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Aw Nawl, Hell Nawl! New Report Shows Airlines Made $27 Billion Off Of Consumer Travel Fees In 2012

Posted on September 11, 2013 by Benny Hollywood

All of a sudden, the bus isn’t looking so bad…. Report Shows Airlines Made $27 Billion In Customer Fees In 2012 Ever wonder just how much money the airline industry is banking from robbing customers with sky-high baggage, food, booking and other fees? Bet you would have never guessed that the total was $27 billion…. via NBC News From paying for checked luggage and early boarding to extra legroom and on-board snacks, travelers know flying these days means never closing your wallet. Now, there’s more proof. Carriers around the world collected more than $27 billion last year in fees and other non-fare revenue, which has become “a crucial component of airline income,” a new report finds. The figure represents a 20 percent jump over 2011. “Every year, key numbers are getting larger. The most aggressive airlines easily generate more than 20 percent of their revenue from a la carte fees,” according to the report by IdeaWorks. The study was sponsored by CarTrawler, an Irish company that provides online car rental distribution systems. “Once largely limited to low fare airlines, ancillary revenue has now become a financial necessity for airlines all over the globe.” United Airlines was tops among carriers in the total amount of non-fare revenue collected last year, followed by Delta, American and Southwest, the study found. Ultra-low cost carrier Spirit Airlines collected the most as a percentage of its total income, with fees and other extras making up 38.5 percent of its revenue pie. The report analyzed financial information from 53 airlines that disclose their ancillary revenue, which includes the much-hated fees for services such as checked bags, priority check-in and assigned seats. “This is $27 billion of deception,” said Charlie Leocha, director of the Consumer Travel Alliance, adding all those extra charges are making it harder for fliers to know and compare the true cost of tickets at the time of booking. We already knew these airlines were getting away with murder in terms of how much they charge passengers in fees, but $27 BILLION?!? C’mon son. Shutterstock Continue reading →

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A Lil Positivity: $50K Trayvon Martin Scholarship Offered To High School Seniors In Florida

Posted on September 2, 2013 by Benny Hollywood

Trayvon ‘s death was not in vain… Trayon Martin Scholarship Offered In Florida Via HuffPo reports: An Orlando auto group, law firm and black fraternity are among those offering $50,000 as a scholarship to four graduating seniors from Trayvon Martin’s high school in Dade County. The donors, including the Boyland Auto Group and Invictus Law Group, are to present the money to the Trayvon Martin Foundation and his parents tomorrow in Isleworth. The donors also include Delta Xi Lambda, a black fraternity based in Orlando, and Boyz-4-Lyfe, a group of long-time friends. The money goes to the foundation, which will divide it between four 2014 graduating seniors of Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School in Miami, where Trayvon was enrolled at the time of his death, according to a news release announcing the gift. Its purpose is to help minority teenagers, donors wrote. “We are doing what we can to make the world a better place by not being divisive but by uplifting our community through educational opportunities for kids who otherwise would not have the same opportunity,” the donors said in their announcement. Trayvon, an unarmed black 17-year-old, was killed Feb. 26, 2012, in Sanford by George Zimmerman, a light-skinned Neighborhood Watch volunteer who had earlier called police, describing the Miami Gardens teenager as suspicious. So proud of the Martin family! They have turned their tragedy into triumph for the black community and now someone’s kid has a chance for a greater future. You will never be forgotten Trayvon! Continue reading →

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Louisiana Sinkhole Captured on Video, Swallows Trees Whole

Posted on August 22, 2013 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Multiple Florida sinkhole stories have made national news in recent months, but haven’t seen footage of the rare phenomenon quite like this before. YouTube user assumptionla captured the moment when whole trees were being devoured by a sinkhole in Assumption Parish, Louisiana. Look: As is the case with many large sinkholes, this one looks to have been caused by environmental impact directly traceable to humanity. According to New Orleans’ biggest newspaper, The Times-Picayune, Louisiana said earlier this month that it will be suing Texas Brine LLC. The state alleges “environmental damage” and believes the sinkhole was “caused by the collapse of a salt dome cavern operated by the company.” Watch a full report on the Louisiana sinkhole after the jump: Louisiana Sinkhole Video

