http://patrickwiscombe.com Information You Need, the Podcast Network You Trust! Wed, 01 Sep 2010 02:15:13 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 http://patrickwiscombe.com/feed/ PatrickWiscombe.com has been producing informative, entertaining and compelling podcast content for listeners since 2006. So, if you've been looking for a podcast that gives you news and expert analysis about the tech and travel industries, you've definitely found the right podcast. Take a listen, you won't be disappointed. Patrick Wiscombe no Patrick Wiscombe patrick@squareplanetproductions.com patrick@squareplanetproductions.com (Patrick Wiscombe) Square Planet Productions, LLC Information You Need...The Podcast Network You Trust! current technology news, technology podcast, travel news, travel podcast http://patrickwiscombe.com/images/patrick1.jpg http://patrickwiscombe.com http://patrickwiscombe.com/2010/08/30/take-a-cold-shower/ http://patrickwiscombe.com/2010/08/30/take-a-cold-shower/#comments Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:00:01 +0000 Patrick Wiscombe http://patrickwiscombe.com/?p=5862 http://patrickwiscombe.com/2010/08/30/take-a-cold-shower/feed/ 0 free podcast,free podcasts,travel news,travel podcast - In this edition of the Digital Zone, we talked about: - Smartphones a necessity when traveling United - Continental merger moves forward FAA seeks record penalty against American Nine passengers removed from airliner SeaWo... (http://www.patrickwiscombe.com/images/subscribeinitunes300x38.jpg)(http://www.patrickwiscombe.com/images/patrick.jpg) In this edition of the Digital Zone, we talked about: * Smartphones a necessity when traveling * United - Continental merger moves forward * FAA seeks record penalty against American * Nine passengers removed from airliner * SeaWorld lawsuit * Man dies on flight * Cruise ship runs aground in Arctic New data from a Harrison Group survey of American travelers show that nearly a third of all cellphones in the U.S. now are so-called smart phones. Over the last two years many travel companies have begun creating second Internet channels optimized for smart phone users. About 19% of U.S. travelers already have downloaded at least one travel-related application to their smart phones, the survey found. The survey found that of those travelers who've downloaded travel-related applications to their smart phones: • 47% have used GPS functionality to find their way to a destination. • 46% have searched for updates on flight schedules and delays. • 29% have compared airfares or hotel rates. • 28% have shared information about or photos from their trips with others • 18% have has booked air travel or lodging • 15% have viewed virtual visitor guides that provide information on things to do or see. •11% have downloaded and/or redeemed mobile coupons •6% have downloaded an audio walking tour for a specific destination. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PODCAST SPONSOR: The Travel Show is sponsored by GetAwayToday.com (http://www.getawaytoday.com/MyVacation.aspx) (http://patrickwiscombe.com/images/get_away_today_logo.jpg) Save an extra $10 on your Disneyland or SeaWorld San Diego vacation, when you use promo code CASTLE at checkout ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The U.S. Justice Department said it has closed an investigation into the proposed merger of United and Continental which means the airlines could merge later this year. The $3.2 billion merger, which is pending a shareholder vote next month, is expected to close on October 1, 2010. The antitrust probe was closed after the airlines agreed to transfer takeoff and landing rights and other assets at Newark Liberty Airport to Southwest Airlines. The combined company will fly under the United and Continental logos and would be larger than Delta Air Lines which became the country's largest airline when it merged with Northwest Airlines in 2008. It is expected to serve more than 144 million passengers per year and fly to 370 destinations in 59 countries. Federal officials are seeking a record penalty of $24.2 million against American Airlines over maintenance lapses that caused thousands of canceled flights in 2008. American said the civil penalty was unwarranted and said it would appeal. The dispute dates to 2008, when American had to cancel more than 3,000 flights — inconveniencing 350,000 passengers — until wiring could be fixed to the satisfaction of the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA said that the improper harnessing of wires on American's McDonnell Douglas MD-80-series jets — about half its fleet at the time — could have led to fires and even fuel-tank explosions. It said American flew more than 14,000 flights with planes that didn't meet the wiring requirements. American has claimed all along that the FAA's concerns