New DOT Consumer Rule Limits Airline Tarmac Delays
The United States Department of Transportation, USDOT, issued a new rule today that prohibits U.S. aircraft on domestic routes from remaining on a tarmac for more than three hours with passengers aboard. The only exceptions would be for “safety or security or if air traffic control advises the pilot in command that returning to the terminal would disrupt airport operations. U.S. carriers operating international flights departing from or arriving in the United States must specify, in advance, their own time limits for deplaning passengers, with the same exceptions applicable.” Read more
U.S. Tax Court lets drunk driver write off damaged truck
Reversing an IRS rejection of a write off for a drunken driver, the U.S. Tax Court allowed a $33,629 casualty loss deduction. Justin Rohrs wrecked his 2006 Ford-350 pickup truck in 2006. In its decision, the U.S. Tax Court stated that driving after drinking doesn’t amount to willful negligence in of itself. Had the court found there was willful negligence, the deduction would’ve been disallowed. The judge in the case also stated that Rohrs was “reasonably unaware” that he was doing something wrong. Rohr’s insurance company did reject the claim due to the DUI citation.
Funemployed Singles
It’s a sign of the current economic times. Double digit unemployment has affected all social demographics, including single people. Being single and unemployed presents unique challenges. First off, you don’t have a spouse’s income to fall back on as most married couples do. You can also experience great difficulties socially. Many women won’t date an unemployed man, plus you might not be able to afford to socialize with friends. Read more
It’s not too early to book your trip into space
Are you eager to be a pioneer in space tourism? Got an extra $200,000 burning a hole in your pocket? If so, Richard Branson’s Virgin Galatic is taking reservations for 2 1/2 hour suborbital flights beginning in 2011. Each flight will feature about five minutes of weightlessness. So far, about 300 people have either paid the entire $200,000 fare or have placed a deposit of at least $20,000. Read more
Florida judges and lawyers can't 'friend' each other on social networking sites
In a ruling last month from the Florida’s Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee, judges and lawyers can no longer ‘friend’ each other on social networking sites. Facebook, MySpace, and LinkedIn were mentioned specifically in the ruling, but it was not limited to those sites. The committee did rule that judges can have lawyers as “fans”. A judge may also post comments and such on another judge’s page on a social networking site, assuming the material does not otherwise violate the Code of Judicial Conduct, according to the committee. Read more
