Sorry for the flight delay: your pilot is drunk

Air India is under scrutiny after one of its pilots reportedly failed two breathalyzer tests and had to be escorted from a long-distance flight before take off. 

Canada's transport regulator has asked Air India to investigate the incident, which occurred at Vancouver International Airport. 

 
The incident was labelled as a "serious matter" by Transport Canada in a letter to Air India and authorities are likely to pursue enforcement action, news agency Reuters reported. 

The incident occurred on Flight AI186 from Vancouver to Vienna, NEWS 18 said. 

In a statement, Air India confirmed the flight from Vancouver via Vienna to Delhi on December 23 experienced a last-minute delay due to the incident, adding that an alternate pilot was brought in to operate the flight.

"The pilot has been taken off flying duties during the process of enquiry," the airline said in a statement. 

"Air India maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards any violation of applicable rules and regulations. 

"Pending the outcome of the investigation, any confirmed violation will attract strict disciplinary action in line with company policy."

The letter from Transport Canada official Ajit Oommen has asked Air India to provide its findings and details of steps taken to prevent future occurrences by January 26, Reuters said. 

India has been under intense scrutiny since the June 12 crash of a Boeing Dreamliner killed 260 people. India's aviation regulator has flagged multiple safety lapses at the airline. 

Sydney promising New Year's Eve celebrations "as usual"

Sydney is promising New Year's Eve as usual - except for a few more guns. 

The City of Sydney says teams around the harbour are putting the final touches on Sydney’s famous New Year’s Eve spectacular as the city comes together to ring in 2026.

At 11pm, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and boats on the water will light up white as a symbol of unity and peace, in the wake of the terrorist attacks at Bondi Beach two weeks ago. 

Sydney will pause for one minute of silence, with crowds invited to switch on phone torches in solidarity. 

The Premier of New South Wales state, Chris Minns, said police will be deployed "in massive numbers" and some will be carrying weapons that "residents have not seen before".

“After a tragic end to the year for our city, we hope that New Year’s Eve will provide an opportunity to come together and look with hope for a peaceful and happy 2026,” said Clover Moore, Lord Mayor of Sydney. 

“On our biggest night of the year, Sydney coming together will demonstrate to the world that we stand together as one community, united in love.

“This year’s event will be our biggest New Year’s Eve yet, with more fireworks launched from more locations than ever before. Sydney New Year’s Eve is more than just fireworks, it is a reflection of who we are - a diverse, inclusive and creative city.”

So money will still be made. 

More fireworks than ever before will spring from water, land and aerial platforms, 6 city rooftops and the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House.

“With a footprint spanning 7km along the harbour, we’re doing everything we can to give the people of Sydney a great night with some stunning pyrotechnic moments,” Foti International Fireworks creative director Fortunato Foti said.

“We’ve been delighting and entertaining Sydney New Year’s Eve audiences for 29 years and we strive to make every year bigger and better."

Visit sydneynewyearseve.com to choose a spot to watch the fireworks. 

Image: Credit: City of Sydney/Keith McInnes

Qantas hit by cyber attack

Qantas has hit data turbulence after “a cyber incident”.

Around six million customers of the Australian airline have potentially been affected after the attack occurred in one of its contact centres in Manila, impacting customer data. The dangers of outsourcing to save money. 

“We understand this will be concerning for customers,” the airline said in a media statement. “We are currently contacting customers to make them aware of the incident, apologise and provide details on the support available.”

The incident occurred when a cyber criminal targeted a call centre and gained access to a third party customer servicing platform.

There is no impact to Qantas’ operations or the safety of the airline.

Importantly, credit card details, personal financial information and passport details are not held in this system, Qantas said. No frequent flyer accounts were compromised nor have passwords, PIN numbers or log in details been accessed.

Qantas has notified the Australian Cyber Security Centre and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

Given the criminal nature of this incident, the Australian Federal Police has also been notified.

Qantas Group Chief Executive Officer Vanessa Hudson said: “We sincerely apologise to our customers and we recognise the uncertainty this will cause. Our customers trust us with their personal information and we take that responsibility seriously.

“We are contacting our customers today and our focus is on providing them with the necessary support.

“We are working closely with the Federal Government’s National Cyber Security Coordinator, the Australian Cyber Security Centre and independent specialised cyber security experts.”

Bizarrely, Hudson later declined to talk the media. Not a good look. 

Security flaws at Australia’s secondary airports

Just how safe are secondary airports in Australia?

On this week’s evidence: worryingly unsafe.

I’ve always been stunned how some rural airports in Australia do not conduct body scans or explosives tests.

At major airports, security operatives will divest you of manicure scissors or mini knitting needles, while letting you carry on a magnum bottle of wine. Such clear lack of thinking there.

But this week’s incident at Avalon Airport, outside Geelong, show just how potentially dangerous things really are.

A teenager armed with a loaded shotgun somehow managed to cut their way through a security fence and make it up the stairs of a commercial Jetstar flight while carrying a loaded shotgun.

