps Sex and Nudism Travel Photography Transportation Benelux Countries France Germany Austria Switzerland Greece Italy and Malta Travel Info Scandinavian Travel Spain and Portugal United Kingdom and Ireland Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Italy Travel Guidebooks Europe Travel Guidebooks German Travel Guidebooks Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Europe for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Europe for Visitors From James Martin , Your Guide to Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Antwerp Pictures Antwerp is a fashion and diamond center for Belgium and the world, it has one of the most beautiful train stations in Europe, and it was home to artist Peter Paul Rubens in the 17th century. What's not to like about this Belgian port city? See what it's all about in our latest photo Gallery: Antwerp Pictures . More Antwerp Travel: Antwerp Travel Directory | Antwerp Lodging | Antwerp Museums Wednesday December 28, 2005 | permalink Like to Travel Well? Follow the CIA! I really should have paid attention when the CIA came recruiting at my college. Operatives really get to live it up when they travel, apparently. Imagine, the lucky seven of the "Surveillance Team" sent out to case the joint before kidnapping 39-year-old Muslim preacher Osama Moustafa Hassan Nasr, also known as Abu Omar, managed to spend "$39,995, not counting meals, parking and other services" for a week at Milan's Principe di Savoia ( check prices ), where a room goes for a mere $588 a night, according to Newsday . Once Abu Omar was behind bars in Cairo the CIA folks broke up and went their various ways, some to the renowned Grand Hotel Baglioni ( check prices ) in Florence , a few in cozy pairs to save the taxpayers money, no doubt. Travel Resources: Milan Profile | Florence Profile Tuesday December 27, 2005 | permalink Tapas from Cans? Ok, so you wander into one of Barcelona's most celebrated tapas bars thinking, "wow, I'm gonna down me some fine, fresh seafood this evening--non of that canned stuff like we get at home..." Well, Quimet and Quimet is one of Barcelona's best tapas bars, recommended by just about anyone. Joaquim Perez, owner of Quimet and Quimet, has been called Barcelona's culinary king of canned food. That's right, a tapas king devoted to high-quality goods preserved in metal. I had heard about the increasing interest in vintage sardines , whose flavors are said to increase in intensity and complexity with aging. But Mr. Perez has extended this idea of unlikely gourmet tinkering; he buys "fresh" Galician navajas (clams) from the cannery and sets them to aging for a year or two before serving them (plain) to his customers. And they love 'em. Maybe you should go and see what this canned gourmet thing is all about. There are worse places to spend time on a research expedition. More: Gastronomic Route: Barcelona, a tapas town? Travel Resources: Barcelona Guide | Barcelona Pictures Thursday December 22, 2005 | permalink North Holland: Noah's Ark Redux A pious north Holland businessman took out a 300 000 loan and turned his investment into a "faithful reconstruction of Noah's Ark in scaled down form on the basis of biblical texts," according to the Mail & Guardian . Spring is the expected launch date. No word on where the animals will come from. Travel Resources: North Holland Travel | Holland Map | Benelux Rail Passes Thursday December 22, 2005 | permalink Appreciate Long John Shivers? Head for the Alps I know I frequently extol the virtues of off season travel, but there's a whole bunch of adventurers willing to go the extra mile in their long johns to enjoy icier surroundings than I'd care to experience. Those would be the Ice Hotel People. Word from Vagablond is that "a new ice hotel is being constructed 7,000 feet up into the German Alps." HotelChatter says this ice hotel might well be part of the Iglu-Dorf chain, who specialize in things like Inuit igloos in Switzerland. Like it cold? Get you thrills in the Alps this winter. I'll toast your bravado at the hearth with a steaming hot toddy. Travel Resources: Germany map and Travel Essentials | Switzerland Map and Travel Essentials . Tuesday December 20, 2005 | permalink Europe Travel in the Off Season Why travel in the off season? Well, you know the reasons: fewer tourists, lower prices, and cooler temperatures, to name a few. But there's another reason for me, and that's the warm, slanting light that brings photos alive. See what I mean by taking a gander at: Liguria Pictures - Picture Gallery of Liguria in Autumn . And if you still want to see more pictures of Italy , try out Italy for Visitors Florence Pictures , taken in November. Travel Resources: Off Season Travel Tips | Italy Travel Map Sunday December 18, 2005 | permalink Travel Gifts Ok, you're thinkin' it's too late to post some ideas for gifts at this late date. Hey, you can chalk it up to sloth and indolence, but I don't start burdening my mind