Published May 15, 2013
Sports Network
St. Petersburg, FL – Tampa Bays Rays ace David Price left Wednesday's game against the Boston Red Sox in the third inning with an undisclosed injury.
Price had given up back-to-back RBI singles from Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz with one out in the fourth, before departing.
Jamey Wright took over on the mound.
Federal officials at the General Services Administration are set to hawk an extraordinary item this week: a plane that once served as Air Force One.
The plane flew every president from Ford to George W., VPs and VIPs -- and it can be yours for as little as $50,000.
“It's not often we get to sell a piece of history like this, but GSA Auctions is selling this plane that flew Presidents Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton & Bush (as well as the Vice-President, First Lady, Cabinet secretaries, 4-star generals, admirals, foreign dignitaries and more), writes a GSA official on the department’s Facebook page.
“Anyone got $50K…?” wrote one wise-cracker in reply to the social-media-borne advertisement. “We could buy it and fly to work every day and avoid the Beltway or Metro!”
“Not sure I want to fly on a 40-year-old plane,” wrote one more. “If it would fit into my garage, I might have a dinner party on it on occasion.”
The auction – which includes the vessels, vehicles, space-shuttle parts, real estate, heavy machinery and scientific items now considered surplus, or excess, federal equipment -- is set to begin Wednesday at 11 a.m. (EST), with the minimum, or starting bid, pegged at $50,000, according to the GSA’s site.
The DC9-32, with tail number N681AL, is currently stowed at Phoenix/Mesa Gateway Airport in Mesa, Ariz., although GSA officials caution that inspections of the property are “by appointment only,” and that the successful bidder better have a way of removing the plane from the site.
“Successful bidders are cautioned that they will be responsible for loading, packing and removal of any and all property awarded to them from the exact place where the property is located,” reads the advertisement on the GSA’s website.
Does Virgin honor price drops after buying a ticket? When is the best time to go to Death Valley? We answer these and other nagging travel questions.
Q: I read that Virgin America will honor price drops after purchase but before travel with a $75 change fee. My flight to Edinburgh, Scotland dropped by $100 but when I called for a credit voucher good for future travel they denied me because I had purchased non-refundable tickets. Anything you can do about this?
A: If you were flying to Scotland, it was on Virgin Atlantic, not Virgin America. Although the two airlines have a business relationship, Virgin Atlantic, like many foreign-based carriers, does not issue refunds on non-refundable fares when there’s a price drop after you buy. By the way, Virgin America upped its fee to $100 effective last July, and United and US Airways recently upped their change fees from $150 to $200 on domestic fares.
Q: We are planning a trip to Death Valley National Park. When is the optimal time of year to visit and what’s the nearest airport?
A: If you’d like to avoid the extreme heat that this area of the country is famous for, experts (i.e., park rangers I spoke to) suggest visiting between mid October and mid March. You’ll also avoid the rainy season that way, and in mid March you might also be treated to a profusion of wild flowers. Although it’s located in California, I’d suggest flying into Las Vegas for the cheapest airfares. It’s about 130 miles from the park’s entrance.
Q: I will be flying on United Airlines from a domestic U.S. airport to an international destination with a connection in Houston. If my luggage is lost, would domestic or international lost luggage compensation rules apply?
A: Even though you began your trip in the U.S. and connected within the U.S., your trip would be considered an international itinerary. International lost luggage compensation, which is typically lower than domestic compensation, would apply. Domestic compensation tops out at $3300. Compensation for luggage lost on an international flight is capped at 1000 “Special Drawing Rights,” a currency established by the International Monetary Fund, and is governed by the Montreal Convention. One SDR is currently equal to USD $1.50, so your maximum compensation would be $1500. On most airlines, you can buy additional excess baggage valuation (typically up to $5000 of coverage) for a reasonable fee when you check in your bags.
Have a question about travel or airfares? Send your questions to questions@airfarewatchdog.com and we may answer them in this column.
George Hobica is a syndicated travel journalist and founder of the low-airfare listing site Airfarewatchdog.com.
Chicago, IL – Ben Zobrist went 3-for-5 with two RBI and Matt Joyce hit a two-run homer as the Tampa Bay Rays downed the Chicago White Sox, 8-3, in the finale of a four-game set at U.S. Cellular Field.
Jose Lobaton had a solo homer and Evan Longoria added an RBI double for the Rays, who have won seven of their last 10 games.
David Price (1-2) gave up three runs on six hits while striking out nine in seven innings to pick up his first win of the season. Despite the slow start this season, Price has just three losses over his last 24 starts dating back to June 19, 2012.
"David was good, he pitched really, really well. His fastball was good, he had a really good hook and good change-ups. I thought he was really good," Rays manager Joe Maddon said.
Paul Konerko had a two-run homer and Adam Dunn drove in a run for the White Sox, losers in six of their last nine.
Nate Jones (0-2) was saddled with the loss after giving up the go-ahead run in the eighth inning. Starter Dylan Axelrod was tagged for three runs on four hits while fanning three over six frames.
Tampa Bay plated three runs in the eighth to go up 6-3. Sean Rodriguez opened the inning with a base hit to center and moved to second on Jones' wild pitch. After Matt Joyce drew a walk to put two on with one out, Zobrist laced a base hit up the middle to bring Rodriguez around.
Jones then walked Longoria to load the bases, spelling the end of his day. Matt Thornton was able to retire James Loney before being replaced by Jesse Crain. Crain was able to get Ryan Roberts to hit what appeared to be a routine fly ball to right, but Rios dropped the ball allowing Joyce and Zobrist to score.
Zobrist knocked in Desmond Jennings with a base hit to center and Longoria scored Joyce with a double down the left-field line in the ninth inning to cap the scoring.
Dunn scored Rios with a single to center in the first inning, but Lobaton tied the game with his homer in the third.
Konerko's two-run shot in the bottom half of the third gave the White Sox a 3-1 edge, but Joyce knotted things up with his two-run blast in the sixth.
"They were swinging the bats well, we just couldn't hold them down. We got off to a good start, but you have to hand it to Price, he settled down and shut us down and their bullpen did a nice job ," Konerko said.
Game Notes
Tampa Bay tied a franchise record with at least one home run in 15 straight games. The Rays also hit a homer in 15 consecutive games in 2009 ... Rays catcher Jose Molina missed the game with a bruised right knee. Molina was hit in the knee with a pitch in Saturday's win ... The White Sox will open a brief eight-game road trip on Tuesday when they visit the Texas Rangers ... The White Sox have played just four games this season decided by more than three runs ... Earlier on Sunday, the White Sox placed starting pitcher Gavin Floyd on the 15-day disabled list with a right elbow injury. Chicago recalled pitcher Deunte Heath from Triple-A Charlotte to fill the roster spot.
