Amid increasing tensions between Uber drivers and its “Always be hustlin'” corporate bro-verlords, the currently CEO-less company has decided to institute a big change that could result in drivers taking home more money: For the first time, drivers nationwide will be allowed to accept tips from passengers via the Uber app. [More]
Transportation & Infrastructure
Lack Of New Pilots Could Soon Leave Travelers With Fewer Options
By 6.20.17
Unless the aviation industry adds 255,000 more pilots in 10 years, airlines won’t be able to sustain their current growth rate or handle an expected increase in customer traffic. [More]
Southwest Remembers Jets Have Two Doors So People Exit Plane Faster
By 6.19.17
Have you ever been near the back of a plane, waiting for the line of exiting passengers to start moving when you remember, “Hey, there’s another door back here! Maybe we could use that and speed things up?” Looks like Southwest has had the same epiphany. [More]
This Tesla Model X Consumes Electricity, Emits Kittens
By 6.19.17
Tesla’s fancy electric vehicles have been criticized by some car lovers for not having the beloved “purr” of an internal combustion engine. But there is one Tesla that was hiding a “meow” in the bumper. [More]
How Does Trump Cuba Policy Change Affect Travelers & Airlines?
By 6.16.17
Just a month after lawmakers introduced a bipartisan bill that would open up Cuba to tourist travel following the 2016 decision to end the all-out travel ban, the Trump administration has outlined a proposal that would restrict the small amount of tourist travel currently allowed, potentially throwing a wrench in airlines’ business in the country. [More]
How To Protect Yourself From Getting Scammed By Bad Movers
By 6.16.17
While you may feel yourself slowing down as the days grow longer and the temperatures go up, summer is the busiest time of the year for movers. Millions of us are likely to pack up and move house between June and September. But moving is a fraught proposition; it can be hard to tell the difference between a legitimate outfit that will properly bring you your stuff, and one that will steal from you or extort you for cash. [More]
TSA Testing New CT Scanner That Could Eventually Ease Restrictions On Liquids, Electronics
By 6.16.17
Imagine a future where you can bring a large bottle of water and your laptop or tablet with you into the cabin of a commercial flight. The Transportation Security Administration is testing one of its new computerized tomography (CT) scanning machines for carry-on bags in Phoenix, and will soon launch a test in Boston. The use of these machines in the future could mean fewer restrictions on carry-on items, and faster security screening. [More]
Rape Victim Sues Uber After Learning Company Exec Obtained, Shared Her Medical Records
By 6.15.17
The 2014 rape of an Uber passenger by her driver was in the news again recently when it was reported that an Uber executive had not only obtained the woman’s medical records in an attempt to discredit her, but shared them with others at the company. Now the passenger is suing the ride-hailing service for invading her privacy. [More]
Airline Complaints Soar Following United’s Forced Removal Of Passenger
By 6.15.17
The Department of Transportation has released its latest report on consumer air travel complaints, and it looks like a number of high profile incidents — including the United passenger who was dragged from his seat to make room for an airline employee — may have inspired peeved travelers to speak up. [More]
Chrysler Recalls 209K Dodge Minivans Over Airbags That Can Deploy Without Warning
By 6.15.17
Your airbag can go from a potential lifesaver to a hazard if it deploys when it’s not supposed to. That’s why Chrysler is recalling 209,000 Grand Caravan minivans with airbags that might inflate when they aren’t supposed to. [More]
Judge Orders Drunk Drivers To Install Uber, Lyft Apps While On Probation
By 6.14.17
In an effort to keep people under the influence off the roads when they’ve been drinking, a judge in Ohio is ordering folks who have been convicted of drunk driving to install ride-hailing apps like Uber or Lyft. [More]
United Airlines Sorry About That Video Of Employee Shoving 71-Year-Old
By 6.14.17
As if United Airlines hasn’t had enough customer service issues to deal with this year, the carrier is once again apologizing to a passenger. This time, the company issued regrets for a nearly two-year-old incident that was thrust into the spotlight this week after a Texas man filed a lawsuit against the airline and two employees alleging he was injured when one of the workers pushed him to the ground during a confrontation that was caught on security camera. [More]
Uber CEO Takes Leave Of Absence As Internal Report Criticizes “Always Be Hustlin'” Culture
By 6.13.17
Apple’s Tim Cook Sees Self-Driving Cars As “Mother Of All AI Projects”
By 6.13.17
Ever since we heard the first whispers that Apple was working on some kind of car project, people have wondered whether the electronics company would actually produce a vehicle, or if it was focusing more on the technology side of things. Now we have an answer, straight from the mouth of CEO Tim Cook. [More]
Toyota To Pay $14M To Victims Of Crash Involving Camry
By 6.12.17
Eleven years after a crash caused by a Toyota Camry that accelerated uncontrollably, killing three people and injuring several others, a judge upheld a jury’s finding that Toyota was liable for the incident, ordering the carmaker to pay $14 million.
Uber CEO Travis Kalanick May Take Leave Of Absence Amid Controversies
By 6.12.17
Amid a recent avalanche of bad headlines — including the release of an email memo to employees outlining his rules for partying and sex — Uber CEO Travis Kalanick may step away from the company for a bit. [More]
Basic Economy Flights Exist To Make You Pay More For Air Travel
By 6.9.17
If you haven’t booked any air travel recently, you might encounter something new to you the next time you schedule a trip: A new class of travel called “basic economy.” In exchange for lower fares, travelers in the basic economy section board last, can’t upgrade, and don’t have access to overhead bins. This sounds fair, but these flights may not be the great deals that they seem. [More]
12 States Say They Will Sue Trump Administration If EPA Rolls Back Vehicle Emissions Standards
By 6.9.17
The environmental fight between certain states and the Trump administration continues, with more than a dozen attorneys general putting the White House on alert that they will sue if the Environmental Protection Agency moves forward with its plan to undo automotive greenhouse gas emissions standards that the previous administration put in place. [More]
