A Delta Connections flight, operated by Pinnacle Airlines, was canceled out of upstate New York late this week. Big deal, you say, the Northeast was hit by (yet another) big snowstorm at the end of the week; lots of flights were canceled. Well, this is true, but weather wasn’t a factor in this particular instance.

Mechanical problems? Drunk pilot? A bomb threat? An unruly passenger? You’re getting warmer, but, no, none of these was the reason the Rochester-to-Atlanta flight was dropped. Instead, as the plane returned to its gate after a passenger suffered a panic attack, a “spat” apparently broke out between two female flight attendants. The pilot, in ”an abundance of caution,” according to a Pinnacle spokesman, made the decision to cancel the flight. The 75 passengers said they were told they had to get off the plane because the stewardesses were fighting (can you imagine hearing that announcement coming over the speakers?!), and they were found alternate travel arrangements.

We’ve all heard all kinds of stories, some of them quite bizarre, about altercations aboard planes that have led to flights being diverted, emergency landings and the like. This is the first I can recall where a fight between crew members led to this kind of action. The airline spokesman said this was a verbal, not a physical, argument; but apparently it was of such a scale that the pilot felt it was best to ground the flight. I really find that remarkable, as well as dismaying.

Of course, we don’t know (and probably never will) the whole story and its background. Perhaps the captain had flown with these attendants before, perhaps there was a history of unpleasantness between them, and perhaps he had had enough and felt drastic measures were necessary to put an end to it. (The two attendants have been removed from duty pending an internal investigation.) But doesn’t it bother you that two individuals who work in the service sector could not be professional enough to carry out their duties in a civilized manner? Their personal animosity and the captain’s means of handling it inconvenienced a great many people. Ironically, their behavior, in the pilot’s mind at least, was a threat to the safety of that flight — safety which it is their assigned duty to secure.

It leads me to ponder, as I have occasion to do too often these days, the increasing lack of public civility on display everywhere, from the U.S. Capitol to city council meetings, from the grocery store check-out line to . . . the airport. Sometimes it seems that people take their social cues from Jerry Springer instead of Emily Post. I know from reading the many letters to Global Traveler and blog comments here that our readers, many of whom travel the world and interact with a variety of cultures, practice and understand the value of courtesy and respect for others, even when others’ lifestyles or opinions don’t align with their own.

Maybe that’s the solution: Folks who have become too insular and self-centered need to get out and travel more. They need to mingle with their fellow human beings from all walks of life and practice the art of getting along with those different (and yet oh-so-alike, fundamentally) from themselves. That’s assuming, of course, that their flight to a new destination isn’t canceled due to dueling flight attendants.

– Patty Vanikiotis, proofreader

According to a CNN.com poll, 75 percent of those surveyed think overweight passengers should be required to buy an extra airline seat. What do you think? The issue has been thrust to the forefront of the travel industry this week after director Kevin Smith was asked to disembark a Southwest Airlines flight for being too heavy. The airline cited safety concerns and the comfort of other passengers as the reason for the request.

Smith usually purchases two airline seats when flying Southwest. In this particular instance, he was flying standby and there was only one seat available on the flight. He was allowed to board, and as far as I can tell from the accounts I’ve read, he was seated with the armrest down and seatbelt fastened. It was at this moment he asked was to leave the flight. I can only imagine how embarrassing the situation was for all parties involved.

Southwest does have a policy for overweight passengers, requiring them to purchase two seats if they cannot sit in the seat with the armrests down. If the flight is not full, Southwest will reimburse the passenger for the second seat. Policies surrounding this topic differ from airline to airline.

Those opposed to these policies cite discrimination. Those in favor of the policies cite safety concerns and the comfort of other passengers. No matter which side of the debate you are on, there is no denying this is a touchy subject. And is there really a clear-cut answer to this problem? I searched the Internet and read various policies. All of them that I found state the armrest is the deciding factor. There was no weight limit given. Airline seats vary from airline to airline. A passenger might fit comfortably on one flight and not on another. Judging by past experience, they wouldn’t buy two seats. Awkwardness will ensue. There is no simple solution here.

The debate continues. Feel free to chime in with your thoughts.

– Kimberly Krol, eFlyer editor, circulation and public relations executive

When did it become November? I’m not ready for Halloween to be over or for the bitter cold to set in. Of course, time passes whether you’re prepared for it or not, and, it seems, the less prepared you are, the more quickly it flies. This past May, I was fortunate enough to journey to Thailand and China. The trip lasted 13 days, but it felt more like three.

It was my first time traveling alone, and my destination was Bangkok via a quick transfer in Beijing. Oh, how nervous I was boarding that flight! Luckily, Alex Young happened to be flying out of JFK the same day and we met up in Lufthansa’s business-class lounge. It helped to be waiting with someone I knew as I anxiously anticipated what it would be like in a few hours, when I wouldn’t recognize a soul.

