Pamela Vetter deals with small airline seats like a lot of passengers: She pretends they don’t exist. “I have a fully charged phone, and I just watch a movie,” says Vetter, the vice president of a networking organization in Los Angeles. “I immerse myself in it to distract me from the small seats.” But lately, it’s been getting harder to make believe small airline seats aren’t a problem. On her recent flight from Chicago to L.A., the economy seats felt narrower and offered less legroom than ever. “My knees nearly touched the seat in front of me,” she recalls. “Then, when the person in front of me reclined, it got even worse, so it was challenging to lower my tray table when the fight attendants offered us drinks.” She’s right. Planes don’t just feel more cramped than ever — they are more cramped. There’s also a growing realization that small seats pose a real threat to our health and safety. And while there are ways to beat the system, the ultimate fix isn’t up to passengers. Only 25% of airline passengers can now reasonably fit in seats, according to FlyersRights, a nonprofit organization that closely tracks airline seat sizes. “Airlines continue to shrink passenger space to force more people to pay more to upgrade to more legroom or larger seats,” says Paul Hudson, president of FlyersRights. But why are the seats tighter than ever? There’s one obvious explanation: In 2022, Congress asked the Federal Aviation Administration to set a minimum seat size, but that didn’t happen. Airlines interpreted that as a license to squeeze their seats closer together — and so they did. Is there a solution? Yes, but it won’t be easy. We could have a polite discussion about shrinking seat sizes, but instead, let me tell you a story about a trip that brought this problem into sharp focus for me. I recently flew from Helsinki to Copenhagen. As I boarded the aircraft, I noticed the uncomfortably thin and narrow seats. Like Vetter, after sitting down I could feel the seat in front of me pushing against my knees. There was no room to lean back. Then I saw the passenger behind me struggling to fit into his seat. I turned and saw him protruding into the aisle. I felt sorry for the traveler and for the guy next to him. I also empathized with the passengers who had to squeeze around this traveler when they tried to access the lavatory. And clearly, there were some safety issues here — a lot of safety issues. Imagine if we had to evacuate the plane? Would he have been able to make it to the exit? Would he have blocked other passengers from getting out of the plane? That flight changed the way I feel about seat size. Small seats are a safety hazard, and it’s just a matter of time before people die. In the United States, we had a chance to address shrinking seat sizes, according to Bill McGee, a senior fellow for aviation at the American Economic Liberties Project. “But the FAA defied logic with a study that concluded tighter airline seats do not impede evacuations during an emergency,” he says. McGee says the problem is the government hasn’t updated its testing methodologies to reflect egress from airline cabins in the 2020s — particularly because tighter seats are now coupled with larger Americans and record-high passenger loads. “Tighter seats are uncomfortable, a financial rip-off, and a health threat due to blood-clotting issues,” he adds. “But worst of all, they present a danger to safe evacuations.” So is there a way to survive your next flight without getting cramped, suffering a blood clot — or worse? Even as the amount of personal space shrinks, there is a way to find more room. But it’s not easy. Look for the “secret” seats. If upgrading isn’t in your budget, try getting an aisle or emergency exit row seat. Exit row seats have more legroom but are not wider than the average economy class seat. (As a bonus, there are no young children in the exit row seats, so you might be able to sleep better.) Improvise. Look, economy class seats were not designed for your comfort. They’re designed for airlines’ profit. So channel your inner MacGyver, says Andy Abramson, a frequent air traveler who runs a communications consultancy in Las Vegas, Nev. “I try to make myself more comfortable by putting my coat behind me like a pillow,” he says. “I’ve also found that rolling up a magazine or newspaper and placing it in the small of my back offers some relief.” But for long flights, it’s still pure torture. There just