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[Fox News] Is your next flight scheduled on a 737 Max 9 aircraft?
Hundreds of flight cancellations continue days after both Alaska Airlines and United Airlines cope with the mandatory grounding of the Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft.
A Max 9 was involved in a midair incident when the plug covering a section designed for a door failed, leaving a gaping hole and sucking out parts of the adjacent seats.
Chances are that if a future flight is showing a 737 Max 9 aircraft type, your flight will be canceled.
As of Friday morning, there were 1,600-plus flight cancellations, according to FlightAware, although some attributed to weather conditions.
Determining whether your upcoming flight is using a Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft involves a few steps.
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1) Check your booking details: Start by reviewing your flight confirmation or booking details. Airlines often list the aircraft type on your ticket or itinerary. Look for terms like “Boeing 737 Max 9” or “B737 Max 9”.
2) Visit the airline’s website or app: If the aircraft type isn’t specified in your booking details, visit the airline’s website. Search for your flight by entering the flight number or your booking reference. Many airlines provide detailed information about the aircraft, including the model.
3) Use flight-tracking websites: Websites like FlightAware or Flightradar24 can provide detailed information about specific flights, including the type of aircraft used. Enter your flight number on these platforms to see if your flight will be operated with a Boeing 737 Max 9. My new fave Flighty app alerts you when the aircraft type changes or a flight is going to be disrupted.
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4) Check the day of the flight: Sometimes, airlines may change the aircraft type last minute due to operational needs. Check the information screens at the airport, or ask at the gate to confirm the aircraft type on the day of your flight.
A Boeing 737-900 is not the same as a 737 Max 9 aircraft. In person, a 737 Max can be identified visually by the forward-mounted engines ahead of the wing and the notches on the back edge design of the engines.
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Both United and Alaska Airlines were affected by the FAA grounding and mandatory inspection of the Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft equipped with a fuselage plug where the frame was originally designed for a door in a spot that’s about 12 rows aft of the wing.
I was scheduled to fly from LAX to Newark on Alaska Airlines this past Friday when my flight was canceled about 36 hours ahead of departure. Alaska sent me to their app to confirm or change the automatically rebooked itinerary, but it failed when I logged in, saying that change could not be made online.
When I called Alaska Airlines, the recorded message said that wait times were eight hours, nine minutes on my recent trip. On another phone support line for the airline VIPs, of which I am not one, though I decided to dial in desperation, I was able to select an option to receive a callback, which did come a few hours later when I was able to speak with an Alaska representative.
By that time, I had chosen to book another flight on JetBlue at the last minute, having no confidence in their operational stability, and asked for a refund.
If I had not already rebooked on my own, I would have pushed for a direct flight on their partner American instead of the unreasonable 14-hour zigzag series of Alaska flights automatically selected for me by their recovery algorithm.
Alaska offers chat as an alternative to get customer support by texting 82008. But in my case, I received a text message after a considerable wait, saying that they were “unable to accept additional chats.”
You can send a text message to United Airlines at 800-UNITED-1 (800-864-8331). This service allows you to ask questions, get assistance and manage your bookings via text.
United Airlines can be contacted through its social media channels, like X (@united) or Facebook, and it is fairly responsive to customer outreach. For Alaska Airlines on X, its handle is @AlaskaAir. Be sure to provide essential details like your flight number and booking reference, but avoid sharing sensitive personal information publicly.
Consider using every path to access the airline when you need help. If your flight is canceled on United or Alaska Airlines, know your options before reaching a representative to rebook. You may have more options than are offered on the airlines’ apps or websites.
Remember that airlines are very conscious of passenger concerns, especially regarding specific aircraft models like the Boeing 737 Max series. If you have concerns about flying on this aircraft, you can discuss them with the airline, and it might be able to accommodate your preferences, depending on its policies and the availability of alternative flights or aircraft.
Knowledge is key to avoiding travel disruptions related to the plagued 737 Max 9 aircraft. Be ready with the right tech travel apps and tools before heading to the airport. Smart travel apps can alert you to trouble before it happens, giving you a chance to solve a problem before it becomes yours.
What are your thoughts on the Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft and its safety issues? Would you fly on one if you had the choice? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.
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Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
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[Fox News] AI wearable contraption gives you superhuman strength
Do you love exploring the great outdoors, but feel limited by your physical stamina or the weight of your backpack?
