Parking just got easier at Akron-Canton Airport, and just in time for your Thanksgiving travels. With the new CAK Fast Pass, frequent CAK customers can get out and on their way home much faster. And best of all, the Fast Pass is free.

Beginning today, CAK travelers can flash their Fast Pass card and be on their way. No more parking tickets to lose, and no waiting to pay. So how does it work?

Fast Pass links to a pre-authorized credit card, and the Fast Pass card will let you enter and exit any of the CAK lots through designated Fast Pass lanes. All you have to do is wave your card in front of the Fast Pss reader, and your time in and out will automatically record and charge to your credit card. A receipt will be sent to you via e-mail or fax within 24-hours. It's that simple!

CEO & President Rick McQueen said, “Fast Pass is perfect for the frequent traveler out of CAK. Our parking lots are already easy to get through but this will allow a frequent business traveler to make it through even faster. It’s just another great customer amenity that makes us a better a way to go.”

Travelers can sign up for the new Fast Pass program at www.cakfastpass.com.

With all flights grounded in Houston, travel in the US this weekend is expected to be a nightmare. Continental Airlines, however, seems to have been more prepared than most, having purchased rental space in an underground bunker where they can safely house their important computer systems and up to 200 staff members in the event of an emergency.

The bunker, which is located in Montgomery, Texas, was built by a wealthy Taiwanese businessman who feared that the Russians or Soviets would attack the US with nuclear missiles. Ling-Cheih Kung made his fortune during the 1970's with Westland Oil (now defunct), but lost the title to his property in the 80's when oil companies went bust.

The bunker is located 50 feet below ground, and Continental occupies an area of about 2000 square feet. Continental moved into their spot in 2006, just a few months after construction and renovations on the facility began, which also added internet connectivity for companies leasing space.

American Airlines has, until now, waived the $15 first checked bag fee and the $25 second fee, but not the $100 third checked bagged fee. They explained that they had "always understood that soldiers traveling on duty were reimbursed by the military for the fees on required excess baggage." After numerous complaints from soldiers traveling, American Airlines has caved, and will no longer charge soldiers en route to training or deployment for their third checked bag.

American Airlines issued a press release stating, "The choice for us to forgo payment for a third checked bag from the Department of Defense was clear."

Military personnel are supposed to receive vouchers and reimbursement for any baggage fees they incur, but this wasn't always happening.

American Airlines explained the new policy:

While the news for the airline industry has been bleak of late, Continental Airlines brass can smile today after winning an awards given out by Executive Travel Magazine. The biggest airline in Cleveland was named "Best Domestic Airline," "Best Airline for Customer Service" and "Best Airline for Flights to Mexico" in Executive Travel Magazine's 2008 Leading Edge Awards. The awards were given out according to a readers survey.

The airline industry is being hit hard with increasing fuel costs, and has begun shifting some of that burden over to consumers with incrased fares and charging for checked bags. Next up is cutting out the little luxuries we take for granted. US Airways has announced that they will be removing in-flight movie systems from their flights, which will save them about $10 million per year.

US Airways made the decision to pull out the entertainment systems because the number of people paying $5 for headsets has dropped, while the cost of jet fuel, maintenance and studio fees and increased. Furthermore, the video system adds about 500 pounds to a plane's weight, increasing the amount of fuel used per flight.

The in-flight entertainments will be shut off on November 1 and removed from Airbus A320-family aircraft when the planes undergo other maintenance. Movies are currently only shown on flights of at least 2.5 hours.

US Airways had initially hoped to replace the current entertainment systems with lighterweight, individual devices. In October they'll be testing a fiber optic system on one plane. However an 85% increase in the cost of jet fuel in the past year has changed those plans, and new Airbus planes delivered to US Airways will have no entertainment systems.

American Airlines flight 1908 from Miami to LaGuardia on Sunday night was delayed because the flight crew didn't show up on time, and when they did finally arrive, pissed off passengers began to boo. This hostile behavior on behalf of the passengers apparently proved to be too threatening, and the American Airlines crew refused to fly.

One passenger described the incident saying, "...and then they closed them behind glass doors, and they kind of threatened us that they weren't going to fly with the way people were acting. Some people got very agitated." Another passenger indicated that a few people were acting like a mob and using harsh language.

At this point, two American Airlines crew members refused to work in a "hostile" environment, and because they were unable to find another crew, the flight was grounded and cancelled.

Passengers on the cancelled flight were compensated and given a hotel for the night. When they finally arrived at LaGuardia the next evening, however, passengers found out that their bags had been sent to JFK.

Continental Airlines and United Airlines announced today that they had reached an agreement on a broad marketing alliance that would provide many of the same revenue benefits of a merger, but without financial and operational risks that have been made larger by the credit crisis and rising oil prices. The country's number two and number 4 airlines have been in talks about an alliance since late April.

Continental has been previously discussing a merger with United, but abruptly called all talks, stating that they'd be better off remaining independent. United had also been exploring a merger with US Airways, but called that off a month after Continental pulled the plug on their discussions.

As part of the agreement, Continental and United have agreed to link their networks and operations globally. Continental also agreed to join the Star Alliance, the world's largest group of airline partners, which United currently belongs to. In joining the Star Alliance, Continental will give up their membership with another airline group, SkyTeam.

Florida International University professor Dr. Stephen Leatherman, better known as Dr. Beach, chose Caladesi Island State Park as his top U.S. beach for 2008. Nine other beaches from around the country made the list, which was unveiled just in time for the upcoming long holiday weekend.

Caladesi Island is located just north of Clearwater, Florida, and was formed by a hurricane in 1921 which separated it from the nearby Honeymoon Island. It's beaches became a state park in 1968. According to Dr. Beach, the waves are generally low on Caladesi, which adds to the already family-friendly atmosphere. Additional, Caladesi beaches have showers, restrooms, kayak and beach chair rentals, as well as a snack bar where you can pick up burgers and beer. It costs $9 to take a ferry to the island, and there's a four hour limit on stays.

Looking for international getaway without the hassle of a layover? You are in luck if you want to go to the "City of Lights". The long awaited nonstop flight from Cleveland to Paris debuts later this afternoon and everyone involved is excited about the service that will run from May 22-September 1.

"Cleveland is important to Continental and we are pleased to add Paris to our portfolio of flights from this hub," said Continental Airlines President Jeff Smisek. "Including the new service to Paris, we will have launched flights from Cleveland to 10 new destinations so far in 2008."

While the flight will see its fair share of tourists, Mayor Frank Jackson sees another benefit. Cleveland's Mayor sees it has a way to help Cleveland on the international business scene.

Askmen.com recently did a feature story in which they listed the top ten hellish places on Earth. They even went as far as to tell readers what type of hell they will experience should they visit. In other words, if you're looking to travel, avoid these places if you can.

#10 Baghdad, Iraq - Type of hell: conflict. Currently embroiled in a war, it's no wonder that this city made the list. The once vibrant city has become so dangerous that few people are ever seen walking the streets.

#9 Dhaka, Bangladesh - Type of hell: pollution. Looking for some fresh air? You won't find it here. The city of Dhaka is now facing critically high pollution levels due to rapid industrial growth which is filling the skies with smog, and the over 9.7 million tons of waste dumped in the river.

#8 Yakutsk, Russia - Type of hell: environmental extreme. It's the coldest place on earth, literally - need we say more? Temperatures regularly drop below -58°F, and a thick layer of fog envelopes the city, reducing visibility to no more than 10 meters. It's also quite isolated, being six time zones away from Moscow.