The government is fed up with airlines whose crappy service and delayed flights incite passenger revolts. According to officials, “we will severely punish airlines which experience aircraft occupations and other incidents as a result of service reasons which originate with the airline.” Sounds great, right?Shame the cry for good service came from the Chinese government, not the FAA.

Chinese officials aren’t the only ones playing hardball. Americans and our Executive Email Carpet Bombs look like pushovers compared to our Chinese counterparts:

State media reported this week that scores of Chinese passengers smashed computers and desks and clashed with police after a night stranded at an airport without accommodation.More than 170 passengers were due to leave Kunming, capital of southwestern Yunnan province, on three flights operated by China Southern Airlines late Monday, but the flights were cancelled due to bad weather, Xinhua news agency said.

The report blamed the melee on China Southern staff’s “inappropriate working attitude.”

Yang said customers must also be kept better informed about delays, especially those caused by bad weather, a big issue in China.

“If there is bad weather, for example, we will tell the media to publicize it so that passengers can be informed ahead of time and avoid long waits at airports due to the weather,” he added.

Another worry, with the Games a week away, has been ensuring Beijing’s main airport does not suffer delays from thunderstorms, which often strike the capital over the summer, just as athletes and other visitors arrive.

During last year’s Spring Festival, riot police had to be called to Beijing airport after passengers angry at fog-related delays roughed up airline staff, attacked service counters and tried to storm grounded aircraft.

Airlines that fail to improve their service will lose runway slots at popular airports. China’s centralized government may not be able to secure their food supply, but we sure do love their can-do attitude towards the airlines!

Punishing airlines whose passengers misbehave [Reuters]

(Consumerist)

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 This week, we have put together a special broadcast focusing on what’s possibly one of the most debated news trends and one of the most well-known, citizen journalism. Critics call it journalism on the cheap, unskilled hacks putting out stories that are heavy on opinion and light on fact. According to those championing amateur reporters, it is a way to keep mainstream media honest and in some cases, it’s just about the only way to get a story out.

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wikiHow is a collaborative writing project to build the world’s largest, highest quality how-to manual. With your edits, we can create a free resource that helps millions of people by offering solutions to the problems of everyday life. wikiHow currently contains 41,967 articles — written, edited, and maintained primarily by volunteers. Please join us by writing on a topic not yet covered, or editing an article that someone else has started.

Example:

How to Deal With Losing Your Wallet

Losing your wallet or purse can be a devastating experience. Not only have you lost your identification, but also your cash, your credit and debit cards and anything else that may have been inside. Follow this guide to take back control of some of what you’ve lost.

Steps

1. Try to find the wallet. Remember when you last had your wallet. Doing so will help you eliminate places where you could not have lost it, and concentrate on places where you may have. Retrace your steps. What were you wearing? Where did you go? When did you take your wallet out of your pocket? Simple questions like these may help. If you know there’s a slim chance of finding it, or if your wallet was stolen, proceed to the next step.
   • Make calls to places you’ve gone recently (since you last saw your wallet) including restaurants, theaters, and the like and ask if they have a lost wallet. They will need a description. Usually the name on an ID or a specific member’s card will do. Even larger places, like malls, have lost-and-found offices or security centers.
2. Assume the wallet is stolen. If you can’t find the wallet within a few hours, someone else might, and you don’t know if that person will return it to you. When it comes to your identity, credit cards, and bank accounts, you’re better off safe than sorry. The maximum time you will want to wait is 24 hours as, for many companies, there are deadlines for reporting lost cards.
3. Call your bank and report your debit card stolen. It is very important to do this quickly as, unlike credit cards, the law says that debit cards leave the consumer on the hook if left unreported. You can be charged for any withdrawals and even overdraft charges. Once you call the bank, your debit card liability is reduced to $50.

4. 

   Suspend your credit and debit cards

   Call your credit card companies as soon as you can and cancel your credit cards, especially your store cards. They often have less stringent security policies and have stricter reporting than many major credit cards. Apply for a new card for the same account if you can.

5. Report your wallet lost or stolen to the police. It may seem like a waste of time, but having a police report will help you in many areas including insurance claims, liability issues and more.
6. Get a new driver’s license. If you get pulled over, the officer may or may not believe your story of having a lost wallet. Don’t take the chance.
7. Call the credit reporting agencies (credit bureaus) and report your lost cards and other relevant items. The major credit recording companies include Equifax, Experian and Transunion..
8. Buy a new wallet. While you’re waiting to find your old one, you’ll need something to keep everything in. If and when you find your old wallet, you can choose which one to use. If you think you will lose it again, consider purchasing one with a chain, or something that will help prevent losing it in the future. As an affordable alternative, buy a nylon wallet. They last for years. Put a rubber band around it so you know when it’s moved, or buy or make an ankle holster with a Velcro strap to place the wallet in, fasten it around your ankle. Use a money clip with one credit card in it. As an alternative to buying a new wallet, try making one.
9. Asking friends.If you remember where you last left your wallet call your friends or parents and ask them to find your wallet in their place.
10. Good places to check for your wallet.Try to look for your clothing used last time(pants,pockets etc.)Also check your washing machine dryer also your toilet(I know looking for your wallet sounds random but it is actually very useful.

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Gary McKinnon, the British hacker who broke into military computers looking for evidence of UFOs in the “biggest military hack of all time,” did so using his home computer and a 56k modem. I think we just lost our rights to complain about not having Japan-fast broadband.

Using his own computer at home in London, McKinnon hacked into 97 computers belonging to and used by the U.S. government between February 2001 and March 2002.

McKinnon is accused of causing the entire U.S. Army’s Military District of Washington network of more than 2,000 computers to be shut down for 24 hours.

Using a limited 56-kbps dialup modem and the hacking name “Solo” he found many U.S. security systems used an insecure Microsoft Windows program with no password protection.

He then bought off-the-shelf software and scanned military networks, saying he found expert testimonies from senior figures reporting that technology obtained from extra-terrestrials did exist.

At the time of his indictment, Paul McNulty, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, said: “Mr. McKinnon is charged with the biggest military computer hack of all time.”

He’s currently awaiting extradition to the United States where, if convicted, he’ll face up to 70 years in jail and up to $1.75 million in fines. Let us know about that alien technology first, Gary! [Valleywag]

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