with thoughts about winter holidays in May like the rest of my family. The crunch starts now. So I've made up a list of recommended Travel Gifts . Of course, you could buy some of the stuff for yourself as well. Take a look. You've got language help, a deep, inside look at the Vatican, and more, not to mention that Tyrolean Boiled Wool Jacket like you've always wanted. More Stuff You Need: Top Travel Photography Gear Friday December 16, 2005 | permalink Joe Torre carries the Olympic Torch in Florence New York Yankee manager Joe Torre carried the Olympic torch 400 yards to the foot of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence yesterday as part of "American day" in the two-month Olympic torch relay. It was the first time he'd been to Italy in 20 years, despite the fact that his mother was born in the village of Patina near Naples. (Source: Indystar.com ) The torch Joe carried was designed by the folks at Pininfarina , who've banged out quite a few sexy Italian auto bodies in their time. The Olympic torch is designed to work in rain, snow and wind up to 74.56 miles per hour, not to mention temperatures from -4°F to +77°F. According to what I've heard, the torch suffered much less than Mr. Torre during the run. Travel Resources: Florence Travel Directory | Florence Pictures: Views from the Arno | Naples Travel Directory Photo above: Ponte Vecchio, Florence by Martha Bakerjian, Italy for Visitors ; click "read more" to see it larger. Read more... Thursday December 15, 2005 | permalink Sunny Valencia It's cold here in my corner of California, prime time to think of warmer climes. Valencia pops to mind. Host to the 2007 America's cup, the sunny Spanish port city has been spiffing itself up lately, and many travelers have remarked that Valencia seems to be passing Barcelona as Spain's city of tourist choice. What's not to like? The spring La Fallas festival is a not to be missed attraction (plan now if you're going), the City of Arts and Sciences holds 87 acres of fascinating art, science and architecture, and the Barrio del Carmen is chock full of music, restaurants and clubs. Find out more about Valence by taking a peek at our latest: Valencia Spain Travel Information - Valencia Profile , or peruse our Valencia Travel Directory . Wednesday December 14, 2005 | permalink Hey Santa! Take That! Scroogy Musings: So a couple guys in Germany get asked what they want for Christmas by Santa, who happens to be waiting for a train home. They've been out shopping all day, unsuccessfully one assumes, because the next thing you know they've latched on to Santa's sack and "beat him over the head with it, breaking his fingers as he tried to protect himself." ( Santa - Germany's new stress buster ) Santa on a train? in Germany? A bit early, isn't it? Has the Christmas spirit been so commercialized that the little people like us suffer with the stress of plunking down good cash for stuff we think people might like but probably won't? Where is the joy of it all? Everyone remembers the magical experience of visiting Santa in the mall when they were kids and the smile it brought to your face. Unfortunately over the last few years it seems the spirit of Christmas is slowly being lost due to many different reasons including political correctness, busier lifestyles and many more issues. Hold on a sec. Now I'm angrier than a red-nosed reindeer. Everyone doesn't remember. Some of us are way too old to conjure the disgraceful vision of mall Santas in their mothball costumes and fake beards. The statement above comes from Live From Lapland (dot com). For a bit less than 15 dollars they'll make a custom video staring Santa, who'll be talking to your kids using the words you put in his mouth via the web site's control panel. Their Santa evidently lives in a paneled room and wears mall Santa clothes and beardage. It's in the sample flick. He could be in Kansas. Still, where else you gonna get a five minute flick to your specs for $14.95? Travel Resources: Lapland (the real one) | Chrismas in Europe Tuesday December 13, 2005 | permalink Display Latest Headlines | | | Read Archives powered by Movable Type Advertisement Most Popular Europe Map - Distances Between Cities in Western Europe Europe's Best Nudist Beaches Europe Picture Galleries Italy Pictures Europe Travel 101 - Before You Travel to Europe for the Firs... What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There Related Topics France for Visitors Greece for Visitors United Kingdom / Ireland for Visitors Eastern Europe for Visitors Italy for Visitors        Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There Headlines Antwerp Pictures Antwerp is a fashion and diamond center for Belgium and... Like to Travel Well? Follow the CIA! I really should have paid attention when the CIA came... Tapas from Cans? Ok, so you wander into one of Barcelona's most celebrated... North Holland: Noah's Ark Redux A pious north Holland businessman took out a 300 000...

