The New jetBlue Terminal 5 At JFK

As many readers of this blog know, I love the airline jetBlue since day 1 and have awaiting the new Terminal 5 for years.

This past weekend, I had the oppurtunity to check out Terminal 5 as both an arriving and departing passenger.

Arriving, the terminal seemed very nice but I didn't have time to stop and check it out....not what I want to do after getting off a flight.

Departing, however, the terminal was an absolute madhouse, and I had to wait in the security line for 1/2 hour. The whole "fast security lanes" they promote is not correct, because most of the lanes were closed...and talking to a TSA agent, Monday morning is the busiest time. The jetBlue staff also herded us and treated us like cattle when we were lined up.

Terminal 5 is very nice, and has some cool features.......but looking around, it is a complete cheap ripoff of Austin's airport design and features. (Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has a BEAUTIFUL terminal, with much more attention to detail and community) I miss the old terminal 4...I thought the modern new terminal would be cool, but in retrospect, and with exception of the satellite terminal, the old terminal was great and I miss it.

Ultimate Factories - Fire Trucks

Ultimate Factories - Fire Trucks

It's a repeat, but a cool look inside Pierce for those who haven't seen it.

National Geographic Channel, Thursday, July 23, 2009 5PM EST

QUOTE
Go inside fire trucks mammoth 800,000 sq.ft. operation, where over 1,500 highly skilled workers mix muscle and high-tech tools to create made-to-order rigs in approximately 45 days.

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/seri...s/3329/Overview

O'Hare Towing's New 2010 Kenworth T800/V70

Looks like O'Hare Towing has added a beautiful new, fully loaded 2010 Kenworth T800/V70 to their fleet:

http://www.zips.com/EquipmentGalleryDetail.aspx?ID=450

PHOTO FROM ZIPS TRUCK EQUIPMENT

I finally got my O'Hare Diecast Flatbed Replica!

I finally got my O'Hare flatbed limited edition diecast, produced by First Gear. It is AWESOME! Here are the photos:

For those that don't know, O'Hare Towing Service is featured in the hit show, "Wrecked: Life In The Crash Lane" Thursday nights on SPEED TV.It follows a large, highly trained and equipment towing and recovery operation in the Chicagoland area.

Check out some webisodes and more on the show at the following link:
http://www.speedtv.com/programs/wrecked

Season 3 The Academy: Orange County Fire

From a FOX REALITY CHANNEL Press Release....

This sounds AWESOME! Can't wait to see it, and I hope it does well!

QUOTE
Season 3 The Academy: Orange County Fire

LOS ANGELES, CA – Fox
Reality Channel announced it has begun production on the third season of its
original series, “The Academy.” “The Academy: Orange County Fire,” produced by
Scott Sternberg Productions, will return with 10 episodes, beginning Saturday,
October 24, 2009 (Time: TBD).

In 2007, fires burned more than 500,000
acres from California’s Santa Barbara County to the Mexico border. With its hot,
dry climate, and Santa Ana winds, Southern California is one of the country’s
most dangerous areas to fight fires. Fox Reality Channel’s “The Academy: Orange
County Fire” will take viewers on a journey with 29 recruits as they endure 18
weeks of intense physical and emotional training. The first two seasons of “The
Academy” followed recruits of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department as
they participated in a rigorous 18-week training program.

For the first
time, the Orange Country Fire Authority (OCFA) has opened its doors to let
camera crews capture its training and firefighting tactics, along with all of
the action and drama associated with taking part in one of the most grueling
fire academy training programs in the nation.

“Fox Reality Channel is
eager to be working with Scott Sternberg Productions to extend ‘The Academy’
franchise from the Sheriff’s Department to the Fire Authority,” said Noel
Siegel, VP Production & Development, Fox Reality Channel. “’The Academy:
Orange County Fire’ gives viewers an unprecedented inside look at how
firefighters train, including the extreme personal highs and lows of recruits as
they aspire to take on one of the world’s most dangerous jobs.”
A team of
OCFA instructors known as “The Cadre” will guide the recruits through their
transformation into firefighters, training them how to fight wildfires and
structural fires, and deal with building collapses. Rigorous training with
The OCFA team also includes handling of hazardous materials, working with
vehicle and aircraft fires, and proficiency in emergency and rescue activities.

