Tag Archive for regulations

Packed planes? No safety rules?

July 15, 2020 Comments Off on Packed planes? No safety rules?

Plan to travel by airplane anytime soon?  Why not, since the airlines are following federal guidelines to keep us safe from the coronavirus, right?  WRONG!!!  Read this, then go to Secretary Chao: Airline safety is your job and sign the petition to get enforced health and safety regulations that can help us fly safely:

Right now, air travel is a free-for-all when it comes to protecting against the spread of the coronavirus. Without enforceable health and safety rules, airlines are free to fill every seat and ignore social distancing guidelines; mask requirements vary from flight to flight; and airports don’t have to take steps to limit spread.

Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao has the authority to set enforceable standards for airports, airlines and passengers during this health crisis, but she hasn’t. Tell her to require health and safety rules for air travel — airline safety is her job, not yours!

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Is Airbnb Costing the Rest of Us Too Much?

February 4, 2019 Comments Off on Is Airbnb Costing the Rest of Us Too Much?

In light of Airbnb’s possibly being able to get around taxes and regulations imposed on others, the Economic Policy Institute has released a report, The economic costs and benefits of Airbnb, that’s  worth reading. It answers questions like benefits vs. economic costs (and who gets richer and who suffers the loss), affects on housing availability and prices, the effect on local businesses, and other issues.

It really does affect all of us, whether we use Airbnb or not. How does it affect you?  Read the report.

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Can Your Comfort Snake Fly?

August 15, 2018 Comments Off on Can Your Comfort Snake Fly?

 

Not any longer. Not if you’re flying on Southwest.

What? A snake could be in the cabin? Yes. Or a pony, pig,goat, spider, or maybe even a peacock. If they’re a “Comfort Animal” (AKA “Emotional Support Animal”). That’s because, unlike Service Animals (for the blind and physically disabled), there are no FAA regulations covering them. But, also unlike Service Animals, airlines have had incidents with a Comfort Animal biting or scratching passengers or leaving little brown “gifts” in the aisles.

Since the FAA won’t do anything–and people are taking advantage, claiming their pet is their “Comfort Animal”–major airlines are taking matters into their own paws, er, hands. Southwest now limits Comfort Animals to cats and dogs only, requires a letter from a physician certifying that it is necessary to their patient’s health and well-being, ensures that they are in a crate or on a leash.

As a person with a physical disability myself and friend to a couple of people who have either a Comfort Animal or Service Animal, I don’t think these small rules are too much to ask.

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20 Children a Day Sent to Hospital

May 30, 2017 Comments Off on 20 Children a Day Sent to Hospital

What is the cause of 20 kids a day being sent to the hospital?  Injuries related to guns, according to a new study.  People try to use safety locks and put the guns out  of reach of children, but kids are smarter and more aware than we give them credit for and know exactly where the guns are kept.

Until the middle of 2016 gun ownership was declining–from 51% in Jan. 1978 to 36% in June 216.  Today it’s up to 44%, I’d guess because of all the turmoil, violence, and uncertainty we’re currently facing.

No, it’s not the guns themselves that injure our kids because, after all, they’re inanimate objects. But more of them around increases the likelihood of more hurt children because there are more opportunities for them to gain access to these forbidden “toys.”  And more situations in which they’re innocent victims of drive-by shootings, as well as shootings related to vengeance, race, and domestic disputes.

I don’t know what the answer is.  There are pros and cons to stricter gun regulations.  Parents love their kids but are sometimes unthinking people, therefore not always totally careful locking and hiding firearms. Eliminating crime, domestic violence, gangs, and terrorism isn’t something we’ll be able to do soon.  As  I say, I don’t know what the answer is.  But I do  know that more has to  be done bring that twenty a day down to zero.

 

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