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Big White Ski Resort Chalet & Condo Rental Directory : Big White Chalets & Condos by Owner Rentals Big White Ski Resort Chalet & Condo Rental Directory Big White- Budget to Luxury Ski-In/Out Chalets & Condos - Find Big White ski chalet & condo accommodation rentals, tips, maps & ski resort info on our owner direct vacation rental & vacation planning directory. Quickly search, view & book one of 70+, top-located Big White vacation rentals by owner to get local advice & to save tons of money on your ski vacation. More Big White Value & Ski Resort Hospitality for Less Money! -Avoid costly & unecessary Big White Ski Resort middle agent fees & book your Big White chalet or condo direct with owners! Big White Ski Chalet & Condo Vacation Rental Service & Value - Benefits to Booking your Big White Condo, Chalet or Townhouse on this Rental Directory Book your Big White owner-direct accommodations on AlluraDirect.com and savour the following benefits: More Big White Accommodation Value for Your Money/Affordability -You will pay less money as result of the elimination of middle agent fees, taxes and the nickel and dime factor. In most cases, owners do not charge hotel taxes, except if they own and manage more than 3 properties. You save 10% right away,and usually more... Search & View Big White Chalet & Condo Rentals See Your Big White Rental before you Book It! -See the exact vacation home you will stay in before you book it! Search & View Big White Accommodation Easy, Fast & Secure Reservations -Instantly confirmed, guaranteed reservations with online credit card payments. The owner never sees your credit card info when you pay via their AlluraDirect.com property web site. Search & View Big White Rental Chalets & Condos More Space for Less Money -You will get more space for your dollar-thus giving you and your family and friends more comfort! Search & View Big White Accomodation More Reservations Flexibility -Owners have more flexible policies like minimum night stays, check-in/out times, arrival and departure days, etc. Search & View Big White Chalets & Condos More Amenities -Book a personal ski or golf vacation home with a full kitchen and all the personal extras and convenience items that will make your vacation sensational! Personal private vacation homes have the personal conveniences and extras not typically found in a standard sterile vacation rental offered through booking agents. Search & View Big White Vacation Rentals More Local Big White Resort Knowledge -Get great local tips and advice from an owner who knows the resort! Search & View Big White Chalets & Condos More Personal Service -Your vacation home will have a dedicated customer service representative (the owner) with no other guests during that time periond, except YOU! Search & View Big White Ski Vacation Rentals Customer Support 7 Days/Week until 11 pm PST -We are here to assist you when need us the most! Search & View Big White Accommodation AlluraDirect.com Standards, Convenience & Confidence -Book on AlluraDirect.com and get standards you can trust! Book online with your credit card for a fast, easy & guaranteed reservation. Search & View Big White Accommodation Thanks for using our Big White Resort Chalet & Condo Rental Directory! Big White Chalet & Condo Rental Directory - Over 70 Chalets & Condos Vacation, Reservation & Check-In Support 9 am-11pm PST 7 Days per Week Local : 604-707-6700 Toll Free North America : 1 - 866 - 4 - Allura Toll Free UK : 0-800-028-9346 Toll Free Australia : 877-226-6358 Toll Free Hong Kong : 800-903-329 Email Us Big White Homepage Organize Vacation Find Accommodations 4 Fast & EASY Searching Methods FastFind My Owner/Property Find a specific person or listing Book with Confidence Find out why people like you & Frommers Travel love this Big White site! Checklist & Planning Resources Get Info, Tips & Savings Alerts Get Big White Tips & Free Vacation Planning Checklist! Keep In Touch All raves, rants & suggestions will be repsonded to! Send Positive Feedback Make Site/Service Suggestion Make a Complaint Update Your Guest Profile Owners Get Free Rental Business Tips! Get Property Listing Information List Property Now Owner Login Free Business Listings List Owner Service Business List Guest Services Business About Us Learn about AlluraDirect.com! Whistler | Sun Peaks | Big White | BC Ski Resort Canada Vacation Rentals by Owner Whistler Blackcomb Accommodations Rentals Home Big White Ski Resort Lodging Home Sun Peaks Lodging Home Big White Owner Direct Ski Accomodations Search Tools Big White BC British Columbia Lodging Vacation Checklist Big White Resort Quick Vacation Planning Reference Guide Chalet Rentals at Big White - Big White Ski Chalets Big White Real Estate For Sale

