COMING AND GOING
COMING AND GOING
'd Save 'The Queen'
Sunday, March 4, 2007; Page P01
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CENSORY OVERLOADS
'd Save 'The Queen'
Having seen the movie "The Queen," Robert Voltmann of Alexandria remembered the Tony Blair character saying at one point, "Let's leave God out of it." But in the version Voltmann was watching on a recent Continental flight, the character cryptically said, "Let's leave 'd out of it."
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Voltmann noticed several more missing references to God and asked CoGo: Had airline censors gone ultra-PC for fear of insulting atheists? And how do airline movies get edited, anyway?
Jeff Klein, president of Jaguar Distribution, provided answers. An airline, he explained, can ask movie distributors such as Jaguar for either an "artistic" (original) version or an "airline" (edited) version of a film. Distributors know the general taboos and edit accordingly, sometimes with the help of the producers.
Klein noted that editing standards are usually more stringent if the film will be shown on an airline's overhead screen than on seatback players that individuals control. Some airlines, he added, are more adventurous than others. American tends to be more conservative than Continental both in the movies it chooses and in the editing, he said. For many Middle Eastern airlines, his company edits out women's bare shoulders and legs. An added tidbit: Airlines have begun shying away from movies with war themes as the war in Iraq has become increasingly unpopular.
As for the deletion of the word "Go d" in "The Queen," Klein explained that an inexperienced young employee had been told to edit for profanity and apparently had confused blasphemy with any reference to God. Jaguar has recalled the "God"-less cassettes; the young employee kept his job.
UPRIGHT AND LOCKED
Baby Freeloaders
Although she hadn't bought a ticket for her 6-month-old son, Jamie Dyke of Reston strapped an FAA-approved baby seat to an empty seat next to her during an AirTran flight from Dulles to Atlanta. No problem.
On the way home, though, a gate agent said Dyke had to check the baby seat, even though the flight was nearly empty. "She said those who let us [use an empty seat] before were just being nice, but it was against policy," Dyke said.
Actually, "we don't have a written policy," AirTran spokeswoman Chandra McLean told CoGo. "It's up to the specifics of the flight and the judgment of the supervisor on duty or gate agent." She said she couldn't comment on why the agent might have objected on a flight that Dyke said had only about a dozen passengers.
CoGo wondered: Have other airlines tightened the rules?
Most have not. American, Delta, JetBlue, Northwest, Southwest and US Airways all allow parents to bring onboard a car seat if there's an empty seat next to them, even if the baby doesn't have a ticket. All warn, however, that if a paying customer shows up and needs the empty seat, a ticketless baby will have to be held and the baby seat checked.
Two major U.S. airlines specifically ban car seats for ticketless babies: Continental and United.
The only way to guarantee a slot for a baby's safety seat is to buy a ticket, but it's nice to know that some airlines at least give you a chance of scoring a freebie.
TRAVEL TICKER
Socialize every evening in the lobbies of Westin hotels worldwide as the chain rolls out its Unwind programs. Events include lessons in tai chi, mixing drinks or making local foods. The idea was tested after a company study found that 34 percent of travelers said they sometimes feel lonely away from home. . . . If you long ago stayed at Bedford Springs in Pennsylvania , the resort wants to hear from you. The resort, which opened in 1805, is in the midst of a $120 million renovation and is looking for stories from former guests. Call 814-623-8100.
BARGAIN OF THE WEEK
Ol?, Already
Iberia Airlines has announced introductory fares of $764 round trip (including $65 taxes) on its new nonstop service between Washington Dulles and Madrid, scheduled to begin June 2. The sale fare applies to flights departing June 2-Dec. 31. Purchase by May 31. Iberia's five weekly flights, scheduled to run Saturday through Tuesday and Thursday, will be the only nonstops from this region to Madrid. Other airlines are charging at least $1,138 for connecting service in summer. Info: 800-772-4642, www.iberia.com..
Reporting: Cindy Loose
Help feed CoGo. Send travel news, road reports and juicy tattles to cogo@washpost.com. By mail: CoGo, Washington Post Travel Section, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071. Include your name and telephone number.