Let's unpack that, shall we?

Security failed to see someone making their way through a fence; and failed to notice an armed person making their way across the tarmac.

The teen was allegedly trying to force his way onto the plane before before being overpowered by passengers. That's passengers, not the "security aware" cabin crew.

Police were called to the airport (but were apparently not on duty) and the flight, which was carrying about 150 people to Sydney, was cancelled.

"This would have been a very terrifying incident for the passengers of that plane, and Victoria Police really commend the bravery of those passengers who were able to overpower that male,” Police Superintendent Michael Reid told the media.

Police were also quick to say it was not a terrorist incident, code nowadays for "the offender was white".

Farmer Barry Clark, who tackled the alleged offender, said the teen became became agitated while speaking to a flight attendant.

“Before we knew it, a shotgun appeared, and I was worried about it being shot,” Clark told ABC Radio Melbourne.

“All I could do was push her out of the way, get the gun out of the way, break that gun and throw it down the stairs, and then put him in a hold, throw him to the ground until the police came."

Police detained the teenager and found live ammunition rounds along with the shotgun. He will face eight charges.

Good on Barry. Shame on Avalon Airport. 

Airline employee allegedly targets celebrities

Look out if you are a celebrity.

Staff of the airline you are flying with might just be leaking your flight info.

Perhaps to paparazzi, maybe to stalkers. Who knows?

An incident involving South Korean boy band BTS (I thought that was the Bangkok Transport System, but there you go) recently hit the headlines.

Police are investigating an airline employee who is suspected of leaking flight details of celebrities, including those of the K-Pop stars.

South Korean police detained a woman in her 30s who is accused of selling the data.

The flight information leaked covers travel in 2023 and 2024 and allegedly covers hundreds of flights.

The woman has not been named, but works for an Asian airline.

She is suspected of using the airline’s systems to access passenger flight details including seat numbers, news portal Travel Mole reported.

South Korea police said they could expand the investigation to other people linked to the scheme.

“I initially obtained the boarding information at the request of an acquaintance, and later sold it for money,” the woman reportedly told police.

Image: Jan Niepel, Scopio 

Thais get spicy with aggressive and critical tourists

Thailand is generally seen as a laid-back tourism destination but Thais officials are starting to crack down on bad behaviour and, more controversially, criticism.

On the holiday island of Phuket, the governor and senior police officials will hold a meeting with the consuls of a dozen countries to discuss measures to tackle the rise in crime perpetrated by foreign tourists and expats, Travel Mole reports.

This follows the arrest of a British tourist for the alleged assault of a taxi driver that followed an argument over the taxi fare.

The taxi driver made a police complaint and the tourist, named only as Graham by police, was tracked down on the Phi Phi islands and brought back to Phuket.

He is accused of slapping the driver and grabbing him by the throat. He could potentially face jail time and be deported.

More concerning is the growing trend towards acting against anyone criticising Thailand, particularly online.

Regular readers will remember that las year an American blogger was jailed and forced to apologise for online criticism of a Thai hotel.

And now Tourist Police have warned a British tourist identified as Mr. Thomas, against posting videos criticising the country on social media, citing the potential harm to the nation's image and security, Asean Now reported.

The deputy inspector of Mae Hong Son Tourist Police, Lt. Col. Suwit Boonyaphen, said that Mr. Thomas's videos were critical of Thai public and private agencies.

Mr. Thomas was tracked down at his residence in Pai district where police urged him to understand the potential consequences of his actions. He was ordered to delete all his videos hosted on YouTube and other social media platforms and was taken to the police station to be interviewed.

He was warned that if he continues posting "potentially harmful material about Thailand" online, he could face prosecution under Thai law.

Mr Thomas has now apologized on YouTube.

Our Thai correspondent says visitors should be reminded that defamation is a criminal act in Thailand, and the truth or fair criticism are not absolute defences. So visitors should be very, very careful.

Image: Winsor Dobbin

Another airline with a grog monster pilot

Add JAL to the list of airlines having issues with boozy pilots.

A Japan Airlines flight from Dallas to Tokyo was cancelled over the drunken escapades of a pilot, industry travel portal Travel Mole and the Mainichi Daily newspaper reported.

The JAL captain was on a layover in a Dallas hotel last week when his disruptive behaviour led to police being called by a hotel employee.

The pilot was given a warning for his disorderly conduct.

Japan Airlines then cancelled the Tokyo flight due to the need to assess the captain’s "physical and mental wellbeing". A replacement pilot could not be found in time for the morning departure. 

The airline said the unnamed pilot began drinking during dinner with flight crew colleagues and continued in the hotel bar and then his room until at least 2am.

The 157 passengers booked on the flight were later re-booked on an American Airlines flight to Tokyo. Which might not have pleased them.

See GoTR passim for previous pilots on the piss.  

Hotel housekeeper makes off with big haul

When you stay at a luxury hotel - paying big money for the privilege - you expect hotel management to have vetted the staff.

