Ouch

Especially in a recession.

Great Americana Museums

(NAPSI)-You and your family can get a glimpse at some of the ideas that help make America great at a number of charming, educational and sometimes surprising museums, many in the nation's heartland. Here's a look at a few:

Harley-Davidson Museum (Milwaukee, Wis.): This family-friendly complex shares 106 years of history and also features a café, bar/restaurant and store. The museum has more than 450 vehicles in its archives collection, dating back to the company's very first years, and thousands of unique items -- photos, posters, advertisements, clothes and rare video footage -- offering a glimpse of American history and culture like you've never seen before.

The interactive exhibits bring heart-thumping adventure and life-changing freedom into the lives of its visitors, and kids can even win a prize in a free "scavenger hunt." There are bikes used by the military and police, a replica of Captain America from "Easy Rider," Elvis Presley's 1956 Harley-Davidson, and racing motorcycles on a re-created 1920s board track. You can watch a simulation of a robot manufacturing a motorcycle in the Design Center exhibit and climb on and pretend to ride a variety of bikes. Learn more at www.h-dmuseum.com.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Cleveland, Ohio): The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum collects, preserves, exhibits and interprets this art form through its library and archives as well as its educational programs. Visit www.rockhall.com for more information.

Spam Museum (Austin, Minn.): This museum is a fun and informational destination with interactive and educational elements designed for all ages. The free museum features 16,500 square feet of artifacts, history and fun with vintage advertising, Spam trivia, a chance to try your hand at canning, collectibles and memorabilia. Further facts are at www.spam.com/games/Museum/default.aspx.

Milwaukee Beer Museum (Milwaukee, Wis.): At this natural stop for beer aficionados, you can learn about the history of the numerous breweries that dominated the city for the last 100 years and where they've gone. The museum also hosts tours of present and former brewery sites, cemeteries where beer barons are buried, and famous pubs. See www.milwaukeebeermuseum.com for more information.

Pro Football Hall of Fame (Canton, Ohio): This museum honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to professional football. By preserving professional football's historic documents and artifacts, the museum educates the public about the origin, development and growth of professional football as an important part of American culture and promotes the sport's positive values. See www.profootballhof.com.

Other places you may enjoy include The Bicycle Museum of America in New Bremen, Ohio, and the National Museum of Roller Skating in Lincoln, Neb.

Festival pays homage to cornbread

SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tenn. – From the line in Cornbread Alley the smell was sweet.

The treats that waited at the front of the line didn’t disappoint: Berry Cornbread, Mexican Cornbread and Cheesy Jalenpa & Ham, to name a few. A plate full of delectable indulgences for only $2 was the steal of the weekend.

The annual two-day festival featured a number of attractions, from the typical carnival rides to live music to a cornbread cook-off. Erin Renouf Mylroie from Santa Clara, Utah, won this year’s competition with her Crunchtastic Chicken Chipolte Cornbread with Avocado.

Of course, in South Pittsburg – home to Lodge Cast Iron – no festival would be complete without live cooking, which renowned camp cook Johnny Nix provided.

While the weather may have shortened the first day of the festival, it didn’t dampen the spirits of attendees or take away from the fun.

Many would argue that a true Southern meal wouldn’t be complete without a side of fresh, hot cornbread. After a few hours at the National Cornbread Festival, it’s easy to see why.

South Pittsburg is located along Interstate 24 west of Chattanooga, roughly two hours from Atlanta.

Airline Tarmac Rule Takes Effect

Image courtesy U.S. DOT

The Travel Trolley

ATLANTA – Airlines can no longer keep passengers waiting on the tarmac for extended periods of time, under a new rule that took effect today.

“Airline passengers deserve to be treated fairly, and this new rule will require airlines to respect the rights of their customers,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement.

Under the rule, airlines can only keep passengers waiting on the tarmac for three hours before it would be required to let them disembark. Within two hours, airlines must provide passengers with “adequate” food and water and they must also “maintain operable lavatories,” the DOT said.

The three-hour limit only applies to domestic flights and it does provide for some exceptions, including safety or security and if returning to the terminal would disrupt airport operations. Domestic airlines that operate international flights to or from the United States “must specify, in advance, their own time limits for deplaning passengers, with the same exceptions applicable,” the DOT previously said.