I almost didn’t make it to Bangkok. My flight to Beijing was delayed due to stormy weather in Canada and I had to literally sprint from one terminal to the next, doing my best to keep up with the flight attendant in front of me. The attendant was in excellent shape, unlike myself. It was a relief, to say the least, when I made the flight. Five hours later, I touched down in Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport. If only my luggage made the trip with me.

The Four Seasons, by the new Siam Paragon Mall in downtown Bangkok, turned what could have been a disaster into a minor inconvenience. When I checked in (around 1 a.m.) and told them about my suitcase situation, they immediately set about calling the airport and grabbing things I would need — toothbrush, toothpaste, pajamas, anything and everything. Reassured that the future of my trip was in safe hands, I slept very soundly that night. Sure enough, the hotel was able to get my things to me by the next morning. I think telling the concierge that my malaria medication was in my bag helped speed the process along.

My first — and only — full day in Bangkok began at 9 a.m. with a tour of the Temples of the Grand Palace. As an ex-anthropology/archaeology major, I was in heaven. There, before my eyes, was the Emerald Buddha, a large model of the Angkor Wat and various vibrant tile designs detailing Bangkok’s history. Following the temples, my guide and I took a boat ride along the canal, past floating markets, houses that defied the laws of gravity and a Komodo dragon! After a quick stop to see Wat Arun, it was, sadly, time to head back to the hotel.

I awoke the next morning around 4:30 a.m. and grabbed my newly arrived luggage to head back to the airport. It was time for the next leg of my journey and the main reason I had come to Asia in the first place. I was headed to Chiang Rai, in the center of the Golden Triangle, and a temporary base camp for Pencils for Kids, Inc.

– Kate Gallagher, advertising and editorial coordinator

I flew SWISS from Newark to Zurich on their all business-class business jet.  I was traveling through Zurich to Oslo to meet up with Chris “Yammi” Ottaunick, Global Traveler’s staff photographer for a GTee junket in Norway.  My flight to Zurich was uneventful — I had a meal, watched a quick movie (17 Again) and slept for the rest of the flight, skipping breakfast.  My flight from Zurich, nearly six hours later, was only about two hours. The crew was incredibly attentive and pleasant, constantly making sure I was comfortable.  SWISS should use these two attendants as role models for the entire flight crew!

From Oslo Airport, it was suggested we take Airport Express to the city center and walk across the street to the Thon Opera Hotel.  What an efficient way to get to the city — 19 minutes and we were in Oslo and making our way to the property. I wish we had something like this in Newark or JFK!

Yammi took SAS’s premium economy class. Look for a future review in Global Traveler. He transferred to Oslo from Stockholm.  He arrived eight hours before me and, like the amateur traveler he is, he took a nap!

Once I arrived I was checked in swiftly by Yasmin, the desk clerk.  She had a good sense of humor and we exchanged a few laughs.  Once I deposited my luggage, Yammi and I hit the town, walking up Karl Johans, grabbing a few beers and a snack at 3 Brodre Pub, which had a pleasant outside area. We watched the goings-on in Oslo! Upon our return, we stopped at the hotel bar for a nightcap and had a lengthy and informative discussion with the bartender, Max, about single malt scotches.

In the morning we were off again to the airport via Airport Express!

More to come!

–Fran Gallagher, publisher and CEO

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Tuesday was the first day of actual flights for a new airline, Pet Airways.  Pet Airways started weekly flights for pets to five destinations across the country.

Pet Airways is offering flights to and from Chicago Midway Airport (MDW), Baltimore-Washington International (BWI), Republic Airport (FRG) (serving New York City), Rocky Mountain Airport (near Denver) and Hawthorne Municipal Airport (HHR) (near Los Angeles).  Dogs and cats can fly in the cabin as long as they are in carriers; however, owners will have to fly separately, as the only people on board will be the crew and some pet attendants.  There is no limit on the pet size, and one-way fares start at $149.  The initial offering of flights has sold out, and there is a short waiting list for some cities.

I am sure studies were done, but I could not find out the reasoning behind selecting these specific airports.  I guess New York, Chicago and Los Angeles were chosen because of their population.  I wonder if Denver was chosen as a sort of midway point between Chicago and Los Angeles.

I also wonder if this is a huge deal for pet owners.  Some airlines already allow small pets in small carriers to travel in the cabin as long as they fit under the seat.  Pets are also allowed to ride in the cargo hold areas.

As I said, I am sure market research was done (at least I would hope so), but I am extremely interested to see how Pet Airways does in the upcoming months.  Is the timing right?  Are there enough choices of destinations?  Are people willing to pay the price?  Is there enough continual demand?

As a pet owner, would you like your pet to fly in the cabin with you on a different flight?  Is this a much more desirable option than simply having your pet fly in the cargo area?

I’ll be keeping my eyes on Pet Airways.  I’ll report back here in a few months.

Check out GT’s eFlyer report on pet travel.

–John Wroblewski, distribution specialist

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