isn’t enough space. Pay for it. If you can afford a seat in economy “comfort” or “plus” — which gives you about the same amount of seat pitch as economy class a few decades ago — then experts recommend you do. “Especially on long flights, if you can swing it, you should,” says travel coach Ariel Figg. Of course, that’s what the airlines want you to do. No one should have to make that choice, and every seat should have a humane amount of space. But these are imperfect ways around a flawed system. Fact is, we’re getting bigger and the seats are getting smaller. Maybe the U.S. government and other aviation enforcement bodies lack the courage to set minimum seat standards. But airlines must know that they are on the wrong side of history. We’ve been here before. In the 19th century, greedy landlords in New York could rent tenements with poor lighting, inadequate ventilation and no indoor bathrooms. The cramped apartments were breeding grounds for disease but highly profitable to owners. But in 1901, a progressive government passed laws that set minimum size requirements for tenements and required adequate lighting, ventilation and indoor bathrooms. And today, even the most ardent airline apologist couldn’t imagine living in a rental without these basic amenities. Maybe this problem just needs clear-headed, thoughtful government regulation. And airlines need to do the right thing — before someone gets hurt.KNOXVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 21, 2024-- Pilot is making every mile merrier with an array of offerings to fuel holiday journeys. In celebration of the season, Pilot’s holiday campaign features a week-long “Hauliday Giveaway,” a curated gift guide for on-the-go shoppers and savings on seasonal coffee. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241121848770/en/ Pilot is making every mile merrier with an array of offerings to fuel holiday journeys. (Photo: Business Wire) "Holiday travel is about more than just reaching the destination; it's about creating cheerful moments along the way. Whether it's singing holiday classics, savoring the warmth of a perfect cup of coffee on a frosty morning drive, or sharing stories with a car full of loved ones, these moments are what define the journey," shared Adrienne Ingoldt, Pilot’s chief marketing officer. “Wherever your holiday travels take you, Pilot is out here with road trip essentials and last-minute gifts to bring joy to every mile." Win Big with Pilot’s “Hauliday Giveaway” From December 2 – 8, 2024, holiday travelers can enter Pilot’s "Hauliday Giveaway," for a chance to win premium travel gear, gift cards and exclusive items*. To enter, visit the Pilot Flying J Facebook page and comment on each day’s post for a chance to win. Winners will be notified daily. Explore Pilot’s Holiday Gift Guide For those in need of stocking stuffers or last-minute gifts, Pilot’s Holiday Gift Guide offers convenient on-the-go gifting options. Featuring travel center staples and unexpected roadside treasures, holiday travelers can find something for everyone on their list. Items range from tech gadgets to foodie favorites and more. The gift guide also features new exclusive items such as Pilot’s holiday elf plush and take-home bags of its limited-time Bourbon Pecan Coffee. Save $1 on a Cup of Cheer To keep drivers’ cups full and holiday spirits high, Pilot is offering $1 off any size hot or iced coffee, including its specialty seasonal blends. To redeem, save the offer in the myRewards Plus app and present it at the time of purchase at participating locations** Guests can warm up with returning favorites like Cinnamon Roll cold brew, Bourbon Pecan hot coffee or White Chocolate Candy Cane hot chocolate. For more information about Pilot’s holiday offerings, visit pilotflyingj.com/holiday . Find nearby Pilot, Flying J and One9 travel centers and discover exclusive money saving offers on the myRewards Plus app .** *Terms and Conditions apply. Review the complete list of giveaway rules. **Must use myRewards Plus app to redeem. Data rates may apply. Certain food and beverage exclusions apply. Good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Other terms and conditions apply. Visit pilotflyingj.com/rewards for more details. Offer Period is 10/28/24 12:00 AM EST to 1/5/25 11:59 PM EST. About Pilot Pilot Travel Centers LLC ("Pilot") is committed to showing people they matter at every turn as the leading energy and experience provider people rely on to fuel their journeys. Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway and employs approximately 30,000 team members. As the largest network of travel centers, Pilot has nearly 900 locations in 44 states and six Canadian provinces, serving an average of 1.2 million guests per day. In addition to travel center services, Pilot and its partners offer trucking fleets a variety of solutions for fuel, credit, factoring, maintenance and rewards. The company operates the third largest fuel tanker fleet in North America and supplies approximately 12 billion gallons of fuel per year. Pilot is shaping the future of energy as one of the largest providers of biodiesel and renewable fuels and through the development of its EV charging network and low carbon fueling alternatives. For additional information about Pilot, visit pilotflyingj.com . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241121848770/en/ CONTACT: Krissy Patterson External Marketing Communications Manager 865-617-3454 Krissy.Patterson@pilottravelcenters.com KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA TENNESSEE INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TRAVEL DISCOUNT/VARIETY TRUCKING MARKETING ADVERTISING FOOD/BEVERAGE COMMUNICATIONS TRANSPORT CONVENIENCE STORE RETAIL OTHER TRAVEL SOURCE: Pilot Travel Centers LLC Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/21/2024 03:37 PM/DISC: 11/21/2024 03:36 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241121848770/en
Trump names Andrew Ferguson as head of Federal Trade Commission to replace Lina KhanWashington Nationals win lottery for No. 1 pick in next amateur baseball draft, Angels No. 2 DALLAS (AP) — The Washington Nationals will have the No. 1 overall pick in the amateur draft next summer after winning the lottery in a drawing of ping-pong balls at the winter meetings Tuesday. Canadian Press Dec 10, 2024 3:39 PM Dec 10, 2024 3:50 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Emcee, Baltimore Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser, holds up the the Washington Nationals logo after the organization won the overall number one pick in the draft lottery at the Major League Baseball winter meetings in Dallas, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) DALLAS (AP) — The Washington Nationals will have the No. 1 overall pick in the amateur draft next summer after winning the lottery in a drawing of ping-pong balls at the winter meetings Tuesday. Unlike last year, when the Nationals were ineligible after initially coming out with the top spot, they will get to make the first pick in July in Atlanta, the site of the All-Star Game. Washington was ineligible for a top-six pick last year because the collective bargaining agreement states a team that pays into the revenue-sharing plan cannot have a lottery selection in back-to-back years. The Nationals chose outfielder Dylan Crews with the No. 2 pick in 2023. The Los Angeles Angels have the second pick for next summer. Seattle, Colorado, St. Louis and Pittsburgh round out the top six. A weighted lottery among the 18 teams that failed to make the playoffs this season determined the order of picks for the third year in a row. The Nationals went in with a 10.2% chance, the fourth-best odds, for getting the No. 1 pick. Colorado and Miami, both 100-loss teams, had the best odds at 22.45%, ahead of the Angels at 17.96%. Miami instead ended up with the seventh pick. Seattle got the No. 3 overall pick after having a 0.53% chance to get the No. 1 pick, the second-worst odds among 16 eligible teams. The 121-loss Chicago White Sox, who had the most losses of any major league club since 1900, were not eligible for the draft lottery since they had one of the top six picks last year (No. 5) and is a team that pays into the revenue-sharing plan. The CBA also doesn’t allow teams that receive money in revenue sharing to have lottery picks three years in a row. That made the Athletics (69-93) ineligible for the lottery — they picked fourth last year after having the No. 6 selection in 2023. Chicago instead got the 10th pick, one spot ahead of Oakland — the highest possible positions for those two teams because of their recent lottery picks. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Baseball Left-hander Max Fried agrees to $218 million, 8-year contract with Yankees, AP source says Dec 10, 2024 3:25 PM Shortstop Willy Adames and San Francisco Giants finalize $182 million, 7-year contract Dec 10, 2024 3:01 PM Analysis: After Juan Soto's megadeal, could MLB see a $1 billion contract? Probably not soon Dec 10, 2024 2:35 PM
