AA is a solid backer of the U.S. military. The airline is proud that 60 percent of its pilots are veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. They include some currently-active duty reservists who are taking a year or more out of their careers to serve in current deployments.

AA is the official airline of the USO, which provides entertainment for our Armed Forces personnel all over the world. AA also participates in various free programs to fly current and retired service veterans to rehab and other destinations.

AA also sponsors Snowball Express, which provides flights to free vacation destinations for young kids of service personnel who’ve lost their lives in Middle East combat.

The very popular mule rides that transport visitors into the splendid rocky depths of the Grand Canyon in Arizona will be drastically reduced under a new plan by the National Park Service.

According to the NPS announcement, the number of mules allowed on the Bright Angel Trail, the most traveled route into the canyon from the South Rim, will drop from 40 to 10 riders daily.

The NPS reason for the cut-back in mule rides is that the trail over the years has eroded to potentially unsafe conditions, and repairs are getting too expensive. Additionally, hikers are complaining that they must share the ever-narrowing trails with the mules and the inevitable stuff the mules leave behind. NPS also states that it wants to encourage more hikers to use the trail.

There will be mule rides available along the less-spectacular but safer top of the South Rim trails. For those planning Grand Canyon visits, they should know the hugely popular mule rides will become even more difficult to book, and reservations of up to a year in advance are advised.

For more information, go to NPS.org.

Smoke-filled cafes are no longer the norm for Spain. You can still puff away while sitting outside at cafes or walking on the stradas, but it could cost you mucho pesos if you light up inside. This new law applies to bars, cafes, restaurants, hotel rooms and many business establishments.

Smoking tourists will also see the same kinds of smoking bans at public places in Britain, France, Italy and other European countries.

It's six a.m., and you’re waiting in your favorite airport. All the shops and restaurants are closed, except the gin joints. They're allowed to be open all night. Now, you can get silly in Philly. If you're waiting there, you can pop the cork in New York or get high in Chi.

The booze rules have been eased. Some airports now allow liquor to be sold 24-7. High in the air has two meanings now, because passengers in flight can enjoy the same privilege. This is great news for those fliers who’ve had loud, drunken seatmates bother them or get sick all over them.

Of course, this new easing of the drinking rules is just another way airlines and airports are seeking to bring in extra income. So now, in addition to paying to check your bags, you’ll be able to drink enough as you fly to add more of those sagging bags under your eyes.

Our only advice we have for travelers is to enjoy yourselves with the booze of your choice anywhere, at any time. Just do it only up to a point where you’re not annoying others.