530PM NBC2 |
530PM NBC2 |
A HOUSE FIRE QUICKLY TURNED INTO A CRIME SCENE TODAY IN LEE COUNTY!
DEPUTIES TELL US THEY FOUND MORE THAN 100 MARIJUANA PLANTS INSIDE!
AND A SHORT TIME AGO--
DEPUTIES ARRESTED RICHARD SEGAL.
IT ALL HAPPENED AT A HOME ON 13TH STREET SOUTHWEST IN LEHIGH ACRES.
NBC-2'S MEAGHAN SMITH IS LIVE NEAR THE HOME.
MEAGHAN.
Return to index of stories...
an alleged growhouse operation- with 168 plants, goes up in flames.
27:51 "I see a fire."
now, the homeowner-
richard smegal is under arrest for growing marijuana.
that's him through the window of the deputy's car.
smegal's neighbors tell us they would see cars coming and going from the 13th street sw house, which sits on a dead end.
*take sot* josett germain "i always see him in some kind of cadillac, and then motorcycle, truck."
28:42 "I always see 3 or 4 cars parked there."
early this morning,
firefighters made the discovery after being called to the lehigh acres home to put out a big blaze.
that's when they found the reported growhouse and alerted the sheriff's office.
undercover narcotics detectives taped off the house as a crime scene, and after getting a search warrant- said they found the elaborate operation.
smegal is facing felony charges of cultivation of marijuana, trafficking and possession of paraphernalia.
Return to index of stories...
NEW AT 5-30.
LEE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS ARE FIGURING OUT WHERE TO MAKE CUTS TO THE DISTRICTS BILLION DOLLAR BUDGET NEXT YEAR.
NBC 2'S KIM BROWN IS LIVE IN STUDIO WITH WHAT'S ON THE TABLE.
Return to index of stories...
THE DISTRICT DOESN'T KNOW YET WHAT IT'S BUDGET WILL BE, SO THEY'RE PLANNING ON A GAP SIMILAR TO LAST YEAR AT 25 MILLION.
SOME OF THE IDEAS DEAL WITH CUTTING OVERTIME, OFFERING EARLY RETIREMENTS, AND FURLOUGHS.
BUT THERE WERE TWO OTHER PROPOSALS DRAWING A GREAT DEAL OF INTEREST.
Return to index of stories...
IT'S WALKING DISTANCE BETWEEN ALVA ELEMENTARY AND ALVA MIDDLE.
We love it here it's a great school.
THAT CLOSE ADVANTAGE IS WHY SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS ARE CONSIDERING COMBINING THE TWO SCHOOLS INTO ONE.
We're a natural for it since we share a common campus and I'll be retiring at the end of this year so it's perfect time for the district to do that.
SEVERAL SCHOOLS CURRENTLY FUNCTION THIS WAY.
LIKE JAMES STEPHENS ACADEMY, SANIBEL SCHOOL, AND NORTH FORT MYERS ACADEMY FOR THE ARTS.
NATS
BY SHARING ADMINISTRATION AND THE CAFETERIA; THE DISTRICT COULD SAVE 500-THOUSAND DOLLARS.
EVEN MORE IF BOARD MEMBERS DECIDE TO DO THIS WITH OTHER SCHOOLS; WHICH THEY TALKED ABOUT TODAY.
What's the criteria you would be looking at to decide whether we're going to be closing schools or not closing them.
OTHER IDEAS - OUTSOURCING ABOUT 700 CUSTODIAL JOBS.
THE DISTRICT SAYS COLLIER AND MONROE COUNTIES SAVE TWO MILLION DOLLARS EACH DOING THAT.
NATS-floor vaccum
IT COULD SAVE LEE COUNTY FOUR MILLION DOLLARS IN BENEFITS AND RETIREMENT COSTS.
THE IDEA IS ALREADY CONCERNING TO UNION MEMBERS.
I've had many phone calls and they're very concerned. They're already upset and worrying about what they're going to do at the end of this school year.
DIRECTOR AMI DESAMOURS SAYS THE DECISIONS AREN'T EASY.
It is going to be extremely difficult this year because I mean we've been doing this since 2008. So five years later we feel like we're to the bone.
Return to index of stories...
IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS THE DISTRICT HAS HAD TO CUT 131 MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE BUDGET.
OTHER THINGS DISCUSSED TODAY - PROGRAM CUTS TO MUSIC AND ART. AND CUTS TO TEACHER PLANNING.