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European Travel, London Vacation Packages, Dublin Vacations, Britain and Ireland Tour Packages Book Online or call (800) 682-3333 Europe Asia Americas Caribbean Mediterranean Pacific Cruises Home Hotels Find a Vacation Specials Contact Us Italy & Sicily Spain & Portugal Britain & Ireland France Belgium & Holland Central Europe Scandinavia Greece River Cruises China & Japan Southeast Asia Thailand India South America Brazil Peru Costa Rica Bahamas Caribbean & Mexico Bahamas Cancun Riviera Maya Punta Cana Jamaica Greece & Turkey Israel Egypt Morocco Australia & New Zealand Tahiti China & Japan Southeast Asia Sea Cruises River Cruises Britain & Ireland Vacations : Explore London and Dublin with Gate 1 Travel. We offer Ireland and London vacations, custom-made for your time, family and vacation budget. Experience Europe with luxury vacation packages. Trust your European vacation with Gate1Travel, your Western Europe specialist. Call Gate 1 Travel today or click on one of the tour packages or vacations below for more information. Prices below include airline fuel surcharges but do not include airport taxes, fees and September 11th Security Fee which vary between $50 and $130 per person. Multicity Programs Ireland Escorted Tours European Cruises London and Dublin Vacation Packages Vacation in London and Dublin with these independent vacation packages including flight. London Vacations 5 Days from $479 Thursday departures: Nov '05 - Mar '06 6 Days First Class London from $529 Wednesday-Thursday departures: Nov '05 - Mar '06 6 Days from $529 President's Day departures: Feb 15 6 Days from $539 Valentine's Day departures: Feb 11 6 Days from $559 Tuesday-Thursday departures: Nov '05 - Mar '06 5 Days from $629 Thursday departures: Apr - Oct '06 Dublin Vacations 6 Days from $749 Wednesday departures: Nov '05 - Mar '06 6 Days from $749 Wednesday departures: Apr '06 - Oct '06 Multi-city London and European Vacations Tour Europe with these independent vacations featuring budget flight, hotel and train. 8 Day London & Amsterdam Wednesday departures: Apr - Oct '06 8 Day London & Amsterdam Daily departures: Nov '05 - Mar '06 8 Day London & Dublin Monday departures: Apr - Oct '06 8 Day London & Dublin Saturday departures: Nov '05 - Mar '06 8 Day London & Paris Monday departures: Nov '05 - Mar '06 8 Day London & Paris Monday departures: Apr - Oct '06 8 Day London & Rome Wednesday departures: Nov '05 - Mar '06 8 Day London & Rome Wednesday departures: Apr - Oct '06 9 Day London, Paris & Amsterdam Monday & Wednesday departures: Nov '05 - Mar '06 9 Day London, Paris & Amsterdam Saturday departures: Apr - Oct '06 9 Day London, Paris & Rome Friday departures: Nov '05 - Mar '06 9 Day London, Paris & Rome Friday Departures: Apr - Oct '06 Ireland Escorted Tours Tour Ireland with these escorted tour packages including a flight. 7 Day Ireland Dublin, Waterford, Killarney, Limerick European Cruises 16 Day Taste of Europe Departing: July 30, 2006 - Ship: ms Prinsendam HOT DEALS: discount prices for Britain and Ireland Tours 5 Day Weekend in London from $479 Holiday Specials President's Day Spring Specials Mother's Day Specials Memorial Day Specials Summer Specials Labor Day Specials Thanksgiving Specials Christmas Markets New Year Specials -- Valentine's Day President's Day February Winter Break Rio Carnival March Spring Break Easter Vacation Specials Travel Extras Sightseeing & Transfers Browse & Book Hotel Nights Protect your investment: Buy travel insurance Travel Tips & Tools Britain & Ireland Travel Tips Terms & Conditions Central London Transfers Passports & Visas The Comforts You Expect Map of Western Europe FAQ Email This Page to a Friend © 2005 Gate 1 Travel Home | About Us | Travel Agent | Free Brochure | Help | Site Map | (800) 682-3333 Read our privacy policy . Contact Us . This site can be best viewed using Internet Explorer 4.0, or higher. The browser software can be downloaded, free of charge, from the Microsoft website at http://www.microsoft.com . All external sites will open in a new browser. Gate1travel.com does not endorse external sites.

