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New York City: GPS App Calls Cabbies For You

Over the years, I’ve had to hail a taxi in Manhattan at least a thousand times. One always arrived promptly, except when it was snowing, raining, sleeting, temperature over 90 or after midnight.

A new GPS-connected app called ZapKab now promises to have a cab door opening for you within seconds of your clicking to hail it. Authorized and licensed cabbies then currently cruising Manhattan streets use their GPS devices to locate potential customers, and can quickly get to sites.

For both customers and cabbies with touch screens on their cell phones, a video map will pinpoint to both where the call originates. It will also display locations of cabbies in the immediate area who are tuned into the system.

Other ZabKab features allows callers to send detailed information to cabbies they contact, including how many people are waiting for the cab and their intended destinations.

ZabKab is free and so far is available on iPhone, iPad and Android mobile devices. Plans are underway to include other phone services.

In-Air Gripes: Who’s Your Worst Fellow Traveler? PDF Print E-mail

Recently, a woman flying Southwest from Los Angeles to Houston started painting her nails. Knowing the smell is sharp, she asked passenger around her if it was OK. All agreed, but not the flight attendant. There was a ruckus and the nail-painter was arrested when the flight landed.

Even if she didn’t offend anyone in-flight, there are others who do. We asked frequent flyers who are the worst five of the worst, and these were the results.

1. Seat back pusher: The inconsiderate person in front of you who suddenly tips the seat into your tender knees or loaded lunch tray.

2. Crying kid: Overtired and overwrought, the little angel in the seat next to you screams during the entire flight. Of course, the diaper doo just adds to your misery.

3. The 300-pounder: When this enormous anatomy plops down next to you and overflows into your seat, you know you’re in for a bumpy flight.

4. The great unwashed: Your seatmate is in obvious need of a bath and mouthwash, and the fragrance drifts over to your unwilling nostrils. Inevitably, the clothing and breath smells are enhanced because this is also a heavily addicted smoker.

5. The yakking seatmate: You settle down in your squeezed space to catch a few winks, listen to music or do some iPadding. The passenger next to you needs to hear your entire family and career history. Then, you’ll be obligated to listen to that person’s long, boring tale.

If you’re a frequent flyer, we’re sure you also have your own list of the worst of the worst passengers. Of course, you’re not one of them!

 
 
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