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Measles alert: Fears Qantas flight could be infected

<p>A measles alert has been issued for passengers on a flight from Singapore to Melbourne last week, with authorities desperately working with airline officials to identify passengers.</p> <p><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Daily Mail reports</strong> </em></span></a>Victoria's Department of Health and Human Services has issued an alert from any passenger aboard flight Qantas QF 36, which arrived on April 16 at 6:40am, and has noted that other travellers not on the flight might too be at risk.</p> <p>A man who had been travelling earlier in Thailand reportedly became ill after his arrival, and authorities fear he may have been infectious during the flight.</p> <p>Deputy chief health officer Dr Brett Sutton says authorities are working with the airline to identify those passengers most at risk, but anyone who was near the international baggage collection and shuttle bus pick up area on April 17 should notify their doctor or emergency department if they become ill over the next week.</p> <p>“Unfortunately the notification was made late to the department, so it's only now that passengers are being warned and some may already be showing early symptoms,” Dr Sutton said.</p> <p>“It's critical that diagnosing doctors and laboratories notify the department as soon as they're aware of cases, to enable immediate follow-up.”</p> <p>What are your thoughts?</p>

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Fury as airline staff ‘tie up’ passenger

<p>A shocking image of a passenger in tears after being tied up by an airline has emerged, which has prompted fury and questioning throughout the travel industry.</p> <p>Maria Saliagas, who has multiple sclerosis, was travelling with her husband to Amsterdam with Delta Airlines. When the couple landed, they realised Deltas was unable to provide a wheelchair with straps that would allow them to travel safely.</p> <p><a href="http://www.news.com.au/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>News.com.au reports</strong></em></span></a> instead of this, the crew allegedly used a dirty airline blanket to tie Maria to the chair, in an experience that left her bruised and battered.</p> <p>Her son Nathan detailed the treatment in a Facebook post.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fnathan.saliagas%2Fposts%2F1664481920308659&amp;width=500" width="500" height="640" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></p> <p>“The Delta employee thought it would be appropriate to tie my mother with someone else’s dirty blanket, in such a way it has left bruise marks on her arms,” Nathan wrote.</p> <p>“When she started crying, she was told to ‘shut the f**k up’ or she will be ‘left there’. This highly inhumane and disgusting treatment by Delta Airlines is unacceptable and a need for change.”</p> <p>Delta responded in a statement to Atlanta’s WSB-TV.</p> <p>“We regret the perception our service has left on these customers,” the statement read.</p> <p>“We have reached out to them, not only to resolve their concerns, but also to ensure that their return flight exceeds expectations.”</p> <p>What are your thoughts?</p> <p><em>Hero image credit: Facebook / Nathan Saliagas</em></p>

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How a 12-year-old flew to Bali by himself

<p>A 12-year-old boy has managed to fly from Australia to Bali after stealing his parent’s credit card and booking a flight with budget airline Jetstar.</p> <p><a href="http://www.news.com.au/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>News.com.au reports</strong></em></span></a> the boy, who gave the fake name Drew during an <em>A Current Affair</em> report, failed in his first two attempts to leave the country, having tried to book a flight with Qantas and Garuda Airlines respectively.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FACurrentAffair9%2Fvideos%2F1519715628134809%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p> <p>But it was third time’s a charm for the brazen boy, who was somehow able to fly all the way to the Indonesian island, with no questions asked.</p> <p>Drew’s mother Emma, is reportedly furious he was even allowed to leave the country.</p> <p>“He just doesn’t like the word no and that’s what I got, a kid in Indonesia,” she said.</p> <p>“It’s too easy, way too easy. There’s a problem in our system,” Emma added.</p> <p>Emma and her partner were panic-stricken for four days wondering where their son was until Drew posted a video of himself at a pool in Bali, sharing his location with a friend.</p> <p>“I was shocked and disgusted, there’s no emotion to feel what we felt when we found out that he’d left overseas,” she said.</p> <p>Drew’s parents contact the AFP who tracked Drew down to his hotel and took him to the local police station, where he was held for 24 hours before his parents could pick him up.</p> <p>“I got a hug off Dad but Mum didn’t do anything, she was angry,” the 12-year-old said.</p> <p>Emma is still coming to terms with how it could’ve happened.</p> <p>“They’d never done their job. He was never flagged, this shouldn’t have happened. if they’d done their job,” she told the program.</p> <p>“We are still in shock, we just think how did this happen? Considering we screamed, we begged for help,” she added.</p> <p>Jetstar reportedly issued a comment to <em>A Current Affair</em>, saying it was putting a new measure in place to ensure a story like Drew’s would not happen again.</p> <p>What are your thoughts? Who do you think the buck stops with?</p>

