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Tips For Avoiding Air Travel Delays

December 11th, 2007 by iDunzo

Without questions, air travel delays are out of control. Because there is no denying the need for safety, we must explore other solutions for a problem that will only get worse during the holidays.

First and foremost, DO NOT BLAME THE MESSENGER FOR THE MESSAGE.

What this means is that the airport staff and airline attendants can not change the situation that you’re in.

Trust me, airline attendants, of all people, don’t want to have to be at work any longer than required.

Forget the stories you’ve heard of free upgrades, free flights, free stays in a four star hotel.

Sure it might happen but don’t expect that as soon as your flight is delayed or canceled, the airline will beg your ultimate forgiveness by showering you with consolation prizes.

So, please don’t berate, assault, castigate, rebuke, or otherwise attempt to belittle the gate attendant.

Instead, here are a few tips and resources from around the web that can help ease the pain of modern day air travel, often by preemptively avoiding the situation altogether.
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Posted in Technology + Travel | 2 Comments »

Yabafo: Amusement Ride or World’s Fastest Elevator?

October 22nd, 2007 by iDunzo

It’s said that Japan has some of the fastest elevators in the world.

Apparently it has something to do with different cultures having differing comfort and tolerance levels.

Even so, the Yabafo might test the mettle of even the craziest of our Eastern speed loving friends.

Designed by Shin Takamatsu, the Yabafo is part of a new amusement complex in Osaka, called NamBa HIPS, and is the first freefall ride to be built into a building.

During the 74 meter (243 feet) drop, the six person casket will hit 22 meters per second (50 MPH).

The crazy part of this is that the world’s fastest real elevator isn’t far off this speed at 17 meters per second (38 MPH), and that’s on the way up.

The park is due to open in December 2007. If you visit, I suggest not eating beforehand.

Posted in Geekery + Technology + Travel | Comments Off on Yabafo: Amusement Ride or World’s Fastest Elevator?

Google Maps Takes To The Subways

October 4th, 2007 by iDunzo

Google Maps has rolled some of the Google Labs public transit features into the main Google Maps page.

The new feature, previously available only through the Labs page, adds a new link to your Google Maps search results and shows you how to reach you destination via public transport.

Obviously the feature only works if your city happens to have decent public transportation and the routes have been added to Google’s index.

Driving directions are still the default view for search results in Google Maps.

To see what transit systems are included in Google Maps, take a look at the Google Labs page.

If you city isn’t currently part of Google’s listing, keep in mind that the company is always adding more transit systems.

In the past few weeks it has added San Francisco’s BART system, Santa Clara’s Valley Transportation Authority, and more. The public transport feature includes numerous listings in Japan.

The new public transport options on Google Maps include some nice features like adding time of day to see when trains are scheduled, and a price comparison between the cost of transit fares and the cost of driving.

You’ll also find links to the relevant public transit website (when available).

Posted in Google + Technology + Travel + Web | Comments Off on Google Maps Takes To The Subways