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Stephanie Auerbach Arrested for Drunken Antics Aboard Delta Flight

Posted on August 22, 2013 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Stephanie Heizmann Auerbach, a first-class passenger on a Delta flight from Detroit to Shanghai Sunday, grew so disruptive that pilots were forced to make an emergency landing in Anchorage. According to FBI interviews with passengers and crew members, the 47-year old downed five glasses of wine within 90 minutes. She then walked up and down the aisles, cursing up a storm and climbing on to seats. She also snuck MORE drunks out of the galley behind the backs of flight attendants. “Auerbach spilled alcohol on passenger A.J. and grabbed A.J.’s wrist to place a bracelet on A.J. (She) declined to wear the bracelet and asked Auerbach to leave her alone,” the charging documents read. “In response, Auerbach swore at A.J. and demanded that a flight attendant give her A.J.’s name. A flight attendant intervened and returned Auerbach to Auerbach’s assigned seat. Auerbach alarmed A.J. and it appeared to A.J. that Auerbach was attempting to gain access to the pilot.” After receiving a written notice about her behavior, Auerbach – who owns a fashion company based in Shanghai – reportedly flung the notice back into the flight attendant’s face and demanded off the airplane. When a pilot asked Auerbach to follow the crew’s order and she refused, he took the “necessary” step, according to a  Delta spokeswoman, landing the flight in Alaska. Police then boarded the aircraft and detained what they described as a “physically combative” Auerbach. She remained in jail for at least two days and was charged Tuesday with interference of flight crew and members.

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Stephanie Auerbach Arrested for Drunken Antics Aboard Delta Flight

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Some Frat House Fawkery: 2 Dartmouth Greek Organizations Hosted A “Bloods And Crips” “Ghetto” Party

Posted on August 15, 2013 by Benny Hollywood

SMH… Another day another racist themed frat party … Via HuffPo reports : A fraternity and a sorority at Dartmouth College are facing backlash over a “Bloods and Crips”-themed party held this summer. Dartblog reported on Wednesday that the Alpha Delta fraternity at the New Hampshire Ivy League school cohosted the party on July 26 with the Delta Delta Delta sorority. They invited attendees to dress up as either a Blood or Crip, referring to the notorious, predominately black street gangs based in Los Angeles. In an email shared with The Huffington Post, a student who is currently on campus for sophomore summer describes the party. It is unclear to whom the student sent the email: I work very closely with OPAL as an intern with the (redacted). We’ve received word that two weekends ago, Tri-Delta Sorority and Alpha Delta hosted a Bloods and Crips Party at AD. Individuals mingled for hours while dressed as bloods or crips while using racialized language. It then turned into a “ghetto party” with racialized language, speech and dress. Over 200 individuals attended this event. The invitation sent to various students between the social chairs of AD [Alpha Delta] is attached. It was also sent by OPAL [Office of Pluralism and Leadership] to the Office Dean of the College and other Administrative officials . [sic] ad party Some students have been fuming online about the party since they found out. A Dartmouth alum wrote on a message thread in the private group for the Afro-American Society, “We do not know if a hateful or offensive slur was said. However, it does not matter. The whole party was a offensive slur [sic].” As Gawker points out , Alpha Delta is the frat on which the movie “Animal House” was largely based. Alpha Delta acknowledged the party in a statement issued to Dartblog on Wednesday : Alpha Delta hosted a “Bloods and Crips Party” on the night of Friday, July 26th. The idea was never meant to be derogatory to any group, and was intended to introduce a costume theme to the party. While there was never any ill intent in the party’s theme, the brothers of Alpha Delta now realize that it was insensitive and thoughtless to make light of a very serious issue that affects many people nationwide, particularly young people. Gang violence is obviously an incredibly serious problem across America, and while we as a house failed to preemptively recognize the offensive nature of the party’s theme, the gravity of our oversight is now apparent to us. On Wednesday afternoon, the Tri-Delta sorority provided an apology for the event to HuffPost: We would like to extend our sincerest apology to the Dartmouth community and all those offended by the inappropriately themed recent event in which some of our members participated. We will be working with the college and Tri Delta Executive Office in order to continue to educate our members regarding cultural sensitivity and awareness. The Alpha Delta fraternity went on to say members personally apologized to someone who was offended, and that they now realize the party was “objectively offensive.” The fraternity insisted, however, the term “ghetto party” was never used, and: “was coined by administrators after the party took place. This is a patently false term that was attributed after the fact in emails within the administration.” SMH… On so many levels. When will these kids learn??? Photos via VICE / WordPress Continue reading →

