I can’t dance. But the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental sure can. this video shows three major parts of the new 747-8I fuselage pieces being put together to form what looks like a real (cool) plane.Take a look at the video and check out their website for more information.
All of Paine Field in one photo.
Liz Matzelle (@ImperfectSense) has taken some pretty sweet pictures and video of aviation in the northwest. One can take a lot of photos of Paine Field, but none of them really give you the feeling of what it is like standing on one of the grassy gnolls looking out on all the wonderful new Boeing aircraft.
She recently made this panoramic photo and I just had to share. All the way from the new Boeing 787’s parked by the Boeing Factory all the way over to the tower. Seeing it in so small really doesn’t do it justice, so here are two much larger versions:
* Big version of the photo
* Really big version of the photo
There are some pretty sweet things in this photo. See if you can find:
* The very first Boeing 727-100 in old United livery
* A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737
* The three Eva Air Boeing 777’s waiting on seats
* An old B-52 Bomber
* A Dreamlifter (ok you should be able to find that in the small version)
* Ethiopian Airlines 777-200
Alaska Airlines "Salmon-Thirty-Salmon." Photo by Alaska Airlines
I am starting to see these virtual helpers more and more on company websites. I have seen Jenn on Alaska Airline’s site for a while now, but never took the time to get to know her. Recently, I couldn’t sleep and got bored and decided to see how she was doing.
Jenn is not a real person, but she was programmed by real people, who obviously have a sense of humor. These are all real questions and real answers I got from Jenn:
You Asked: Hello Jenn!
Jenn: Hello.
You Asked: How are you today?
Jenn: I’m fine thanks.
You Asked: What’s your job?
Jenn: I’m not human, but rather a virtual assistant, here to help you navigate our Web site.
You Asked: How much do you get paid?
Jenn: No one has to pay me to provide genuine and caring service to our valued customers!
You Asked: How old are you?
Jenn: I am rather young, or as we say in the virtual world – new. But I like to think I have the experience of someone much older. How can I help you?
You Asked: Where were you born?
Jenn: I like to think I was born in remote Alaska. That’s a lot more interesting than being born in a computer. How can I help you?
You Asked: When’s your birthday?
Jenn: Thanks for asking! My launch date, or what you humans call a birthday, was February 7th, 2008.
You Asked: Do you like working at Alaska?
Jenn: I love it!
You Asked: What’s your favorite airline?
Jenn: My favorite airlines are Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air!
You Asked: Are the Seahawks going to win this year?
Jenn: I leave sports to you in the non-virtual world. But I am amazed by the human and canine athletes of the Iditarod.
You Asked: What’s your favorite food?
Jenn: I love to eat Copper River Salmon – naturally!
You Asked: Do you have any pets?
Jenn: The only pet I have is a dog named Denali. He’s a husky!
You Asked: What’s you favorite color?
Jenn: I am partial to the clean white and rich blue color of Alaska Airlines. However, I’m not a big fan of Alaska’s teal color. But that will be our secret. How can I help?
You Asked: How tall are you?
Jenn: Being virtual, I have no height or weight. How can I help you?
You Asked: Who will you vote for in 2012?
Jenn: Fortunately, we don’t have to worry about politics in the virtual world.
You Asked: Are you married?
Jenn: I am not married, but you never know what my inventors are working on now.
You Asked: Do you want kids?
Jenn: I would like to have children someday.
You Asked: Do you want to go on a date?
Jenn: Being that I’m virtual, I don’t date.
(good thing, my girlfriend probably wouldn’t approve)
You Asked: What’s your favorite drink?
Jenn: I love a good cup of coffee. My developers must have been hooked on the stuff.
You Asked: What kind of car do you drive?
Jenn: I don’t own a car. Why drive when you can fly?
You Asked: You are funny
Jenn: What else can I help you with?
You Asked: Thanks for your time
Jenn: You’re welcome.