THE BOARD WILL MEET AGAIN LATER THIS MONTH OR IN JANUARY TO DICUSS MORE BUDGET CUT POSSIBILITIES.
PETER?
Return to index of stories...
STILL NO SIGNS OF PROGRESS ON AVOIDING THE SO-CALLED FISCAL CLIFF.
WITHIN HOURS AFTER REPUBLICANS SUBMITTED A PROPOSAL--
THE WHITE HOUSE REJECTED IT!
THE G-O-P PLAN CALLED FOR SPENDING CUTS AND 800-BILLION DOLLARS IN *NEW* TAX REVENUE--
BUT *NO* TAX INCREASES ON THE TOP WAGE EARNERS.
DURING AN INTERVIEW WITH BLOOMBERG--
THE PRESIDENT SAYS "NO DEAL"--
UNLESS THERE ARE TAXES ON THE WEALTHY.
Return to index of stories...
We have the potential of getting a deal done but it's going to take what I talked about during the campaign, a balanced approach to deficit reduction, that can give businesses certainty, and can make sure the country grows.
THERE ARE NO FACE TO FACE NEGATIONS SCHEDULED.
THE FISCAL CLIFF DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 31ST.
CONGRESS IS SCHEDULED TO ADJOURN ON DECEMBER 14TH.
Return to index of stories...
CONGRESS IS LOOKING INTO FEMA'S RESPONSE TO HURRICANE SANDY.
THE STORM RAVAGED THE NORTHEAST A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AGO.
THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS ARE STILL DEALING WITH THE STORM'S AFTERMATH *WITHOUT* POWER.
TODAY FEMA CHIEF CRAIG FUGATE--
SAID THE AGENCY WAS BETTER PREPARED THAN KATRINA--
BUT MORE WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE.
Return to index of stories...
We have developed a national recovery framework that recognizes that FEMA programs by themselves will not successfully recover from storms the size of Sandy. We have both pre-existing conditions and we have other areas where FEMA programs are not the best tool to engage in the types of work that will need to be done."
SO FAR THE DAMAGE TOTAL FROM NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ALONE IS MORE THAN 65-BILLION DOLLARS.
Return to index of stories...
A FEDERAL APPEALS COURT TODAY *REMOVED* THE JUDGE IN THE NIDAL HASSAN CASE.
THE PANEL SAYS THE JUDGE IS *BIASED*.
HASAN IS ACCUSED OF KILLING SEVERAL PEOPLE AT FORT HOOD IN A MASSACRE SEVERAL YEARS AGO.
THE DECISION MEANS HASAN DOES *NOT* HAVE TO SHAVE HIS BEARD.
HASAN OBJECTED TO THE ORDER WITH A NUMBER OF APPEALS--
CITING RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.
Return to index of stories...
THE SEARCH FOR AN 11-YEAR OLD GIRL FIGHTING LEUKEMIA--
IS EXPANDING.
"EMILY'S" UNDERGONE MONTHS OF CHEMOTHERAPY TREATMENTS AT AN ARIZONA HOSPITAL.
BUT 2-DAYS AGO--
HER MOTHER "SNUCK" HER OUT OF THE HOSPITAL!
AT THE TIME--
EMILY STILL HAD A CATHETER IN HER HEART--
AND HER MOTHER TOOK IT OUT IN A BATHROOM!
DOCTORS SAY "EMILY" IS IN REAL DANGER.
Return to index of stories...
"We understand it could be a matter of days where the infection could take over and Emily could die."
AUTHORITIES HAVE SURVEILLANCE PICTURES OF EMILY'S DAD--
CROSSING THE MEXICAN BORDER.
BUT HE DENIES ANY INVOLVEMENT IN THE GIRL'S DISAPPEARANCE.
POLICE HAVE *NOT* CHARGED HER PARENTS WITH ANY CRIME--
BUT THAT COULD CHANGE IF EMILY'S HEALTH WORSENS.
Return to index of stories...
THE MAYOR OF NEWARK IS ON FOOD STAMPS!
THE MAYOR AND A TWITTER READER--
CAME UP WITH A CHALLENGE.
IT REQUIRES THE MAYOR TO SPEND A WEEK EATING ONLY WHAT FOOD STAMPS BUY.
IN NEW JERSEY--
THAT'S ABOUT 33-DOLLARS A WEEK!
THE CHALLENGE FOLLOWED A CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE MAYOR AND TWITWIT--
ABOUT THE ROLE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PLAY IN FUNDING SCHOOL FOOD PROGRAMS.
Return to index of stories...
