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The strangest travel stories of 2007
It was a tough — and interesting year (to say the least) for travelers
 Bob Riha / Virgin America via AP file Sir Richard Branson welcomes aboard Kyla Ebbert from San Diego, Calif., on Virgin America's first flight to Las Vegas. Ebbert, was kicked-off a Southwest Airlines flight for her provocative clothing, and was welcomed with open arms by Virgin America at San Francisco International Airport. |
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The year 2007 was not merely a tough one for travelers — it was a weird one as well. From Southwest enforcing unwritten and arbitrary skirt length laws to the Vatican getting into the traffic enforcement business, this year's travel news ran the gamut from the skimpy to the sacrosanct. Here are my picks for the 12 strangest travel stories of 2007.
1. DIY flight
Before we get into the odd and the awful from 2007, it might help to consider the alternatives. If you don't trust the airlines to get you there, you might try taking things into your own hands — or balloons, as the case may be. Kent Couch strapped 105 helium balloons to a lawn chair at his home in Bend, Ore., and lifted off, Idaho-bound. Nine hours later, he touched down in Union, Ore., about 60 miles short of Idaho, but still 193 miles from his takeoff point. Sure, you could drive the distance in less than half the time, but think of the view: 360 degrees of window seat.
If balloons aren't innovative and daredevil enough for you, how about a flying squirrel suit? Apparently, the suit worked, within reason (depending on your definition of reason).
2. The TB traveler
You're diagnosed with tuberculosis before your wedding, and you don't want to miss your honeymoon, so what do you do? Check into the nearest hospital, right? Nah, you book a ticket inside a metal tube (a plane, that is) full of otherwise healthy passengers and expose them to potential TB infection for 11 hours. Then, when authorities find you out, you do it again to get home before the feds find you.
3. Traffic violations a sin
Police officers consider it "a matter of faith" that every driver will commit at least one traffic violation each time they get in the car. The Vatican took this truism to its logical conclusion this year when it issued "Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Road", which recommends that drivers yield to pedestrians, refrain from using cell phones while driving, obey speed limits and get regular tune-ups. Further, "Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin."
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4. Who needs Rudolph (or mechanics)? goats guide Boeing 757
At a different intersection of religion and travel, meanwhile, Nepal Air officials took a different approach to keeping travelers safe, sacrificing two goats to "appease Akash Bhairab, the Hindu sky god, following technical problems with one of its Boeing 757 aircraft." A couple of good, live mechanics might be a better investment.
TB patient moved up flight after warning to stay
You, the pope and the highway to heaven
Beauty queen’s answer runner-up for year’s top quote
Dressed down for dressing down
Mom and chatty toddler kicked off flight
Filner enters plea in alleged airport assault
Man chugs liter of vodka in airport security line
5. We don't have things such as maps
Although a large number of flush Americans travel widely, it's no longer a dirty secret that American youth don't know much about geography — the topic has become so mainstream it is a Miss Teen USA question. But no public awareness campaign has ever had the viral clout of Miss Teen South Carolina mumbling about things such as maps.
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