“Everyone knows the rules going in – the passengers and the airlines,” LaHood said. “We expect carriers to take steps to avoid tarmac delays and cancellations by adjusting their schedules and providing timely information to passengers,” he said. “A little extra planning will minimize disruptions while ensuring that passengers are not trapped aboard airplanes indefinitely.”

The rule was adopted following a series of incidents in which passengers were stranded on the ground aboard aircraft “for lengthy periods,” the DOT said. Critics say the new rule could force airlines to cancel more flights to avoid the steep fines – up to $27,000 per passenger – associated with the new rule.

“Three hours is a very tight window to manage to, so you're going to see more cancellations,” CBS News quoted Gerard Arpey, CEO of American Airlines, as saying. “It's just the way the math works.”

Whose job is it to maintain this sign?

Greetings from Point Park on Lookout Mountain

Views from the National Cornbread Festival

National Cornbread Festival live blog (part I)

SOUTH PITTSBURG -- From the line in Cornbread Alley the smell was sweet.

Greetings from the National Cornbread Festival

'See Rock City'

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Ga. – “See Rock City.”

This famous slogan was painted everywhere, from billboards to the roofs of barns, making it one of the more wildly-successful advertising campaigns in history, helping to draw droves of tourists to this unique outdoor attraction.

Garnet Carter and his wife, Frieda, worked on a housing development overlooking what is today Rock City. The attraction started when Frieda Carter built a walkway and rock garden for the people living in the development.

To promote the new attraction, Carter hired Clark Byers to paint farmers’ barns for free if they would let him paint “See Rock City” on the roof. The campaign worked; the slogan not only helped to draw guests to Rock City, it also became one of the most recognized advertising taglines of all time.

The highlight of Rock City is Lover’s Leap, a natural overlook where travelers can see seven states from one spot. The path leading to and from Lover’s Leap offers an adventure in and of itself, as travelers must traverse winding walkways with stairs and bridges and a number of tight rock formations – one aptly named Fat Man’s Squeeze – just to make it to the top and back to the bottom.

IF YOU GO:  From Atlanta, take Interstate 75 north to Interstate 24 west. Take Exit 178 (Lookout Mountain/Market Street) and continue straight. Turn left on Broad Street and then left onto Tennessee Avenue. Then, follow the signs.

Volcano costs airlines $1.7 billion

The Travel Trolley wire reports

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimated that the Icelandic volcano crisis cost airlines more than $1.7 billion in lost revenue through Tuesday — six days after the initial eruption.

For a three-day period (17-19 April), when disruptions were greatest, lost revenues reached $400 million per day.

"Lost revenues now total more than $1.7 billion for airlines alone. At the worst, the crisis impacted 29 percent of global aviation and affected 1.2 million passengers a day. The scale of the crisis eclipsed 9/11 when US airspace was closed for three days," Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's Director General and CEO, said in a news release.

IATA said some cost savings related to the flight groundings. For example, the fuel bill is $110 million a day less compared to normal, but airlines face added costs including from passenger care, officials said.

"For an industry that lost $9.4 billion last year and was forecast to lose a further $2.8 billion in 2010, this crisis is devastating. It is hitting hardest where the carriers are in the most difficult financial situation. Europe's carriers were already expected to lose $2.2 billion this year — the largest in the industry," Bisignani said.

Finalists set for National Cornbread Cook-Off

This weekend’s 14th Annual National Cornbread Festival features an action-packed lineup, highlighted by the National Cornbread Cook-Off.

