I summited Everest 18 years ago. This photo by Konsta Punkka appears (to me) to be taken from Pumori. It really brings me back. This photo was taken in April/May, when basecamp is fully built-out. Basecamp looks about the same size as when I climbed it. This may surprise those who think the mountain has gotten way more crowded. The fact is that the Khumbu icefall basin is large and can accomodate a lot of tents. Fun fact from Konsta, the mountain lighted up behind is actually in Tibet and the one in front in Nepal.
Curiosity prompted me to investigate reasons for celebrity flying bans and the travel time to Europe for affected celebrities.
In April 2006, Snoop Dogg and his entourage were involved in a fracas at Heathrow Airport in London. This altercation with airport security led to several members of his group being arrested. Following this incident, British Airways stated that they would not allow Snoop Dogg and those involved in the altercation to fly with them in the future. A spokesperson for the airline was quoted saying, “Given the nature of the incident, we are making sure that none of them will be allowed to travel with BA ever again.”
Other celebrities have been banned from airlines, usually due to disruptive behavior. Here are a few examples:
Alec Baldwin: In 2011, the actor was removed from an American Airlines flight and received a ban for refusing to turn off his phone, as he was playing a game while the plane was about to take off.
Naomi Campbell: The supermodel was escorted off a flight and banned from British Airways in 2008 following an altercation with airport police over lost luggage.
David Hasselhoff: He was reportedly not allowed to board British Airways after being found intoxicated at an airport lounge. He boarded a later plane after the captain and crew said they were happy to take him if he had no more to drink.
Ivana Trump: In 2009, Ivana Trump, the former wife of Donald Trump, was escorted off a plane after she became belligerent when children were running and screaming in the aisles.
Josh Duhamel: Josh Duhamel refused to turn off his cell phone as his airplane was taxiing down the runway. The pilot turned the airplane around. Duhamel was escorted off.
Kate Moss: The supermodel was escorted off an EasyJet flight for disruptive behavior in 2015, leading to reports of a possible ban. She called the pilot of the flight a ‘basic b****. She was escorted from the plane by police at Luton Airport after becoming ‘disruptive’, causing the pilot to phone ahead and ask officers to meet the flight.
Jonathan Rhys Meyers: Tudors actor was banned from United Airlines for a period after displaying drunken and disruptive behavior during a flight.
Liam Gallagher: After an argument on a flight to Australia in 1998 that apparently involved a scone, english rocker Liam Gallagher was banned for life from Cathay Pacific airlines; he responded that he would “rather walk”.
Such bans can be lifted.
It’s highly unlikely that anyone has been banned from all commercial airlines globally. Airlines operate independently and set their own passenger restrictions. There’s no central clearinghouse that tracks malfeasance. While someone might be banned from one or several airlines for various reasons, being banned from every commercial airline operating globally is practically impossible. There are many commercial airlines.
It’s not just commercial airlines who have a say if someone gets to fly.
Governments also have no-fly lists of their own, which also operate independently. These lists are mostly about anti-terrorism, rather than passengers who cannot control their emotions. Some well-known government-imposed no-fly lists include:
The United States’ No Fly List, part of the Terrorist Screening Database managed by the Terrorist Screening Center.
The United Kingdom’s No Fly List, used as part of its broader aviation security measures and Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill.
Canada’s Secure Air Travel Act List, under its Passenger Protect Program.
The European Union’s Common Risk Indicators list, part of broader EU security regulations.
Other large countries have their own no-fly list equivalent, for which the name, criteria and process for adding individuals to these lists are confidential or top-secret and part of larger security and intelligence operations. Like those seen in 007 and Mission Impossible movies. For example, Germany likely uses the Schengen Information System and coordinates with EU security protocols.
Traversing oceans without commercial airplanes is viable, albeit very slow. A route from San Francisco to Berlin can include a 7-day car trip to the East Coast, a 14-day cruise to Europe, and a 2-day train journey to Berlin. An alternative sea route via the Panama Canal to Europe might take a month, followed by 2 days on a train to Berlin. Essentially, losing flying privileges can significantly prolong travel.
This exploration of loss focuses on flying privileges. Future writings will delve into the consequences of losing credit card privileges, and for information security and identity verification, the implications of losing control of one’s face scan and fingerprints.
What sign did Quncy hang above the door? “Check your ego at the door”
Who didn’t come because he thought it might be too many people and questionable quality? Prince.
Who wrote a lot of it, and saved the day with several impromptu verse writings this night? Michael Jackson, along with Lionel Richie, wrote the song and played a significant role in its development.
Who co-hosted the AMAs the previous night, won a handful of AMA awards, and played a key role in the “We Are the World” recording? Lionel Richie
Who produced and directed the evening? Quincy Jones
Who was the least nervous? Stevie Wonder
Who got paid? No one. All singers and participants, including technical staff, volunteered their time.
