Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

Air Law 13

Last week, we issued Air Law 12, in which the indiscriminate bogarting of both electrical outlets by a single user was banned.

And, on Thursday, as I roamed DTW looking for juice, I was overjoyed to find not a single self-absorbed traveler double-plugged.

What I did find were clueless travelers sitting in the seats next to electrical outlets with absolutely no hardware to recharge. Eatin' nachos. Readin' books. Takin' up space.

Not just at a few gates...but the ENTIRE C Concourse.

Therefore:

AIR LAW 13: It is hereby forbidden for any air traveler to sit in a seat next to an electrical outlet if they do not have a device requiring a charge.

Of course, those people probably don't have mobile phones or laptops and, thus, don't read this blog.

However, ignorance of an Air Law is no defense...and Air Law Marshalls are hereby authorized to use cattle prods or tasers to dislodge these non-juice seeking travelers.

Paul Newman's Start

One of the finest actors in history has left the building. But, Paul Newman was much more than a gifted performer. His philanthropy was simply outstanding.

And to think that he wanted to be an executive at a large department store. That's what he wrote on his application to attend Kenyon College. Drama was an "extracurricular" interest. Football and drinking were far more important.

Until he and members of the football team got into a bar brawl with some townies. After getting thrown off the team, he needed to fill his afternoons with some other activity. He tried out for a play.

The rest is history. The picture above shows Newman leading a class discussion on campus at Kenyon in 1978. The bearded student is my classmate and friend Doug Ballard, who went on to have rolls on countless TV shows including "Northern Exposure" and was recently a key character in "The Dark Knight."

Fundamental Elements

Hanging earlier this week at the very cool Brick Street Bar in Oxford OH (home to Miami University). Fundamental Elements was on stage and is definitely worth a listen.

Great set from this up and coming band...but what was up with all the girls wearing cocktail dresses?

I asked couple locals if this was normal behavior or a sorority thing. They shook their heads and said that the girls here do it all the time.

Being from Madison (and the University of Wisconsin), I don't see this much at all on my campus. But, for those in other college towns, is this common?

Talk to me. And check out FE...

Court Orders Expedia to Pay Full Room Tax

The Superior Court of Muscogee County has found in favor of the City of Columbus GA in its suit against Expedia over unpaid Room Tax revenue. Expedia has been remitting Room Tax on the wholesale price it purchases the rooms for. Columbus contended that the Room Tax should be on the final amount that the consumer pays Expedia.

I think this is the first one to go a destination's way. Expect an appeal.

A full explanation of the intricacies of this case are at HotelNewsNow.

The Look of Confidence

A look of confidence can engender incredible support. After seven years of leading the United States, you'd think that such a look would be easy to offer the public last night.

But, when they needed it most...it was so not there.

Psssst. Sell!

Air Law 12

Some airports come equipped with lots of electrical outlets for road warriors to recharge laptops, iPods, phones and video players. Some (like ORD) do not.

I was in one of those airports last week, prowling like a junkie looking for a quick fix...praying for just a little juice with which I could finish a report on the next flight. Everywhere I looked, outlets were being bogarted by individuals that had plugged their stuff into both outlets.

And...ummm...that's just selfish. Thus:

AIR LAW 12: The One Person - One Plug Rule is now in effect. I mean, really, I know you think you're all that and a bag of chips. But, what gives you the right to block others from the juice they crave? Pick the tech unit that is most important to you...but not both. 'Cause that just shows the world how selfish you are.

Air Law Marshalls are hereby authorized to remove the largest of the two adapters from the plug you're bogarting...and stick it up your self-absorbed butt.

Hey...no whining. You selfish goofs brought this on yourself.

Oh, You Can't Do That

Resonating the classic Beatles lyric is this sign, found in a Japanese restroom (click to enlarge and picked up by Gadling).

To the owners of the establishment: do you think the people that do these four things are paying attention to your signs?

Nice try, though....

As Fuel Prices Decrease...

...will the inane fees on air travelers be reversed?

After all, some airlines said that the extra fees were in response to rising fuel prices...and that they were only temporary.

Air Canada has just discontinued their ill-advised foray into charging for luggage, citing the recent reduction in fuel costs.

Will Northwest (or any other American carrier) do the same?

I'm not holding my breath in anticipation.

Pardon me...

...while I take this call on my cool new phone.

Photo: AP/J. Scott Applewhite

Rocker to the Rescue

When the British vacation-packager XL went belly-up last week, it stranded hundreds of clients in Greece and Egypt with no way to get home.

Enter Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson...who flew the band's 747 to both destinations to retrieve the company's clients.

Sure, he loves to fly. But, what a heart! Especially given the band's image (thanks to its album covers) to many that confuse rock theater and branding with the reality of the people behind the mask.

Hat tip to eTurboNews for the catch.