This year’s cook-off lineup:

• Lori Stephens of Henderson, Tenn., who won the National Cornbread Cook-off in 2008, will be cooking Bacon and Gorgonzola Cornbread Sliders with Chipolte Mayo.
• Larry Elder of Charlotte, N.C., will be making Ranch-Style Texas Two-Step Chicken Skillet with Jacked-up Cornbread Topping.
• Felice Bogus of Raleigh, N.C., will offer up Carolina Shrimp and Grits Cornbread.
• Sandi Sheppard of Norman, Okla., will cook Cheesy Succulent Tomator Pie on a Tomato-Rosemary Cornbread Crust.
• Beth Royals of Richmond, Va., will be making Sun-dried Tomato and Basil Confetti Cornbread with a warm Artichoke-Shrimp Ragout.
• Bill Naids of Germantown, Tenn., will offer up Pimento Cheese Andouille Cornbread Wedges with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
• Elizabeth “Liz” Bennett of Mill Creek, Wash., will be cooking Sloppy Joe Pie with Pimento Cheese Topping.
• Karen Shankles of Knoxville, a winner of the contest in 1998 and top three performer in 1997 and 2002, will prepare Calico Chili with Cornbread and Chipotle Ranch Drizzle.
• Judy Armstrong from Praireville, La., who earned third place honors in 2007, will prepare Pulled Pork and Pepper Cornbread topped with a warm Artichoke-Shrimp Ragout
• Erin Renouf Mylroie from Santa Clara, Utah, a finalist in 2009, will be cooking Crunchtastic Chicken Chipolte Cornbread.

“We’re very impressed with the amazing recipes people have submitted this year,” Linda Carman, the baking expert for Martha White Foods, said in a news release. “Every year the recipes become more diverse and appealing. They aren’t just Southern recipes, they represent American food at its best.”

The first heat of the cook-off begins at 1:30 on 2nd Street’s competition stage, and the winner will be announced at 4:30 pm at Citizens Park. The National Cornbread Cook-off is co-sponsored by Martha White Foods, Lodge Cast Iron and Five Star Range.

IF YOU GO: From Atlanta, take Interstate 75 north to Chattanooga, Tenn. Then, take Interstate 24 to Exit 152, and continue on Highway 72 west for approximately 1.5 miles; bear right and follow the sign into downtown South Pittsburg.

National parks waive entrance fees this week

This week is as good as any to visit a National Park – perhaps better, considering the National Park Service is waiving entrance fees as part of National Park Week.

The promotion, which kicked off Saturday, runs through Sunday. The NPS is waiving the fees at all 392 parks nationwide.

“National Park Week is an invitation to the American public to come visit their national parks,” Jon Jarvis, director of the National Park Service, said in a news release. “National parks across the country are hosting special events and activities throughout the week, and I encourage Americans to visit us and have fun.”

According to the NPS, 146 of the 392 parks normally charge entrance fees, which generally range from $3 to $25.

“We are rolling out the red carpet and inviting everyone to visit a national park and help celebrate National Park Week,” Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said in a news release. “Parks are fun and affordable destinations and great places to engage in healthy, outdoor activities, whether for a few hours or a few days.”

National Parks in Georgia that normally have fees include the Augusta Canal National Heritage Area in Augusta, the Cumberland Island National Seashore in St. Marys, Fort Frederica National Monument on St. Simons Island and Fort Pulaski National Monument in Savannah.

For more information, log onto www.nps.gov/npweek/.

Big Shanty Festival draws thousands

KENNESAW, Ga. – From arts and crafts to funnel cakes to clogging, there was a little bit of everything on display during the 34th Annual Big Shanty Festival.

“The weather couldn’t be any better,” the Marietta Daily Journal quoted Kennesaw Mayor Mark Mathews as saying. “I think everybody is having a great time.”

Upwards of 50,000 people were expected to attend the two-day festival, which wrapped up today.

“The festival is a great way to learn about the history of the area and see what local artisans have to offer,” said Atlanta resident Ruth Mitcham, who attended the festival for the second year in a row.

Kennesaw – which was named Big Shanty during the Civil War – has a deep history. It was here on April 12, 1862, that union spies stole a locomotive with the goal of destroying the Western & Atlantic Railroad, which still runs through the heart of downtown.

One of the more popular attractions was the Stephens Light Artillery, which provided cannon demonstrations.

The festival, which is sponsored by the city of Kennesaw and the Kennesaw Business Association, kicked off Saturday morning with a parade through downtown.

