The sun is not even up and I am already preparing to leave for work. I don’t have to report to the office for another three hours, but the trains aren’t running this morning throughout much of Germany, including...
United E-Certs Now Valid on Continental Flights!
Although United has cut back on compensation, recently halving the amount offered for service issues on domestic flights, they remain the most generous legacy carrier in the United States when it comes to making amends. I anticipate that will change...
Amtrak Throws Out the TSA
Watch and weep: Yes, that’s the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) performing security checks at the Amtrak station in Savannah, Georgia. Never mind the fact that they were screening passengers as they got off a train. Never mind the fact...
Texas Lawmakers Attempt to Ban TSA Full Body Scanners
A posse of Lone State lawmakers has a message for the TSA: Don’t mess with Texas. Republican State Representative David Simpson has introduced two bills targetting the TSA. Here are the highlights: HB 1938 …(b) An airport operator may...
Virgin Atlantic Lounge Masseuses Sue Airline
In typical tabloid fashion, we read about the plight of two Virgin Atlantic lounge masseuses: Beauty therapists Jayne Evans, 40, and Michelle Hindmarch, 35, each developed chronic muscular strain – including pain in their shoulders, upper back and wrists...
Hyatt Unveils Second Quarter Promotion – Up to 60K Gold Passport Points
Gold Passport Concierge, Hyatt’s representative on Flyertalk, announced Hyatt’s eagerly anticipated second quarter promotion today: We’re excited to announce details of the Hyatt Gold Passport promotion! Starting 4/1, members who stay 5 eligible nights at any Hyatt worldwide will...
Transfer Miles Freely and Enjoy Elite Status on Both Continental and United
Nick sums up today’s announcement that United and Continental miles can be freely transferred between accounts and elites can enjoy status with both airlines perfectly–I have only my own two cents to add. Word came this morning from Scott O’Leary,...
Kobe Bryant, the Armenian Genocide, and Turkish Airlines
I have been a big fan of Kobe Bryant since his NBA rookie year in 1996. Although I haven’t followed any sort of professional sport closely while living in Philadelphia or Frankfurt the last couple years, as a Southern California...
Should United Start Taking Meal Orders from Front-to-Back like Continental?
A raucous debate is going on right now on amongst frequent flyers regarding how meal orders should be taken in premium cabins of the combined United/Continental. Currently, Continental takes meal orders from front-to-back on all flights, regardless of fare...
TSA Wants To Charge You for Carry-On Bags!
In a Capitol Hill hearing this week, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano complained that extra carry-on bags brought through TSA checkpoints due to high airline checked-baggage fees are costing the agency an additional $260MN each year, forcing security...
Continental Eliminates Free Snacks in Economy Class
If you are a big fan of pretzels or biscoff cookies while flying on Continental Airlines, you better bring your own. On Tuesday, the carrier eliminated these free treats on all routes that do not feature BusinessFirst seating. Among the...
As it Considers a Makeover, TSA Lets Man Slip Onto Plane with Three Box Cutters
Washington, DC is my favorite city in America and other than family and friends, that is the thing (well, place) I miss most as I enter my third month in Germany. DC is a bustling city filled with great...
Ryanair Slams Airline Fuel Surcharges
For all the publicity stunts they play, I just love it when Ryanair tells it like it is. Promising "never" to charge fuel surcharges on their airline tickets, Ryanair lashed out at competitors today for what it calls "rip...
Don’t Mail VDB Vouchers to United for Ticketing
I type this as I wait on hold, now entering the second hour of Rhapsody in Blue, as United tries to ticket a reservation that should have been issued weeks ago. Some background: when you take a domestic bump...
Breaking: Two Dead in Frankfurt Airport Shooting
No confirmed details yet, but I am getting word that two people are dead and two are seriously injured after a shooting at Frankfurt International Airport just minutes ago. A Kosovarian suspect is under arrest. With an office right in the...
United Embraces Functionality Over Creativity in New Ad Campaign
Details are emerging about the future ad campaign of the new United/Continental. Just as we said goodbye to the tulip earlier today, we can also say goodbye to United’s iconic abstract advertising campaign: Chicago-based United’s new campaign, the first...
United Phases Out the Tulip
While Damian already pointed out changes to the United Airlines’ website that popped up today, I must briefly add my euology for the United tulip, now formally phased out of United’s brand book. Thankfully, the new look to united.com hasn’t...
DOT Fines American Airlines for Deceiving Passengers
Back in August I stopped by an American Airlines’ ticket counter at SNA to book a ticket for a client using a voucher. Unbeknownst to him (and me), I found that AA levies a $30 fee to book at...
Would You Buy an Airline Ticket that Fluctuates with Fuel Prices?
Nevada-based Allegiant Air has written a letter to the Department of Transportation stating its intention to introduce a new whole new meaning to the definition of a flexible ticket: When making a purchase, consumer would be able to choose...
Seize the Moment: Travel While You Can
When the opportunity arises for travel, take it. Life on this earth is too short too sit on the sidelines and reason with yourself that you will do it sometime in the future. Next summer. After graduation. For my...