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Terrified Qantas passengers send goodbye messages to loved ones

<p>Terrified Qantas passengers on a flight from Perth to Sydney sent goodbye messages to loved ones, after mid-air mechanical issues forced pilots to make an emergency landing.</p> <p><a href="https://au.yahoo.com/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Yahoo 7 reports</strong></em></span></a> Flight QF568 was near the WA border when warning lights started flashing, the aircraft jerking violently and rapidly descending as oxygen masks fell from the ceiling.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F7NewsBrisbane%2Fvideos%2F1900304743315702%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p> <p>Ray Chant, one of 300 passengers onboard, recorded the ordeal on his mobile phone.</p> <p>"This is an emergency announcement," the recording says.</p> <p>"Sit down in the nearest seat now and pull down an oxygen mask. Fasten your seat belts."</p> <p>"I just thought, how can I record this and say my last goodbyes?" <a href="https://au.yahoo.com/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>he told 7 News</strong></em></span></a>.</p> <p>The captain was reportedly able to make an emergency deviation to Melbourne where the flight landed safely, but not without some nervous moments for those onboard.</p> <p>Qantas issued a statement saying air conditioning had affected the ability to maintain cabin pressure.</p> <p>This story comes as news emerges of another incident for the Flying Kangaroo, with a flight from Brisbane to Auckland on Sunday being turned around due to mechanical issues.</p> <p>What are your thoughts?</p> <p><em>Hero image credit: Facebook / 7 News Brisbane</em></p>

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Denise Scott’s terrifying hitchhiking incident

<p>Denise Scott is unquestionably one of the funniest comics working in Australia today, and is set for another bumper run at the <a href="https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2018/shows/judith-lucy-denise-scott-disappointments" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2018</strong></span></a>. But it all might have been very different according to a <a href="https://www.nowtolove.com.au/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>new interview in Now to Love</strong></em></span></a>, where the 62-year-old share details of a terrifying hitchhiking incident.</p> <p>As a younger woman Scott was hitchhiking around France, with one rule in place – never get into a car with two men in it. But one day she broke the rule.</p> <p>"They drove off the main road and down this bush road," Denise remembers.</p> <p>"They were trying to tell me they were going to do some electrical work or something. And I kept saying, 'But I don't want to go with you. Please let me out.' And they didn't."</p> <p>At the end of the long road, the men reportedly stopped the vehicle.</p> <p>"They drove off the main road and down this bush road," Denise remembers.</p> <p>"They were trying to tell me they were going to do some electrical work or something. And I kept saying, 'But I don't want to go with you. Please let me out.' And they didn't."</p> <p class="content-body__paragraph">"I got out of the car," she says. "There was no-one around. It was so scary. I screamed and screamed, but they just stood there, looking at me.</p> <p class="content-body__paragraph">"Then, they got out their electrical tools and started fixing the overhead wire. But they knew! They must have known they were terrifying me."</p> <p>It was moments like this that led to Scott giving up hitchhiking.</p> <p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o5nWAEi33Sc" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p>But the travel world’s loss is the world of comedy’s gain, and Scott has turned her nerve and quick wit into a comedy career spanning the course of 30 years.</p> <p><span>"It doesn't get easier," the 62-year-old said</span><span>. </span></p> <p><span>"You do get better, hopefully. But it's still very stressful."</span></p>

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Flight attendant’s tragic mistake leads to dog’s death

