Category: Uncategorized

August 29, 2016: The New York Times travel folks have some tips on how to save on airfares — but buyer beware, the airlines have no consistency in how they manage their reservation systems with airfare deals. Here’s a couple of tips: try and avoid booking multiple airfares at one time, chances are you’ll pay a higher fare for doing this. Flying domestic on Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday usually gets you the lowest fare. Flying trans Atlantic, Monday thru Thursday is less expensive. Monday’s at 3:00 pm (eastern time) is when one airline might start a fare sale — others, as well as the online booking sites, come online with matching fares in the next 24 hours. And don’t expect many, if any, last minute deals during holiday times — captive audience and markets. Shop around — sometimes airline sites do offer the best price.

August 26, 2016: Most US airports sell advertising on their inside airport video systems — Carey is using this to promote a series of upcoming concerts in Vegas — but Burbank (BUR) turned down the ads saying they “showed a little too much skin.” Orange County’s more “upscale” John Wayne Airport (SNA) said the ads, as well as Carey’s cleavage, were ok — thank you!

August 25, 2016: The onboard coffee makers! Airline coffee makers are one of the most unreported items that cause flight delays. Onboard coffee makers are very fickle pieces of equipment — can cost between $7,000 and $20,000 a unit — are electrical and, if not operating properly, can cause fires and aircraft circuit issues. Planes like a 737 can have 4 separate coffee makers — and a 777 a dozen or more. Wonder where the water comes from that go into the coffee makers?

August 23, 2016: It was only 2010 when United and Continental became one — and in all that time only one contract couldn’t be worked out — well, the 25,000 plus flight attendant group has agreed on a new contract that will increase wages between 18% and 30%. The other major benefits include easier scheduling now working with one combined group and maybe improved inflight customers services? According to J.D.Power, United has the lowest customer satisfaction rating among US and Canadian rivals. No where to go but up!

August 22, 2016: Now that the British have overwhelmed themselves and EU countries with their BREXIT exit — travel interest from the US is up — helped by the British Pound now at a 30 year low (around $1.31 to the US dollar). Visit london.com, London’s official tourist information site says interest in their site is up nearly 40 % since the change. Best deals are packages that could include air and hotel — like those offered by Expedia or British Airways. Shop around — and don’t be bashful in contacting hotels directly — pack a brolley and some wellies and you’ll be fine!

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/meet-the-pilot-smart-earpiece-language-translator-headphones-travel#/

August 16, 2016: Because they are the best paid pilots in the industry and also the most productive.    They run a “bus-like” transportation system — they do it well most of the time — and fly your bags for free.  As they continue to expand, rumor persists they have their “eye” on Hawaii?

August 15, 2016: And maybe a clip on the front side to hang your iPad and phone?

August 10, 2016: An early morning power failure at Delta-Atlanta operation headquarters resulted in the airline grounding itself and its flights this week when a back up power system didn’t kick in. Over 3000 Delta flights and reservations services were crippled — similar issues have plagued Southwest and American so far this year. And you can expect more of the same – US carriers, making record profits this year, are slow to invest in their outdated computer systems — some more than 35 years old — that manage everything from flight operations to the amount of snacks boarded on flights. These are the same airlines that made a record $3 billion dollars in extra baggage fees last year — and continue to crowd more travelers into less seat size and space on their planes. Maybe it’s time for passengers to speak up and out?