Not so in one unnamed hotel at Knightsbridge in London.

A hotel housekeeper has been accused of stealing a suitcase of jewellery worth £350,000 ($668,000_ - and she has apparently gone on the run to her home country of Romania.

British media reports that detectives are searching for Marinela Manolesu, 28, who was working in an unnamed hotel in the upmarket area when the jewellery was allegedly taken on October 8.

More than 20 items including necklaces, bracelets and watches were stolen.

The Metropolitan Police said the woman fled the UK around a week later and travelled to Romania, and that officers have contacted the authorities there.

The housekeeper had reportedly only been working at the hotel for a short time before the theft.

But I must say that if I had over a half a million dollars worth of gear in my luggage, then I would not leave it in my hotel room for the staff to half inch.

That, surely, is what safes are for.

Hotel with "secret" doors the site of mystery thefts

Imagine having several thousand dollars stolen from your hotel room.

Then discovering that your hotel has secret doors disguised as mirrors that allow direct access into hotel rooms.

Imagine the hotel owner coming up with a totally weird excuse for the secret doors.

And then discovering that the local police have made "no progress" three months after the theft.

The excuse from the un-named hotel owners is wonderfully Thai, too, especially with the doors being locked on the outside.

His version was that the secret doors enabled "mistresses" to escape. Which would not be possible with the doors shut from the outside.

This is a story from Kanchanburi in central Thailand (pictured above) - two hours from Bangkok - and the media is too scared to name the hotel involved.

Which means that all the hotels in the Kanchanaburi region - where the Khwae Noi and Khwae Yai rivers meet and form the Mae Klong River - are under suspicion.

Stranger and stranger.

The victims were two families who checked in and stayed at the hotel on April 26 of this year.

They filed a complaint with the officers at the Meaung Kanchanaburi Police Staion but there was zero progress, so they shared their story with the Thai media with the English language paper The Thaiger splashing the report.

Now, unfortunately for the Thai tourism industry, the story has gone global.

The victims helped each other in checking inside their rooms, doors, and windows until they discovered the secret doors hidden behind mirrors.

The hotel owner has argued that the victims could not prove the existence of their assets and he could not be responsible for their losses if they left their belongings in their rooms.

Our Thai correspondent reports that the hotel isn't named because a Thai business can sue for damages their business. So beware of leaving anything of value in a Thai hotel room - and don't expect much help if valuables do go missing.

Could you unintentionally break the law when travelling?

Every country has different customs and laws that could land the unwary traveller in trouble.

Tourists have this week been warned of bizarre laws in popular destinations which could see them hit with fines, or even jailed, should they unknowingly break them.

A spokesperson for StressFreeCarRental.com said: “Tourists should always research before jetting off on vacation so they don’t cut into their holiday budget by unknowingly breaking the law.

“Although some laws may not seem to make sense, holidaymakers must respect them else they could be fined or even locked up.

“Most tourists will not be intentionally setting out to break laws but will be unknowingly caught by unusual foreign rules they have never heard of before."

Here are some of the potential pitfalls identified by the StressFreeCarRental.com team.

They include apparently harmless acts, like wearing high heels or stepping on money, which are illegal in particular parts of the world.

Malaga, in Spain, has recently introduced a flurry of fineable offences, including bans on inflatable sex dolls and blow-up penis costumes - likely only to be of concern to pissed-out-of-their-heads Brits.

In Greece, by law, it is forbidden to wear high heels to famous tourist attractions like the Acropolis (above) and the Epidarus Theatre in the Peloponnese region. This is to preserve the history and ancient stone ruins of iconic sites.

In Thailand, stepping on Thai currency is a crime and even accidentally standing on Thai notes could get tourists a hefty jail sentence. The act is seen as disrespectful to the king because Thai notes and coins contain an image of his face.

Jaywalking is walking in the street or road unlawfully without regard for approaching traffic, which is illegal in New York. Tourists from abroad who cross the road whenever they deem it safe often unknowingly break these laws and are issued fines by police officers.

In Dubai, public displays of affection, including kissing, hugging, and holding hands, is illegal and those found to be breaking the law could be imprisoned or deported.

More bizarrely, kissing at train stations is illegal in France. 

Farewell kisses were causing delays of train departures over a century ago. The law has been in place since 1910 to avoid delays and overcrowding on platforms, but nowadays there is no formal penalty imposed.

A new con in town

Being scammed when travelling can be an unnerving experience - but being scammed when doing a good deed is even worse.

My Thai correspondent warns of a new ploy to part unwary travellers from their cash. It’s one to bear in mind.

It works like this:

The scammer leaves a wallet containg a small sum of money - and contact details - perhaps by an ATM, or somewhere else visible in an area frequented by tourists. 

A good samaritan takes the wallet to the police station, whereupon the “owner” arrives and claims that the purse or wallet had contained 6-7,000 baht.

Police advise the tourist that he/she must pay the 6,000 baht difference to the owner to avoid being charged with theft. 

Spooked tourist pays up.

One to remember.