US Airways Flight Diverted After Passenger Strips Naked and Goes Crazy Mid Flight

US Airways Flight 705, en route from Charlotte to Los Angeles, was diverted to New Mexico earlier this afternoon when a passenger stripped naked mid-flight and became "unruly" according to KRQE-TV.

The male passenger apparently removed all his clothes and began to run around the cabin naked; other passengers aboard the plane "helped to restrain the man until the plane could land."

Now, call me crazy or stupid or homophobic even, but if a dude strips totally naked and starts running around a plane I'm on, there's no chance I'm playing the Steven Seagal role. Or even the Kurt Russell "I'm kind of tough enough to save a plane but no one really believes" it role.

No sir-e-bob: I'm playing the Oliver Platt role which generally entails running to the bathroom and locking the door. Because, honestly folks, if a guy is naked, he poses no real threat (he's not a terrorist, clearly, and you can actually see that he has no weapons on his person, right?) to my immediate safety other than permanently harming my retinas.

So my advice to you: don't play the hero when some dude decides to eat an ounce of mushrooms (what? you have a better explanation?) before he hops on a six hour plane ride and then wigs out with only about an hour left on the ride and decides that clothes just became optional.

And yes, I can make these jokes because everyone is safe, the streaker is in FBI custody and the plane kept on moving to Los Angeles.

Airlines Set to Charge You for Not Checking Bags Online

Checked bag fees are, quite arguably, the devil. There's nothing more irritating in my mind: how can you rationally travel somewhere without taking bags? Exactly. And so, airlines, in my humble opinion, are taking advantage of folks by charging for checked bags.

A few of the airlines have decided to actually increase that too, according to Budget Travel, tacking on $5 fees for folks that don't check their bags before they get to the airport.

That's right. More baggage fees! United and US Airways are the big culprits here, too, because they already charge $15 for the first bag and $25 for the second ... now, if you pay those fees at the airport, they will charge you an additional $5. (Yes, it's very much like rebooking at the terminal -- for whatever reason, they want to charge you and additional $15.)

But are there other airlines instituting similar policies? Of course there are! Delta and Northwest will begin charging an additional $50 for a second checked bag on international flights (which I wouldn't really have a problem with, save the fact that you almost always need two bags when traveling to another frigging country). And Alaska Air will charge $15 for the first checked bag. I have no problem with this, since I don't go to Alaska. Although I'm sure Alaskan travelers may have some beef, since you dont' exactly take day trips up there.

The long and short here is that you're always, always, always smarter to just carry-on two bags when possible (and to pack accordingly, obviously) but the reality is that a lot of people simply can't manage to get all their stuff in that amount of space.

And while it's nice to see the airlines "stimulating the economy" by "trying not to go bankrupt," I'll be honest -- at some point, these baggage fees are going to send enough people far enough over the top where we score a giant boycott and dump all the tea in the ocean. Or something.

Nerd Wants $1,000,000 From Airlines for Lost XBox

Jesse Maiman is on a mission. From God. Okay, not really. But he is on a mission to sue US Airways for $1 million.

Why? Because he thinks that some US Airways employee hijacked his Xbox out of his luggage when he was flying from New Haven, Connecticut (he's a student at Yale) to Cincinnati (presumably heading home.) And he filed suit against them Monday.

The suit seeks to have the airline pay him $1,700 for the loss of the gaming system and for "non-economic distress" of at least $25,000, but "in the maximum amount allowable by law or, in the alternative, in the sum of $1,000,000."

Let's be clear about a couple of things here. First, there is no way in hell that an XBox is worth one million dollars. Ever. Even if said XBox has "a specialized hard drive and components he said cost more than $1,000." 

Secondly, Mr. Maiman packed the XBox in his checked baggage. Anyone who has ever been near an airplane or a baggage conveyor belt knows that luggage handlers are not the most gentle people in the world. 