Southeastern festivals galore offer regional options

ATLANTA – Looking for something to do now that spring is finally here? Try any number of local festivals running through tomorrow or one of the many more slated for next weekend and beyond:

• Bear on the Square Mountain Festival in Dahlonega (www.bearonthesquare.org) runs today and tomorrow
• Big Shanty Festival in Kennesaw (www.jrmmanagement.com/id65.html) also runs today and tomorrow
• Atlanta Dogwood Festival (www.dogwood.org) concludes tomorrow

Next weekend, the Vidalia Onion Festival (www.vidaliaonionfestival.com) takes place in Vidalia, and the 14th Annual National Cornbread Festival (www.nationalcornbread.com) takes place in South Pittsburg, Tenn.

“The spirit of volunteerism – with over 1,000 local volunteers helping to make us a success – has made this one of the best festivals in America,” National Cornbread Festival President Ed Fuller said in a news release.

On the horizon, the Macon Gardens, Mansions & Moonlight festival is slated for April 30-May 2, and The Cotton Pickin’ Fair (www.cpfair.org) is schedule for May 1-2 in Gay, Ga. In addition, the 25th Anniversary of the Georgia Renaissance Festival runs from today to June 6.

National Cornbread Festival set to sizzle next weekend

A true Southern meal wouldn’t be complete without a side of fresh, hot cornbread.

And that’s exactly what’s in store during the 14th Annual National Cornbread Festival. The celebration of all things cornbread takes place next weekend in South Pittsburg, Tenn., an easy two-hour drive from Atlanta.

The two-day festival features a number of events, ranging from buttermilk chugs to a dry cornbread eating contest to a Miss National Cornbread pageant. Of course, the festivities wouldn’t be complete without live music, shopping and a cornbread cook-off.

“Our festival is a celebration of our community, Southern food, music and art,” National Cornbread Festival President Ed Fuller said in a news release. “The spirit of volunteerism – with over 1,000 local volunteers helping to make us a success – has made this one of the best festivals in America.”

Martha White, along with Lodge Cast Iron and Five Star Range, sponsors the cook-off, which begins at 9:30 a.m. Central Time on Saturday. The winner – who will take home a $5,000 grand prize – is expected to be crowned at 4 p.m. Saturday.

“The quality and creativity of cornbread recipes that are submitted to the contest continues to impress me year after year,” Linda Carman, a Martha White baking expert, said in a news release calling for entries. “Several years ago, we began receiving recipes that got their unique style from being served with a ‘salad’ topping.

“Crowning a hearty cornbread casserole with leafy greens or other vegetables, cheese and dressings gave a surprising and refreshing new dimension to the concept of a casserole,” Carman added. “This is just one example of the unique recipes we receive. We encourage entrants to experiment with different flavors, techniques and ingredients.”

In addition, the Southeast Tourism Society has named the 2010 festival a Top 20 Event for the Southeast.

“This is the first time we’ve been recognized on this kind of level. This puts us in a different category,” said Fuller. He noted the festival has come a long way since its inception more than a decade ago.

“I envisioned a small, regional festival,” Fuller said of planning the inaugural festival in 1996. “Others who got involved helped me realize that this could become a national event.”

Admission is $3 per day. For more information and a complete listing of events, log onto www.nationalcornbread.com.

IF YOU GO: From Atlanta, take Interstate 75 north to Chattanooga, Tenn. Then, take Interstate 24 to Exit 152, and continue on Highway 72 west for approximately 1.5 miles; bear right and follow the sign into downtown South Pittsburg.

Senators take aim at airline fees

Democratic senators have introduced legislation aimed at stopping airlines from charging travelers for carry-on bags by closing what they call a “tax loophole” that allows airlines to avoid paying taxes on fees for non-essential services.

The “Block Airlines’ Gratuitous (BAG) Fees Act” follows last week’s announcement from low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines that it plans to charge travelers up to $45 for carry-on bags to be stored in overhead bins.

According to the senators, the legislation would designate carry-on baggage as a “necessity for air travelers.” While airlines pay a 7.5 percent federal tax for fares, they do not pay the tax on fees they collect for so-called “non-essential services,” such as fees for carry-on bags to be stored in overhead bins.

“Airline passengers have always had the right to bring a carry-on bag without having to worry about getting nickel and dimed by an airline company,” U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement. “This latest fee crosses the line and is a slap in the face to travelers. Our legislation will rein in the airlines and keep air travelers from being gouged every time they board a plane.”

