def getAlternativeTrips(trip_id):
    #TODO: clean up datetime, and queries here
    #d = datetime.datetime.now() - datetime.timedelta(days=6)
    #query = {'trip_id':trip_id, 'trip_start_datetime':{"$gt":d}}
    query = {'trip_id':trip_id}
    alternatives = get_alternatives_db().find(query)
    if alternatives.estimated_document_count() > 0:
        logging.debug("Number of alternatives for trip %s is %d" % (trip_id, alternatives.estimated_document_count()))
        return alternatives
    raise AlternativesNotFound("No Alternatives Found")