Thirdly, as Valerie Wunder, spokesperson for U.S. Airways put it, there are loss limits for each checked bag, currently set at $3,300. (And even that number is too high for an XBox.)

And finally, why on Earth was this kid taking his XBox home with him? Because it was Christmas break? And he was really hoping to get World of Warcraft: Harry Potter Edition? I understand that downtime at home is boring, but there's a reason that things like "the outdoors" and "friends" exist -- so 21 year old college students don't spend their entire Christmas break trying to shatter their personal record for ziltgans zapped in one 16 hour gaming span.

FareFinder Extra: Summer price wars beginning early

It's no secret that the airline industry is hurting for business. More and more airlines are slashing prices and offering weekly specials and Web fares.

Now, according to the Associated Press, Atlanta-based AirTran Airways is about to jump-start a price war that will give consumers even more of a reason to fly:

In a sign of great uncertainty about demand for air travel this year amid the deep U.S. recession, discount carrier AirTran Airways launched a fare sale to all its destinations Tuesday for flights through the middle of the fall. ... AirTran, a unit of Orlando, Fla.-based AirTran Holdings Inc., said its sale fares, starting as low as $39 one-way, are available for purchase through March 5 for travel through Nov. 4. The biggest discounts are for travel on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

According to the story, American, Continental, United, US Airways and Delta "quickly matched on routes where they compete with AirTran, and JetBlue said it would do the same."

Coupled with deep discounts from hoteliers, cruise lines and other industry services, there might not be a better time to travel.

Breaking: U.S. Airways Announces Return to Free Drinks for All Flights

Ramsey Qubein is Travelin' Light's on-the-road correspondent.

US Airways management is reversing its decision to sell drinks in the Economy cabin bringing free soda, coffee, tea, and, yes, even water back to the traveling public. Since the idea was announced in 2008, passengers and flight attendants have dealt with grumblings that the charges were a step too far on the "fee front".

Management claims that Coach passengers were not booking away from the carrier due to the charge and that there was no significant dip in passenger satisfaction (their justification for keeping the charge, one they had hoped other airlines would match).

Anecdotal evidence suggests that customers were indeed booking away and dissatisfied with the nickel-and-diming approach. Thankfully, the Tempe, Ariz.-based airline will adjust the program to free non-alcoholic drinks in the main cabin. Alcoholic drinks and certain specialty items will remain for sale as on other airlines.

The sale of drinks produced cleaner cabins as there was less trash from drink cans on board and subsequently less use of the restrooms. But, as the only airline in the United States to charge for a cup of water, this change is a step back in the right direction for US Airways passengers. Now, if only the ridiculous $50 surcharge to book so-called "free" award travel would be erased!

Flight 1549: Full of Bird Body Parts

Good news is abounding for those folks who are waiting on their luggage from Flight 1549: you might not have to hold out that long. That's because the investigation on why the flight crashed is already underway and in case it wasn't abundantly obvious, there was a bird involved.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board (via Airline Biz):

"The left (#1) engine, which was recovered from the Hudson River on January 23 and subsequently shipped to the manufacturer in Cincinnati where the NTSB is directing a teardown, was found to contain bird remains.

"The organic material found in the right (#2) engine has also been confirmed to be bird remains. The material from both engines has been sent to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington where the particular bird species will be identified."

[...]During the accident flight, the flight data recorder revealed no anomalies or malfunctions in either engine up to the point where the captain reported a bird strike, after which there was an uncommanded loss of thrust in both engines.

Well, gee, thanks for the heads up, folks. It's refreshing to know that the obvious problem here -- a bird flying into the engine of a plane -- caused the obvious effect: the plane crashed. It's especially nice to feel the soft touch of security that comes from wasting millions of dollars to find this out. 

On the bright side, we did get to see Flight 1549 towed through town!

Flight 1549 Towed Through New Jersey

Flight 1549 has been all the rage for the past few weeks; understandably, considering it's an airplane that splashed down in the Hudson River.

