Friday Travel Ticker: AA pilots to protest at LAX

The Allied Pilots Assn., representing the 10,000 pilots who fly for American, is planning an hourlong demonstration at LAX today, beginning at 10:30 a.m. The protest, between Terminal 4 and the Bradley terminal, comes after a federal bankruptcy judge allowed the company to impose new pay and work rules on pilots . . . . Meanwhile, hundreds of American flights have been canceled this week as pilots call in sick or increase maintenance reports as part of the protest over the issue. The airline says that the cancellations still represent a very small fraction of total flights . . . . Trans-Atlantic traffic was flat in August for the fifth consecutive month, the U.S. Department of Commerce reports. The carriers reduced capacity by an average 0.1% and maintained a high average load factor of 88.2% (down only slightly from June’s average 88.9%) . . . . Free Mountain High lift tickets will be given away at the door of the premiere of the full-length snowboard movie “Los Angeles” on Sept. 28 at the Downtown Independent Theater in Los Angeles. Tickets are $10 if purchased by Sept. 23 and $15 after . . . . Just in time for election day, comedian Bill Maher takes his biting political humor to the Orleans Showroom in Las Vegas, Nov. 3 and 4. Tickets start at $64.95, plus tax and convenience fees; (702) 365-7075 or www.orleanscasino.com . . . . First-time travelers to Australia and New Zealand should check out Hostelling International USA’s free workshop in Santa Monica on Oct. 13. Topics include inexpensive accommodations, visas and other special travel tips. To RSVP, call (310) 393-6263 or email shanec@lahostels.org . . . . Shop Spree SB, a Santa Barbara weekend shopping festival, is this weekend, in conjunction with the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. The State Street events include sales, wine tastings and makeup classes. Info (805) 962-2098 ext. 24 . . . . Yellowstone’s “Old Faithful Winter Expedition” features two nights at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and two nights at Old Faithful Snow Lodge, with rates starting at $1,075 per person. Info: www.xanterra.com . . . . Rick Moonen, Hubert Keller, Michael Mina, Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken are among the chefs taking part in Mandalay Bay’s FOOD & WINE All-Star Weekend’s outdoor cookout Oct. 6 . . . . Interjet is marking new daily service between John Wayne and Mexico with introductory fares of $289 to Mexico City and $299 to Guadalajara, including taxes. Valid until the end of November, based on availability. Service begins Oct. 11. Info: www.interjet.com or through your travel agent . . . . City Sightseeing is taking its iconic double-decker bus tours to New Orleans, with hop-on-hop-off tours that stretch from the Museum of Art to the French Quarter; www.citysightseeingneworleans.com . . . . Cornell’s renowned hotel management program is marking its 90th anniversary this month. It began with about 20 students on Sept. 20, 1922 . . . . Travel quote of the day: “He who is outside his door already has the hardest part of his journey behind him.” (Dutch proverb)

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chris.erskine@latimes.com