Early this year, Uber found itself the target of a social media campaign urging people to #DeleteUber, prompted indirectly by a travel ban proposed by the federal government. Unsurprisingly, that movement has proved fruitful for the ride-hailing service’s biggest competitor, Lyft. [More]
Transportation & Infrastructure
Southwest Promises To Fix Glitch That Scraps Priority Boarding For Frequent Fliers
By 8.15.17
Although there’s no first-class seating on Southwest Airlines, members in the top tiers of the carrier’s frequent flier program do get one important perk when it comes time to get on the plane: Priority boarding, which means that they’re usually among the first in line. But a recent glitch has taken that benefit away for many passengers lately, ticking a lot of them off in the process. [More]
Why Are Chinese Car Companies So Interested In Buying Fiat Chrysler?
By 8.14.17
After years of perusing the dating apps, hoping for a multi-billion dollar love connection, Fiat Chrysler has reportedly found itself on the receiving end of a Bachelor-like rose from an unnamed Chinese auto manufacturer. Except, the company has said “thanks, but no thanks,” leaving us with all kinds of questions. [More]
Uber Passenger Dies After Altercation With Driver
By 8.14.17
A Florida Uber passenger died after one of the ride-hailing company’s drivers allegedly punched him during a dispute. [More]
Will The Total Solar Eclipse Affect Solar Power?
By 8.11.17
You’re ready for the eclipse on Aug. 21, with your non-counterfeit viewing glasses and travel plans set. Yet here’s something that you may not have thought of: How will a total or even a partial solar eclipse affect homes and workplaces that use solar power? [More]
American Airlines’ “First-Class” Lobster Roll Doesn’t Even Get The “Roll” Part Right
By 8.10.17
‘Tis the season for lobster rolls, those often-pricey sandwiches stuffed with tasty lobster meat straight from the sea. Or, in the case of American Airlines, two pieces of bread with an orangey-white substance holding them together.
[More]
How Does A $3 Toll Turn Into A $20 Rental Car Charge?
By 8.10.17
Cashless payment systems like E-ZPass have helped make highway driving a less irksome experience by speeding up lines. Rental car companies even offer this option so you don’t have to worry about an embarrassing last-minute scrounge for change at the tollbooth, but rental car customers are now realizing that this convenience can come at a huge price. [More]
Report: Tesla Has Plans To Test A Self-Driving, Electric Semi-Truck
By 8.10.17
Sure, you may be getting used to the idea of sharing the road with cars that drive themselves — but how do you feel about cruising alongside an autonomous semi-truck? [More]
Could Midwest Express Return To The Skies?
By 8.10.17
While we’re used to airlines either shutting down or getting swallowed up in mergers, one recently defunct carrier may be rising from the ashes: There’s an effort to bring back Midwest Express, an airline perhaps best known by its fans for serving warm — baked-on-board — chocolate chip cookies. [More]
Southwest Employee Personally Drives Missing Bag To Cancer Patient’s Home
By 8.9.17
A Southwest Airlines employee saved the day for a Pittsburgh woman after the bag containing items she needed for chemotherapy treatment the next day failed to arrive at the airport. [More]
Bumping Rates On Airlines Fall After Carriers Change Overbooking Policies
By 8.8.17
You might remember a little incident on a United Airlines flight back in April in which a ticketed passenger was forcefully removed from a flight after he refused to give up his seat. That incident resulted in several airlines changing their policies related to overbooking flights, and the results of those changes are starting to show: The number of passengers bumped from U.S. airlines is at its lowest level in more than a decade. [More]
Report: Uber Getting Out Of The Car Leasing Business After Losing $9K Per Car
By 8.8.17
A few years back, Uber had an idea for how to attract more drivers to the ride-hailing service: Lease cars to people who either don’t have cars or whose personal vehicles don’t meet Uber’s standards. But not only has the program been criticized by some drivers who say the monthly payments are too high, it’s also apparently been a big money-loser for Uber, which is now reportedly looking to get out of the leasing business in the U.S. [More]
“Driverless” Van Includes Driver Dressed As Car Seat, For Science
By 8.8.17
A “driverless” van that has been spotted cruising the streets of Arlington, VA, isn’t actually operating autonomously: There’s a man behind the wheel — but he’s dressed as a seat. And though it may sound like a prank, it’s all in the name of science. [More]
No, Travis Kalanick Is Not Going To Be Uber’s CEO Again
By 8.8.17
Months after Uber’s board made CEO Travis Kalanick’s leave of absence permanent, rumors have begun swirling that that he would soon be returning to his former position — buzz he may have started himself. But there will be no comeback for Kalanick. [More]
Pilotless Planes Could Save Airlines $35B — If Anyone Is Willing To Fly In Them
By 8.7.17
While we’ve been getting used to the idea of driverless cars over the last few years, would you be willing to slip into an autonomous vehicle that’s, uh, quite a bit larger? Like the size of a jetliner, perhaps? [More]
Lyft Driver Says She Was Attacked, Robbed In Road-Rage Incident
By 8.7.17
Road rage is nothing new, but a Lyft driver in California says she was brutally attacked and then robbed in what she’s calling a road rage incident. [More]
A Day Of Delays Strands United Passengers At Hawaii Airport For Nearly 24 Hours
By 8.7.17
It’s one thing to be trapped in paradise, it’s another to be trapped in paradise’s airport. Yet, that’s what some United Airlines passengers say happened over the weekend when their flight from Maui to Chicago was delayed for more than 24 hours and the airline’s furnished hotel had only a dozen or so rooms open. [More]
GM Recalls Nearly 700,000 Silverado, Sierra Trucks Because Losing Steering Isn’t Normal
By 8.7.17
While turning the corner to your neighborhood, the last thing you want to do is lose control of your giant truck — which could be very dangerous. Yet, that could be a possibility for nearly 700,000 General Motors vehicles now being recalled. [More]