were overblown, and that passenger safety was never jeopardized. The FAA imposed the wiring rule after three operators reported electrical shorting in wires looped through the MD-80's wheel wells. The rules required mechanics to follow a 28-step process for clamping and securing wires to prevent them from rubbing together. American also has labor issues, Patrick Wiscombe no 39:51 http://patrickwiscombe.com/2010/08/23/fee-me-please/ http://patrickwiscombe.com/2010/08/23/fee-me-please/#comments Mon, 23 Aug 2010 11:00:38 +0000 Patrick Wiscombe http://patrickwiscombe.com/?p=5801 http://patrickwiscombe.com/2010/08/23/fee-me-please/feed/ 0 free podcast,free podcasts,travel news,travel podcast - In this edition of the Digital Zone, we talked about: - American Airlines' fees Terrorist threat called in Fall at Tower of Terror American Airlines to be fined by FAA Southwest metal fatique Virgin pilots threatening... (http://www.patrickwiscombe.com/images/subscribeinitunes300x38.jpg)(http://www.patrickwiscombe.com/images/patrick.jpg) In this edition of the Digital Zone, we talked about: * American Airlines' fees * Terrorist threat called in ... Patrick Wiscombe no 47:42 http://patrickwiscombe.com/2010/08/16/all-you-can-jet-pass/ http://patrickwiscombe.com/2010/08/16/all-you-can-jet-pass/#comments Mon, 16 Aug 2010 11:00:57 +0000 Patrick Wiscombe http://patrickwiscombe.com/?p=5759 http://patrickwiscombe.com/2010/08/16/all-you-can-jet-pass/feed/ 0 free podcast,free podcasts,travel news,travel podcast - In this edition of the Digital Zone, we talked about: - 'All You Can Jet' from JetBlue Delta's 'Ticket Window' on Facebook U.S. could ease travel restriction to Cuba Seat belts on buses Colombian plane crashes 90 time... (http://www.patrickwiscombe.com/images/subscribeinitunes300x38.jpg)(http://www.patrickwiscombe.com/images/patrick.jpg) In this edition of the Digital Zone, we talked about: * 'All You Can Jet' from JetBlue * Delta's 'Ticket Window' on Facebook * U.S. could ease travel restriction to Cuba * Seat belts on buses * Colombian plane crashes * 90 times for a 78 year old man JetBlue is bringing back its All-You-Can-Jet pass, which allows anyone to travel to an unlimited number of cities over a one-month period. The pass will cost $700 and its good to any destination in the U.S. and Caribbean for 30 days. The pass is valid for flights between Sept. 7 and Oct. 6. The pass features two price tiers: an unlimited pass for $699 or a $499 pass that excludes travel on Fridays and Sundays. Last year, the unlimited tickets cost $599 and sold out quickly. The passes can be booked online through Friday. Passengers must book flights within three days of departure, or pay a $50 booking fee. There's also a $50 fee for changes or cancellations within three days of travel. Travelers must join JetBlue's frequent flier program, TrueBlue, to participate. All participants earn a standard amount of frequent flier miles for buying the passes — 4,200 points for the purchase of the unlimited pass, or 3,000 points for the pass that's valid five days a week. One-way flight awards start at 5,000 points. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PODCAST SPONSOR: The Digital Zone is sponsored by Cliphanger. (http://www.shareasale.com/image/loadbanner1228124.jpeg) The perfect accessory for all cell phones, PDAs, iPods, and MP3 players. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Delta Air Lines said it's launched a new "Ticket Window" on Facebook that will allow passengers to book directly on the social media site. It's the first time an airline has allowed customers to reserve flights on Facebook. Delta plans to expand the Ticket Window to other sites, including online banner ads from which customers could book directly. The company also said it plans to launch an iPhone application within the next few weeks that will offer customers the ability to check in for flights, check flight status, review schedules, set a parking reminder, review frequent flier account balance and use electronic boarding passes in select cities. A Boeing 737 jetliner with 131 passengers aboard crashed as it prepared to land and broke into three pieces at a Colombian island in the Caribbean. The region's governor said it was a miracle that only one person died. Officials were investigating reports the plane had been hit by lightning before crashing. Officials said 119 people were treated or checked at local clinics, five of them were seriously injured. The one passenger may have died of a heart attack. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PODCAST SPONSOR: The Digital Zone is sponsored by LegalZoom.com. (http://legalzoom.directtrack.com/42/1729/8/) Enter discount code DIGITAL at checkout. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The U.S. is considering easing travel restrictions to Cuba according to U.S. and congressional officials. The announcement would leave intact the nearly 50-year-old embargo against Cuba but would expand opportunities for American students, educators and researchers to visit Cuba. President Obama said that he wants to reach out to Cuba and promote democracy by easing travel and financial restrictions, but he has also said there must be political or economic reforms before the U.S. takes further steps to ease Cuba's isolation. Patrick Wiscombe no 40:24 http://patrickwiscombe.com/2010/07/26/senor-monkey/ http://patrickwiscombe.com/2010/07/26/senor-monkey/#comments Mon, 26 Jul 2010 11:00:40 +0000 Patrick Wiscombe http://patrickwiscombe.com/?p=5417 http://patrickwiscombe.com/2010/07/26/senor-monkey/feed/ 1 free podcast,free podcasts,travel news,travel podcast - In this edition of the Digital Zone, we talked about: - Smuggling monkeys Maggots on the plane Delta reports biggest profit in 10 years United rumored to be merging with Continental An individual of substantial size boards a plane Fire i... (http://www.patrickwiscombe.com/images/subscribeinitunes300x38.jpg)(http://www.patrickwiscombe.com/images/patrick.jpg) In this edition of the Digital Zone, we talked about: * Smuggling monkeys * Maggots on the plane * Delta reports biggest p... Patrick Wiscombe no 42:46 http://patrickwiscombe.com/2010/06/21/play-it-again-sam/ http://patrickwiscombe.com/2010/06/21/play-it-again-sam/#comments Mon, 21 Jun 2010 10:59:35 +0000 Patrick Wiscombe http://patrickwiscombe.com/?p=5272 http://patrickwiscombe.com/2010/06/21/play-it-again-sam/feed/ 0 free podcasts,travel news,travel podcast - In this edition of the Travel Show, we talked about: - American's "Boarding and Flexibility" option Flight attendant helps land American flight Door snaps off American flight New York pianos Cruising industry not affecte... (http://www.patrickwiscombe.com/images/subscribeinitunes300x38.jpg)(http://www.patrickwiscombe.com/images/patrick.jpg) In this edition of the Travel Show, we talked about: * American's "Boarding and Flexibility" option * Flight attendant help... Patrick Wiscombe no 36:16 http://patrickwiscombe.com/2010/06/14/peanut-free-zone/ http://patrickwiscombe.com/2010/06/14/peanut-free-zone/#comments Mon, 14 Jun 2010 10:59:00 +0000 Patrick Wiscombe http://patrickwiscombe.com/?p=5192 http://patrickwiscombe.com/2010/06/14/peanut-free-zone/feed/ 0 free podcasts,travel news,travel podcast - In this edition of the Digital Zone, we talked about: - Delta sends children to the wrong destination The "Peanut Free Zone" Delta offers everyday skiing service Spirit pilots ready to strike Disneyland hotel workers wal... (http://www.patrickwiscombe.com/images/subscribeinitunes300x38.jpg)(http://www.patrickwiscombe.com/images/patrick.jpg) In this edition of the Digital Zone, we talked about: * Delta sends children to the wrong destination * The "Peanut Free Zone" * Delta offers everyday skiing service * Spirit pilots ready to strike * Disneyland hotel workers walk off job Delta Air Lines blamed a paperwork mix-up for sending two children to the wrong cities as they flew under the airline's unaccompanied minors program. Delta said the children were connecting through Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Tuesday when they were put on the wrong connecting flights because of a "paperwork swap."  WHDH-TV in Boston identified one of the children as 9-year-old Kieren Kershaw, who was flying alone from Spokane, Wash., to Boston to visit his grandparents when his paperwork was switched with the girl's paperwork during the Minneapolis layover. The girl also was traveling alone.  Kieren said employees apologized to him when he was in Cleveland. He said, "It was kind of nice. They gave me some free food and some Dunkin' Donuts." Delta said the two children were under airline supervision at all times. Delta said it has apologized to the families, sent the children to their final destinations at no cost, arranged full refunds for the children's tickets and provided credits to the families for future travel. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PODCAST SPONSOR: The Digital Zone is sponsored by Cliphanger. (http://www.shareasale.com/image/loadbanner1228124.jpeg) The perfect accessory for all cell phones, PDAs, iPods, and MP3 players. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Federal regulators are considering a complete ban serving peanuts on commercial flights. The U.S. Transportation Department gave notice last week that it's gathering feedback from allergy sufferers, medical experts, the food industry and the public on whether to ban or restrict in-flight peanuts. The peanut proposals were listed in an 84-page document including several other proposed consumer protections for air travelers. Three options were given: banning serving of peanuts on all planes; prohibiting peanuts only when an allergic passenger requests it in advance; or requiring an undefined "peanut-free zone" flight when a passenger asks for one. While those options only pertain to peanuts served by flight crews, the document also states "we are particularly interested in hearing views on how peanuts and peanut products brought on board aircraft by passengers should be handled." The spokesperson for the U.S. Transportation Department said the department is responding to concerns from travelers who either suffer from peanut allergies or have allergic children, "some of whom do not fly" because they're afraid of exposure. Delta Air Lines is adding daily flights between Atlanta and the Montrose-Telluride area in Colorado for next ski season. Daily flight will start Dec. 18 through April 3. The Telluride Montrose Regional Air Organization guarantees airlines a certain amount of revenue if they fly to airports in Montrose and Telluride and pays them if revenues fall short. Executive Director Scott Stewart said that the organization paid $1.4 million to airlines this season out of a possible $2.2 million. Its exposure for next winter is $3.3 million. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PODCAST SPONSOR: The Travel Show with Patrick Wiscombe is sponsored by GetAwayToday.com. Get an extra $10 off your Disneyland Resort vacation just for using promotion code CASTLE at checkout. Patrick Wiscombe no 37:28 http://patrickwiscombe.com/2010/05/31/trapped-on-the-plane/ http://patrickwiscombe.com/2010/05/31/trapped-on-the-plane/#comments Mon, 31 May 2010 11:00:42 +0000 Patrick Wiscombe http://patrickwiscombe.com/?p=4807 http://patrickwiscombe.com/2010/05/31/trapped-on-the-plane/feed/ 0 travel news,travel podcast - In this edition of the Travel Show, we talked about: - Trapped on the plane British Airways hoping to avert a strike Jet engine trouble for G.E. Turbulence over Montreal Marriott to to expand in China State Department issues travel warn... (http://www.patrickwiscombe.com/images/subscribeinitunes300x38.jpg)(http://www.patrickwiscombe.com/images/patrick.jpg) In this edition of the Travel Show, we talked about: * Trapped on the plane * British Airways hoping to avert a strike * ... Patrick Wiscombe no 47:35 http://patrickwiscombe.com/2010/05/24/a-bogus-17-million/ http://patrickwiscombe.com/2010/05/24/a-bogus-17-million/#comments Mon, 24 May 2010 11:00:42 +0000 Patrick Wiscombe http://patrickwiscombe.com/?p=4674 http://patrickwiscombe.com/2010/05/24/a-bogus-17-million/feed/ 0 travel news,travel podcast - In this edition of the Travel Show, we talked about: - A bogus $17 million Volcanic ash travel disruptions Frequent flyer accounting JetBlue announces new service Yellowstone open for business - - The head of a Nevada company that manag... (http://www.patrickwiscombe.com/images/subscribeinitunes300x38.jpg)(http://www.patrickwiscombe.com/images/patrick.jpg) In this edition of the Travel Show, we talked about: * A bogus $17 million * Volcanic ash travel disruptions * Frequent f... Patrick Wiscombe no 39:14 http://patrickwiscombe.com/2010/03/16/the-travel-show-sampler/ http://patrickwiscombe.com/2010/03/16/the-travel-show-sampler/#comments Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:00:24 +0000 Patrick Wiscombe http://patrickwiscombe.com/?p=3845 http://patrickwiscombe.com/2010/03/16/the-travel-show-sampler/feed/ 0 travel news,travel podcast - In this edition of the Travel Show, we talked about: - Disney's Castle suite Looking better than ever Sharing dishes with pets Ham-Barker Helper Pets in the cargo hold St. Louis to Branson - NOT close Desi does Disney Hotels of the ... (http://www.patrickwiscombe.com/images/subscribeinitunes300x38.jpg)(http://www.patrickwiscombe.com/images/patrick.jpg) In this edition of the Travel Show, we talked about: * Disney's Castle suite * Looking better than ever * Sharing dishes with pets * Ham-Barker Helper * Pets in the cargo hold * St. Louis to Branson - NOT close * Desi does Disney * Hotels of the future * Using a travel agent * Robots driving your car This short, five minute, podcast was created so listeners know what to expect when they listen to the Travel Show with Patrick Wiscombe and Gary Commagere. Patrick Wiscombe no 3:48 http://patrickwiscombe.com/2010/03/08/tsa-peek-a-boo/ http://patrickwiscombe.com/2010/03/08/tsa-peek-a-boo/#comments Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:00:04 +0000 Patrick Wiscombe http://patrickwiscombe.com/?p=3813 http://patrickwiscombe.com/2010/03/08/tsa-peek-a-boo/feed/ 0 travel news,travel podcast - In this edition of the Travel Show, we talked about: - TSA will see more of you American, flight attendants at odds Win a trip to Virginia Thailand continuing to offer travel insurance - - The Transportation Security Administration announ... (http://www.patrickwiscombe.com/images/subscribeinitunes300x38.jpg)(http://www.patrickwiscombe.com/images/patrick.jpg) In this edition of the Travel Show, we talked about: * TSA will see more of you * American, flight attendants at odds * Win a trip to Virginia * Thailand continuing to offer travel insurance The Transportation Security Administration announced nine more U.S. airports will be getting body-scanning technology.  