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"Air rage is caused by oxygen deprivation."--Diana Fairechild HOME | FREE | FAST | ABOUT | CONTACT | NEWSLETTER | RADIO | NONPROFIT | SEARCH EXPERT WITNESS | SPEAKING | CONSULTING | BOOKS | PRESS ROOM . AIR RAGE CAUSED BY OXYGEN DEPRIVATION By Diana Fairechild First Published by Reuters News Service in 7-98, then in the Jet Smart Newsletter on 12-28-98 "Diana Fairechild, who, having circled the planet more than a hundred times, is able to offer tips on everything from how to avoid blocked ears to how to get a freshly brewed cup of coffee." -GQ Magazine "Diana Fairechild is a natural born healer. She was put on Earth to help millions of people. I really truly feel that Diana's motivation is to educate us, the people who fly--who could die on airplanes." -Uri Geller, Psychic "Fairechild discusses all the hazards of air travel and how to protect yourself." -Andrew Weil, MD "Nobody should get on a plane without Jet Smarter. There is no other information out there on how to travel and protect your health at the same time. It's not available, I've checked. You must protect yourself... it's very serious. This book is indispensable. Don't travel without it." -Layna Berman ( radio ) "Fairechild's great sense of humor reduces anxiety. You become stronger by reading this book and able to protect yourself from the rigors of air travel." -George Hoffer, Frequent flyer "Jet Smarter is the Encyclopedia Britannica of air travel! Read it before you board an airplane -- then pack it in your carry-on. This book can save your health, maybe even your life! There are more dangers in flying than you ever dreamed of. It's all in Jet Smarter. The book is hard-hitting, in depth, comprehensive, full of solutions, entertaining, and often witty." -Arlene Ashe, reader "Diana Fairechild has been warning and advising frequent flyers about poor air quality in airplanes since her 1992 publication Jet Smart." -Frequent Flyer "The thing I enjoy only slightly less than a tooth extraction is flying... Fairechild, still perky after what amounts to 300 circumnavigations of the globe, said that the mostly non-lethal dangers of air travel amount to one of the great unexplored environmental health issues of the day...Considering how many of us this affects, this lone voice is well worth hearing." -John Bogert, Copley Newspapers "Diana Fairechild, a highly respected consumer advocate for the flying public, says there is 'no quick fix for all the symptoms of jetlag because of all the different causes -- shifts in time, alterations in magnetic fields, modifications in climate, and diversitites in cultures. Flying in commercial jets, we're deprived of air and humidity while exposed to recycled germs and chemicals, radiation, pesticides, and noise.'" -Ambassadair Travel Club "Fairechild has a bag of carry-on health tricks larger than fits in the overhead compartment, all included in her book, Jet Smarter." -American Bar Association Journal "Diana Fairechild, a former flight attendant who writes about and does consulting on the health risks of flying, says some frequent travelers often fail to connect the dots between their travels and chronic ailments." -Alina Tugend, The New York Times "Take the advice of Diana Fairechild." -Smart Money "Diana Fairechild is an aviation health and safety analyst." -Andrea Arceneau, CNN-TV "Diana Fairechild's book Jet Smart dropped a bomb in Washington and the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation changed policy." -Ed Randegger, Environ "Thank you so much Diana Fairechild for coming forward and saying what needs to be said about the airline industry. You are a real hero." -thepowerhour.com ALL AROUND THE WORLD, frequent flyers, territorial about armrests and fretful about footing, now secretly wonder if the person next to them is a business flyer or a berserk flyer! And they may have good reason to be apprehensive. Unruly behavior in the skies has been increasing at an astonishing rate in both numbers and levels of hostility. In well-publicized incidents, airline passengers have defecated on food carts, beaten up crew members, and even sexually assaulted their own seats! Here are some examples of "air rage." Passenger Mr. Finneran, a banker, was fined $50,000 