First, there was the Heene family, and what it becoming known as the Bubble Boy Flight.  Or hoax, depending on which side of the issue you come down on.  A recent CNN breaking news report said that charges were soon to be filed against the dad.  What charges?  Not yet known, but many who followed the story on Thursday will be curious to find out.

Next, comes the story of Nic (a mom), Jackson (a baby), Atlanta’s Jackson-Hartfield Airport, and the TSA.

On October 16th, Nic posts on her blog that while she was undergoing a secondary screening a TSA official took her baby out of her arms and left her sight.  You can read her story on her blog.  A cry went up from outraged parents and passengers.  And who could blame them.

I read her story and while it sounded outrageous, I had a niggling little voice inside of me that said. . . “there’s more to this story.”  Maybe it’s because I’m naturally suspicious and need corroborating evidence.  Maybe it’s because I deal with the TSA and security screening more than most people.  Maybe it’s because something just didn’t sound authentic.

The TSA chimed in on the TSA blog, citing their attempts to contact Nic and receiving no response.  They posted a video of the individual who they claim in Nic, showing in elapsed time a security process that took around 9 minutes starting from the time she put her items on the security conveyor until she walked away from the security screening area.  What happened in those 9-ish minutes didn’t bear much in common with Nic’s description, with the exception of there was a baby and there was a security screen.  In the video, baby and mom were never more than a couple of feet apart, always within eyesight of one another.

You will never hear me asserting the the TSA is a paragon of efficiency or etiquette.  I have seen everything from people trying their hardest to do a job that no one really wants done to power hungry officials.  Everything from gross incompetency to an I-don’t-give-a-damn attitude.

I’ve seen passengers who are polite, despite the intrusion on their civil liberties and the ridiculous procedures involved.  But I’ve also seen passengers with chips on their shoulder, taking out anger or frustration on people who are just trying to do their job.  I’ve seen passengers who refuse to calm down, becoming their own worst enemy, as well as those who are angry and spoiling for a fight and exaggerating their circumstances.

In this world, it takes all kinds.

Take a look at these videos and decide who you believe told the truth.   I’m not asking whether you agree with TSA procedures, because not many people do.  I’m not asking if you thinking a mom should be separated from her child, because clearly she should not.  What I’m asking here, is who is telling the truth.  If blogging in citizen journalism, we need to care about that.

Watch the video and then vote.  Feel free to leave a comment as well.

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It would be nice to think that for a special occasion, money doesn’t matter.  But in the real world, it does.  Even for a honeymoon, special event, or romantic getaway, we all have a budget.  Sometimes it will be greater than others, but we all have a budget to work within.

This got me thinking about what I’ve spent for a room, and whether or not it was worth it.  The most I’ve spent was for a very special occasion (significant birthday), and fell in the more than $250 but less than $500 category.  It was worth every penny!

How about you?  What’s the most that you’ve paid for a hotel room?

Please check off your price range in the poll, and feel free to leave any additional comments below.

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With citizens now accepted for space travel, albeit at a price tag in the $20-35 million range, space tourism looms as a very real possibility.  American Dennis Tito was the first Space Tourist, spending nine days in space back in 2001.  Since then, five others have made space their destination, including one woman, with visits ranging from 11 to 15 days.  In October 2009, Guy Laliberté (founder and CEO of Cirque du Soleil) will make the trip.

Now’s your chance to sound off about what you would do.  If money were not part of the consideration, would you take a vacation in space? Vote below and feel free to expand you answer in the comments.

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Typically, I stick pretty close to home during the summer.  After all, it’s a great time to be in Seattle.  But this summer I took a three week trip to Italy, leaving mid-June and returning home in early July, and a long weekend trip to Las Vegas in late July.

I don’t have any further summer plans, although if something came up, I wouldn’t say NO.

I invite you to take my Summer Vacation Poll and let me know IF you vacationed this summer, and please leave a comment tell me HOW your vacationed.

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What kind of traveler do you consider yourself to be?

• Expert – My bag is always packed, I can be at the airport in half an hour, and will figure out plans on the fly.
• Advanced – It takes me awhile to figure out what I need to do, but I can manage planning, packing and the airport with minimal stress.
• Intermediate – It’s going to take some doing, but I’ll manage.
• Novice – I don’t travel that often, so it takes me awhile.
• Inexperienced – I need a lesson to help me back, and I have no clue how to get through security. 
• Miracle Worker – These kids, car seats, strollers and bag didn’t magically get to the plane, OF COURSE I KNOW WHAT I’M DOING!

Vote in the Poll Section of the top portion of the sidebar, and feel free to leave comments below.

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We may make cutbacks in the length of our travels, where we go and what we do, but I’m glad to see that most of us still understand the importance of seeing something beyond our own backyard.

This month’s poll is my unscientific attempt to identify the type of experience  people are expecting on their next vacation.

So the question is: 

What type of destination will you be going to on your next vacation?

• Cruise – it’s a great value
• Resort – I need the rest & relaxation
• City – I love all that they have to offer
• The country I like the slower pace
• Camping – Let me get back to nature
• Europe – Did you see that exchange rate go down!
• Haven’t made up my mind yet

Head over to the side bar and make your selection!  Feel free to leave comments here about any specifics you’d like to share.

For the record, I haven’t made up my mind yet.  I have lots of ideas and options, but since I have the ability to make my plans at the last minute, I’m not rushing the decision.

How about you?

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In the original description of the poll, I made mention of the fact that I was deliberately NOT including in-room FREE internet access.  However, because many of you did not see that initial post, internet access was added as a choice in the poll.  That was my error in not explaining the options more carefully.

In reporting on the results, I’ve taken it out of the answers, even though I know this may skew the results a bit.

Here’s what you had to say about what you like in your hotel room:

1. Upscale bathroom products – 13%
2. Refrigerator (non-mini bar) – 11%
3. Hot breakfast (not a room amenity, but more of an overall hotel amenity, but I’ve included it here anyway) – 10%
4. Complimentary candy/fruit – 9%
5. 24-hour gym – 8% (again, more of a hotel amenity rather than a room amenity, but I’m including it)
6. Robe & slippers – 5%
7. iPod docking stations – 5%
8. Plasma television – 5%
9. Mini bar – 4%
10. Pillow menu – 4%
11. Movie and/or music library – 4%
12. Iron/Ironing Board – 3%

Thanks to everyone who voted.  I’ll have another poll up in the next few days, so check back to vote again!

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What is your most appreciated hotel room amenity?

I think for most people FREE hotel room internet access tops the list, so I haven’t included this obvious choice.  And I’m not talking about wanting the basics of a clean room and bed.

I want to know what else makes you glad that you made the hotel choice that you did.  What do you really appreciate as a little extra in your room?

Please take a look at the options in the poll at right in the sidebar.  I’ve included what I think are some of the more popular amenities, but feel free to check on “Add an Answer” to add something that you think I’ve missed.  And, as always, leave a comment explaining or expounding upon your choice.

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The most important consideration was price – but within a range that also addressed other issues.

In other words, we want a bargain, but we’re not willing to give up everything for the sake of the bargain.

That sounds about right to me!

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Ring in on your booking criteria with the August poll:

What is your most important consideration when booking a flight?

• Price – I only book the lowest fare
• Price – within a range, but doesn’t have to be the lowest
• Scheduled departure
• Scheduled arrival
• Non-stop flight, no connections
• Only one stop or one connection
• Airline – I’m loyal to my favorite(s)
• Any airline other than the one(s) I hate
• Other – please explain in the comments

Make your selection in the side bar at the right, just below the “About Flyaway Cafe” box.  Feel free to explain your choice in the comments below.

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