Uber What is the risk to deportation from Trump's immigration policy on rideshare and food deliveryFORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Corey Stephenson had 21 points in CSU Bakersfield's 68-60 victory over Northeastern at the Homewood Suites Classic tournament in Fort Myers, Florida on Sunday. Stephenson shot 8 of 16 from the field and 5 for 6 from the line for the Roadrunners (4-3). Marvin McGhee shot 4 for 10 (1 for 5 from 3-point range) and 3 of 3 from the free-throw line to add 12 points. McGhee went 3 of 7 from the field (3 for 5 from 3-point range) to finish with 10 points. LA Pratt led the way for the Huskies (5-2) with 15 points and six rebounds. Masai Troutman added 15 points for Northeastern. Harold Woods also had eight points. CSU Bakersfield led Northeastern at the half, 34-29, with McGhee (six points) its high scorer before the break. Stephenson's layup with 4:08 left in the second half gave CSU Bakersfield the lead for good at 56-54. NEXT UP These two teams both play Saturday. CSU Bakersfield visits Southern Utah and Northeastern visits Vermont. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday named Andrew Ferguson as the next chair of the Federal Trade Commission . He will replace Lina Khan, who became a lightning rod for Wall Street and Silicon Valley by blocking billions of dollars’ worth of corporate acquisitions and suing Amazon and Meta while alleging anticompetitive behavior . Ferguson is already one of the FTC’s five commissioners, which is currently made up of three Democrats and two Republicans. “Andrew has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship, and protecting Freedom of Speech in our Great Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding, “Andrew will be the most America First, and pro-innovation FTC Chair in our Country’s History.” Related Articles National Politics | Donald Trump is returning to the world stage. So is his trolling National Politics | Biden says he was ‘stupid’ not to put his name on pandemic relief checks like Trump did National Politics | Biden issues veto threat on bill expanding federal judiciary as partisan split emerges National Politics | Trump lawyers and aide hit with 10 additional felony charges in Wisconsin over 2020 fake electors National Politics | After withdrawing as attorney general nominee, Matt Gaetz lands a talk show on OANN television The replacement of Khan likely means that the FTC will operate with a lighter touch when it comes to antitrust enforcement. The new chair is expected to appoint new directors of the FTC’s antitrust and consumer protection divisions. “These changes likely will make the FTC more favorable to business than it has been in recent years, though the extent to which is to be determined,” wrote Anthony DiResta, a consumer protection attorney at Holland & Knight, in a recent analysis . Deals that were blocked by the Biden administration could find new life with Trump in command. For example, the new leadership could be more open to a proposed merger between the country’s two biggest supermarket chains, Kroger and Albertsons, which forged a $24.6 billion deal to combine in 2022. Two judges halted the merger Tuesday night. The FTC had filed a lawsuit in federal court earlier this year to block the merger, claiming the deal would eliminate competition, leading to higher prices and lower wages for workers. The two companies say a merger would help them lower prices and compete against bigger rivals like Walmart. One of the judges said the FTC had shown it was likely to prevail in the administrative hearing. Yet given the widespread public concern over high grocery prices, the Trump administration may not fully abandon the FTC’s efforts to block the deal, some experts have said. And the FTC may continue to scrutinize Big Tech firms for any anticompetitive behavior. Many Republican politicians have accused firms such as Meta of censoring conservative views, and some officials in Trump’s orbit, most notably Vice President-elect JD Vance, have previously expressed support for Khan’s scrutiny of Big Tech firms. In addition to Fergson, Trump also announced Tuesday that he had selected Jacob Helberg as the next undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment.
