Around these parts, we hear our share of the frustrating, the woeful and the all-out angry. But when we catch hold of an idea that brings out the happy and rewarding stories of customers, we like to celebrate it. Herewith, then, the first of a few “Flying The Friendly Skies Fridays.” Or FTFSF, if you will. [More]
And Now: “Flying The Friendly Skies Fridays” Because Traveling Can Actually Be Fun
By March 22, 2013
Just Because You’re Wearing Epaulets & An Air France T-Shirt Doesn’t Mean You’re A Real Pilot
By March 22, 2013
Ugh, this guy is gonna ruin wearing Air France T-shirts and black leather jackets with epaulets for everybody: Pilots on a U.S. Airways flight were pretty sure a French man wearing the aforementioned ensemble wasn’t a pilot when he plunked down in a cockpit seat. Good catch, everyone. [More]
Southwest And AirTran Now Holding Hands: Flights Can Finally Be Booked Together
By March 20, 2013
Even though Southwest and AirTran got hitched back during their 2011 merger, the two have barely seemed like they were going steady, much less married. But now it appears they’re ready to let the whole world know they’re moving on to holding hands: all flights on either airline can now be booked together as one itinerary. [More]
Consumer Advocates To Senators: American Airlines & US Airways Merger Would Hurt Fliers
By March 19, 2013
Today American Airlines and its betrothed, US Airways had to defend their proposed merger in front of a Senate hearing and several consumer advocates. Citing higher fares, reduced service to smaller communities in the U.S. and a loss of competition among carriers, opponents of the impending nuptials testified at a Judiciary Committee hearing that such a joint venture would hurt consumers. [More]
All The Cool Adults Apparently Heading To Grown-Up Summer Camps
By March 19, 2013
Anyone who’s spent the intervening years since the dawning of adulthood and its subsequent loss of a guaranteed three-month vacation, dreaming of bunk beds and bug juice, you might think all hope of going back to camp is lost. But it ISN’T! You can still go canoeing and make lanyards, or be an actual adult about it and go to wine camp. There’s something for everyone these days. [More]
Beware, Hoarders Of Hotel Rewards Points: Book Now Before It’s Too Late
By March 18, 2013
Hey, you. Yes, you, the guy with the piles and piles of hotel rewards points stacked up nice and neat. Might want to think about booking a vacation and using up those points soon, as most of the major hotel chains have either already devalued their points or will do so pretty darn soon. [More]
United Airlines Thinks Dog Would Rather Take A Trip To Ireland Than Fly To Phoenix
By March 18, 2013
While plenty of people would love the chance to visit Ireland, land of at least four green fields and a rich cultural history, maybe sending a six-year-old dog on his own to the Emerald Isle isn’t a great idea. Especially when United Airlines was supposed to send the pooch, Hendrix, from Newark to Phoenix. [More]
TSA Chief Admits He Could’ve Rolled Out The Knives On Planes Policy In A Better Way
By March 15, 2013
When the head of the Transportation Security Administration announced recently that passengers could start bringing certain small knives and golf clubs on airplanes, quite a few in the airline industry were a bit perturbed, including many flight attendants. Pistole admitted yesterday that he could’ve rolled that policy out in a smoother manner. [More]
Another Day, Another Carnival Cruise Ship Reports Problems At Sea
By March 15, 2013
Yesterday we were shocked, simply shocked, to hear that yet Carnival cruise ship was having problems of the sewage-spewing nature. Passengers are scheduled to make it off the Dream soon without having to go through the days at sea the Triumph gang suffered through. But today is a new day, and with that new day comes fresh news of an entirely separate and beleaguered Carnival ship, the Legend. [More]
Another Carnival Cruise Ship Is In Trouble And Guess What? Toilets Are Overflowing
By March 14, 2013
UPDATE: Well, that was quick. Perhaps Carnival learned its lesson from Triumph, because the cruise line is reportedly going to fly passengers of the Dream home from the Caribbean after the ship suffered a generator failure. [More]
FAA Gives The Nod To Boeing’s Plan To Fix Its Dreamliner Battery Problem
By March 13, 2013
It’s been a bit turbulent for Boeing’s 787 Dreamliners, which have been grounded since mid-January around the world after various technological problems, glitches and fires which were thought to be caused by batteries malfunctioning. The company has been feverishly investigating the planes and it seems those efforts are paying off, as the Federal Aviation Administration has given the okay to Boeing’s proposed fix. [More]
Undercover TSA Inspector Gets Through Airport Security Just Fine With Fake Bomb In His Pants
By March 11, 2013
Critics feeling a bit squirrelly about the Transportation Security Administration’s recent decision to allow certain small knives on planes are likely a bit steamed up at the news that an undercover investigator reportedly managed to get past Newark airport security with a fake bomb. [More]
Air Marshals & Flight Attendants Not So Happy With This “Knives Are Okay On Planes Now” Thing
By March 6, 2013
Yesterday the Transportation Security Administration announced that it was tweaking the rules regarding small pocketknives, carry-on golf clubs and other sporting equipment. While travelers sick of losing their Swiss Army knives and other little blades rejoiced over the decision, groups representing Federal Air Marashals and flight attendants are all like, “Wait, hold up — knives on planes? Really?” [More]
I Am Sequestration, Here Me Roar: FAA Closing 173 Air Traffic Control Towers
By March 6, 2013
While the government warned of annoying long lines at airports across the country as a result of the budget cuts imposed by the March 1 sequestration, things haven’t seemed too bad yet (except for the usual weather woes). But it sounds like air travel is on the way to getting more annoying, as the Federal Aviation Administration says it’s going to shut down 173 air traffic control towers at smaller airports around the country on April 7. [More]
More Than 2,000 Flights Canceled Today & Tomorrow Because Of Snow
By March 5, 2013
Remember when you looked forward to lots of snow? Neither do we. [More]
pointy stuffMore than a decade after enacting strict prohibitions on carrying knives on U.S. flights, Transportation Security Administration head John Pistole says the agency will begin allowing smaller pocketknives and limited carry-on of golf clubs and other sporting equipment. (via Bloomberg)
United Holds Connecting Flight So Passenger Can Get To Dying Mother
By March 4, 2013
Given the current state of the airline industry and the nature of the stories that people send to us, it’s nice to hear the occasional account of airline staffers going to extra lengths to help a passenger out. [More]
Standing In A Long Line At The Airport Right Now? You Can Maybe Blame Sequestration
By March 4, 2013
The Department of Transportation issued a foreboding warning about the effects of across-the-board government spending cuts if sequestration went into effect on March 1, which it did. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano is already warning travelers of delays, but if you’re currently standing in a long line at airport security, this isn’t news to you. [More]
