Travel Roundup: Aloha Blocked for Mesa Air, MBTA Goes Seat-less, Houston Airport Karaoke and More
Mesa Air can't go! Aloha -- A bankruptcy judge lambasted Mesa Air Group for crassly trying to take the now-defunct Aloha Airlines name and blocked the company from using it until Feb. 19 -- giving time for groups of supporters and opponents to respond. Judge Lloyd King postponed the licensing hearing Thursday saying, "How about all the people whose lives were devastated in this case?" King, also mentioning that Mesa's interisland service, called go!, was one of the main reasons for Aloha's demise, called the company insensitive. One man said that the airline using the name would be "heartbreaking," and the new Aloha Airlines would be "an airline with the face of a friendly kamaaina company but with the heart of a mainland predator." Yucaipa Cos., Mesa's parent company and former controlling shareholder of Aloha, bought the bankrupt airline's name and all of its intellectual property with a $750,000 bid Tuesday. [Source: Honolulu Star-Bulletin]
MBTA decides to go seat-less -- To address its rising ridership, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority decided to go seat-less in a two-car experiment on Boston's commuter rail. The modified cars will be used during rush hour and provide space for 27 more passengers.The transportation agency will have surveys for commuters to fill out about the experience, to find out if standing-room only would prevent them from using the train. "What we're looking for is feedback from our customers," said Daniel Grabauskas, MBTA general manager. "I don't think we'd ever eliminate all seats on an entire train." [Source: Boston Globe]
Houston airport begins karaoke sans bar -- Houston's Bush International Airport has set up a karaoke machine and it has been called a "logical step" for the airport, an airport spokeswoman said. Apparently the karaoke stand was set up in the international concourse and passengers were given an extensive list of Christmas songs. Airport officials say it's not unusual because in the past high school bands and churches performed. [Source: Houston Chronicle]
2010 Olympics officials competing with tour operators for cruise ships -- A shortage of hotel rooms for Vancouver's 2010 Winter Games may mean tourists and workers alike will stay on cruise ships docked near Vancouver, B.C. But because of various deals falling through, Olympic and Canadian officials are now competing with tour operators for the chartered vessels. Tour operators are offering rates starting at $3,000 a person for a minimum four-night stay.[Source: Globe and Mail]