While a number of airlines have started charging customers to check bags or purchase snacks, Spirit appears to be the first to charge for carry-on items that passengers would place in overhead bins. Spirit, which said it is also lowering its fares, will not charge for so called “personal items” that fit under the seat in front of a passenger.

“Carry-on luggage is where people keep items essential to their health, work, and safety like laptop computers, medications, food to eat on the plane, baby formula, eye glasses and other items that need to be kept close at hand,” Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., said in a statement. “These are personal items that airline passengers should not be charged to keep with them in the cabin.”

The Treasury Department previously ruled that carry-on bags are non-essential items for air travel.

Marching through Georgia (Part I)

“Hurrah! Hurrah! We bring the jubilee! / Hurrah! Hurrah! The flag that makes you free!”
– Marching Through Georgia, Henry Clay Work

By Todd DeFeo

ATLANTA – There are dozens, hundreds, if not thousands, of historical markers dotting Georgia’s countryside, keeping alive the chaos and conflict that once ruled the landscape.

Houses, shopping malls and office buildings stand on land once soaked with the blood of men fighting a brutal conflict that looked for awhile as though it would never end.

There were more than two dozen Civil War battles fought in Georgia. A number of those battle sites – such as Kennesaw Mountain – are well preserved as reminders of the war once waged here. But, many other sites have been lost to modern development.

Residential and commercial development have overtaken Confederate defensive positions where the Battle of Smyrna was fought, a golf course now stands where the Battle of Peachtree Creek took place and the site of Gen. James B. McPherson’s final moments is now in the middle of an intersection in an East Atlanta neighborhood.

Still, there is so much to see in Georgia when it comes to the Civil War. And even if sites aren’t as the same as they were 150 years ago – learning about what happened here and how it shaped the war and the country is just as important.

Napolitano meets with African leaders to discuss global aviation security

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano recently visited Nigeria to meet with top officials from across Africa and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to discuss ways to bolster global aviation security.

“The attempted terrorist attack on Dec. 25 demonstrated that international terrorist threats must be countered with a coordinated, global response through enhanced security standards, increased information sharing and stronger screening measures,” Napolitano said. “My meetings with our African partners underscore our commitment to working together to strengthen global aviation security measures and better protect the traveling public.”

On April 2, Napolitano announced that the Transportation Security Administration will start implementing new enhanced security measures for all air carriers with international flights to the United States to strengthen the safety and security of all passengers -- superseding the emergency measures put in place immediately following the attempted terrorist attack on Dec. 25, 2009.

These new, threat and risk-based security protocols -- tailored to reflect the most current information available to the U.S. government -- will apply to all passengers traveling to the United States.

A grand jury in January indicted Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, a 23-year-old Nigerian national, on six counts, including attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempted murder within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States. If convicted, Abdulmutallab faces life in prison.

Federal authorities say Abdulmutallab tried to destroy Northwest Airlines flight 253 from Amsterdam as it prepared to land at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Abdulmutallab tried to ignite an explosive device concealed in his underwear that contained pentaerythritol, also known as PETN, according to prosecutors.

Marking the anniversary of the Andrews Raid

By Todd DeFeo / (c) 2010

KENNESAW, Ga. – North Georgia saw its fair share of battles during the Civil War, but “the most extraordinary and astounding adventure of the war,” as one Civil War-era newspaper put it, typically doesn’t garner more than a few words in most history books.

The Andrews Raid, also known as The Great Locomotive Chase, took place 148 years ago today. Led by James J. Andrews, a group of Union spies planned to steal a train locomotive and destroy the Western & Atlantic Railroad, a vital link between Atlanta and Chattanooga, Tenn.

The route of the Andrews Raid can be easily retraced in the better part of a day. Historic markers, railroad depots and other raid-related places await the curious traveler. That includes the two stars of the raid: the General and the Texas, two of the locomotives used.

The Marietta Museum of History, located in the Kennesaw House, is the starting point for anyone who wants to retrace the Andrews Raid. The museum features exhibits about the raid and the city’s history.
The Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History houses the General as the centerpiece of the museum. It is also home to a display about Glover Machine Works, a local engine builder.

