The Unfriendly Skies

Rather than fret over their jobs, flight attendants obsess on Alec Baldwin,attempt 30 Rock ban

One might think the Association of Professional Flight Attendants — the union representing American Airlines' 18,000 flight attendants — might have enough to worry about with the airline filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in late November. After all, experts suggest that the restructuring will likely lead to decreases in pay and benefits, pensions and overall jobs.

So of course the APFA has mobilized against . . . Alec Baldwin.

Ever since the actor refused to give up his game of Words With Friends last Tuesday, it's been war between Baldwin and the airline. Baldwin was kicked off the flight for slamming the lavatory door and being "extremely rude to the crew, calling them inappropriate names and using offensive language,"according to American's Facebook post.

The flight attendants have talked to decision makers at American Airlines to try and get Baldwin's sitcom 30 Rock pulled from the in-flight entertainment lineup.

He first took his displeasure to Twitter, then told his side of the story in The Huffington Post — twice — and eventually skewered the airline and himself by dressing up as an AA pilot on Saturday Night Live.

It's the last appearance that seems to have set off the flight attendant union.

“There is a difference between being funny and being mean,” AFPA's Julie Frederick told RadarOnline.com. “Flight attendants have not been the only recipients of Alec Baldwin’s ill temper."

Now, according to E! Online, the flight attendants have talked to decision makers at American Airlines to try and get Baldwin's sitcom 30 Rock pulled from the in-flight entertainment lineup. A spokesman for American says no final decision on the show has been made.

Frankly, I'm not sure who pulling 30 Rock from flights hurts. NBC? Tina Fey? Travelers with good taste in comedy? Certainly Alec Baldwin won't be losing sleep over it.

What do you think? Are American Airlines employees right to be angry over the SNL sketch?

say hi to smitty

Jolly Texas town makes list of best Christmas road trip destinations

Smithville's annual Festival of Lights transforms downtown into a winter wonderland.

Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce - Facebook

Smithville's annual Festival of Lights transforms downtown into a winter wonderland.

The December holiday season brings many opportunities for creating memories, such as visiting all of the spectacular light displays in the Houston area. But one twinkly town in Central Texas outshines the rest of the state.

The small, merry town of Smithville – located about 120 miles west of Houston – and its beloved Gingerbread Lane was just named one of the jolliest holiday road trips in the nation, according to a recent report by online classifieds site RVTrader.

Downtown Smithville completely transforms during the winter season in preparation for its annual Festival of Lights, which took place on Saturday, December 7. This year's festivities included an indoor arts and crafts show featuring local artisans, an array of outdoor vendors, complimentary rides on the Ann Powell Express train, a parade, and many more activities.

No winter extravaganza is complete without snow, and 40,000 pounds of real snow was blown during the morning of the festival to allow for snow tubing, snowball fights, and more. Santa even made an appearance to snap photos with children.

At the heart of the festival is the iconic Smitty gingerbread man, which broke the Guinness World Record for the World's Biggest Gingerbread Man in 2006, which was officially recognized two years later, according to Explore Bastrop County.

"In honor of being officially named the World’s Biggest Gingerbread Man, the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Smithville retired the cookie sheet that was used to bake the giant gingerbread man and converted it into a monument to commemorate the record," the website says.

Smitty the gingerbread man in Smithville, Texas Smitty is a sizeable famous figure in Smithville.Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce - Facebook

If you missed the festivities this year, stay tuned for the 34th annual festival in 2025. But visitors can still check out all of the dazzling lights and meet Smitty throughout the winter season.

For visitors who want to turn a day trip into a weekend stay, RVTrader suggests camping at Buescher State Park, which is only two miles away from Smithville. The park offers a variety of RV campsites, screened shelters, and cabins. But for those who would prefer a hotel, there's always the historic Katy House Bed & Breakfast.

Smithville was the only Texas city to make it on RVTrader's list of top holiday road trip destinations. Several other holly jolly cities were chosen across every region in the country.

"The holiday season is the perfect time to hit the road and discover the magic of Christmas across the country," the report's author wrote. "Whether you’re visiting Gingerbread Lane in Texas, marveling at the lights of McAdenville, or exploring the Bavarian charm of Leavenworth, these holly, jolly holiday road trips promise unforgettable moments."

Other prominent holiday road trip destinations include:

Plant City, Florida
McAdenville, North Carolina
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Frankenmuth, Michigan
Branson, Missouri
Durango, Colorado
Fresno, California
Leavenworth, Washington
North Pole, Alaska

travel central texas holidays christmas road trip

Loading...