And it was really put on display yesterday, as it was towed out of NYC and through New Jersey (see above) to it's final resting spot. Which is probably a junk yard while it awaits investigation.

Actually, wait, it is a junk yard. So why doesn't everyone have their luggage back yet, then?

The plane was transported on a huge flatbed trailer after the wings and tail section were removed for transport on another trailer. The operation took place on blocked streets from the marina in Jersey City where it was parked to its final destination, Supor Industries salvage in Harrison. It'll stay there for 18 months for the National Transportation Safety Board investigation. A sight like this ranks pretty high on our "stuff you'd don't see every day" meter.

Indeed. Right up there with "a plane landing safely in the Hudson River."

U.S. Airways Compensates Flight 1549 Passengers, Is Really, Really Sorry About That Whole 'Crash' Thing

The perceived lost for an airline crash -- in terms of per capita, assuming everyone survives, natch -- is probably pretty high when you factor in all the luggage that goes missing. So it stands to reason that U.S. Airways will be reimbursing everyone involved in the Flight 1549 Hudson River fiasco to the full extent.

Or not.

U.S Airways has sent $5,000 checks to each of the 150 passengers on the Charlotte-bound Flight 1549 to compensate them for lost luggage and other belongings.

But hey, at least they got a letter!

In a letter sent to passengers, an airline executive said she was "truly sorry." The letter also explained that passengers' belongings left in the plane could be stuck with investigators for months.

The airline also said it would reimburse passengers for their ticket costs.

Look, not to knock the airline's policy here, but, um, it seems a little short of "fair." When I travel, I'm usually sporting, at minimum, about $4,000 worth of electronic gear. That's not counting all the clothes that I'm bringing on a trip, any souvenirs I purchased or the Honus Wagner rookie baseball cards I don't leave home without*. Or the diamond collection I carry in my luggage at all times*.

But seriously, what about the time spent sitting in the Hudson freaking River? I get that economy stinks, and that everyone lived so we should be happy, but these people won't see their stuff again for a long, long while and, frankly, even if/when it shows up, assuming it's in good condition, I'm willing to be that five grand doesn't cover the bill for most of the people on the flight.

*Just in case this every happens to me, the proof is out there.

Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger, III: A Real American Hero

Captain Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger, III is the man who landed the plane in the Hudson River yesterday. No, seriously. That's his name. Couldn't make it up if we tried. And, after successfully saving the lives of hundreds of passengers, he's a pretty popular dude.

And an American hero, if you ask some people. But it's probably best to wait for the investigation before you go crowning him.

James Ray, a spokesman for the U.S. Airline Pilots Association, says he spoke with Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger III on Friday. He says Sullenberger acted "just very calm and cool, very relaxed, just very professional."

Ray says the flight crew is resting and likely would meet with investigators later Friday or Saturday. He says the crew has been asked not speak to the press until after the federal investigators complete their work.

Still, even if Sully somehow screwed the pooch (or goose if you prefer) on the takeoff, he managed to save everyone the plane by steering it into the frozen waters of the Hudson and therefore keeping the United State airline streak of "TWO YEARS NO ONE DEAD!!!1" alive.

Tonight, we drink to you, Sully.

US Airways Loses 83-year-old Grandmother

If you think you're having a bad week, Elfride Kuemmel is having a worse one. The 83-year-old grandmother was on her way home to Florida when a US Airways employee wheeled her onto the wrong flight. Instead of landing in Tampa where her daughter Vera was waiting, she found herself in Puerto Rico.

Initially, US Airways told her she would have to spend the night in the airport, but thankfully, they realized the error of their ways and saved face by providing a hotel room and first-class return ticket free of charge. Chalk it up to incompetence and add it to your list of airline blunders. Maybe US Airways should consider changing their motto from "Fly with US" to "Lose Yourself (or someone you love) with US."

H/T: Consumerist