US Air System Takes The Weekend Off?

August 19, 2015: A “glitch” (fancy non-meaningful “we’re not responsible” government comment) in an automated flight routing system on the east coast resulted in lengthy delays and flight cancelations throughout the country over the weekend — one of the busier end of summer times for flying. The FAA did identify the culprit as a flight routing system in Virginia that “glitched” and resulted in hundreds of flights not leaving on time, some not leaving at all and the ripple effect throughout the US that left thousands stranded from coast to coast. Looks like most flying was back to normal on Monday. Hopefully this just adds to the concern of how outdated the US air traffic control system is and brings forward the extensive delays in upgrading equipment around the country — taxes we all pay on each and every ticket go to help the government upgrade the system — well, maybe are intended that way anyway?

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Congratulations Spirit Airlines—America’s Least On Time Airline!

August 16, 2015: Once again, we charge for everything but being late, America’s least favorite air carrier, Spirit Airlines, has the distinction of being at the top of the list (or bottom depending on your reference point) as the country’s least on time passenger carrier—less than 50% of all their flights arrive anywhere they serve on time!! This accomplishment from Spirit was for the month of June— and was the worst overall rating for any U.S. Air carrier in nearly 40 years. Even on their worst days, Southwest and Fudrucker Air do a better job. Now some of you must remember legendary Fudrucker?

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Fun Camps – For Adults?

August 7, 2015: Pack yourself or another adult (leave the kids at home if you own any) — and head off to fun and challenging camp vacation.

At the Skipper Academy (skipperacademy.com) for about a $1000 a day enjoy sailing lessons and fun in either Croatia or the British Virgin Islands. The lessons not only include sailing but crew management and social skills — along with docking your craft to pick up supplies.

At the Salamander Resort & Spa (salamanderresort.com) in Middleburg, Va. riders of all levels travel to this horse country retreat to enhance their riding skills and experience — including equine communication? For those not into riding, check out zip-lining, biking, swimming, golf and cooking classes. And for the more adventurous, join in viewing the twilight polo matches.

Like writing and Italy? Then head to Writing Vacations (writing-vacations.com) journey off to a villa in Positano, Italy. Italian Villa classroom — i like that idea.

And if chocolate is your thing, its L’Ecole Valrhona Chocolate in Brooklyn (valrhonaprofessionals.com) for a day long session in making chocolate. Chocolate creations with an upscale twist that could include roasted peanuts, Snicker Bars and potato chips!

Nice to know adults can have fun and even learn something at camps!

Timely — What took the US Carriers So Long to Implement This?

August 5, 2015: Finally seeing their way to join the publicity out cry and bandwagon, the 3 major US carriers have finally banned transport of dead African wildlife on their planes — by the way, most foreign carriers did this years ago!

Lead by Delta, United and American, these carriers will no longer transport “shot for fun and trophy” wildlife — including lions, leopard, rhino, buffalo, elephant — this won’t stop wildlife hunters from hunting but maybe slow them down some?

Rest in peace Cecil!

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World Airlines Continue to Rip Off Passengers?

August 3, 2015: Yes — with all those add on fees (like checked luggage, seat assignments, printing a boarding pass, etc.) — with the 10 top carriers bringing in over $38 Billion in add on fees!

Here’s the top 10 fee culprits:

United
US Air (not part of American)
Delta
Air FranceKLM
Ryanair
Southwest Airlines
Lufthansa
easyJet (i.e. Not so Easy easyJet)
Qantas
Alaska Airlines

Maybe it’s time for an all out passenger campaign to end and or reduce some of these fees? Lets start with a “virtual” effort that includes emails, twitter, Facebook comments, etc. to get their attention?

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Move Over Abu Dhabi and Dubai, World’s Biggest Swimming Pool Floats in South America!

July 30, 2015: Check out what is now the “worlds largest swimming pool” on the west coast of Chile.

The filtered salt water pool is nearly 6/10th of a mile long and holds over 66 million galloons of water — thats enough water to fill over 600 backyard pools.

The sun serves as the water heater keeping the temperature at 80 degrees or above — just waiting for some “joker” to add a baby shark or gator?

New York’s La Guardia Airport Described by US VP Biden as “Third World”!!!!

July 29, 2015: Never to be at a loss for words or descriptives, US Vice President Joe Biden has described New York’s La Guardia as “third world”! Well he certainly got that right!

LGA, also honored as one of the worst airports in America, is a mish-mash of terminals, confusing entry and exit for both passengers and ground traffic, and operational nightmare with its extremely short over water and neighborhood runways.

LGA is slated for a 4 billion dollar upgrade that will finish in 2021 — if both the folks who run the place — Port of New York and New Jersey — can agree?

The TC’s suggestion is that you avoid the place for the next few years and put up with the longer cab rides or public transit options to JFK or Newark — at least you have some options there if your travel plans go astray!!!!

American Airlines: Open for Business at DFW?

July 27, 2015: Well by the looks of this picture from one of their busiest hubs for customer service at around 7:45 am last weekend at their busy DFW hub you wouldn’t think they were even open?

And in view of their second quarter revenue and earnings release over this past weekend — reporting a very profitable quarter profit of $1.7 billion one would think they might “staff up some”?

And their quarterly fuel bill fell by more than $1 billion — think they might consider giving some of that back in reduced fares?

The TC anticipates fares to continue to rise this year, airline costs and available seats to decline and profits to go through the roof — or sky!!!!

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