Note the question mark–when I first head about the story, I rolled my eyes and commented, “The TSA did it again,” but there is a question as to who was at fault. A Littleton woman said she missed her...
TSA Find Bomb, Leaves it Behind, Prompts Bomb Scare
Security analyst Bruce Schneider, a fierce critic of the TSA, brings us another example of the agency’s (in)competence: TSA screener finds two pipes in passenger’s bags. Screener determines that they’re not a threat. Screener confiscates them anyway, because of...
Spanair Ceases Operations
Barcelona-based Spanair, a Star Alliance Member, has ceased operations effective 27 January 2011. The struggling carrier has fought to stay afloat recently, but after a recent round of talks with Qatar Airways failed to produce an investment agreement, the...
Spirit Airlines Bickers Over the Return of All-In Pricing
A refreshing change has hit U.S. airline websites this morning: the return of all-in pricing. Under a new directive by the Department of Transportation, airlines must now display all-in pricing initially and at all junctures of your flight search–not...
Senator Rand Paul Detained by the TSA for Refusing Invasive Patdown
I want to be careful not to blow this story out of proportion, but there is a key point we can take away from today’s incident at Nashville Airport in which Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) was temporarily detained by...
TSA Carry-On Policy: Guns Yes, Cupcakes No
If the Transportation Security Administration was a Shakespeare play, it would be A Comedy of Errors. In an apparent case of mistaken identity and astounding sloppiness, an x-ray scanner picked up a .38-caliber revolver in a passenger’s carry-on baggage...
United Airlines Confirms Continued Use of "Rhapsody in Blue"
Lap it up as small victory in the “war of influence” (a war over whether Continental or United will emerge as the true post-meger airline), but United confirmed today it will keep “Rhapsody in Blue” as its signature theme...
Brussels Airlines Returns to New York JFK
It has been one decade since the Belgian flag carrier served New York City, but starting this summer Brussels Airlines, a Star Alliance member, will resume service between New York Kennedy and Brussels. SN0501 - DEPART BRU 10:20 ARRIVE...
KLM Matchmaking Service: Pick Your Seatmate on Facebook
Have you ever had a morbidly obese, chain-smoking, McDonald’s-loving, shower-hating seatmate next to you on a six hour transcon? Or the guy who won’t stop talking about his work? Or granny who feels the need to retell her family...
Bigoted Delta Pilot Throws Muslims Off Flight
How would you feel if you were searched by the TSA, then “randomly” searched and questioned again prior to boarding, then required by the airline gate agent to show your identification while other passengers were not, then pulled off...
Mark Schwab New Star Alliance CEO
Hot off the press, Star Alliance has named a replacement for departing CEO Jaan Albrecht. Mark Schwab, former Senior Vice President of Alliances at United Airlines, will continue his close work with Star Alliance, now as the head of...
Congressional Bill to "Strip" TSA Screeners of "Officer" Title
I concede that Congress has more important matters to worry about than the proper designation for a Transportation Security Administration clerk, but I have to applaud Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn’s attempt to roll back the “officer” designation, costume, and badge...
Fascinating Details Behind Air France 447 Crash
Mike sent me a fascinating story on Air France 447, a flight that crashed over the Atlantic Ocean nearly two years ago during a turbulent storm. After 18 months of searching, the black boxes were found and closely scrutizined....
What American Airlines’ Bankruptcy Filing Means for You
AMR Corp, parent of American Airlines, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this morning. Bankruptcy does not mean going out of business. Far from it, the move will allow the company to restructure and emerge as a more competitive...
Forced to Stand for Seven Hours on a US Airways Flight
The issue of how to approach a POS (passenger of size) is always a delicate one. As the debate rages over how much personal control some obese people really have over their weight, it is important to approach this...
Man Sues Delta for $2MN for Hearing Loss on Loud Flight
I have seen dozens of petty airline-related lawsuits over the years, but this one takes the cake. An Oregon man is suing Delta Air Lines for $2MN, claiming he suffered permanent hearing loss on a fight from Minneapolis to...
AirTran Airways Sued for Cockroaches and Indifference
Sort of like the composition of hot dogs, some thing things are better left unknown and we really do not want know what is creeping about behind air vents, walls, and floors on the aircraft we fly. But once...
Woman Tracks Down Laptop Stolen on Southwest Airlines Flight Using Craigslist
Sometimes, to catch a criminal you have to think like one. That is exactly what Ambre Boroughs did after finding her laptop stolen from her checked bag on a Southwest Airlines flight from Chicago to Charleston, South Carolina–and it...
Recognizing Pilot Bravery: Iran Air vs. LOT Polish Airlines
We have rightfully heard a lot of praise for the LOT Polish Airlines pilots who landed a Boeing 767 on its belly in Warsaw yesterday after the landing gear failed to deploy. Hailed as a hero, Captain Tadeusz Wrona...
A Closer Look at the EU Emissions Trading Scheme
26 counties, including the United States, lodged a formal protest today against a European Union law to tax all airlines travelling to and from Europe for their carbon emissions. Might this be the start of a trade war? Here...
