Passengers on United Airlines Flight 416 from Salt Lake City to Denver were in their seats, waiting to taxi to the runway, when their pilot suddenly announced that “an interpersonal confrontation [has] upset me significantly to the point where I’m not focused enough to fly you to Denver.” Apparently, the “interpersonal confrontation” started when the pilot was caught wearing his hat in front of management.
travel
United To Require Minimum Stays Starting In October
By 6.21.08
Sorry travelers, as expected, United Airlines will require minimum stays on all flights starting in October. Gone are the halcyon days of jetting away for a business meeting after breakfast with time to spare before returning for dinner. Most United fares will now require a three-night or weekend stay, but it “will depend on the destinations involved, the price of the ticket and the length of the flight.” And, yes, you will still be charged $15 to check your first bag.
By 6.20.08
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Bookmark this: Rick Seaney has created a chart of all the airline fees and promises to keep it updated as the fees change. [Rick Seaney]
Expedia's "New York From $58 A Night" Offer Is Bunk (Beds)
By 6.15.08
Expedia says they can get you room and board in NYC for $58 a night. Amy at NewYorkology looked into what such a low, low price actually gets you, and it’s not pretty: think hostels, co-ed group rooms, mice, bunk beds, and generally dirty environments. If you’re undaunted by college-lifestyle travel, Amy points out that there’s one cheap hostel listed that has some good reviews, but since we’re talking about ultra-budget hostels here, a good review actually includes the phrase, “best of all NO ROACHES!!!”
Thirsty? US Airways To Charge $2 For Sodas, Juices, Bottled Water and Coffee in Coach
By 6.13.08
First US Airways did away with snacks, then they added a $15 fee to check a bag, and now they’ll be charging $2 each for sodas, juices, bottled water and coffee in coach. Are you going to stand for this? Take our poll, inside.
Pentagon Looking To Invent "Kill Switch" For Airplanes
By 6.13.08
It has been nearly 7 years since 9/11 and the government is still pulling ideas out of its ass to help keep us safe. Wired reports that in a request for proposals issued this week, the Pentagon announced that they are looking for ways to “safely divert an aircraft in the air or stop and/or disable an aircraft on the ground,” i.e., a kill switch. More, inside…
United Airlines To Charge $15 For First Checked Bag
By 6.12.08
You knew it was coming and well, it’s here. United Airlines has announced that they will begin charging $15 for the first checked bag.
Greyhound Tickets For Only $2
By 6.12.08
Reader Nico was able to ride Greyhound from New York to Toronto for only $2. That’s amazing! Two bucks! We tried to recreate the deal and couldn’t, but it looks Greyhound sometimes offers a limited amount of $2 tickets for 6-day advance purchases. Way to go Nico, you are the dealmaster of the day.
By 6.11.08
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As part of an overall effort to save fuel and increase efficiency, airlines are replacing bathroom seats with lighter models. Just kidding, we meant passenger seats. But the first one isn’t that far out of the bounds of reason either. [NYT]
By 6.11.08
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United Airlines is a total disaster! Unless you’re the CEO… [MSNBC](Thanks, Deborah!)
Do You Have Any Naked Pictures Of Your Mother? The TSA Does
By 6.11.08
The TSA recently announced that airport security scanners which can see under clothing are being installed at 10 U.S. airports, according to the AFP. Travelers will enter glass booths while a 3-dimensional full-body image is rendered using “millimeter waves.” Because the image gives a clear representation of travelers’ bodies and genitalia, it has some people concerned about their privacy. More, inside…
9 Reasons Why Trains Are Better Than Planes
By 6.9.08
It may take longer to get there, a lot longer, depending on your destination, but Ecogeek has found 9 reasons why traveling on trains is better than traveling on planes. No security delays, more legroom and no baggage handlers to lose your luggage is just the beginning. Check out one of our favorite reasons, inside…
Ten-Hour Greyhound Bus Trip Turns Into 26-Hour Odyssey For Teenager
By 6.9.08
WAFF reports that Greg Moore, age 15, took a Greyhound bus from Opelika, Alabama to Athens, Georgia which is normally a 10 hour trip. But because of unannounced re-reroutes, the trip was extended to a brutal 26 hours. Greg’s family was alarmed because they didn’t know where he was during that time, and only received scant information from Greyhound. To make matters worse, $900 worth of belongings had been stolen from his lost luggage which he didn’t receive until a week later. More, inside…
Northwest's Coach Choice Seats Are A Complete Waste Of Money
By 6.5.08
Reader Chris wrote in to warn us off Northwest’s “Coach Choice” seat upgrade. On a recent trip, he was offered the opportunity to upgrade to a “Coach Choice” seat for an extra $30 per seat. He eagerly forked over $60 for two upgrades, and was shocked and angry at what that Northwest gave him in return. See what a “Coach Choice” seat means to NWA, inside.
By 6.5.08
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Americans took 41 million fewer flights this past year, and 25% say it was because of the hassles involved, according to a new survey. [CNN]
Continental Says Airline Industry Is "In A Crisis"
By 6.5.08
Continental will cut 3,000 jobs and reduce capacity by 11% due to the ongoing “crisis” in the airline industry.
Don't Get Charged An Occupancy Tax For A Hotel Room You Never Occupied
By 6.4.08
Michael canceled his Hilton Hotel reservation with less than 24 hour notice and got charged the full-room rate of $189. This post is not about that. Michael knows and accepts that this is the policy. Rather, this is about $25. The $25 “occupancy tax” the Hilton tacked on. Michael wasn’t about to be charged an occupancy tax for a room he never occupied. After talking to three different people for two days, he finally got Hilton refund the charge. “I thought other readers may like to know about this story and to be on the look out for stupid taxes that aren’t valid when you cancel a hotel room,” Michael writes.
