It’s true — on a recent landing approach to LAX — both American and Jet Blue pilots reported seeing a “jet pack” flyer at about 3,000 feet just south of runways at LAX — talk about your “WOW” moment — no sign of where the Jet Pack-er finally went down or landed?
Might seem odd — that along with “runs” on toilet paper, bacon and paper towels, small boats and mid-size yachts are in short supply these days. Another shortage you can blame COVID 19? Why you ask? Well, seems it’s a neat easy way to social distance — with family vacation plans canceled, kids summer camps closed — what’s left for the family to do together? Buy a boat and roam the oceans or nearby lakes. It’s easy to learn how to pilot or sail a boat — and sail off around a lake or pilot your yacht in the open oceans — AHOY!!!
Probably one of the most unusual partnerships ever — DELTA has asked LYSOL to help knock out COVID on its planes and airport customer service areas around the world. The idea, long time overdue, is to help develop and implement “new protocols” (guess that’s a nice way for DELTA to say we’re finally going to really clean up our planes – especially the ever filthy aircraft restrooms and passenger gate areas) and public areas around airports. Both United and DELTA are also working with Clorox to clean up airports and aircraft — the TC says “don’t forget to bring along your own disinfectant handy wipes — especially when using restroom doors on and off the ground!!! Without a doubt, the best place to pick up almost anything?
Starting in the second half of 2021, the company AXIOM in partnership with SpaceX will start taking passengers — 3 at a time — to the international space station. NASA has authorized the addition of a “space destination module (a space hotel) to be added to the space station. The fee, with early booking discount — $55 million. Only major requirement, once potential space tourists pass the physical, is “not to interfere with-the NASA crew doing their jobs!!!
Inside reports from Delta show the airline, at its low point, running at about 80,000 passengers a day — with that number “bouncing” back now to over 500,000 a day —right now there are some good deals with all US carriers to use frequent flyer miles and, if you look hard, low price ticket deals too. TC’s advice — look late at night or early am for the best travel deals!!!
That’s the current estimate from the worldwide cruise industry highlighting passenger loss this year — with most cruise operators completely stopped until late summer — and then on reduced schedules. Looking at prices for 2021 — yes there will be some deals, especially with the shorter low cost lines — but for now, expect top dollar for the upscale brands — with lots of early booking discounts, including free business class air. Ahoy!
Starting September 1 — United is increasing international flights by 30% — that’s what!!! The feeling is people are wanting to get away from home — visit family and find domestic and international locations where they can “socially distance” outdoors. Now — if airfares stay the same — the UAL move could encourage other carriers to follow? We’ll seeeeeee!!!
Well, guts if they stayed in the City and maintained COVID living and working restrictions — and are now once again eligible for Global Entry program cards — which were suspended by the Federal Government at the height of the State’s COVID rampage. As Sinatra said, “my kind of town!”
Forget Boeing’s problem-plagued 737 Max — the airline’s current world wide fleet of various 737 models, some part of the 2000 planes that have been grounded the past few months by reduced COVID travel — those now back flying are having some BIG issues — like engines just shutting down with no advance warning? Most engine shutdowns have occurred on the ground during pre-flight run up or taxi — and can be traced to planes that were grounded for more than a month during reduced flying schedules. Maybe some additional WD40 on these engines is needed?