The lucky airports to get the body scanners:  Fort Lauderdale, San Jose, Columbus, San Diego, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Oakland, and Kansas City.  Two body scanning machines are coming online this week:  Boston's Logan International Airport and O'Hare International Airport in Chicago.  All are among 150 machines bought with money from the federal stimulus package signed by President Barack Obama last year. Both the new and existing machines will be in a primary position, meaning they will be the default screening equipment passengers face at a checkpoint.  The existing machines have been in a secondary position, being used only when a passenger failed a metal screening or posed some other risk factor.  Passengers retain the right to opt out of a body scanning for a more intense but traditional screening. The Associated Press timed a body scanning at 25 seconds.  TSA officials said the units won't be able to print or store images, and that the officer viewing them will have no contact with passengers.  Passengers who accept a scan — and pass — will not have to walk through a metal detector or other security equipment. Those who decline will have to walk through a metal detector and also submit to a patdown. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PODCAST SPONSOR: The Travel Show with Patrick Wiscombe is sponsored by GetAwayToday.com (http://www.getawaytoday.com/MyVacation.aspx). Get an extra $10 off your Disneyland Resort vacation just for using promotion code CASTLE at checkout. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Contract talks between American Airlines and its flight attendants have broken off.  The flight attendants union said that it would ask federal officials to start a 30-day cooling-off period, after which the flight attendants could strike.  The two sides are fighting over wages and other items. The union, which represents about 18,000 flight attendants, wants raises to offset pay and benefit cuts that workers accepted in 2003, when American was close to bankruptcy.  American has lost $3.6 billion in the last two years and they say it spends more per employee on flight attendants than Delta, United, Continental and US Airways and must cut labor costs. It has offered a mix of 2 percent raises in some years and industry-average raises in others over an eight-year contract.  American is also in talks with pilots and ground workers over new contracts. The ground workers have also vowed to seek the ability to strike if a deal isn't reached in the next week.  Federal law makes it difficult for airline employees to legally strike because of the broader economic effect if air service is interrupted. The Virginia Tourism Corporation is offering families a chance to win a free vacation in the commonwealth.  Four trips are being offered. The prize for the first drawing on April 9 includes two nights at Great Wolf Lodge, admission to Colonial Williamsburg, Historic Jamestown, Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center, and passes to Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA.  Drawings for the other trips will be held May 14, June 18 and Aug. 3.  To enter, go to the Web site http://www.Virginia.org/family. Thailand is continuing to offer insurance coverage worth $10,000 to anyone harmed in riots and demonstrations as it seeks to attract tourists scared off by political turmoil. Patrick Wiscombe no 47:25 http://patrickwiscombe.com/2009/11/18/the-one-pound-loo/ http://patrickwiscombe.com/2009/11/18/the-one-pound-loo/#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:00:48 +0000 Patrick Wiscombe http://patrickwiscombe.com/?p=3131 http://patrickwiscombe.com/2009/11/18/the-one-pound-loo/feed/ 0 travel news,travel podcast - In this edition of the Travel Show, we talked about: - Ryanair could charge customers to use its toilets Tips for not losing your luggage Tips to save money when you fly Delta to integrate Northwest Airlines’ popular frequent-flier program ... (http://www.patrickwiscombe.com/images/subscribeinitunes300x38.jpg)(http://www.patrickwiscombe.com/images/patrick.jpg) In this edition of the Travel Show, we talked about: * Ryanair could charge customers to use its toilets * Tips for not losing your luggage * Tips to save money when you fly * Delta to integrate Northwest Airlines’ popular frequent-flier program * United Airlines will charge for second piece of luggage Patrick Wiscombe no 37:36