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Race Matters: Asian Fraternity Member Makes Video In Blackface Trying To Be Jay-Z, University Calls Video A “Teaching Moment”

Posted on April 28, 2013 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Really? In 2013 people still do blackface ? Asian Fraternity Makes Video In Blackface According to News One You’d think that folks would know by now that donning Blackface in YouTube videos will not go down well, but one fraternity in California clearly didn’t get the memo. NBC 4 Los Angeles reports that several members from Lambda Theta Delta, an Asian-American fraternity at University of California, Irvine, made a video in which they danced and lip sync to Justin Timberlake’s “Suit and Tie.” Fifty-five seconds into the two-minute video, a man donning Blackface appeared, supposedly portraying hip hop star Jay-Z. The fraternity’s president, Darius Obana, says that his chapter has been accused of racism. An accusation he firmly denies. He says the person wearing Blackface in the video is a UC Irvine junior who was “just trying to be Jay-Z.” Students interviewed over the incident did not agree. The university’s vice chancellor told NBC 4 that his office has fielded complaints from the Black Student Union and has launched an investigation into the incident. Though the office is treating it as a “teaching moment.” Obana said the fraternity apologized for the video on its website and has reached out to the Black Student Union. One of the latest incidents of someone wearing Blackface came out of New York City, when state Assemblyman Dov Hikind donned it during a Jewish celebration at his home in February. After a few days of denying he had done anything wrong, Hikind was forced to apologize So this is a “teaching moment” for the Asian fraternity. We wonder if this had been a black fraternity doing something equally racist, would they still call it that? Youtube

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Race Matters: Asian Fraternity Member Makes Video In Blackface Trying To Be Jay-Z, University Calls Video A “Teaching Moment”

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Catherine Young

Posted on December 29, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

In university,Catherine Young joined the sorority Delta Delta Delta, where she met some amazing young women with whom she shared similar goals and aspirations. Through the sorority she was able to participate in philanthropic endeavors through fundraising and volunteering, raising large amounts of money for Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Tennessee. Catherine has always cherished family and friends in her life. One of her personal mottos is “everything

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Catherine Young

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Ne-Yo, Herbie Hancock Rally Behind Obama With ‘Forward’: Watch Now!

Posted on October 26, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Johnny Rzeznik, Delta Rae and Natasha Bedingfield volunteer for Obama endorsement. By Maurice Bobb Cover art for “Forward” Photo: forwardsong.com

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Shady Azz Spirit Airlines Caught Up In Lawsuit Over Fake “Mandatory” Passenger Fees

Posted on August 10, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Spirit Air just got dat azz caught in a crazy lie! The airline was reportedly enforcing phony passenger fees that were disguised as a mandatory Government charge! The lawsuit was filed by a Miami firm and it is asking a U.S. District Court to collect “unspecified civil damages and attorney’s fees” from the shady airline company. The suit claims that between 2008 and August 2011 Spirit violated anti-racketeering laws to charge a passenger usage fee that the airline represented on its website under a list of government-imposed fees. The fee, according to the suit, was simply a scheme to collect more money from passengers while advertising what appeared to be a low base fare. The passenger usage fee ranged from $9 to $17 per flight segment, according to the suit, which also claimed that since 2008 the airline has collected about $40 million as a result of the fee. “Spirit misleads customers to believe that the PUF [passenger usage fee] is an official government tax or fee when in fact the fee is nothing more than additional air fare because Spirit does not provide a bona fide service in exchange for the PUF,” the suit claims. Spirit may offer discounted rates but is one of only two airlines that charges for services like carry-on luggage, which is free on others. We hope these greedy fools and their terrible customer service get what they deserve. Source Images via Twitter

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Did Karl Urban Accidentally Reveal Star Trek 2’s New Villain?

