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2-ft hole in jet. Boeing and federal air-safety officials are stepping up scrutiny of certain Boeing 757 aircraft after a two-foot hole opened earlier this week in the fuselage of an American Airlines jet cruising at 31,000 feet, resulting in rapid cabin decompression. The emergency, which occurred on an American Airlines jet en route from Miami to Boston on Tuesday, prompted the crew and 154 passengers to don oxygen masks about half an hour into the flight. The twin-engine 757 descended to a lower altitude, turned around and made a safe landing at Miami International Airport. There were no injuries. But industry officials said the incidentwhich created a rupture roughly two feet long and a foot wide above the jet's front left cabin doorbears some similarity to cracks found last month in the fuselage of an United Airlines Boeing 757.
According to industry officials, manufacturer Boeing working on a safety alert, called a service bulletin, dealing with stepped-up inspections of certain portions of older 757 models. Industry officials said both planes had logged between 20,000 and 25,000 flights, which would make them middle-aged aircraft. Enhanced-inspection programs often apply to older planes that have undergone greater structural stress from many more takeoffs and landings. Rapid cabin decompressions are rare events, and they may stem from undetected metal fatigue that can suddenly peel back a portion of an aircraft's aluminum skin in midair. It's too early to tell what caused the rupture on the American Airlines plane. Both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating, but agency officials on Thursday declined to comment on their focus. Investigators, though, are looking for links between Tuesday's event and the damage found earlier on the United jetliner. (WSJ)

Port-au-Prince 30 years ago, my wife and I sailed into the lovely harbor of Port-au-Prince aboard the M/S Starward. We had a fabulous day touring the town including visiting the rum factory and buying several colorful pieces of art. We loved the warm hospitality and vowed to return some day. That day turned out to be July 26, 2010. I was back in Port-au-Prince to check out the hotel situation since we were sending many NGO clients there whom were working on earthquake relief projects. I was also curious to see if Port-au-Prince was ready for tourists as suggested by a writer in Conde Nast Traveler.
I have worked and traveled in developing nations all over the world both as a Peace Corps Volunteer and travel agent and have seen what I had believed were the most difficult living conditions. Nothing compared to Port-au-Prince. The city was in shambles with all activity conducted in the streets. Hairdresses, food vendors, clothing merchants, junk sales all done in the streets since few would venture to return to buildings that could fall upon them at any moment.

The only security forces I evidenced were periodic drive-throughs by UN soldiers in white vans. Not a local police official anywhere in sight. Living conditions were basic, tent cities everywhere and food lines.
I stayed at the Plaza hotel near the demolished cathedral and highly damaged Presidential palace (below).

With a local taxi driver to guide me, I was able to get around the city and feel secure but, on my own, I was reluctant to leave the hotel to even walk one block to dine at a nearby restaurant. It was a very terrible feeling, especially, since there are no more hospitable and warm people than Haitians but circumstances had thrown them a very ugly fate. Now, its even worse with Cholera breaking out in Port-au-Prince.
The November issue of Conde Nast Traveler includes my letter to the editor regarding my disagreement with a Conde Nast writer who had encouraged tourists to travel to Port-au-Prince less than five months after the devastating earthquake. Some day, with the right recovery efforts, Port-au-Prince could have the best port facilities in the Caribbean and be a choice cruise port and sightseeing destination. That day is not yet now.
Bob Utne, EWA Travel

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