It is currently 0250 on New Year’s Day in Lisbon and I just got back to my hostel (rather early because of my morning bus trip) from New Year’s festivities near the waterfront. It’s late and I don’t want...
Christmas Greetings and a Salute to United’s Fantasy Flight
I used Thanksgiving day to express my thanks to particular people at United for their hard work and dedication throughout the year and I want to use this Christmas Day post to commend United for their annual Fantasy Flight...
Kicking Myself for Rookie Mistake—Live from 40K Feet
I am currently 40K feet above the ground en route from JFK to SFO, just finished Inglorious Basterds (didn’t like it), and I thought I’d try out United’s GoGo internet service. I’m impressed. My 1100 flight was oversold and...
Recap: Two Bumps, SilverKris Lounge, and the SFO Red Roof Inn
I reported yesterday that I scored a bump on my Sunday SFO-PHL flight and was rebooked in First Class on a non-stop flight this morning. The flight was oversold again and I happily gave up my seat for another...
Another $600 Bump
And my SFO-PHL flight is oversold again today. More details later.
Wish I was Traveling on UA Today
For all you folks traveling to IAD today: I am jealous. Talk about the holy grail of VDB opportunities… It appears United is handling the situation well. I applaud the employees who are volunteering to put in some extra...
When Standby Doesn’t Pay Off on United
I’m in a bit of a bind this weekend thanks to the winter storms that will be hitting the East Coast tomorrow. I booked a Sunday morning return from Burbank to Philadelphia via SFO because it was half the...
Another Reason Not to Check Bags on United
As if the $25 fee wasn’t enough… First off, I decided to go with the quickest option, a one-stop through Chicago, and everything went smoothly. The upgrades cleared, the service was good, and the flights were on time. I...
Travel Dilemma for Tomorrow on United
I am confirmed in First Class on the evening non-stop from Philadelphia to Los Angeles tomorrow on United but need to come home in the morning due to a family emergency that has arisen. No bumps tomorrow… There are...
Fly from Alabama to Philadelphia via Denver? Sure. First Class? Sure. Thanks UA!
Sunday afternoon I arrived at Hunstville, AL for my flight back to Philadelphia (via IAD and ORD) only to find the ExpressJet plane that was scheduled to take me back to Washington was broken. A replacement jet was dispatched...
I Survived My Trip on Mesa Air!
Despite an unresolved mechanical delay that cost me 40 minutes at Washington Dulles today, I was pleased with my travel experience on Mesa. Last time I flew Mesa, I witnessed a FA cuss out a passenger because his bag would not...
A Day of Flying on United Express
I am traveling to Alabama today and am taking two United Express flights to get there, one on Trans States and one on Mesa (aka Messy Air). Hopefully I’ll make it! Actually, I agree with Gray’s assessment of travel...
United Orders 25 A350s and 25 787s
United announced today it will split its wide-body order evenly between Airbus and Boeing and has placed a firm order for 25 A350s and 25 787s. Justifying the split order, United stated: The breadth in size and capabilities of...
All I Want for Christmas is…Another Bump on United
Well, not really, but last week I booked a nice little MR to get me back to Los Angeles on Christmas Eve and was pleased to find that the Economy cabin is now zeroed out more than 2.5 weeks...
The Precarious Proposition of Airline Stocks: Fool’s Game or Viable Get-Rich-Quick Scheme?
Market analysts broadly agree that airline stock is a poor long-term investment. Robert Crandall, American Airline’s former CEO said of his airline, “It’s a great company that does important work. But airlines are not an investment.” (BTW, you might...
Comparing Dinner on Alaska, Continental, Delta, United, and US Airways
With the exception of American Airlines, I have been fortunate enough to fly in the forward cabins on each of America’s legacy carriers. While seat comfort, service, route network, and most importantly mileage program will likely be more determinate...
Too Fat to Fly? Dealing with Passengers of Size
photo credit to Flightglobal.com Discussing overweight passengers is like discussing politics or religion around the Thanksgiving dinner table with family: generally not a good idea. When I saw the picture above, though, I felt compelled to address the issue....
Mother Smothers Baby while Breastfeeding on a United 777 from Kuwait to Washington
Unlike my last mother-baby story (mother and newborn get free flights for life on AirAsia after mother gives birth onboard), this story does not have a happy ending: A baby girl died when her mum fell asleep as she...
A Recap of My Thanksgiving Travel on United – Yes, I scored another $600 bump
I mentioned last week that I had a row with a Service Director at SFO on Wednesday. I had just arrived from San Diego (surly and argumentative SEA-based FA’s on the flight) and had a tight connection down to...
Easy Bump or Illusory Hope? Gauging my Chances for a VDB Opportunity on United Today
I am scheduled to fly from Ontario, CA (ONT)-SFO-ORD-PHL later today and am hoping that I will get the opportunity to give up my seat on one of the flights. Unfortunately, it looks like my best shot is ONT-SFO...