The Cyclorama, located in Grant Park in Atlanta, is best known for its painted depiction of the Battle of Atlanta on July 22, 1864, but while visitors are waiting to view that painting, they have the chance to see the locomotive Texas, the engine that ultimately caught up with the General to help end the chase.

There are certainly more stops that could be made along the route of the Andrews Raid, but these locations give willing travelers a nice overview of the raid and can be seen in a day or two.

For more, log onto http://andrewsraid.railfanning.org.

Along the roadways of Georgia

ATLANTA -- There is so much to see along Georgia's roadways.

But, I'm not talking about the obvious attractions. Rather, these are the oddities that sometimes make travelers scratch their heads, not pull over to the side of the road.

The Big Chicken, Marietta

The Big Chicken, located along Cobb Parkway in southern Marietta, is a throwback to another time, one when roadside eateries meant something different, and owners did what they could to draw people driving past.

In the early 1960s, S.R. "Tubby" Davis saw a potential with the relatively newly repaved Cobb Parkway, a divided highway that predated freeways as we know them today. Wanting to lure hungry travelers into his Johnny Reb's Chick, Chuck and Shake restaurant, he erected a 56-foot-tall big chicken. After Davis sold the restaurant to his brother, it became a Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise.

World's Largest Peanut, Ashburn

Turner County, nicknamed "The Peanut Capital of the World," is home to a Golden Peanut Co. shelling plant and "The World's Largest Peanut."

The 20-foot-tall monument, built atop a crown on a brick base, was made the state's official peanut monument in 1998. The slogan painted on the side of the monument reads: "Georgia 1st in Peanuts."

The monument, located along Interstate 75, is dedicated to Nora Lawrence Smith, a member of Georgia Journalism's Hall of Fame, according to a plaque on the side of the monument.

Confederate Missile, Cordele

Along Interstate 75 sits a definite oddity -- a Titan missile.

The missile was acquired from the Air Force in 1968 after it was declared obsolete. The missile was flown from California to Warner Robins Air Base where it was stored for some time before it was given to the community.

Titan I missiles were used between 1959 and 1965 and is considered the country's first Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). The missile in Cordele stands on what has been dubbed "Confederate Air Force Pad No. I."

Big Red Apple, Cornelia

By the 1920s, apples were becoming an important crop in parts of the state, including Cornelia. Because of the crop diversification, Habersham County skirted the devastating effects of the boll weevil's destruction of the cotton crop.

In 1925, Southern Railway donated to the city a monument dedicated to the fruit that helped save their community. The seven-foot-tall, 5,200-pound apple statue was molded in Winchester, Va., and sits atop an eight-foot-tall concrete pedestal next to the train depot in the center of town.

The apple was dedicated on June 4, 1926, and a number of dignitaries, including U.S. Sen. Walter F. George attended the event.

By the mid 1930s, the apple crop nearly spelled doom from the city, but the statue remained as a reminder of the city's past.

Double-Barreled Cannon, Athens

The Double-Barreled Cannon is located in front of the Athens-Clarke County City Hall. Built in 1863 at a local foundry, the Double-Barreled Cannon was designed to fire two cannonballs connected by a chain so as to “mow down the enemy somewhat as a scythe cuts wheat.” Built as an experiment, but never used, the cannon is today little more than a bookmark in history and a rather unique relic.

Airline fees continue to mount

Checked bags. Carry-on bags. The bathroom?

Where do airline fees end?

"The commercial airlines have reached a new low by attempting to charge passengers for the right to place their luggage in the overhead bins," Flyers Rights President and Founder, Kate Hanni said in a news release. "It seems they will continue try and squeeze out every dollar they can from passengers, regardless of economic hardship, inconvenience or humiliation."

Low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines, which serves the Atlanta area, this week announced it will charge travelers for carry-on bags to be stored in overhead bins.

While a number of airlines have started charging customers to check bags or purchase snacks, Spirit appears to be the first to charge for carry-on items that passengers would place in overhead bins. Spirit, which said it is also lowering its fares, will not charge for so called "personal items" that fit under the seat in front of a passenger.

Meanwhile, another low-cost carrier, European-based Ryanair said it plans to start charging passengers to use the bathroom.