You Asked: Goodbye
Jenn: Goodbye.
Yes, Jenn can provide an entertaining conversation, but she is also a lot more friendly than a lifeless FAQ. When asking her real, airline-related questions, she did do a good job at pointing me in the correct direction. Most people on the website just need simple questions to be answered and having a virtual assistant will have an up front cost, but much more cost effective than paying folks to have live chat (and she will never complain about her hours).
It is kind of disturbing she won’t talk politics or sports and doesn’t want to go on a date, but she is pretty certain she wants kids some day. If she won’t date and doesn’t have a car, she might have a hard time finding someone to make said kids.
My aircraft from LAX to Narita in Tokyo should be a Boeing 777-200ER
Today is my birthday. What better way to celebrate than a trip to Tokyo? I am once again at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) ready for a new adventure. This one will take me many miles during a short period of time.
Currently I am waiting for my Alaska Airlines flight from SEA down to Los Angeles (LAX). I will have a little layover there, then on to Tokyo via All Nippon Airways (ANA) to take a look at Haneda Airport’s new international terminal (HND).
This is going to be a long process. I leave today at about 7am. Fly to LAX, then to Tokyo and back to Seattle by Friday evening. A short trip via time, but long trip via experience. I am excited since this trip will be a few firsts: I have never flown ANA, on a Boeing 777-200ER 777-300ER (it has been changed, but still haven’t flown on one) or traveled so far in such a short amount of time. As an airline geek, I am totally pumped.
This also means I might be a little out of touch and a bit slow on my e-communications for the next few days. Even though this will be a whirl-wind trip, I will be back and pumped for the Aviation Geek Fest on Saturday.
A trip like this is one reason why I love the airline business. I wake up in one part of the world and I will go to sleep half way across the globe. Try doing that 100 years ago.
Disclaimer: ANA is covering my flight from LAX to NRT plus hotel. I am covering my flight from SEA to LAX and back.
Image: David McKevley
A Transportation Security Administration employee demonstrates a backscatter X-ray body scanner, following the directions of a screener, at SEA Photo by Aubrey Cohen/Seattle PI
Ah the joys of body scanners. Costing a fortune, invading our privacy and making people feel safer about flying. I haven’t been a fan of them since the get-go and now my home town airport has them.
Back in August I reported that Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) would start using body scanners in September. However, they got delayed, but now are ready to start scanning. Two of the machines have been installed at the south check point and should be in full use by the end of this week.
Jim Forman with KING5 was at SEA last week and got a first look at the body scanners. Some of the people he interviewed said, ’œIf it keeps us safer on the flights, it’s worth it.’ Well, what if it doesn’t keep you safer? Is it worth it then?
Aubrey Cohen with the Seattle PI asked about privacy and health concerns. The TSA explained to him that the machines are not able to store images, and the screeners in the room may not have any cameras, cell phones or other recording devices. The TSA also applies a “privacy algorithm” that makes the images less explicit. Even though there might be the rule of no cameras or phones, that doesn’t mean all employees across the country will listen to those rules.
When asked about heath concerns, Jeanette Parker, deputy federal security director at SEA told Cohen,”This technology is safe, it meets national health and safety standards. Backscatter technology was evaluated by independent third parties. Studies have shown a single scan with backscatter imaging technology is equivalent to two minutes of flight at altitude.”
Even though the scanners are only at the south check point, additional scanners will be installed at the north check point soon. It will be closed for two weeks while they reconfigure the check point for the new body scanners. The TSA does not expect there to be any delays since they will open all the stations at the other three check points.
As more and more airports get these scanner I wonder why do we continue to spend millions of dollars to give the impression of flight safety. They do not make us safer, they cost us money and they take away our privacy.
Well, time to go take a look at them first hand. I am on my way to SEA, since I am flying this morning. I will head over to the south terminal to check them out.
Remember, no matter what airport you are at, you have the right to opt out of being scanned.