Do you wish you could run faster, hike longer and trek farther without getting tired or sore?
If you answered yes, then you’re in luck.
Hypershell, a robot startup from Y-Combinator China, has created the Hypershell ProX, an all-terrain exoskeleton that will take your outdoor adventures to the next level.
This device is like a second skin that fits over your legs and boosts your strength, speed and endurance.
The Hypershell ProX uses artificial intelligence to sense your movements and adjust to your needs. It can switch between 9 different motion postures, from walking to running to climbing, and provide up to 800W of power to help you lift your legs more easily.
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It can also offset up to 66 pounds of weight, so you can carry a heavy backpack without feeling the burden. Whether you’re facing high altitudes, steep slopes or long distances, the Hypershell ProX will keep you going strong.
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The Hypershell ProX is not bulky or heavy. It weighs only 2kg and can fold up to fit in your backpack. It’s also durable and weather-resistant, working well in temperatures as low as minus 20℃ and with an IP54 rating for dust and water protection.
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Hypershell’s founder, Kelvin Sun, says that his vision is to “encourage nature-based ecotourism and introduce affordable consumer-grade exoskeleton technology to outdoor lovers.” He adds that the Hypershell ProX is especially useful for people who need extra support or who travel with heavy loads.
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Hypershell exoskeleton helps provide power to move your legs with more strength and to lift your legs more easily. It is not approved by the FDA as a medical device, so you should not use it instead of any medical care or for any health-related reason. Hypershell is only for people who can walk normally without any problems.
If you’re looking for a new way to explore the world and challenge yourself, you might want to give the Hypershell ProX a try. It’s a revolutionary device that can enhance your outdoor experience and make you feel like a superhuman. It is designed to be lightweight, versatile and powerful, and to suit your needs and preferences.
How do you feel about using an exoskeleton device for your outdoor activities? Would you try the Hypershell ProX? Why or why not? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
For more of my tech tips & security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter
Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.
Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:
Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
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[Fox News] New Mexico study shows newly discovered dinosaur subspecies predates Tyrannosaurus rex
A team of researchers, including those from the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science (NMMNHS), say the discovery of a new dinosaur subspecies is believed to be a more primitive and older relative of the Tyrannosaurus rex, reshaping the scientists’ understanding of how and when the beast first arrived in North America.
In a study published in the journal “Scientific Reports,” the team identifies a newly discovered subspecies known as Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis, a predator shown to be older and more primitive than the T. rex, and just as large.
The discovery of a partial skull found years ago in western New Mexico led to the study, which shows the Tyrannosaurus was in North America millions of years before paleontologists previously thought.
“New Mexicans have always known our state is special, now we know that New Mexico has been a special place for tens of millions of years,” Dr. Anthony Fiorillo, the executive director of the NMMNHS said. “This study delivers on the mission of this museum through the science-based investigation of the history of life on our planet.”
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Along with the NMMNHS, researchers from the University of Bath (UK), University of Utah, George Washington University, Harrisburg University, Penn State Lehigh Valley and the University of Alberta participated in the study.
The museum said in a press release that the T. rex, which is perhaps the largest and most dangerous terrestrial predator of all time, “suddenly appeared” in North America about 66 million years ago.
When it arrived, the press release noted, there were no close relatives of the T. rex in North America, so how it arrived and evolved there is a mystery.
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Co-author Sebastian Daman was a student in 2013, when he began to reexamine species collected from southern New Mexico.
“Soon we started to suspect we were onto something new,” he said in the press release.
What he and other researchers learned was that T. mcraeensis was about the same size as T. rex and also ate meat.
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The research also showed that subtle differences in the jaw bones make it unlikely that T. rex was a direct ancestor, but it raises the possibility that there are more discoveries to be made about tyrannosaurs.
“Once again, the extent and scientific importance of New Mexico’s dinosaur fossils becomes clear — many new dinosaurs remain to be discovered in the state, both in the rocks and in museum drawers!” Dr. Spencer Lucas, paleontology curator at NMMNHS said.
The discovery also expands the researchers’ understanding of the dinosaur species, suggesting that tyrannosaurus lived in what is now the southern U.S. at least 72 million years ago, and likely originated there before moving into the western portion of North America.