TAMPA'S "MYSTERY MONKEY" HAS A NEW HOME!
THE RHESUS MACAQUE--
SPENT YEARS EVADING CAPTURE.
PEOPLE SPOTTED HIM NUMEROUS TIMES THROUGHOUT PINELLAS COUNTY.
BUT NOW HE'S MOVED TO DADE CITY--
AND WILL SOON HAVE *COMPANIONSHIP* FROM OTHER MONKEY'S!
Return to index of stories...
"It sound like life is going to improve for him? It has to be a whole lot better than being stuck totally by himself. I mean here he will be medical cared for. He will be fed, all of his needs will be met for him now."
CORNELIUS AS HE'S CALLED--
IS INFECTED WITH HERPES B.
IT'S NOT FATAL TO MONKEYS--
BUT CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR HUMANS.
SO HE LIVES BEHIND A SHIELD TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SEE HIM.
Return to index of stories...
2012 IS COMING TO A CLOSE--
SO IT'S TIME FOR A DOSE OF THE "TOP" THINGS OF THE YEAR.
THE MSOT SEARCHED "WORD" ON YAHOO THIS YEAR WAS "ELECTIONS".
AND IT WASN'T EVEN CLOSE.
SECOND PLACE BELONGS TO THE IPHONE 5.
AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT--
A NUMBER OF CELEBRITIES WERE IN THE TOP 10.
THEY INCLUDE KIM KARDASHIAN--
KATE UPTON--
KATE MIDDLETON AND WHITNEY HOUSTON.
THE OLYMPICS AND POLITICAL POLLS ALSO MADE THE TOP 10.
Return to index of stories...
THE KATE WATCH IS ON IN LONDON--
NOT FOR THE BABY--
BUT FOR THE PRINCESS HERSELF!
SHE'S SUFFERING FROM A SEVERE CASE OF MORNING SICKNESS--
AND THERE IS CONCERN TONIGHT FOR HER AND HER BABY.
AND WANNA TAKE A TRIP?
FARES ARE PRETTY CHEAP FOR A LOT OF PLACES IN THE U-S!
JUST BE READY FOR A GOOD CASE OF STICKER SHOCK WHEN YOU'RE READY TO COME HOME!
Return to index of stories...
KATE MIDDLETON IS STILL IN A LONDON HOSPITAL.
THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE--
IS SUFFERING FROM A SEVERE FORM OF MORNING SICKNESS.
IT'S CALLED HYPEREMESIS GRAVIDARUM.
IT CAN LEAVE WOMEN UNABLE TO KEEP DOWN FOOD--
AND CAN MAKE A PREGNANCY DIFFICULT.
JEFFREY KOFMAN IS IN LONDON.
Return to index of stories...
The heir to the British throne, Prince William was back at the hospital
today here in London, worrying over another heir. his future baby. And his
very ill wife, the Duchess of Cambridge.
Eighteen months after they were married the couple are expecting their first
child. But things did not quite go as planned. Kate is very early in her
pregnancy, but because she is so ill and will be spending days in the
hospital, the couple felt they had to tell the world. It is called Hyper-
EM-i-sis Grav-i-DAIR-um and it is much worse than Morning Sickness.
SOT - ABC SENIOR MEDICAL CONTRIBUTOR DR. JENNIFER ASHTON
THIS IS INTRACTABLE THROWING UP, NON-STOP YOU CAN'T HOLD ANY FLUIDS OR FOOD
DOWN AND IN SOME CASES LIKE WE'RE SEEING HERE, HOSPITALIZATION IS REQUIRED.
The news has set off a frenzy, consuming not just the British media. but
the world's.
The speculation now turns to the baby's sex and name.
SOUNDBITE JESSICA BRIDGE, LADBROKES SPOKESPERSON:
AT THE MOMENT WE THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A GIRL AND IF IT IS GOING TO BE A
GIRL ELIZABETH IS THE 8/1 FAVORITE AND WHO BETTER TO NAME THE BABY AFTER
THAN WILLIAM'S GRANDMOTHER, AKA HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN.
Return to index of stories...
JEFFREY KOFMAN REPORTING.
THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT IS MOVING QUICKLY TO SCRAP A CENTURIES OLD LAW--
THAT HAS PUT MALE HEIRS AHEAD OF THEIR OLDER SISTERS.
FOR THE FIRST TIME--
WHETHER THE BABY IS A BOY OR GIRL--
HE OR SHE WILL BE A FUTURE KING OR QUEEN.
Return to index of stories...