Who celebrated early? There are no verified reports of Al Jarreau or any other artist getting drunk at the event. But Al may have drunk wine.
What takeout did they get? Food from Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles and Wendy’s hamburgers was provided.
What did Kenny Rogers eat? Wendy’s burgers nom nom.
Who wore white “We are the world” sweatshirts? Kenny Rogers and Diana Ross
What comedian was there? Dan Aykroyd because of his role in Blues Brothers.
Who walked out during recording? Waylon Jennings. Stevie Wonder wanted everyone to sing a verse in Swahili, but no one spoke it very well. Waylon said, “No good ol’ boy ever spoke Swahili” and left. Swahili isn’t spoken in Ethiopia, the country for which the food drive was primarily organized.
Who was the last to leave? Diana Ross was among the last to leave, famously expressing she didn’t want it to end.
Below is a slightly edited note I sent to my friend Matt Mullenweg, who’s taking a sabbatical and asked friends for advice on how to spend this valuable time. My suggestions are skill-focused, a framing I find useful. I’m interested in how you’d use the time. Feel free to drop me a note.
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Sabbatical Recommendations:
Flying: Begin with a 14-day AFIT course. If you enjoy it, try a 10-day seaplane course in Alaska (Float Ratings). For hands-on experience, consider building an FX3 bush plane or a Kitfox.
Sailing: Sail from San Francisco to Honolulu or vice versa (harder). Regular trips are available for this route.
Scuba Diving: If you’re a beginner, learn to dive. Experienced? Try Molokini’s back wall for ghost shrimp, the Galapagos for hammerhead sharks, Socorro for giant mantas, and Bimini for shark feeding.
Mountain Climbing: Climb Half Dome before Memorial Day. For a greater challenge, consider Mount Shasta, Rainier, or Denali in June.
Improv Classes: I found an in-person course at BATS intellectually stimulating and great for storytelling skills.
Cycling: Bike to Santa Cruz in 1-2 days or explore the French countryside.
Kayaking: Kayak from San Francisco to Napa, a 2-3 day journey. I’ve also rowed to Sacramento twice.
Dexterity: Learn skills like whistling with fingers, bubble blowing, card shuffling, handstands, one-arm push-ups, juggling, and diabolo. They’re calming and inspire children.
Hunting. I don’t know how to hunt, but I enjoy watching the “Meateater” show a lot which is basically a howto guide to sustenance adventure hunting
Painting: Paint 10 things. It’s a romantic and surprisingly rewarding activity. Big Sur Food & Wine has an event.
Singing: Learn to sing a karaoke song. “I Will Survive” and “Bananas” by Gwen Stefani are great choices.
Musical Instrument: Learn a song on the piano or guitar, ideal for family gatherings and campfires.
Paragliding: Learn at Lions Head in Cape Town, or nearby at Fort Funston and Monterey. This is especially good if you find airplane and helicopter too loud, but want to take to the skies
Work in a Different Field: Spend a few days as a barista or delivering packages. Avoid dangerous jobs. Provides a new respect for a ton of things
Intern at a Top Restaurant: I can connect you with noma for an unpaid internship. This is called stage’ing.
African Safari: It’s elegant, safe, adventurous, and culturally enriching. The queen did it, a lot.
Teaching: Teach a friend something new to them, or train a curious pet to sit, stay, come, heal. It’s honestly one of the things that’s made me most happy over the years. Teaching an attentive student is very rewarding
Cooking: Learn to make your favorite dish. There are various cooking classes available. My friend Ken went to Le Cordon Bleu. There are ramen classes in SF.
Video Games: Study a hard game’s mechanics to become an expert. Meet the designer. Elon plays Eldon Ring; I enjoy Polytopia.
Golf: Learn to play. It’s social, outdoor, and best enjoyed sober.
Escape from Alcatraz: Swim from Alcatraz. I’ve done it many times and can guide you. It’s definitely type 2 fun. Takes 45-minutes and we can do it literally any day with virtually no notice. Either I can pilot you in a rowboat, or we can get a friend of mine to pilot us and I’ll swim it with you. Wetsuits are OK
Film Study: Watch all movies by a great director and meet them.
Write a Book: Pithy but solid advice and enhances credibility.
Work Skill: Acquire a new skill essential to your job, focusing on a core area you haven’t yet mastered but is vital for your team’s success.
Do please consider how old you let yourself get if you want to see your kids have certain life events before you shuffle off this mortal coil.
The trend of couples in developed urban areas waiting until their 30s and 40s to have children has implications for family dynamics and generational relationships. If a man becomes a father in his 40s, he might pass away around the time his children reach milestones like marriage, particularly if he has an average life expectancy. Consequently, he may not have the opportunity to meet his grandchildren or significantly influence their lives firsthand. Instead, his legacy and memory would be passed down through stories and photographs, shaping the family’s narrative and history in a different, yet still meaningful, way.
This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.
I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community, and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.
I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no “brief candle” for me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.