<p>United Airlines is in damage control after a flight attendant made a tragic mistake which led to the death of a 10-month-old dog on a flight from Texas to New York.</p> <p>The airline has said it would be taking “full responsibility” for the incident, which saw a passenger instructed to stow her pet dog, which was travelling in a TSA-approved dog carrier, in the overhead compartment by the cabin crew.</p> <p>Maggie Gremminger, a passenger on the flight, say despite the woman’s resistance the flight attendant insisted upon putting the animal in the overhead compartment. By the time the flight arrived at New York’s LaGuardia airprot, the dog was dead.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fmaggie.gremminger%2Fposts%2F10105580191693079&amp;width=500" width="500" height="595" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true"></iframe></p> <p>“Tonight I was on a plane where I witnessed a @united flight attendant instruct a passenger to place her dog carrier (with dog) in the overhead compartment. The passenger adamantly refused but the flight attendant went on with instruction,” Ms Gremminger said.</p> <p>“At the end of the flight — the dog was found (dead) in the carrier. I am heartbroken right now. I didn’t question the flight attendant, but I could have.</p> <p>“I assumed there must be ventilation as surely the flight attendant wouldn’t have instructed this otherwise. I heard the dog barking a little and we didn’t realise it was barking a cry for help.</p> <p>“... I was even trying to look up info online before we took off because it felt like it wasn’t right.”</p> <p>Gremminger said the airline’s response to the situation was underwhelming.</p> <p>“The flight attendant was very frazzled afterwards. I couldn’t make sense of it. She said she didn’t know there was a dog, but it was insanely clear, and I heard the passenger tell her that her dog was in the carrier.</p> <p>“... I’m in shock right now. Tweeting those few tweets was hard enough. To make things worse, @united offered me a $US75 ($95) credit. I’m so disgusted and sad for that family.”</p> <p>Social media commenters have struggled to make sense of the incident. </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Never flying <a href="https://twitter.com/united?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@united</a>. Between the passenger dragging and the dog killing I'd rather walk.</p> — jon ronson (@jonronson) <a href="https://twitter.com/jonronson/status/973674776077193221?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2018</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">It was certainly United's bad re: deceased dog, but was there no one on that plane to stand up and say "this isn't right?" We stand up for...a lot...in this country as is our right. Did no one think that would end up badly?</p> — Ryan Stanzel (@rstanzel) <a href="https://twitter.com/rstanzel/status/973674744179458048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2018</a></blockquote> <p>United Airlines later issued a statement to <a href="http://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/united-apologises-after-dog-dies-on-flight/news-story/87aac83b2810e7acbf1ce94474a5faa5" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>News.com.au</strong></em></span></a>.</p> <p>“This was a tragic accident that should never have occurred, as pets should never be placed in the overhead bin,” a spokesman for United said.</p> <p>“We assume full responsibility for this tragedy and express our deepest condolences to the family and are committed to supporting them. We are thoroughly investigating what occurred to prevent this from ever happening again.”</p> <p>What are your thoughts?</p>

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Passengers stranded for 14 hours on train ride from hell

<p>While things here might get a little uncomfortable when the weather’s cooling down, you have to spare a thought for the parts of the world that get a proper winter. Never was this more evident than in the UK over the weekend, when the destructive Storm Emma ground trains to a halt, leaving passengers stranded for up to 14 hours.</p> <p>UK’s <strong><a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/03/02/train-passengers-describe-night-trapped-board-no-heat-light/amp/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Telegraph reports</em></span></a></strong> five cross-country trains were forced to stop mid-journey during the wild blizzard, with passengers left to grin and bear the conditions overnight.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">What is going on <a href="https://twitter.com/SW_Help?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SW_Help</a> !! Friends <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stranded?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#stranded</a> on the 17.30 from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Waterloo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Waterloo</a> to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Poole?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Poole</a>, stuck at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brokenhurst?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Brokenhurst</a>, on a train with no power, no heating left In the cold with no news. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Snow?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Snow</a> is heavy. <a href="https://twitter.com/Bournemouthecho?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Bournemouthecho</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SouthWesternRailway?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SouthWesternRailway</a> <a href="https://t.co/4mxAmyIt1z">pic.twitter.com/4mxAmyIt1z</a></p> — Samantha Blackburn (@dSAMANTHAj) <a href="https://twitter.com/dSAMANTHAj/status/969370802851368961?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2018</a></blockquote> <p>Passengers did everything they could to get by, with some playing music on board while others dancing to keep warm.</p> <p> “A chap had a packet of biscuits — people shared what they’ve got,” passenger Robert Luther <a href="http://www.bbc.com/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>told the BBC</strong></em></span></a>.</p> <p>“It’s fortunate people had winter clothing — it looked like we were going on ski trip,” he added.</p> <p>“We haven’t had freshwater or heating since 8-9pm. The toilet pans were full up and we couldn’t get off the train either.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/3zGaTWJ8km">pic.twitter.com/3zGaTWJ8km</a></p> — Samantha Blackburn (@dSAMANTHAj) <a href="https://twitter.com/dSAMANTHAj/status/969382865241804801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2018</a></blockquote> <p>“It shouldn’t happen in this day and age, it’s not as if we’ve got three-foot of snow on the tracks.”</p> <p>What are your thoughts?</p>

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The terrifying moment a Qantas flight is battered by wild Queensland storm

