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Is airline bar-stool squatting the next cheap travel pain?

Mike O’Leary, CEO of Ryan Air, is known for his joking around. He was the first to suggest airlines put in pay toilets. Now he’s talking about offering cheaper fares to people willing to fly squatting on close-packed stools.

His theory, if he isn’t kidding, is that by using bar stools instead of regular airline seats, and he could jam another 50 percent more people onto each flight. O’Leary adds that if passengers accept the idea, and with a full aircraft, he can not only cut costs, but also reduce prices.

O’Leary, known for his often disturbing Irish wit, is suspected of joking on the bar stool idea, because he recently came up with the pay toilet in the air idea. He said passengers would use credit cards in slots to activate toilet doors, and be charged from one U.S. dollar on up to an English pound for each potty break. What's next? Airline straphanging?

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This sailing season is the best for senior travelers to find attractive bargains. That includes those of us who have the luxury (and retirement income) to make quick decisions on hitting the road, sky and ocean.

From now until end-of-year holidays, seasonal business is off everywhere for hotels, cruise lines and airlines. Kids are in school and working adults back at their daily grind. Wandering seniors are now the best source of income for the travel industry. Prices are much lower than during the busy summer season, and empty seats, beds and bunks make industry executives very nervous.

Among the best bargains available now are those involving last-minute bookings. Travel beancounters realize airplanes and cruise ships must depart on schedule, even when not fully booked. This means they need to lower their prices, enticing seniors, their best source of last-minute bookers.

If you fit the image and have the free time and available funds, look into the possibilities. Check with your favorite hometown or online travel agency, as well as the many websites that offer last-minute travel. They include travelzoo.com, lastminutetravel.com and kayak.com.

 
 
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