“We are extremely proud of the way we train and prepare our fire
recruits,” said OCFA Battalion Chief Kris Concepcion. “Providing Orange County
with high-quality fire service requires state-of-the-art training, which will be
shown in this series. We are excited that Fox Reality Channel will show the hard
work, dedication, and commitment it takes to be an OCFA firefighter.”

The OCFA, headquartered in Irvine, CA serves 22 cities in Orange County
and all unincorporated areas, protecting over 1,380,000 residents with its 62
fire stations located throughout the county.

“The firefighters of
Southern California have one of the toughest jobs in the world,” said Scott
Sternberg, President of Scott Sternberg Productions. “I am delighted to be
partnering with Fox Reality Channel and the OCFA to extend The Academy brand and
show viewers exactly what it takes to be part of this elite organization.”

City Of Austin Fire-Rescue NEW Battalion Chief Vehicles

City Of Austin Texas Fire Rescue
2009 Ford F-350 4x4
Soon to be Battalion Chief/IC Vehicle
Will replace the current white Ford Expeditions
Similar to ATCEMS District Commander vehicle spec

City Of Austin,TX Streets And Bridges 2009 International Navistar/Bronto Skylift S173XDT

The City Of Austin Streets And Bridges Dept. has taken delivery of this really cool 2009 International-Navistar Paystar/Bronto Skylift S173XDT

Washington DC Holocaust Museum Shooting 6-10-09-My Sister Was There - EMTBravo.net

My sister was at the Holocaust Musuem today in DC, and she witnessed this whole Holocaust Museum shooting, saw the man (James W. von Brunn) walk in with the gun, the guard engage and get shot, etc. Thank god there are people looking over her, and that she is alright, albeit a bit shaken up, due to the actions of the guards at the musuem.

The reason I am posting this is because the guard, who was killed when he engaged the shooter, is a hero. The shooter, who is 88 and a well-known white supremacist full of hate, and has a long history of spreading his hatred, was stopped because of this guards heroic actions. Unfortunetly, the shooter is still alive in critical condition and is at George Washington University Medical Center.

The shooter is an American terrorist, in my opinion. It's scary that we have people like him in this country still. Hits home now.

To Guard Stephen T. Johns, thank you and may you rest in peace.

New Jerr-Dan Element Roadside Assistance Vehicle

Jerr-Dan, a wrecker manufacturer that's owned by Oshkosh and a sister company to Pierce, has come out with this neat roadside assistance vehicle. This is the first truck I've seen to be designed specifically for roadside assistance purposes, with an intergrated wheellift. Very innovative.

Roadside Assistance Vehicle
The ELEMENT by Jerr-Dan Roadside Assistance Vehicle is engineered
especially for towing professionials who work with motor clubs to allow
one-person operation of both service and towing functions. It features a
3,500 lb lift rating and a 7,500 lb towing rating and combines reliability,
durability and ease of operation. Engineered around a light duty tow unit,
the vehicle offers a compliment of service equipment including; stowage for 30
batteries, tanks for three types of fuel, compressed air for power tools, four
storage cabinets, a heavy duty tool chest and six work lights.

MORE INFO: http://www.jerr-dan.com/wreckers/standard/index.asp?pCatID=3&pID=77

Austin-Travis County, TX EMS 2009 Dodge Sprinter/Wheeled Coach Type II

Austin-Travis County, TX EMS took delivery of this 2009 Dodge Sprinter/Wheeled Coach Type II. Two more are expected. They are expected to be utilized for numerous large special events held in Austin each year, including UT Football Games, Austin City Limits Music Festival, South By Southwest, and a host of other events. These are the first vehicle of their kind to be delivered to this agency.

Photo taken this afternoon by me.