<p>Passengers on board a Qantas flight have been filmed terrified and screaming last night when their plane flew into wild weather.</p> <p>The Mount Isa to Townsville flight left passengers “extremely sick” after it hit a patch of thunder and lightning, which lasted for over 40 minutes.</p> <p>In a video shared with Channel 7, screams of terror can be heard as well as one passenger's attempts to reassure others shouting, “don't worry guys, we're nearly there”. </p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F7NewsBrisbane%2Fvideos%2F1673257349387011%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p> <p>Several passengers were physically sick as the bad weather battered the plane for most of the duration of the flight.</p> <p>Extreme weather continues to hitQueensland with wild storms sweeping the state on Tuesday night. There have been numerous reports of property damage, including roofs being ripped off and debris smashing through homes.</p> <p>A Qantas spokesperson told Yahoo7 safety was always the airline's number one priority.</p> <p>"Our pilots are experienced and trained to deal with these situations, and today’s passenger aircraft are designed to withstand and fly safely when encountering lightning storms.</p> <p>"The aircraft landed normally and was not damaged from the storm."</p>

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Prince William: The dangerous hobby he just can’t kick

<p>When you think of Prince William you probably think of a lot of things, mostly involving chinos, but it turns out the second in line to the throne has a dangerous hobby that he just can’t kick – and reports suggest it’s driving Kate absolutely mad.</p> <p>The 35-year-old has reportedly long harboured a love for motorbikes and in a visit to UK bike manufacturer Triumph, his royal highness threw caution to the wind.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Motorbike fan Prince William cant resist taking Triumph for a spin despite Kate saying… <a href="https://t.co/sZEdZtN7CO">https://t.co/sZEdZtN7CO</a> <a href="https://t.co/720K8m4yGr">pic.twitter.com/720K8m4yGr</a></p> — Zesty Europe News (@zesty_europe) <a href="https://twitter.com/zesty_europe/status/966080444562276358?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2018</a></blockquote> <p>The Duke of Cambridge swapped the epaulettes for a leather riding suit as he gave the latest 1200cc Triumph Tiger a spin, putting it through its paces before walking the assembly line to meet technicians and apprentices on-site.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">And to top off today's Royal updates... prince William on a motorbike 😅this legit isn't photoshopped <a href="https://t.co/9h69nGESJk">pic.twitter.com/9h69nGESJk</a></p> — Laura Stoddart (@Laura_stod) <a href="https://twitter.com/Laura_stod/status/966104623135240192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 21, 2018</a></blockquote> <p>Prince William’s need for speed has been well documented, and he used to own a £20,000 ($A35,500) Ducati motorbike, which can go from 0-60mph in 2.5 seconds.</p> <p>During a visit to Dundee in 2015, Kate told a local: “He's still riding it. It always fills me with horror when he goes out on it‎. I'm terrified. Hopefully, I'm going to keep George off it.”</p> <p>While the pictures might suggest otherwise, Prince William has reportedly told World Superbike champion Jonathan Rea that he’s going to put his dangerous hobby on the “back-burner”.</p> <p>After receiving an MBE last year, Rea revealed: “I know he’s a bit of a motorcycle fan himself.</p> <p>“We talked about his bikes and the fact that he has put it on the back-burner a little bit because of his children now.”</p> <p>What are your thoughts? Should Prince William kick the habit? Or is he well within his rights to indulge his need for speed? Let us know in the comments. </p>

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Brace yourselves for a week of weather hell

<p>Get ready for a week of extreme weather with Queensland, NSW, ACT, Western Australia and the NT set for stifling hot summer’s week.</p> <p><strong>Brisbane</strong></p> <p>A heatwave is forecast across much of Queensland this week with temperatures expected to reach 40C and not dip below 35C.  In south-east Queensland, there are chances of heavy storms just about every day and temps are only expected to fall around Friday. Northern Queensland will be hot but there’s less chance of stormy weather.</p> <p><strong>Sydney</strong></p> <p>The temperature will reach a high of 32C on Wednesday by the harbour but in the west, expect 35C almost every day and up to 40C on Wednesday.</p> <p><strong>Canberra</strong></p> <p>It will be sunny everyday this week with mercury unlikely to fall below 30C. A high of 33C on Wednesday.</p> <p><strong>Melbourne</strong></p> <p>It will be a typical summer’s week in Victoria’s capital with weather changing every day. Saturday is likely to be a hot one at 28C.</p> <p><strong>Hobart</strong></p> <p>Mild summer temperatures of around 22C most days, with possible showers.</p> <p><strong>Adelaide</strong></p> <p>Mid-to-high 20s throughout the week with the warmest day likely to be Tuesday.</p> <p><strong>Perth</strong></p> <p>It’s heating up in the west with the mercury expected to hit as high as 37C on Thursday.</p> <p><strong>Darwin</strong></p> <p>Hot and stormy with temps consistently around the 30C mark. As much as 60mm rain is expected on Wednesday.</p> <p> </p>

