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If you find yourself frequently sitting in a plane on the runway waiting for a gate, I thought you would find this MSNBC.com article 4 secrets for avoiding long airline taxi-in times by Christopher Elliott of interest.

“June 15, 2009 - Airlines would rather publish realistic flight times and use their gates as efficiently as possible, but aviation analyst Michael Miller suggests pressure from customers is behind the schedule inflation. “Airlines have gotten so much bad press about being late that they’ve added time to their schedules,” he told me. “When a flight arrives early, it makes them look better. But if you land too early, and you’re not expected, you have to wait.”

Can you avoid a long taxi-in time? Perhaps. Here are a few tips.

1. Think alternate.
Smaller, alternate airports, such as Chicago’s Midway Airport or Ontario International Airport in Southern California, aren’t as busy and far less likely to send dozens of aircraft to the penalty box. At least that’s the experience of Andy Simpson, an attorney who lives in Christiansted, St. Croix. When he flies to Miami, “I groan when I hear we are early, because it inevitably leads to a longer delay than if we arrived on time,” he says. But the other way around? No problem.

2. Fly early.
The first flight of the day is less likely to experience a taxi-in delay, according to Miller, the aviation consultant. If yours is the first flight of the day to arrive, chances are there won’t be another plane competing for the same gate. “There are a lot of things that could happen during the day,” he says, adding that a safe bet for a delay would be the last flight of the day between two busy airports. Avoid those if at all possible.

3. Bigger is better.
Smaller aircraft tend to get held in the penalty box more often than larger planes, according to recent statistics and several passengers with whom I spoke for this story. For example, three of the most-delayed flights for April were on American Eagle, a regional carrier. It makes sense that air traffic controllers wouldn’t want to keep a Boeing 747 waiting for an hour. You can avoid regional jets by paying attention to the airline when you’re booking. The wording “operated by” followed by a regional airline like American Eagle, means you’re on a little plane.

4. Avoid bad weather.
If you’re flying into South Florida during a summer afternoon, you’re practically guaranteed a close encounter with a thunderstorm. Headed to Montana in January? Look out for blizzards. Flying into San Francisco or Juneau, Alaska? At certain times of year, mind the fog. Bad weather isn’t the sole cause of taxi-in delays, of course, but the most extreme taxi-in troubles are often tied to storms and other meteorological disturbances, some of which are predictable.

By flying into a small airport on a big plane, avoiding peak travel times and predictably bad weather, you can minimize your chance of getting stuck on the ground. But you can’t avoid it entirely.

Andrew Hetzel, a beverage consultant based in Hawaii, says the trick is to set realistic expectations when you arrive early.

“Invariably, the crew will make some premature, boastful announcement about being proud to arrive 20 minutes early,” he says. “Experienced travelers roll their eyes, knowing what is about to come next from the cabin: ‘Sigh. Well folks, it looks like there’s another plane at our gate, it will just be a few minutes until we can park.’ ”

And that’s the trick: When your flight attendant says you’ve arrived early, you might want to wait until you’re exiting the aircraft before saying, “Thank you.”

If you have been busy at work all Spring and have strayed from the gym, yet still want to get your body ready for the beach this Summer, I thought I would share 10 quick fitness tips I learned from reading the FitnessMagazine.com article 10 Quick Ways to Go from Fat to Firm over the next few weeks.

Here is Tip #10…

Move through soreness

Unless it’s severe, stretch or walk often when you’re in the midst of post-exercise aches and pains. “The worst thing you can do when you’re sore is be a slug and lie on the couch,” says Brad Schoenfeld, author of Sculpting Her Body Perfect. The more active you are, the more nutrients your blood delivers to your muscles, promoting a faster recovery. One DVD that does the job (and still keeps you close to the sofa): Living Room Yoga, by Eva Barash.

If you have been busy at work all Spring and have strayed from the gym, yet still want to get your body ready for the beach this Summer, I thought I would share 10 quick fitness tips I learned from reading the FitnessMagazine.com article 10 Quick Ways to Go from Fat to Firm over the next few weeks.

