Hey, Anyone got a Spare 747 our Troops Could Use?

TALK ABOUT A DELAY AT THE AIRPORT: The next time you’re in line and get delayed for your flight, before you throw a fit, think about our members of the 218^th Army National Guard.  Because ATA Airlines www.ata.com

(a low-cost carrier based out of Indianapolis) filed for bankruptcy, the airline stopped all of its flights.  This is important because ATA had a contract with the military to transport troops to and from the mid-east. As a result, hundreds of 218^th members are stuck because somehow the military has to round up a plane to get them back to the US.

HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN? Let’s think about this, the US military probably owns a few planes and has a few pilots on staff. Can’t the military round up a plane to get our troops out of potential harm’s way, since the troops have faithfully served their tour of duty.  Do you think when members of Congress take trips to Iraq or other overseas places, they have any problems rounding up an aircraft?  I bet if Nancy Pelosi or John McCain is overseas, they get a plane whenever they want.  Seems like the little guy, in this case, military families, are stuck waiting needlessly.  Hey SC Congressional delegation, how about rounding up a plane for these hard working troops?

IF DELTA OR NORTHWEST FAT CATS ARE READING THIS: how about helping out our troops with an extra airplane?  The two airlines announced this week they intend to merge, despite some opposition from Northwest’s pilots union and many Minnesota political leaders (Minnesota stands to lose thousands of jobs since NW is based there and the plan is for the new airline to be run out of Atlanta)  Anyway, perhaps the airline could get in some good graces by sending over a 747 or 767 to bail our troops out?  My colleague Lucas McFadden informs me his private 747 is in the shop otherwise he’d be more than willing to help out. (apparently he’s getting the on-board hot tub worked on)

POPE PERFORMS MASS AT NATIONAL’S BASEBALL STADIUM: The Today show had coverage previewing Pope Benedict IVI’s mass at the Washington National’s baseball stadium.  If anyone reading this was at the mass, I’m wondering if the stadium sells concessions during such an event?  Are there Pope souiveners available?  This is a serious question because I had the pleasure to visit Rome a couple of years ago and see the Pope during his Wednesday morning address in St. Peter’s square.  Just outside the gates of the Vatican, there are numerous gift shops and even street vendors selling yes, Pope merchandise.  There are Pope calendars, Pope postcards, Pope key chains…you name it!  As previously mentioned on the blog, the Vatican serves tap beer!  Yes, in a lunch counter in the shadow of the Sistine Chapel, you can grab a piece of pizza and a Peroni beer on tap. 

TOUGH JOB: Something you didn’t see on TV but would have enjoyed happened Wednesday night.  One of our reporters was doing what we in TV call a “stand-up” (the portion where you see a reporter on camera talking)  Well, this one reporter, who I will not name so not to embarrass him or her, ripped their pants while walking and talking.  This happened because the microphone and cable was attached to their pants and somehow the cable got stepped on.  The things our reporters won’t do to report the news…even giving of their pants!

We’re in the midst of the NHL playoffs, and as promised, here’s another picture from my collection when the Carolina Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup in 2006. Bad timing for NHL hockey this Saturday, the 1pm game on WIS between Washington and Philadelphia is right when USC has its spring game. Sunday the action starts at 3pm with Detroit and Nashville in game 6 of their series.  That game will be live from the hockey hotbed of Nashville.

Comments

[RicR]

Please tell me you are seriously not kissing the Stanley Cup. I mean sure you know where it's been, but you have no idea who it's been with...

[RicR]

P.S. I have a spare plane in my back pocket - hardly ever use it. It needs a little work though - hey I bet our good German Shepherd can wrangle up a spare plane or two! Surely if there's a Pope-mobile, there's got to be a Pope-Air-Force-One. (I know for a fact there's a Pope-Air-Force-Base!)