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4 times travel insurance won’t cover your missed flight

<p>Thousands of holidaymakers have the trips spoiled by interruptions to scheduled flights every year. Whether it’s the eruption of a nearby volcano, a clerical error or some gross act of incompetence, there’s nothing more frustrating than a missed flight.</p> <p>The problem is, many of these circumstances aren’t covered by typical travel insurance policies, even though the standard traveller on the street might think they are.</p> <p>Natalie Ball from <a href="https://www.comparetravelinsurance.com.au/" target="_blank"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Comparetravelinsurance.com.au</span></strong></em></a> explains, “In a nutshell, travel delays or cancellations where the airline is at fault are not covered, this could be anything from mechanical problems, maintenance, staff shortages or overbooking.</p> <p>“However, disruptions outside of the airlines control such as bad weather and natural disasters are generally covered.”</p> <p>So, what are the circumstances where your travel insurer won’t cover you for a missed flight? We’ve ran through a selection of common travel insurance policies and found four circumstances where you’re typically not covered for a missed flight*.</p> <p>To see them all, scroll through the gallery above.</p> <p>Have you ever missed a flight? Let us know in the comments section, we’d love to hear from you!</p> <p><em>* Circumstances vary from insurer to insurer. This article is for general information only. You should seek formal financial advice on your specific circumstances.</em></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/travel-insurance/?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_campaign=travel-insurance&amp;utm_medium=in-article-banner&amp;utm_content=travel-insurance" target="_blank"><img src="http://media.oversixty.com.au/images/banners/Travel-Insurance_Website_GIF_468x602.gif" alt="Over60 Travel Insurance"/></a></p>

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Malaysia Airlines flight horror: “I thought I was going to die”

<p>After a number of flight tragedies in recent years, Malaysia Airlines has narrowly escaped yet another disaster. Flight MH122 from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur was forced to make an emergency landing in Alice Springs, with crew reportedly telling passengers to prepare for impact.</p> <p>“We were just bracing for the worst,” passenger Donna Edwards told <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/2018/01/18/20/37/malaysia-airlines-mh122-makes-emergency-landing-in-alice-springs" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">9 News</span></strong></a>. “I thought I was going to die.”</p> <p>At about 3.56 pm Northern Territory time yesterday, the Airbus was rocked by “massive vibration”, forcing staff to begin its emergency landing procedure while passengers held hands and prayed for the best.</p> <p>“The flight attendant came on and said the pilot will give a 30-second warning before impact,” Edwards explained. “One of the crew stopped near us and one guy said, ‘Are we crashing or are we landing?’ The crew member said, ‘I don’t know.’”</p> <p>Others took to social media to detail their experiences.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/malaysian?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#malaysian</a> airlines <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mh122?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#mh122</a>. Emergency landing at Alice Springs. The scariest part was that once the engine started to make a loud disturbing noise, the flight attendants all seemed nervous n clueless. For around 15 mins, there was no announcement.15 mins were as long as 15 hours!</p> — Sanjeev Pandey (@sppandey81) <a href="https://twitter.com/sppandey81/status/953934819024502784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2018</a></blockquote> <p>Luckily for all on board, the plane touched down safely in Alice Springs at 5.48 pm local time, where all passengers were given hotel rooms and booked on replacement flights for today.</p> <p>In a statement released overnight, Malaysia Airlines said the aircraft “experienced a technical fault” in one of its engines.</p> <p>“Safety was not at any time compromised and the commanding captain decided to divert the flight for technical assistance … Safety at all times is Malaysia Airlines’ number one priority.”</p>

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Huge Qantas blunder leaves passengers fuming

