Author: Travel Curmudgeon

Check the fine print — and spending requirements the for the first 5 months of use — could be a good deal if you use Hilton a lot or can transfer the Hilton points for airlines miles ????

Yup — the federal government is now telling airlines that if a passenger’s bag is delayed 10 hours or more (25 hours for international flights) the passengers bag fees MUST be refunded. Bag fees are now “big $$$’s revenue” for airlines!!!!

That’s big news from Steves —who pretty much has written off this year. Steve’s says more than 80% of his 2022 programs — over 1100 departures — representing more than 25,000 travelers — has already sold out!!!  Seems everyone wants to get out of town!!!

Airline fuel supply and delivery — especially in the western US where massive wildfires blaze — is in short supply. Not enough fuel delivery tanker drivers and some supplies being diverted to fuel airplanes dropping water on at least 15 big out of control fires!!!! US carriers, enjoying large traffic increases, can’t seem to get a break these days!!!!

Yup — American Airlines says, “if you’re a bad behaving passenger (like refusing to wear a mask) we want to call the FBI to deal with you!” And not airport security or the TSA — for the first 3,000 passenger complaints received by AA this year over 2,400 plus were mask issues …..  seems like a good move!!!

Yup, with everyone wanting to travel just about everywhere, expect long delays — up to more than 18 weeks — to get your passport renewed or new one issued. Hopefully the big backlog with resolve itself quickly — hopefully!!!!

With a combination of bad weather and crew shortage issues, on some days Southwest has had to cancel up to 40% of its 1300 daily flights — maybe a “more manageable and realistic” daily flight schedule is in order???

BICYCLES — sales are up nearly 80% this year so far —with consumer spending through the first half of the year at a “whooping” $6.7 BILLION — with higher end mountain bikes now costing $5000 and more!!! WOW! Look mom no hands and NO money!!!

Chicken wings seem to be the new popular quick dining option at both airport food courts and stores around town — so much so that chicken food processing plants are running low or completely out! The new quick option maybe a chicken thigh-stop —until those disappear??? No matter — expect those prices to increase too!!!!

US airports and airlines are experiencing more travel traffic than anticipated — with airlines and TSA asking office staff to assist on the ground!!