I have mentioned this story when it first came up a couple of years ago but now the new security scanners are being deployed.

‘Naked’ scanner begins airport trial

• Compare Travel Insurance
• Web Special Fares at alaskaair.com!

A human X-ray machine which produces “naked” images of passengers is being trialled at Manchester Airport. The scanner can spot any hidden weapons or explosives but also shows up breast inserts, false limbs, piercings, and an outline of people’s genitals.

“Sorry , I can’t land right now, let me finish my coffee first”

Plane crazy: NWA flight misses MSP by 150 miles

Northwest Flight 188 from San Diego had overshot Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport by 150 miles, winding up in Wisconsin before turning around to land safely at MSP. Federal officials say the pilots apparently became distracted. Military jets had been on standby to track down the jet after it dropped out of radio communication for about 75 minutes.

Here is something that should make you think twice before posting a hotel or restaurant review. Certainly you will want to make sure your review is true.

Travellers could be sued for hotel rants

Media lawyer David Poulton, from MinterEllison Lawyers, said people making defamatory comments on sites such Tripadvisor and Twitter have little protection from the websites concerned. He said there had been many cases where restaurant reviewers had been sued for harsh reviews in newspapers and magazines, and amateurs were also vulnerable.

If you think you might like snow but don’t know, Colorado might have a deal for you.

Colorado Offers ‘Snow Virgins’ a Free 3-Month Trip

The Colorado Tourism Office launched a contest Monday to give three “snow virgins” an expenses-paid, three-month trip to Colorado, January through March. With help from local instructors and guides, contest winners will sample winter activities like snowmobiling, skiing, snowshoeing, dogsledding, the all-important apres ski cocktail hour, maybe even ice climbing — and then they’ll describe their experiences on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

This story seems weird to me. They are taking statues and putting them underwater to have something for divers to look at.

Mexico to debut the largest underwater museum in the world

In November, Mexico debuts off the shores of Cancun the first stage of largest underwater museum in the world. The Subaquatic Sculpture Museum will be submerged at the West Coast National Park/Parque Nacional Costa Occidental, near Mujeres Island, Punta Cancun, and Punta Nizuc. The concrete figures will encourage the growth of algae and invertebrates, becoming eerier over time.

The FAA is continuing their get tough stance with the airlines.

Sky-high government fines against United, US Airways for safety violations

In yet another sign that the government has adopted a “get tough” approach in dealing with the airline industry, the Federal Aviation Administration today proposed near-record penalties against two airlines for safety violations. The FAA wants United Airlines to pay a $3.8 million civil penalty for allegedly operating one of its Boeing 737 aircraft on more than 200 flights after the carrier had violated its own maintenance procedures on one of the plane’s engines.

Other interesting stories:

• Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition
• Google Gives Virgin Free WiFi
• DOT Steps Up Enforcement on Airline Compensation for Lost or Delayed Luggage