<p><span>Qantas has apologised after 100 passengers arrived in Perth with no bags due to a baggage belt mishap at Sydney airport.</span></p> <p><span>The mechanical error, which occurred on Monday, meant the bags were not loaded on the same flight.</span></p> <p><span>Journalist Peter van Onselen was among those who were left without their baggage, writing on Twitter to vent his frustration.</span></p> <p><span>“How is this for INSANE INCOMPETENCE by @qantas. Our flight to Perth it was just announced took off with NOBODYS bags. Absolutely unbelievable,” the Sky News Australia journalist wrote.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">How is this for INSANE INCOMPETENCE by <a href="https://twitter.com/Qantas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@qantas</a>. Our flight to Perth it was just announced took off with NOBODYS bags. Absolutely unbelievable</p> — Peter van Onselen (@vanOnselenP) <a href="https://twitter.com/vanOnselenP/status/952705132285739008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2018</a></blockquote> <p style="text-align: center;"><span> </span></p> <p><span>A Qantas spokeswoman told <a href="http://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/qantas-passengers-arrive-in-perth-but-100-passengers-bags-left-in-sydney/news-story/72f20eff1d0e31c4cb2838b11e9b3a32" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>news.com.au</strong></span></a> that roughly 100 bags were left behind at the departure airport.</span></p> <p><span>“Due to a mechanical issue with the baggage belt at our Sydney Domestic Terminal, approximately 100 of our customers’ bags did not make it on to their scheduled flights,” the spokeswoman said.</span></p> <p><span>“The backup baggage belt is now operating and the bags have been placed on the next available services.</span></p> <p><span>“We understand delays are frustrating, particularly during the holiday period, and we apologise sincerely to customers for the inconvenience this has caused.”</span></p> <p><span>Later, van Onselen returned to Twitter to compliment Qantas on how they resolved the incident.</span></p> <p><span>“Actually I have to admit @Qantas has handled this debacle pretty well. Bags due shortly and I’ll make my lectures, just!” he tweeted.</span></p> <p><span>Have you encountered a similar incident while travelling? If so, share your experience with us in the comments below. </span></p>

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4 tell-tale signs your taxi driver is trying to scam you

<p>Do a quick check before you load your bags in the boot.</p> <p><strong>1. They weren’t waiting at a designated rank</strong></p> <p>In many airports, train stations or popular tourist sites around the world, people will approach you and ask if you need a taxi. They might sound legit and even have a printed card or flyer with their details on it, but be skeptical. They could just be opportunistic drivers who prey on unsuspecting tourists. To be certain you are in a genuine taxi, always get one from a designated rank.</p> <p><strong>2. There’s no meter in the taxi</strong></p> <p>Meters for calculating the fare are now found in taxis all over the world, so look out for it as soon as your cab pulls up. Even if you have agreed on a set fare (as is common in many places for standard trips from the airport) there should still be a meter inside, albeit turned off. Once the cab starts, make sure the meter is turned on and ticking over at a reasonable speed.</p> <p><strong>3. The driver seems unsure of your destination</strong></p> <p>In most cities, official taxi drivers have to go through training and be familiar with the common destinations in the city. This should include airports, train stations, cruise ports, major hotels and popular tourist sites. Before your journey begins, make sure your driver knows where you are going. It is a good idea to write down the name and address of your hotel so you can show them – they should be able to look it up on GPS or an old fashioned map. Don't start the journey if you don’t feel confident about where you’re headed.</p> <p><strong>4. Safety features are non-existent</strong></p> <p>No seatbelt? Then no go. Even though many people seem happy to drive around foreign countries without the standard safety features they have in their own cars at home, we don’t recommend it. Some major foreign cities have shocking road statistics, so you don’t want to put yourself in danger. Authorised taxis should always have seat belts.</p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/travel-insurance/?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_campaign=travel-insurance&amp;utm_medium=in-article-banner&amp;utm_content=travel-insurance" target="_blank"><img src="http://media.oversixty.com.au/images/banners/Travel-Insurance_Website_GIF_468x602.gif" alt="Over60 Travel Insurance"/></a></p>

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Pippa Middleton flew on same Sydney seaplane that crashed on NYE

<p>When Pippa Middleton was last in Australia for her honeymoon, she flew on the same seaplane that tragically crashed into the Hawkesbury River.</p> <p>The sister of the Duchess of Cambridge flew on the same plane when in Australia last May with James Matthews, boarding the De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver with the call sign VH-NOO.</p> <p>On Sunday, the plane crashed while flying UK CEO Richard Cousins, 58, his fiancée Emma Bowden, 48, Emma’s daughter Heather, 11, and Richard’s son’s Edward, 23, and William, 25.</p> <p>The flight was from Cottage Point Inn back to Rose Bay on Sydney Harbour ahead of the New Year’s Eve fireworks display.</p> <p>During the flight, something went wrong, and the plane crashed into the Hawkesbury River, killing all five passengers and experienced pilot, Gareth Morgan.</p> <p>Pippa and James also flew to and from lunch at the Cottage Point Inn exclusive river restaurant.</p> <p>The newlyweds, who were married at St Mark’s Church in Berkshire, west of London, were seen boarding and disembarking the aircraft which was operated by Sydney Seaplanes.</p> <p>Sydney Seaplanes has been running since 2003 but since the incident has suspended all operations.</p> <p>Sydney Seaplanes managing director Aaron Shaw said after the accident they were “deeply shocked by this incident”.</p> <p>“We wish to pass on our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the passengers and pilot who were tragically killed,” he said.</p> <p>Yesterday, the wrecked fuselage of the aircraft was recovered from the river as the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is set to conclude its on-site investigation.</p> <p>A preliminary report of the factual circumstances surrounding the crash will be completed in 30 days, however, a full report into what exactly went wrong before the crash will not be published for a year.</p> <p>Unfortunately, the families of the six people who were killed will have to wait 12 months for any answers into the moments that unfolded before the fatal crash. </p>