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Notre Dame's Danny Nelson scores twice, defending champ US beats Latvia 5-1 in world junior hockeyAKRON, Ohio (AP) — Tony Osburn's 23 points helped Omaha defeat Lamar 65-59 at the Akron Basketball Classic in Akron, Ohio on Sunday. Osburn shot 7 of 13 from the field, including 5 for 9 from 3-point range, and went 4 for 4 from the line for the Mavericks (3-5). Ja'Sean Glover added 14 points while going 4 of 9 from the floor, including 3 for 5 from 3-point range, and 3 for 5 from the line while they also had five rebounds. Marquel Sutton had 13 points and shot 4 of 14 from the field and 4 for 4 from the line. The Mavericks ended a five-game losing streak with the victory. The Cardinals (1-5) were led in scoring by Alexis Marmolejos, who finished with 15 points and four assists. Cody Pennebaker added 11 points and six rebounds for Lamar. Andrew Holifield finished with nine points, three steals and four blocks. NEXT UP Both teams play on Saturday. Omaha hosts Abilene Christian and Lamar hosts Our Lady of the Lake. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
Trump’s Return Presents Uncertainties for Mexico’s New GovernmentNoneGEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands (AP) — Javan Buchanan's 28 points off of the bench led Boise State to an 83-82 victory against South Dakota State on Monday. Buchanan went 11 of 17 from the field (4 for 8 from 3-point range) for the Broncos (5-1). Alvaro Cardenas Torre added 16 points while going 6 of 13 (3 for 6 from 3-point range) while they also had seven assists. Julian Bowie went 4 of 4 from the field (3 for 3 from 3-point range) to finish with 13 points. Oscar Cluff finished with 19 points and 14 rebounds for the Jackrabbits (5-2). Joe Sayler added 19 points for South Dakota State. Kalen Garry had 13 points and five assists. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
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By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday named Andrew Ferguson as the next chair of the Federal Trade Commission . He will replace Lina Khan, who became a lightning rod for Wall Street and Silicon Valley by blocking billions of dollars’ worth of corporate acquisitions and suing Amazon and Meta while alleging anticompetitive behavior . Ferguson is already one of the FTC’s five commissioners, which is currently made up of three Democrats and two Republicans. “Andrew has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship, and protecting Freedom of Speech in our Great Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding, “Andrew will be the most America First, and pro-innovation FTC Chair in our Country’s History.” Related Articles National Politics | Donald Trump is returning to the world stage. So is his trolling National Politics | Biden says he was ‘stupid’ not to put his name on pandemic relief checks like Trump did National Politics | Biden issues veto threat on bill expanding federal judiciary as partisan split emerges National Politics | Trump lawyers and aide hit with 10 additional felony charges in Wisconsin over 2020 fake electors National Politics | After withdrawing as attorney general nominee, Matt Gaetz lands a talk show on OANN television The replacement of Khan likely means that the FTC will operate with a lighter touch when it comes to antitrust enforcement. The new chair is expected to appoint new directors of the FTC’s antitrust and consumer protection divisions. “These changes likely will make the FTC more favorable to business than it has been in recent years, though the extent to which is to be determined,” wrote Anthony DiResta, a consumer protection attorney at Holland & Knight, in a recent analysis . Deals that were blocked by the Biden administration could find new life with Trump in command. For example, the new leadership could be more open to a proposed merger between the country’s two biggest supermarket chains, Kroger and Albertsons, which forged a $24.6 billion deal to combine in 2022. Two judges halted the merger Tuesday night. The FTC had filed a lawsuit in federal court earlier this year to block the merger, claiming the deal would eliminate competition, leading to higher prices and lower wages for workers. The two companies say a merger would help them lower prices and compete against bigger rivals like Walmart. One of the judges said the FTC had shown it was likely to prevail in the administrative hearing. Yet given the widespread public concern over high grocery prices, the Trump administration may not fully abandon the FTC’s efforts to block the deal, some experts have said. And the FTC may continue to scrutinize Big Tech firms for any anticompetitive behavior. Many Republican politicians have accused firms such as Meta of censoring conservative views, and some officials in Trump’s orbit, most notably Vice President-elect JD Vance, have previously expressed support for Khan’s scrutiny of Big Tech firms. In addition to Fergson, Trump also announced Tuesday that he had selected Jacob Helberg as the next undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment.