Roundup

• A passenger on a regional flight to Auckland, New Zealand from New Plymouth managed to bring a rifle onboard the flight. As reported, he was pulled aside only before he boarded another flight to Kerikeri.
• Skywest Airlines has apologized for forcing him to urinate into an air sickness bag on a flight from Boise to Salt Lake City last week. The FAA considers declaring a lavatory inoperable for an hour long flight acceptable. On this flight, the pilot switched on the Fasten Seatbelt sign because it was unusable due to the fact the light in it was out. James Whipple had used the bathroom while the plane was taxiing to the gate, and in the airport before he left. But after a soft drink, he needed to again, and the flight attendant refused to allow him. Feeling as if he had no choice, he urinated into the bag. When confronted, he freely admitted it. Whipple was taken off the plane by the police, but no charges were filed against him.

Do customers have the right to toilet facilities on flights? Is security at some airports so lax that any weapon can get on the plane? We welcome your thoughts.