Blog

Dumb Move by Airbus?

April 20, 2018: Airbus, operators of the mammoth uncomfortable A380 (with some models carrying over 550 passengers) is looking at designs that will add small passenger sleeping pods in the lower cargo area of the plane —very tiny and very confining.  Another reason to stick with Boeing planes when you travel!!!

United’s Friend Skies not so Friendly For Your Pet?

April 18, 2018: United has suspended transporting pets (dogs, cats, etc.) until they can figure out how to do so and not kill them — both in the cargo area and onboard flights.  Seems a recent passenger placed her small pet dog (in a pet carrier) in the over head bin above her seat and then was not allowed to retrieve the pet during landing — with Fido yelping away.  Unfortunately Fido “expired” and didn’t make it  — I think some “stupidity” here on both the owner and United! Travelers beware if you’re traveling with your Fido!!!

United Continues to Higher Profits with “Nickel and Dime” Add-Ons?

April 16, 2018: United Airlines continues to “stick it too passengers” with the addition of optional add-ons to its basic “you get nothing but a seat” really basic economy fare — for $9 extra you can line up early to board —so, you purchase the very least expensive ticket — pay extra if you want to check a bag or carry on anything more than a briefcase, most often have to pay even more if you want a seat assignment — but for $9 you can board with the VIP group?  The entire “basic economy fare” concept is a SHAM and should be discontinued — how about United just get back to the “basics” and operate — with good service — clean aircraft with on time service?

Delta Now Admits Huge Computer Hacking Breach

April 13, 2018: Yup — happened last year — in September — so if you traveled anywhere on Delta during that time period, expect your private information (passport number, frequent flyer number, credit card info, etc.) to now be resting on “open ground” in cyber space. Delta says “sorry” and is going to set up a “secure” website to deal with flyers who get charged for flights and services they never used — Thanks Delta — keep on flying — no matter who pays?

Attention US Visa Applicants — Your Online Data Will Now be Checked!

April 12, 2018: Under a new rule, all applicants for a US Visa — estimated to be nearly 15,000,000 a year — will have to include their social media user names for the past five years as part of the application process.  The new procedure covers more than 20 social media platforms and is being imposed by the US State Department to enhance border security! Look for the State Department to enhance these background checks with even more information being required — like past passport and visa numbers — some US friendly countries, like Britain, Canada, and France will be exempt from he new rules.

TSA Now Says Back Packers “Take it Off and Out”?

April 11, 2018: Now, not only do you need to remove your shoes when heading through TSA check points, you also need to take off and empty your backpack and any carry-on bags, including those with food! TSA says there is no new security alert requiring this — but is doing so at the request of the airlines who say more and more passengers are putting more into carry-on bags so they don’t have to pay a fee for checking a bag!  The new requirement will certainly slow down security checks during these heavy spring and summer travel seasons — the TC’s take — “pack your patience”!

 

Here You Go — Longest Flights in the World!

April 9, 2018: Yup — here’s the 12 longest flights in the world (currently anyway) — ranging in time between 16 and 18 inflight hours — don’t pack your bags yet as later this year the number one longest airline flight in the world will go to Singapore Air with their new nonstop service between Singapore and New York — logging in at just over 18 hours in the air!!!

1    Auckland to Doha / Qatar / 9,032 miles / Boeing 777-200LR

2    Perth to London / Qantas / 9,010 miles / Boeing 787-9

3    Auckland to Dubai / Emirates / 8,824 miles / Airbus A380

4    Los Angeles to Singapore / United / 8,770 miles / Boeing 787-9

5    Houston to Sydney / United / 8,596 miles / Boeing 787-9

6    Dallas to Sydney / Qantas / 8,578 miles / Airbus A380

7    San Francisco to Singapore / Singapore & United / 8,446 miles / Airbus A350-900 & Boeing 787-9

8    Johannesburg to Atlanta / Delta / 8,439 miles / Boeing 777-200LR

9    Abu Dhabi to Los Angeles / Etihad / 8,390 miles / Boeing 777-300ER

10  Dubai to Los Angeles / Emirates / 8,339 miles / Airbus A380

11  Jeddah to Los Angeles / Saudi / 8,332 miles / Boeing 777-300ER

12  Doha to Los Angeles  / Qatar / 8,306 miles / Boeing 777-200LR

(Data via: https://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2018/03/30/worlds-farthest-flights-2018/)

Travel Curmudgeon Hits Historic Milestone Sharing 500 Stories

TCfinalLogoColor Modern Day Travel Guru Shares Death Defining Adventures, Non-Fake News, and Traveler Edification

ANYWHERE, Earth – April 9, 2018 – The Travel Curmudgeon (TC), a legendary anonymous traveler with worldwide recognition from the oilrigs of Galveston to the sinking streets of Venice, announced the significant milestone of sharing more than 500 stories, experiences, and advice to thousands of fans in just three years.

The Curmudgeon has already shared stories from the well-beaten path to obscure destinations while gathering an impressive social following with thousands of fans worldwide. He tells it like it is in a full frontal and curmudgeony tone that only he can deliver.

The Travel Curmudgeon gained early fame through timely travel insight covering hard-hitting topics like fee-crazy airlines, and bed-bug friendly hotels, but only began sharing his experiences of the trials and tribulations of cold airline coffee and Airbnb bedroom cameras with an international audience online in 2015. Prior to blogging, the Curmudgeon provided commentary for PBS and radio in which he reported on the wildlife and natural wonders of the Galapagos Islands, dined in Beijing at the Great Hall and interviewed Sesame Street’s Big Bird!

While the official three-year anniversary of the Travel Curmudgeon blog was April Fools’ Day, make no mistake – all of these impressive achievements are, in fact, a reality all made possible through the fan support and fast-growing following, as much as the unsupportive airline customer support and lackluster hotel and wait staff that provide the Curmudgeon with endless material.

As the Curmudgeon looks toward the future, he will continue to provide hard-hitting, controversial content from the road as he follows Oprah on the campaign trail, goes undercover at a Moscow-based Facebook hacking center, and finally catches the long-awaited Southwest flight to Hawaii (though he’s still not sure when that day might come).

The Travel Curmudgeon can be found on his website, travelcurmudgeon.com, or his social media pages on Facebook and Twitter, spreading travel tips, and good humored fun to an ever growing fan base.

 About the Travel Curmudgeon:
A former PBS and radio travel commentator, the Travel Curmudgeon has spent years documenting his misadventures in the perils of consumer travel. The Curmudgeon is a seasoned traveler with more than 3 million air miles, who has touched down in more than 150 airports across six different continents. Prior to commentary, his professional career included executive management positions and representation of leading hotel-lodging groups, major transportation groups and consulting assignments with international and government entities involved in travel services – giving him a unique insider-perspective. His journeys, travel experiences, and commentary on the state of the travel industry can be found on his blog at www.travelcurmudgeon.com.

# # #