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Angry passenger gets tired of waiting for his bag

<p>Baggage claim is one of the most stressful parts of the airport, as you are forced to patiently wait to locate all of your luggage.</p> <p>One man who was fed up of waiting for his belongings decided to take matters into his own hands and went searching for his luggage – by climbing INSIDE the baggage carousel.</p> <p>On December 18, the traveller going to Scotland from London’s Heathrow Airport, waited more than an hour and 15 minutes to reclaim his bags, according to the<em> Evening Express.</em></p> <p>A witness revealed that the situation became “very heated” after the plane landed at 10.30 pm and the passengers received no instructions on how they could retrieve their luggage.</p> <p>“Passengers were getting more frustrated as time went on. At 11.25pm, one man tried to crawl through the door in the carousel conveyor to get his bags,” the passenger said.</p> <p>He explained that airport management quickly arrived afterwards with two police officers.</p> <p>“Eventually, an announcement was made that due to operational issues bags were delayed."</p> <p>Passengers were informed that the plane was understaffed to clear all of the bags out of the aircraft and they could not provide “any estimate” to when the bags would be returned.</p> <p>The angry passenger had to return to the airport the next day to pick up his bags.</p> <p>British Airways later apologised for the incident and handling agent Swissport pinned the delays on “poor weather”.</p> <p>“We do apologise for the inconvenience and will continue to take every effort to avoid such situations in the future," a Swissport statement said.</p> <p>In November, a traveller made headlines after he snuck onto the carousel and escaped past security onto the tarmac at Miami International Airport. </p>

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6 important travel items you might not have packed

<p>Think you’re ready to go? Check your suitcase – you’ve probably forgotten these.</p> <p><strong>1. Extra memory card/ hard drive</strong></p> <p>It’s amazing how quickly your memory card will fill up with all those holiday happy snaps. Take a spare one with you so you don't have to delete any photos as you go. If you don't have a second memory card, you can download the snaps onto a hard drive instead.</p> <p><strong>2. Scented fabric softener sheets</strong></p> <p>On a long trip, even clean clothes in your suitcase can start to feel a little…unfresh. Stick a couple scented fabric softener sheets in your bag and your clothes will feel like new for the whole trip. They are also great for removing static, so you can give that skirt or shirt a quick rub to stop it clinging to you.</p> <p><strong>3. Stain remover pen</strong></p> <p>You rarely have access to laundry facilities when you’re travelling, so a simply coffee or wine stain can mean a ruined shirt as it has to sit for the rest of your trip. Bring along a simple stain remover pen and you can attack the stain straight away. Give it a quick rinse and you’re good to go.</p> <p><strong>4. Corkscrew/bottle opener</strong></p> <p>There is nothing more annoying than planning to drink that nice bottle or wine or a few beers on the hotel balcony and then discovering you have no way of opening them. A waiter’s friend type opener is an essential addition to your suitcase for those budget friendly pre-dinner drinks. Just make sure you don’t put it in your carry on for flying.</p> <p><strong>5. Reusable shopping bag</strong></p> <p>What’s a holiday without a little shopping? You don't want to end up with a huge pile of plastic bags at the end of your trip, so take a foldable, reusable shopping bag with you and then bring it along on all of your shopping expeditions. The environment will thank you as well.</p> <p><strong>6. Extra chargers</strong></p> <p>Every traveller has left a phone or laptop charger behind in a hotel room. It’s easy to do in the rush of last morning packing and you often don’t realise until you arrive at your next destination. It can be tricky and expensive to find a new charger on short notice, so always bring a spare.</p> <p>What’s the biggest thing you’ve forgotten on a trip?</p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/travel-insurance/?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_campaign=travel-insurance&amp;utm_medium=in-article-banner&amp;utm_content=travel-insurance" target="_blank"><img src="http://media.oversixty.com.au/images/banners/Travel-Insurance_Website_GIF_468x602.gif" alt="Over60 Travel Insurance"/></a></p>

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“The worst layover of my life”: Over60 community share travel horror stories

