Author: Travel Curmudgeon

Haunted Room on the Old Queen Mary?

May 1, 2018: The original Queen Mary, now docked in the Long Beach Harbor, and operated as a hotel, is offering potential guests a new hook to get them on board — a haunted room? The 82 year old ship (once called the Gray Ghost when it ferried allied soldiers during WWII) has long been the subject of ghost tales — and now, for $500 a night you can stay in Stateroom B340 — where passengers have reported over the years hearing noises, seeing lights flicker and the sink faucet go on and off. You better visit quick as the ship is in need of nearly 300 million dollars in repairs and may rust off into history!

FAA wants 737 Airlines to Check up?

April 27, 2018: The FAA is asking — no — GOING to “direct” all US carriers flying 737’s with the same engine that imploded inflight recently on a Southwest jet to check for fan-blade corrosion. The engines in question are manufactured by GE and a French partner. This engine has a past record of issues — so, maybe its time to cast a more watchful eye on passenger safety?

So Long Virgin America

April 26, 2018: Virgin America is no more — Alaska Air, the new owner, fully merged Virgin America’s operations into Alaska Air yesterday — from reservations, to check-in, to onboard — hate to see them go but Alaska/Horizon are a TC favorite and do one of the best all around jobs in the business with service and paying attention to travelers — Thumbs up Alaska!!!

 

Airline Quality Ratings are Out — Do you agree?

April 25, 2018: According to newly released information from the US government source that monitors airline quality ratings, here’s the latest lineup of good to bad service:

  1. Alaska Airlines
  2. Delta Air Lines
  3. JetBlue
  4. Hawaiian Airlines
  5. Southwest Airlines
  6. SkyWest Airlines
  7. Virgin America
  8. United Airlines
  9. American Airlines
  10. ExpressJet
  11. Frontier Airlines
  12. Spirit Airline

    Not sure any of this matters any more as there are really not that many choices when it comes to air travel in the US?

 

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?