Posted on July 9, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Or is he just effing with us? While doing press for his upcoming Dredd , Karl Urban seemed to let slip the identity of Benedict Cumberbatch ‘s Star Trek 2 character. Was he telling the truth or not? Right now, there is evidence for both sides. First, some background. 1. J.J. Abrams ‘ own origin story is based around his grandfather gifting him with a “Mystery Box.” It is, therefore, wonderfully ironic that he should be the current quarterback of the entire Star Trek franchise, a massive shared universe whose rabid fans are obsessive, meticulous and savvy enough to translate Shakespeare into its made-up language. Excuse me, one of its made-up languages. As a result, we still don’t know the name of the villain in the forthcoming Star Trek sequel. 2. Many years ago it leaked that Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci had delivered a script wherein Gary Mitchell – Captain Kirk’s Starfleet Academy chum turned ESP-monster from the early Trek episode “Where No Man Has Gone Before” – would be the heavy. I personally heard this from a guy who was inside and had some intel. 3. The rumor goes that Abrams didn’t like this script and sent everyone back to the drawing board. A Gary Mitchell storyline in the “new universe” Star Trek comics (that only mouthbreathers like I read) appears, effectively “putting that story to use.” Then we started hearing that Khan Noonien Singh – you know, the guy from KHAAAAAAAN – was going to be the baddie. A casting offer to Benicio Del Toro seemed to confirm this – even though Khan is supposed to be a Sikh, not Hispanic, but only hardcore dweebs like to bring this up. 4. Benedict Cumberbatch (pictured above) is cast. He doesn’t look like a genetically enhanced poet-warrior. (But, really, who is to say?) It is accepted by most people that he is playing Khan. Then Simon Pegg says “ No Khan .” Fair enough. 5. Now today’s news. Karl Urban, in yapping about the upcoming Dredd , lets this slip to SFX : “[Benedict Cumberbatch’s] awesome, he’s a great addition, and I think his Gary Mitchell is going to be exemplary.” Wow, so it was Gary all along? Open and shut, right? But wait! 6. Just a few weeks back, Roberto Orci gave a list of Star Trek characters that are NOT in the film . Among them: Gary Mitchell. Here’s the thing. Normally, a gaffe from an actor during a press day is a great way to squeeze info out of someone. They are tired and they can’t remember what’s already out there and what is being held for strategic marketing reveals. (These are called SMRs in Hollywood.) (No they’re not, I just made that up.) However, I think Urban might be throwing a red herring on purpose. I had the good fortune to shmooze with the guy once – at the very genre-friendly Fantastic Fest in Austin. He was pitching Red , but we got to discussing Star Trek and “The Nrrd Life” in general and he struck me as someone who really got it. If ever there was a guy who’d be so on board to screw with the heads of fanboys, it’d be him. Luckily, Urban will be moderating the Masters of the Web panel at next week’s San Diego Comic-Con , and you can rest assured the online press (our own Jen Yamato among them) will put the screws to him. Personally, I think having Gary Mitchell is cooler than having Khan, but I’d prefer if the Trek brain trust were, you know, boldly going where no man had gone before. In a remake-happy culture, that may be too much to ask for. Anyway, here’s Captain Kirk and Gary Mitchell fighting on Delta Vega. Sally Kellerman and her creepy contact lenses can only look on. [ SFX ]

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Did Karl Urban Accidentally Reveal Star Trek 2’s New Villain?

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