Travel roundup: Three pieces of hot travel news.
IN THE AIR
Skimpy and svelte
A year ago, Air India fired a number of women for being overweight. Now, it is inviting them back because of a shortage of cabin crew. But the airline says those who reapply must be "more svelte." Meanwhile, flight attendants, out of work when Mexicana Airlines suspended operations, are earning pocket money by producing a racy calendar. It features stewardesses in skimpy outfits draped over propellers.
ON THE SEAS
Artistic aggression
John Heald, Carnival's senior cruise director and a serious blogger, isn't pleased with a passenger he dubs Mr. Cloonpitt. The man volunteered to take part in a welcome-aboard show, Heald writes. But the next day Cloonpitt identified himself as an actor and demanded royalties unless a video of the event was removed from in-cabin TVs. It was, but now Cloonpitt's lawyers are pursuing the demand for cash. Heald writes that he Googled the actor and found, "He hadn't even played a dead body on ER."
ON THE GROUND
Pester power
A Hong Kong publisher is encouraging kids to "tell your parents where to go!" Haven Books will launch six kidsGo travel guides worldwide next spring featuring Hong Kong, New York, London, Bali, Phuket and Sydney. The books are designed to give those seven to 14 years old a say in trip planning. The London guide recommends the London Eye Ferris while warning, "There are no toilets onboard the Eye, so make sure you go before your 'flight!' "
Sources: Agence France-Presse, Johnhealdsblog.com, The Canadian Press
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