by United Airlines after he assaulted an attendant and then defecated on a first-class food cart during a Buenos Aires-to-New York flight. Passenger Mr. Guzman-Hernandez removed his pants and then "simulated having sex with the back of his own seat." Passenger Mr. Misiak put his hands around the throat of a flight attendant and threatened her because she spilled a drink on him. A passenger named Ms. Pennix grabbed a flight attendant's finger and bent it backward. Pennix explained to authorities that she didn't like the way the flight attendant told her to put her tray and seat in an upright position before landing. Passenger Mrs. Levy grabbed a flight attendant by the arms and twisted her wrists. Levy was traveling with three children and explains that she lost her temper because her 20-month-old was crying, had wet pants, and there was no way to get to the bathroom. Passenger Mr. Okada from Japan "allegedly urinated on the seats" then punched another passenger who told him to stop. A group of drunken Irish tourists were apparently so unruly over the Atlantic that the crew enlisted the help of a wrestling team to restrain them. Airline crews have begun to take drastic measures which sometimes have disastrous consequences. In December 1998, an unruly passenger was aboard a Malov flight between Bangkok and Budapest. The crew and passengers tied the unruly man to his seat, then a doctor on board injected him with a tranquilizer. The passenger died--tied to his seat with airplane headset cords! Once the crew noticed that the unruly passenger had died, the plane made an unscheduled stop in Istanbul. Five witnesses (passengers) were detained by the Turkish police along with the doctor. After a 13-hour delay, the remaining 183 passengers winged away (and behaved themselves, in spite of their late arrivals and missed connections). An autopsy in Istanbul showed that the unruly passenger had died due to the mixture in his blood of the tranquilizer and some other drug or alcohol. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE? The airlines must accept the major portion of the blame. Here's why, numbered 1 through 5: 1) Airline management is not responding to the need for in-flight security. Crews should not be in the position to be bouncers and bodyguards. Every flight attendant I know has been the brunt of temperamental travelers. When I was exhausted myself at times, my lack of training in this area did not give me the skills to handle these passengers as well as I could have. 2) One more cause of air rage is certainly the in-flight cabin environment--a place that is high in toxic chemicals and allergens, and low in air pressure and oxygen. Vincent Mark, M.D., an environmental physician in Santa Cruz, supports my theory. "Curtailment of fresh air in airplanes can be causing deficient oxygen in the brains of passengers, and this often makes people act belligerent, even crazy," said Dr. Mark in a telephone interview, adding "I'm positive about this, and it can be proven with a simple blood test." Rage bubbles up at high altitude just like soft drinks fizz over at high altitudes. The link between air rage and poor air quality deserves a closer look. To start with, passenger unruliness began to rise some 20 years ago, coinciding with the cost-cutting practice of using recycled air instead of fresh air in commercial jets. 3) Still another culprit, high on the list of irritants for airline passengers, is cramped "sardine seating." Airline seats are now as small as seats on subway trains, and with many flights lasting longer, passengers feel they are packed like sardines in a can, or chickens in crowded cages. Is it any wonder they peck peevishly at those around them? The last time I flew, I was in an aisle seat in economy. The passenger next to me was too large to fit in his seat, and his touching me all through the flight made me very uncomfortable. On the other side, everyone who passed, even the carts, bumped into me. Airline executives (who travel in first class) have, to date, only pointed to excess luggage as the cause for surly passenger behavior. In testimony before Congress, airline management blamed air rage on the number and size of bags passengers bring on the plane. Upon closer examination, it appears the airlines themselves have contributed to the luggage problem by removing coat closets, leaving little room for garment bags or heavy outer clothing. And with eight percent of all airline baggage lost or stolen , travelers are increasingly reluctant to check their luggage. 4) The difference between passenger expectations for comfort and service and the reality of what awaits them on board, especially in coach class, is no doubt another contributor to the increase of air rage. Airline ads still show flight attendants answering passengers' every wish. This is not possible because all the airlines have downsized to save money. 5) Alcohol and altitude don't mix. The inside of the airplane cabin is 8,000 feet. Passengers are afffected by alcohol more quickly than they realize at high altitudes. Drinking dehydrates people, and this can lead to irritability, fatigue and tunnel vision. Since alcohol also lowers inhibitions, why should we be surprised that it also magnifies the emotional reaction to the difficult flying environment? Most air rage incidents have been alcohol related. While "unruly" passengers have been a problem within the airline industry for many years, they are just now coming to the attention of the public, the press and Congress. Even flight attendants are speaking up--in spite of the gag orders most have signed with their respective airlines. Since passengers, not just crew, are being fondled and assaulted, Congress is investigating. But the chances of an effective response are slim considering the fact that minimal airplane air quality standards--debated in Congress since June 12, 1996--have yet to pass into law. HERE'S WHAT TO DO In case you find yourself on a flight with an air raged "unruly" passenger: --Rather than confront the offender directly, leave your seat and seek out the purser or senior flight attendant. The purser is usually found in first class, so bypass the flight attendants in coach. Give the purser the row and seat number of the unruly passenger. Remain calm and communicate clearly. --And if you have a tendency to be an unruly passenger, here's what you might consider. The airplane is a microcosm of humanity. There are high-techies next to hikers, politicians next to pilgrims, and business flyers next to bawdy kids. Keep in mind that the trip is a challenge for everyone on board. Tolerance and gestures of gentility could make your flights more pleasant--for you, and for everyone around you as well. --Please! Think what you can do to make it easier for others. Say "please." Be kind. Act on your compassion. FROM READERS "I am very much impressed with your work concerning health in flight. My findings concerning environmental anemia actually re-enforce your original insight that the lower air-pressure of the in -flight cabin can cause air rage. My own work on this subject delves into the physiology of the oxygen deprivation and my results back up your original thesis." --Dr. Ross Lee Graham, University of Linkoeping, Sweden .... "I think they should do away with drinking alcohol on flights just like they did cigarettes. It's a toxin, a drug, and a leading cause of violence."--Dee Pollock "To what extent, do you think, the no-smoking rule, on international flights, is contributing to the "air rage"? While I absolutely support the rule, my son-in-law, who smokes, became extremely irritable and aggressive on a flight to London last year. My daughter was ready to kill him. I can see how nicotine deprivation combined with alcohol could be a dangerous combination."--Evelyn Staus "I would suggest that the enraged passenger develops his/her rage at the plane or in the terminal in specific, direct, and immediate response to airline employee arrogance, incompetence, superciliousness, discourtesy, rudeness, ignorance, and disregard for normal courtesy, much less some things called professional standards and professional conduct and professional performance."--Thomas Ryan Nelson RELATED PAGES Radio Interviews on Air Rage Pilots Control the Cabin Air Fairechild's Passenger Bill of Rights FOR MORE DEPTH & INFORMATION, SEE DIANA'S BOOKS AND/OR WRITE TO DIANA . HOME | FREE | FAST | ABOUT | CONTACT | NEWSLETTER | RADIO | NONPROFIT | SEARCH EXPERT WITNESS | SPEAKING | CONSULTING | BOOKS | PRESS ROOM FLYANA.COM