Despite its name, Continental Airlines Inc. had always omitted one continent from its destinations — Africa. But that’s going to chance in November 2011 when the airline will begin flying nonstop from its Houston hub to Nigeria. [More]
houston
Texas Woman Awarded $9 Million In Walmart False Arrest Lawsuit
By 3.28.10
After being accused of cashing counterfeit money orders and arrested at a Walmart in 2008, a Houston woman has won $9 million in damages in a civil lawsuit against the retailer. 24-year-old Nitra Gipson spent two days in jail…and the money orders turned out to be genuine. [More]
Lawyer Loses Coat, Threatens To Sue City Of Houston & Continental Airlines
By 3.5.10
If you’ve traveled enough in your life, you’ve probably made the mistake of leaving something in the airport or on a plane. But have you ever thought of filing a lawsuit against the airline? Or better yet the city in which the airport is located? Well, just like a middle-age, upper-class male version of Norma Rae, there’s a Texas lawyer willing to put his neck on the line for us all. [More]
Comcast Charges Hurricane Victim $24.95 For Calling Customer Service
By 1.24.09
Comcast charged Robert a $24.95 “Customertroublecall” fee after he called to ask why they were taking over a month to restore his service after Hurricane Ike swooped in and caused over $3,000 worth of damage. Robert wanted to know why Comcast was continually missing their scheduled service appointments and why they insisted on billing him for a service he couldn’t use.
To Avoid Paying $25 Million, Insurance Co Claims Smoke Killing 3 In Fire Was "Pollution"
By 12.18.08
An insurance company with a potential $25 million liability from a 2007 Houston office fire is claiming smoke that killed three people was “pollution” and surviving families shouldn’t be compensated for their losses…
Stop Whining About Hurricane Ike, You're Scheduled To Work At Walgreens
By 9.15.08
Nearly all of Houston has no power and most has no water. Even though my upstairs ceiling caved in, my manager at Walgreens said “you’re scheduled to work and are expected to be here.”
Burger King Launches The "Token-Powered Pay Toilet"
By 7.28.08
A Burger King in Houston, TX has had it with bathroom vandalism, so they’ve installed a pay toilet. You can operate it with your own quarters, or you can request a token– but either way you have to feed the machine in order to… you know… says the Houston Chronicle.
Racial Slur-Dropping Debt-Collection Agency Settles With FTC For $1.3 Million
By 11.8.07
A debt-collection agency settled with the FTC for $1.3 million after thousands of complaints were lodged against the company for abusive and illegal practices. LTD used threatening language and racial slurs against debtors. They also threatened they would garnish debtor’s wages, something that can’t happen without a trial. Company managers were found to be complicit in its employees illegal actions. LTD collected debts for major credit card companies and retail chains.
Comcast Changes Your Telephone Number, Neglects To Inform You
By 8.1.07
Welcome, Comcast, to Houston, TX, where you’ve already managed to irritate your brand new customers. Laura Gill is perhaps the most irritated of them all.
Marvin Zindler, Consumer Reporter, Dies at 85
By 7.30.07
Join the Consumerist in remembering Marvin Zindler, consumer reporter from Houston, TX. Zindler delivered the weekly “rat and roach” reports and famous catch phrase “all together now, SLIIIME in the ice machine,” on Houston’s channel 13 for nearly 35 years.
Mom And Toddler Kicked Off Continental Flight For Talking Too Much
By 7.12.07
A passenger on a Continental ExpressJet flight from Houston to Oklahoma City says she was removed from the flight because her toddler would not stop repeating the phrase, “Bye, bye plane.”
4 Days Until "Juicy Raspberry!"
By 6.23.07
Emily from Houston brings us breaking news of the Starbucks raspberry syrup situation:
I went to Starbucks today and read their countdown message board – 4 days to raspberry mochas and frappa-wappa-who-whatsits.
Anybody Wanna Buy An Enron CEO's Desk?
By 3.22.07
Lay and Skilling, who also served as CEO, were convicted in May 2006 for their role in the accounting fraud that led to the collapse of Enron in 2001. The bankruptcy erased billions in investors’ money and wiped out the pensions of thousands of Enron employees.
Lost Luggage Found In Dumpster
By 12.27.06
The dumpster near the George Bush Intercontinental Airport contained dozens upon dozens of suitcases. Many were rifled through and missing valuables, including presents, camcorders and computers.
Anti-Gay Landscaper Comes Out Of The Proverbial Closet
By 11.9.06
The story of a Houston landscaping company that refused to work for a local gay couple finally percolated to the AP newswire. There, the AP reporters achieved the heretofore impossible, an actual quote from the Farbers, owners of the Garden Guy company.
Garden Guy Homophobia Applauded By Area Newspaper
By 10.20.06
The rumble in the jungle over a landscaper refusing to do work for homosexuals has made its way from internet dustup to ithe Houston Chronicle. Columnist Rick Casey does an excellent job of summarizing the event’s details.