NBC 2 IS PROUD TO CONTINUE THE GIVING TREE TRADITION.
WE'VE JOINED FORCES WITH THE FORT MYERS EDISON KIWANIS CLUB--
TO GIVE GIFTS TO 6-THOUSAND SENIORS LIVING IN NURSING HOMES.
JUST GO TO ANY PERKINS LOCATION IN LEE, COLLIER AND CHARLOTTE COUNTY.
SELECT A TAG, PURCHASE THE GIFT, WRAP AND RETURN IT TO PERKINS BY DECEMBER 7TH.
NBC2 AND THE KIWANIS CLUB WILL DELIVER IT BEFORE CHRISTMAS.
Return to index of stories...
HAVE YOU HERD ABOUT THE LATEST APP TO GO VIRAL.
THINK OF IT AS A TEXTING WITH A PICTURE--
BUT IT HAS ONE VERY DIFFERENT CHARACTERISTIC--
AND THAT HAS SOME PARENTS VERY WORRIED.
AND SANIBEL ISLAND IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE--
BUT IN A FEW SPOTS--
IT'S A NIGHTMARE OF CONGESTION--
BICYCLES-- PEDESTRIANS AND CARS!
TONIGHT NBC2 IS LOOKING INTO PLANS TO MAKE THOSE AREAS SMOOTH SAILING.
Return to index of stories...
THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE NBC2 WEATHER STAFF.
IT IS NOT A VERBATIM OF WHAT IS BEING SAID, BUT IS THE FORECAST FOR OUR AREA.
RAIN POSSIBLE
Our rain chances are now looking slightly more promising by midweek due to a disturbance sitting over the Deep South.
We'll start the day with a few patchy clouds with a few peaks of sunshine we go through the morning and afternoon. Our temperatures will still run a few degrees above average with highs aimed at the low 80s inland and upper 70s along the coast.
The first side effect we'll notice from this disturbance will be an increase in cloud cover from Wednesday afternoon through the first part of Thursday.
The disturbance should swing across Southwest Florida late Wednesday into Thursday morning, and as it does so, we may see some widely scattered showers Wednesday evening through Thursday morning. Don't get too excited about our rain prospects, however, as these showers should stay pretty isolated and "hit or miss."
A warm breeze out of the east will keep winds up to 5-15 mph during the day, but winds won't be quite as gusty as in previous days.
Once the disturbance exits Thursday afternoon, we'll get back to seeing mostly sunny and dry weather with daytime highs close to 80 and overnight temperatures dipping down to 60.
The upcoming weekend is looking very nice with partly cloudy skies and warmer than normal temperatures. We've seen some indications Saturday and Sunday might offer up a few more showers, so we'll continue monitoring this possibility over the next couple days.
Return to index of stories...
HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THE HOTTEST NEW APP?
WHILE KIDS LOVE IT--
SOME PARENTS ARE RAISING CONCERNS!
NBC2's HEATHER TURCO IS HERE WITH A LOOK AT "SNAPCHAT".
Return to index of stories...
AS A PARENT, WE KNOW IT'S IMPORTANT TO MEET OUR CHILDREN'S FRIENDS - AND KNOW WHERE THEY ARE HANGING OUT.
BUT IT'S NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING - ON THEIR PHONES.
AND "SNAPCHAT" IS JUST THE LATEST CONTROVERSIAL PHONE APP - CAUSING SOME PARENTS SLEEPLESS NIGHTS.
Return to index of stories...
WITH THREE TAPS ON YOUR PHONE, YOU CAN BE PART OF THE HOTTEST PHOTO-SHARING APP TODAY: SNAPCHAT. AND WHAT MAKES THIS APP SO DIFFERENT IS THAT IT PROMISES THAT YOUR PHOTOS WILL DISAPPEAR FROM CYBERSPACE. AFTER JUST TEN SECONDS.
Yeah and it's good cuz it like can't be seen again, so like if you take an ugly picture, no one can see it anymore after that.
WITH UP TO ONE THOUSAND PHOTOS SENT PER SECOND, SNAPCHAT IS TAKING THE SMARTPHONE WORLD BY STORM.
BUT WITH MOST USERS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 13 TO 24 AND SNAPCHAT'S CARTOON GHOST LOGO AND SELF-DESCRIBED 'JUVENILE' INTERFACE, EXPERTS CAUTION THAT KIDS COULD BE USING THe APP IN A MUCH MORE ADULT WAY.
SOT FROM Liz Gumbinner,
i think this kind of an app really gives a false sense of security to teens because there's something very alluring about being able to take risks and do things where there will be no evidence afterwards
THOSE RISKS COULD INCLUDE SEXTING. SENDING EXPLICIT PHOTOS FROM A PHONE.
SEARCHING THE POPULAR SOCIAL MEDIA SITE TWITTER FOR THE TERM "SNAPCHAT" REVEALS NUMEROUS TWEETS FROM PEOPLE LOOKING TO 'SEXT' WITH THE HOT NEW APP.
ONE SAYS: "UM HIT ME UP WITH THE CLEAVAGE ON SNAPCHAT. GREATLY APPRECIATED."
ANOTHER: PRACTICE SAFE SEXTING, HASH-TAG SNAPCHAT
LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS WARN SNAPCHAT IS NOT FOOLPROOF.
Paul Murphy, Utah Attorney General's Spokesman
"you could take a second camera and take a picture of it, that person could take that image and then distribute it to millions of people worldwide in a matter of seconds."
IN A STATEMENT TO NBC NEWS, SNAPCHAT FOUNDER EVAN SPIEGEL SAID, IN PART:
"WE BUILT SNAPCHAT TO GIVE PEOPLE A FUN, EXPRESSIVE AND AUTHENTIC WAY TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS. IF A SNAPCHATTER EVER RECEIVES A SNAP FROM ONE OF THEIR FRIENDS THAT THEY FIND OFFENSIVE WE RECOMMEND TAKING A SCREENSHOT, BLOCKING AND REPORTING THE USER. WE'VE BEEN BLOWN AWAY BY THE ENTHUSIASM FOR THE APP FROM PEOPLE OF ALL AGES."
AS WITH ANY INTERNET RISK, EXPERTS SAY THE KEY FOR PARENTS IS TO COMMUNICATE.
Liz Gumbinner
/ talk to your kids about safety and privacy early and often. the internet is not going away and it's best to just have the conversation and keep the communication open so that hopefully your kids will make better choices.
Return to index of stories...
WHILE THE PHOTOS DISAPPEAR IN A MATTER OF SECONDS--
IT IS POSSIBLE TO TAKE A SCREENSHOT OF AN IMAGE.
BUT IN THAT CASE--
THE SENDER GETS A NOTIFICATION FROM SNAPCHAT--
THAT THE RECIPIENT SAVED THE PHOTO.
Return to index of stories...
FACEBOOK USERS ARE VOTING THIS WEEK--
ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO COMPANY POLICY.
FACEBOOK WANTS TO REVISE ITS DATA USE POLICY AND STATEMENT OF RIGHTS.
THE PROPOSAL SPARKED OUTRAGE FROM PRIVACY GROUPS.
THEY SENT AN OPEN LETTER TO CEO MARK ZUCKERBERG.
FACEBOOK IS USING A CUSTOMIZED VOTING APP TO COLLECT THE VOTES.
A THIRD PARTY WILL TALLY THE RESULTS.
VOTING ENDS MONDAY AT NOON.
Return to index of stories...
SANIBEL LEADERS ARE ENCOURAGING DEVELOPMENT--
THEY'RE ALSO PREPARING FOR ADDITIONAL *TRAFFIC* NEW BUSINESS COULD BRING.
NBC2'S LAUREN DISPIRITO SHOWS YOU WHAT THAT COULD MEAN FOR WALKER, BIKERS, AND DRIVERS.
Return to index of stories...
LIKE MANY PEOPLE ON SANIBEL, MARK LUCAS WANTS TO SPEND AS MUCH TIME AS HE CAN OUTDOORS.
I don't want to be in the car, I'd rather be in the sunlight, getting exercise and enjoying myself
IN THE LAST SIX YEARS, SANIBEL LEADERS SAY THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE GETTING AROUND ON TWO WHEELS CLIMBED MORE THAN 50 PERCENT--
AND THERE ARE MORE THAN 70 PERCENT MORE WALKERS.
if you're foreign to this area and you're used to having lights, it takes a little bit to get used to
AS THOSE WALKERS AND BIKERS CROSS PERIWINKLE; DRIVERS MUST SLOW DOWN; CAUSING BOTTLENECKS.
the shared-use path network is essential to what the identity of Sanibel is, obviously, and we take it very seriously
Nats
TODAY-- COUNCIL VOTED TO HIRE A TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING FIRM, TO STUDY THREE TRAFFIC HOT SPOTS ALONG PERIWINKLE WAY:
take map
THE FIRST NEAR BAILEY ROAD; ANOTHER AT CASA YBEL -- AND AT TARPON BAY ROAD.
as we're watching the economy start to emerge better, we're seeing some redevelopment proposals for the island, and we want to look ahead to see what we can do from our shared use path as well as our roadway geometry.