"The reason why the U.S. has become the 'Land of the Fee' when it comes to air travel is simple: fees are treated differently than other revenue in terms of the taxes they have to pay to fund the national aviation system," Hanni said. "So not only do these latest gimmicks harm passengers, they are shortchanging all of us by skirting their responsibility to help maintain and upgrade our nation's aviation infrastructure."

Airline to begin charging for carry-on bags

ATLANTA – Low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines, which serves the Atlanta area, announced it will charge travelers for their carry-on bags.

A number of airlines have started charging customers to check bags or purchase snacks, but Spirit appears to be the first to charge for carry-on items that passengers would place in overhead bins. Spirit, which said it is also lowering its fares, will not charge for so called “personal items” that fit under the seat in front of a passenger.

In a news release, the airline said it is instituting the charge “in order to continue reducing fares even further and offering customers the option of paying only for the services they want and use rather than subsidizing the choices of others.” Fees to check a bag range from $20 (for the airline’s club members) to $30 in advance and $45 at the gate, the airline said.

“In addition to lowering fares even further, this will reduce the number of carry-on bags, which will improve inflight safety and efficiency by speeding up the boarding and deplaning process, all of which ultimately improve the overall customer experience,” Spirit’s Chief Operating Officer Ken McKenzie said in a news release. “Bring less; pay less. It’s simple.”

Critics, however, met the announcement with frustration.

“With fees like this, airlines have crossed the line,” USA Today quoted Anne Banas, executive editor of SmarterTravel, as saying. “I get charging for pillows and blankets ... but carry-on bags are fundamental. Who travels with nothing?”

Who exactly enforces the hours?

Just curious.

Mets announce additional enhancements to Citi Field for 2010 season

Special to The Travel Trolley

The New York Mets announced additional enhancements to Citi Field for the 2010 season that raises the profile of club history and elevates the fan experience at their new home.

The Shea Stadium Home Run Apple has been relocated to Mets Plaza in front of the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, offering fans a central meeting point. The popular piece of Mets history will also be available anytime before or after games for photo opportunities.

Topps baseball cards showing the Mets lineup of the day's game will sit atop the escalators and stairs in the Rotunda. Oversized vintage baseball cards of Cleon Jones, Dave Kingman and Robin Ventura will be among those featured on Topps displays on the first and third base sides of the Field Level.

Following a successful inaugural season, Union Square Hospitality Group's Blue Smoke and Box Frites concepts will open additional locations in the Promenade Food Court along with a second Big Apple Brews, featuring 30 Anheuser-Busch products.

The 1969 and 1986 World Champion Mets will be celebrated at the Champions Club, formerly known as the Ebbets Club, on the Field Level behind home plate. Photographs from those memorable seasons will decorate the space, with the first base side honoring the 1986 team and the third base side saluting the 1969 club.

"These changes along with the opening of the Mets Hall of Fame & Museum, reflect our ongoing desire to enhance the fan experience and showcase Mets history," said Dave Howard, Executive Vice President, Business Operations, New York Mets. "Our fans told us what they wanted to see, and we will continue to respond to their feedback as we further refine the ballpark."

The previously announced renaming of Citi Field's VIP entrances will be completed for Opening Day. Hodges VIP, on the first base side of the ballpark, is marked both inside and outside with imagery of the legendary Mets manager Gil Hodges. Seaver VIP, on the third base side, features photos of Mets Hall-of-Fame pitcher Tom Seaver. Stengel VIP, at the left field entrance, displays imagery of the first manager in team history, Casey Stengel.

Banners of Mets players from all eras including Ed Kranepool and Edgardo Alfonzo have been added to Mets Plaza and in the parking lots. Inside the ballpark, the centerfield scoreboard "Lets Go Mets" sign facing the field and the "Home of the Mets" sign on the opposite side both now use the Mets script logo.

The outfield bridge on the Field Level will be dedicated Shea Bridge during a pre-game ceremony on Opening Day. Naming the bridge after William A. Shea honors the man who brought National League baseball back to New York after the Dodgers and Giants left for California in 1957 leading to the creation of the Mets.