Here is Tip #9…

Be an expert strength trainer

Slow down and hold the exercise for one count at the peak point of contraction. “Most people move too quickly, so they end up using momentum more than muscle, which compromises performance and can lead to injury,” says Los Angeles-based trainer Christel Smith. “Pause for a second, contract the muscle, then slowly lower the weight.”

If you have been busy at work all Spring and have strayed from the gym, yet still want to get your body ready for the beach this Summer, I thought I would share 10 quick fitness tips I learned from reading the FitnessMagazine.com article 10 Quick Ways to Go from Fat to Firm over the next few weeks.

Here is Tip #8…

Bust your gut on a ball

“Exercising on a stability ball forces you to engage all of your abdominal and lower-back muscles,” explains Sue Fleming, fitness expert and author of Fashionably Buff. One of our fave moves: plank pose on the ball. Begin in a plank position — palms on floor directly below shoulders, back straight, abs engaged, body parallel with floor, legs extended with feet on ball. Hold for 30 to 60 seconds, keeping abs tight; relax.

If you are keen on getting your news updates via your mobile phone like me, you will be happy to know USA Today and other newspapers will be targeting mobile devices even more in the future according to the Associated Press article USA Today publisher sees hope in mobile platforms by Andrew Vanacore…

“June 10, 2009 - NEW YORK (AP) - USA Today’s new publisher said Wednesday he hopes to expand the newspaper’s revenue from mobile phones and portable electronic reading devices, and pledged to fight The Wall Street Journal’s bid for readers in hotels.

The comments from David Hunke, named USA Today’s publisher in April by Gannett Co. (GCI) (GCI), come as the nation’s top newspaper by circulation - along with the rest of the media industry - is grappling with steep advertising declines. Newspapers are struggling to find ways to get readers to pay for online content without killing the flow of traffic to their Web sites and devastating their Internet ad revenue.

As one step toward expanding its revenue sources, on Aug. 3 USA Today will start selling e-mailed replicas of its daily newspapers for about $10 a month, Hunke said at a gathering of reporters. USA Today already has been selling electronic editions for $13.95 a month, but now it is switching to a new technology provider and putting more resources into promoting the service.

Other newspapers, including the San Francisco Chronicle, have similar products, which are not big producers of revenue. USA Today’s previous incarnation of its electronic edition averaged 1,217 subscribers from October through March, the latest reporting period covered by the Audit Bureau of Circulations.

Hunke said it was not yet clear whether print subscribers would get the new electronic version included in their delivery service or whether they would be asked to pay the extra fee, which is the case now.

Hunke said he does not envision charging for access to the newspaper’s main Web site, a step other publishers are contemplating. He added that USA Today was not represented at a recent meeting in Chicago where several newspaper executives discussed the idea.

But Hunke said mobile platforms, like Apple Inc. (AAPL)’s iPhone or digital reader devices being developed by Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN), Plastic Logic and other companies, will offer ways for newspapers to charge for news. In fact, Hunke said he regrets that USA Today didn’t start by charging for the newspaper’s iPhone application, which is free to download.

“I’m not sure we realized what we had,” he said. “I think that’s a value readers will be willing to pay for.”

“Our readers are constantly moving,” he said, referring to the travelers USA Today has long targeted.

On that front, USA Today is facing a tougher challenge from The Wall Street Journal. This month the Journal won a contract from Hyatt Hotels & Resorts to provide newspapers for free distribution to some guests.”

If you have been busy at work all Spring and have strayed from the gym, yet still want to get your body ready for the beach this Summer, I thought I would share 10 quick fitness tips I learned from reading the FitnessMagazine.com article 10 Quick Ways to Go from Fat to Firm over the next few weeks.

Here is Tip #7…

Beat cellulite with a roller

Some experts swear by rolling out — using a foam roller that looks like a very wide pool noodle. The premise: When connective tissue becomes dehydrated, especially in the layers closest to the skin, the fibers weaken and separate, so the underlying fat pokes through. “Rolling rehydrates and firms up the connective tissue by moving fluids,” says Sue Hitzmann, an exercise physiologist and manual therapist in New York City. “It won’t make you thinner, but if you have lumpy thighs, it helps.” Buy a roller for $30 at meltmethod.com.

Good news!  Apple announced their new iPhone 3GS today.

