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More than 2800 people have voted, so far, in the survey about in-flight cell-phone service that accompanies one of my recent Well-Mannered Traveler columns on MSNBC.

The results? 64% say “In-flight text and e-mail service is great, but please no phone calls!”

So I’m not that surprised at the results of a recent Harris survey conducted by Yahoo! on the same subject:

74% of the 2,000 consumers polled for that survey say “mobile phone usage on airplanes should be restricted to features that do not require talking.”

But never say never: The survey showed that “If usage of mobile phones was allowed while in-flight, more than two out of three (69 percent) consumers agreed that there should be a designated area of an airplane for passengers who want to talk on their mobile phones.”

For more numbers and details see the full Yahoo release.

Categories: Cell Phones, Well-Mannered Traveler
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If you’re heading home by plane tomorrow from a Memorial Day weekend trip, perhaps you’ll enjoy these cartoons about the security checkpoint experience.

The folks who write the TSA’s blog – Evolution of Security – seem to!

Categories: Security, TSA
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Now that American Airlines has announced that it will begin charging most domestic passengers $15 to check their first bag, it’s a fair bet other major airlines will do the same.

Travelers are pissed off about this move, but it just seems inevitable that everyone will soon pay to check their bags at the airport.

But maybe not. Consider this: Southwest Airlines, which allows travelers to check two items for free, sent out a press release Thursday reaffirming that the airline has no plans to change its checked baggage policy.

The release ends: “We look forward to seeing you on board very soon. (And bring your luggage!)”

Any bets on how long this will last?

Categories: Baggage, Fees
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To mark the 21st birthday of its OnePass(R) frequent flyer program,Continental Airlines is holding a four-day Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament in Las Vegas.

The event begins August 6, 2008 and will take place the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino.

The entry fee is 50,000 OnePass miles and the grand prize is 21 million OnePass miles. Here’s more information about registration.

Not a Texas Hold’em fan? Don’t forget that McCarran International Airport has 1,300 slot machines.

Categories: Entertainment, Events
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A new exhibit at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport chronicles nearly 50 years of free summer music productions in Austin, Texas and includes photos, costumes, reviews and other items from Zilker Theater Productions.

Highlights include props such as bricks made of fabric, pie made of foam, and hats with mouse traps to secretly propel a bird into the sky.   There are also elaborate costumes designed by Susan Branch, including the “Dreamer Dress” (below) from the Secret Garden.

The Zilker Summer Musical exhibit is on display through August 12, 2008 in the Airside West Gallery located behind the BookPeople bookstore across from Gate 11.

Categories: Art, Events, Exhibits
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