CHANGES COULD INCLUDE MOVING OR ADDING CROSSWALKS.
NO WORD YET ON HOW MUCH THAT TRAFFIC STUDY WOULD COST.
it never hurts to investigate it and see what they can do to improve
CITY STAFF HOPE TO HIRE AN ENGINEERING FIRM NEXT MONTH. AND MAKE CHANGES THIS SUMMER.
ON SANIBEL, LAUREN DISPIRITO, NBC2.
Return to index of stories...
IF YOU'RE PLANNING A VACATION THIS CHRISTMAS--
IT WON'T COST YOU MUCH TO GET THERE.
UNFORTUNATELY IT'S GOING TO COST YOU A LOT MORE TO GET HOME!
YOU GUESSED--
AIRLINES ARE JACKING RATES TO SUNNY FLORIDA!
NBC2 IS INVESTIGATING THE REASONS WHY--
NEXT.
AND ALL NEW AT SIX--
Return to index of stories...
JUST WEEKS BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS--
AND SEVERAL MAJOR AIRLINES ARE RAISING AIR FARES!
BUT THOSE HIKES *ONLY* AFFECT THOSE TRAVELLING IN AND OUT OF FLORIDA.
TONIGHT THE NBC 2 INVESTIGATORS ARE GETTING TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS AIRLINE RATE HIKE.
NBC 2'S DAVE ELIAS IS AT LIVE AT SOUTHWEST REGIONAL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WITH MORE.
DAVE--
Return to index of stories...
WELL THIS SEEMS TO BE A CASE OF MONKEY SEE.MONKEY DO. IT ALL STARTED WITH UNITED AIRLINES RAISING TICKET PRICES BY $10 EACH WAY.IT SEEMS NOW THEIR ALL FOLLOWING SUIT AND THEY APPEAR TO BE TARGETING FLORIDA.
Return to index of stories...
/58:21 if the $10 trip is florida only it would seem a bit discriinatory. 58:30
UNITED, DELTA, AMERICAN AND SOUTWEST AIRLINES ALL ANNOUNCE THEY WILL RAISE TICKET PRICES $10 ON NEARLY ALL OF THEIR FLORIDA ROUTES.
Take SOT: Ann Sylvester/Business Traveller/
SOT IN: 02:59:20 Now they're going to even add more money onto my prices. It just makes it more difficult for a business traveller such as myself to get home and pay for all of these flights and so forth. 02:59:33
BUT WHY IS FLORIDA BEING TARGETED?
FULLSCREEN
I ASKED SOUTHWEST AIRLINES SPOKESWOMAN KATIE MCDONALD. HER REPLY".I DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER FOR YOU. WE'RE SIMPLY MATCHING OUR COMPETITORS PRICES.
NAT SOT: Oh that's not good now is it?
FULLSCREEN
AND MATT MILLER FROM AMERICAN AIRLINES COULDN'T GIVE SPECIFICS EITHER. HE ONLY SAID, "WE'RE MATCHING OUR COMPETITORS PRICES.
NAT SOT: Cheryl McClain/03:00:16 It's like they're nickle and diming you to death. 03:00:19
AIRLINE CONSULTING FIRM CAMPBELL-HILL AVIATION GROUP ISN'T SURPRISED FLORIDA IS BEING SINGLED OUT.
Fullscreen SOT/ 03:12:38 I think it comes down to the airline looking for a region of the country where there not making a lot of money right now, but they're operating very high load factors. 03:12:47
US AIRWAYS TRIED TO APPLY THE INCREASE IN ALL OF IT'S MARKETS BUT QUICKLY ROLLED THEM BACK TO JUST FLORIDA.
58:14 I guesss what we're seeing we're going to be forced to pay these increments. 58:20:
Return to index of stories...
INDUSTRY SOURCES TELL ME THAT BECAUSE SOUTHWEST AIRLINES JOINED THE FARE INCREASE THEY WILL MOST LIKELY STICK. THEY SAY SOUTHWEST USUALLY SETS THE PACE FOR THESE RATE HIKES. WE'RE ALSO TOLD THIS IS THE 15TH TIME THIS YEAR THAT AIRLINES HAVE TRIED TO BUMP UP PRICES. LIVE FROM RSW INTERNATIONAL, DAVE ELIAS NBC 2.
Return to index of stories...