Mets’ Hall of Fame & Museum opens in New York

The New York Mets’ Hall of Fame & Museum, highlighting the team’s nearly five-decade history, officially opened today at Citi Field.

The 3,700 square-foot museum, located next to the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, features a number of exhibits, photos and videos from the Mets’ 48-year history. The museum, on the first base side of Citi Field, is open to fans with game tickets.

“The Mets Hall of Fame & Museum honors the greatest players and greatest events in our history,” Dave Howard, executive vice president, business operations, for the New York Mets, said in a news release. “The museum connects generations of fans to the moments they cherish and reflects our ongoing commitment to celebrate our heritage and history at Citi Field.”

Some notable artifacts include a Casey Stengel jersey from 1962, Tom Seaver’s 1969 Cy Young Award and the 1986 Game 6 World Series ball that Mookie Wilson hit and “trickled” through the legs of Boston Red Sox’s first baseman Bill Bucker. The museum also features an exhibit about Mr. Met and the “Ring of Champions” display dedicated to the Mets’ 1969 and 1986 World Champion teams.

The Mets Hall of Fame includes 21 members. The Mets started play as an expansion team in 1962.

IF YOU GO: From Atlanta, New York is easily accessible, making it a great vacation destination. There are more than a dozen direct flights daily between Hartsfield-Jackson and New York (Newark Liberty, JFK and LaGuardia).

Ouch?

Makes one wonder how the pedestrian fared.

Happy Easter

Or, is it Hoppy Easter?

Clarksville's 'Customs House' has a deep history

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The “Gateway to the New South” rose to prominence during the 19th century, in part, because of its tobacco. Even one of the town’s newspapers was named The Tobacco Leaf.

So, in 1898, the federal government built a customs house and a post office at the corner of Second and Commerce streets. Located up the street from the Cumberland River, the building helped process the increasing volumes of mail to and from the city.

In 1984, the building was transformed into the Customs House Museum and Cultural Center – touted as the “state’s second-largest general interest museum.” The museum features a number of permanent exhibits, including the postmaster’s office and “Memory Lane,” which is dedicated to telling the story of Clarksville and Montgomery County’s history.

Federal Treasury Supervising Architect William Martin Aiken designed the building, which was built for slightly more than $32,000. The building features a unique collection of influences and includes a Far east-influenced slate roof and Italianate ornamentation.

Aiken also designed a number of other famous buildings throughout the country, including the Denver Mint and the Philadelphia Mint.

In 1972, the Customs House was added to the National Register of Historic Places. For more information, log onto www.customshousemuseum.org.

IF YOU GO: From Atlanta, Clarksville, Tenn., is an easy weekend destination – a roughly 4.5 hour drive. Take Interstate 75 north to Interstate 24 west to Exit 11.

FAA proposes new policy on antidepressants for pilots

The Travel Trolley wire reports The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that it will consider the special issuance of a medical certificate to pilots who are taking medication for mild to moderate depression, conditions that now bar them from all flying duties. On a case-by-case basis beginning April 5, pilots who take one of four antidepressant medications – Fluoxetine (Prozac), Sertraline (Zoloft), Citalopram (Celexa), or Escitalopram (Lexapro) – will be allowed to fly if they have been satisfactorily treated on the medication for at least 12 months. The FAA will not take civil enforcement action against pilots who take advantage of a six-month opportunity to share any previously non-disclosed diagnosis of depression or the use of these antidepressants. "I'm encouraging pilots who are suffering from depression or using antidepressants to report their medical condition to the FAA," said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. "We need to change the culture and remove the stigma associated with depression. Pilots should be able to get the medical treatment they need so they can safely perform their duties." The FAA's policy is consistent with recommendations from the Aerospace Medical Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Air Line Pilots Association and the International Civil Aviation Organization. The Civil Aviation Authority of Australia, Transport Canada and the U.S Army already allow some pilots to fly using antidepressant medications. Psychiatrists and Aviation Medical Examiners who have specialized training under the Human Intervention and Motivation Study (HIMS) program will help the FAA evaluate and monitor pilots under this new policy. The HIMS program was established 40 years ago and has been highly effective for the assessment, treatment, and medical certification of pilots who need help with alcohol and drug issues.