Here is the scoop from the Associated Press article Apple unveils latest iPhone by John Davis…

“The Apple iPhone has changed the cell phone world once before and Apple’s introduction of the new iPhone 3GS is about to change that world again.  In today’s edition of Tech This Out, we’ll give you a look at the new Apple iPhone 3GS.

The new iPhone 3GS, has redefined what is possible with a mobile phone.  It has an all new high quality auto focusing camera that records video, hands free voice control, plus new features like cut, copy and paste and MMS messaging.  The iPhone 3GS has a wide screen for viewing, improved performance and applications that launch quickly even as you jump between apps. When surfing the web, you’ll notice web pages render faster, and website navigation is made easier with faster scrolling and zooming features, not to mention even better graphics for iPhone gamers.

The iPhone 3GS battery is designed to last longer for more video more music and longer web surfing.  The iPhone 3GS is equipped with a high quality 3mega pixel camera.  When taking pictures with the new iPhone 3GS, the camera automatically focuses on the picture in the center of the display.  If you want to focus on something that isn’t in the center of your picture, just touch it to change the focus, exposure and white balance for the best picture.

But the new iPhone 3GS isn’t just about pictures, it records high quality video and audio too. You can even edit your videos directly from your iPhone.  When you’re done recording and want to trim your video, all you have to do is bring up the on screen controls and touch your start and end points, then tap trim to save your changes and share your videos via email, MMS or even post them to you tube.  For older iPhone users, here’s a feature you’ve been waiting for.  It’s the iPhone’s new copy and past feature, witch allows you to highlight text you want to cut, copy or paste from emails, websites and save as your own.  If you make a mistake, no worries, just “shake” it off and you’re good.

The iPhone 3GS will be available throughout the U.S. mainland on June 16 according to internet reports.”

If you have been busy at work all Spring and have strayed from the gym, yet still want to get your body ready for the beach this Summer, I thought I would share 10 quick fitness tips I learned from reading the FitnessMagazine.com article 10 Quick Ways to Go from Fat to Firm over the next few weeks.

Here is Tip #6…

Stop sucking it in

Eat right and work out to minimize flab after having a baby. If you’ve got post-pregnancy pooch, try this move from Tracey Mallett, creator of the 3-in-1 Pregnancy System DVD: Lie faceup on a towel placed horizontally on the floor, with knees bent and heels in line with glutes. Cross the towel over your midsection, holding each end. Lift head, neck, and shoulders off the floor as you exhale, drawing abs toward spine while pulling tightly on the towel. “In many women, the abdominal muscles actually separate from the added pressure of the baby, so the first thing you need to do is strengthen them until they join together,” says Mallett. Do 10 reps a day.

If you have been busy at work all Spring and have strayed from the gym, yet still want to get your body ready for the beach this Summer, I thought I would share 10 quick fitness tips I learned from reading the FitnessMagazine.com article 10 Quick Ways to Go from Fat to Firm over the next few weeks.

Here is Tip #5…

Drop a size, fast

Take a three-pronged approach, says trainer Alwyn Cosgrove, owner of Results Fitness in Santa Clarita, California. First, follow a daily diet low in refined carbs (white bread, pasta) but high in fruits and veggies, with moderate protein; aim for about 1,500 calories. Twice a week, do total-body strength workouts (go to fitnessmagazine.com for some ideas), reducing or eliminating rest time between sets. Finally, three days a week, do interval training (alternating four to seven high-intensity levels with moderate recovery periods). Stay the course and you should reach your goal in about four weeks.

If you have been busy at work all Spring and have strayed from the gym, yet still want to get your body ready for the beach this Summer, I thought I would share 10 quick fitness tips I learned from reading the FitnessMagazine.com article 10 Quick Ways to Go from Fat to Firm over the next few weeks.

Here is Tip #4…

Fend off gravity at 40+

After age 30, women lose about a quarter pound of muscle mass each year, says fitness expert Kathy Smith, creator of the Body Boomers Workout. “The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn 24/7,” says Smith — and the stronger your bones will be. Her basic plan: a challenging weight workout two or three days a week, plus a mix of low-impact cardio, such as walking with speed bursts, cycling, or swimming, at least three days a week for 30 to 45 minutes.

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