<p>Airport layovers are a necessary evil, but they're certainly not comfortable. A little while ago we asked you, the Over60 community to share your worst airport layover experience.</p> <p>From cancelled flights, to amenities that left a little to be desired, we were stunned when we discovered some of the harrowing experiences you’ve been through.</p> <p>For a selection of the grimmest layover tales, scroll through the gallery above.</p> <p>What is your worst airport layover experience?</p> <p><em><strong>Have you arranged your travel insurance yet? Save money with Over60 Travel Insurance. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://elevate.agatravelinsurance.com.au/oversixty?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=content&amp;utm_content=link1&amp;utm_campaign=travel-insurance" target="_blank">To arrange a quote, click here.</a></span> Or for more information, call 1800 622 966.</strong></em></p>

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Why AirAsia flight was forced to make emergency landing

<p>The reason why an <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/international-travel/2017/10/passengers-terror-as-airasia-flight-plunges-20000-feet-in-mid-air-emergency/">AirAsia flight from Perth to Bali plunged 20,000 feet in a mid-air emergency</a></span> in October has finally been revealed.</p> <p>An investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has discovered what went wrong when the low-budget airline’s Airbus was forced to make an emergency descent with 146 passengers, two flight crew and four cabin crew on board on October 15.</p> <p>About 20 minutes after takeoff from Perth Airport, the pilots noticed a fault in the pressurisation system. The pilots took manual control of the system and opened safety valves to halt the rapidly climbing cabin pressure.</p> <p>The flight crew decided it was best to conduct an emergency descent and put on their emergency oxygen masks, before deploying them manually to the passengers and cabin crew.</p> <p>The pilots requested clearance for an emergency landing to air traffic control at Perth Airport, but “initial communications difficulties” delayed it slightly.</p> <p>As the plane descended from 10,000 to 330 feet, it fell at a rate of 700m per minute, or 11m per second.</p> <p>The plane was landed safely at Perth airport about 12.48pm.</p> <p>No one on board was injured and the plane was not damaged.</p> <p>Post-flight maintenance tests determined that the source of the fault was a cabin pressure controller.</p> <p>At the time, passengers criticised the cabin crew for creating a situation of fear and terror.</p> <p>“The panic was escalated because of the behaviour of staff who were screaming, looked tearful and shocked,” Clare Askew, among the 145 passengers on board, told <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/airasia-bali-flight-returns-to-perth-after-midair-emergency/news-story/5df82a86e8825ada020da66ca87e07e2" target="_blank">Perth Now</a>.</strong></span></p> <p>“Now, I get it, but we looked to them for reassurance and we didn’t get any, we were more worried because of how panicked they were.”</p> <p>AirAsia said in a statement that the emergency descent was conducted to “ensure the safety of passengers”.</p> <p>“We commend our pilots for landing the aircraft safely and complying with standard operating procedure,” AirAsia group head of safety Captain Ling Liong Tien said.</p> <p>“We are fully committed to the safety of our guests and crew and we will continue to ensure that we adhere to the highest safety standards.”</p> <p>A final report from the ATSB is expected in May.</p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/travel-insurance/?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_campaign=travel-insurance&amp;utm_medium=in-article-banner&amp;utm_content=travel-insurance" target="_blank"><img src="http://media.oversixty.com.au/images/banners/Travel-Insurance_Website_GIF_468x602.gif" alt="Over60 Travel Insurance"/></a></p>

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“The worst thing that happened to me overseas”: Over60 community share travel horror stories

<p>Whether it’s food poisoning, pickpockets or the cancellation of a crucial flight, there’s no shortage of things that can go wrong when you’re travelling. We asked you, the Over60 community, to share your overseas travel horror stories.</p> <p>We’ve selected a few of the hairiest, and put them in the gallery above. It just goes to show, sometimes even the best laid plans can be turned on their head.</p> <p>What’s the worst thing that’s happened to you overseas?</p> <p><em><strong>Have you arranged your travel insurance yet? Save money with Over60 Travel Insurance. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://elevate.agatravelinsurance.com.au/oversixty?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=content&amp;utm_content=link1&amp;utm_campaign=travel-insurance" target="_blank">To arrange a quote, click here.</a></span> Or for more information, call 1800 622 966.</strong></em></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/travel-insurance/?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_campaign=travel-insurance&amp;utm_medium=in-article-banner&amp;utm_content=travel-insurance" target="_blank"><img src="http://media.oversixty.com.au/images/banners/Travel-Insurance_Website_GIF_468x602.gif" alt="Over60 Travel Insurance"/></a></p>

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