Blog – Page 140 – The Travel Curmudgeon

Flying’s Golden Age

January 21, 2016: There was time — seems like long ago — when flying was fun — more of a social occasion one dressed for and looked forward too. From the legendary Pan Am Clippers to the first Boeing 707 and then 747s. Travel was an occasion to celebrate. Airlines focused on their image and quality of customer services. Some airlines even used top designers/graphic artists to create their image and marketing materials — Saul Bass, Emilio Pucci and Alexander Calder set the stage for colorful attention generating images that, along with others, can be found in a colorful coffee table style book called, “Airline Visual Identity, 1945-1975.” The 430 page book showcases the golden era of flying through colorful airline posters and ads — everything from Continental’s Proud Bird with the Golden Tail to TWA’s legendary “Up Up and Away.”

Best Seats in the House?

Best Seats in the House?

January 19, 2016: Our friend, Chris Elliot has put together a list of apps that can help you finally take back control in making your flight more comfortable. “I’ll give you $50 to take your window seat” — Seateroo allows you to arrange to swap seats with someone else on your flight. Routehappy.com scores seats on various amenities such as location, leg room, seat width, and power outlets to help you find the best spot on the plane. A similar app, SeatGuru, has a comprehensive list of seat sizes and can warn you when you’re about to purchase an uncomfortable seat. Unfortunately we’re still waiting on an app that will let us know where to find the furthest seat away from a crying baby.

How to Score the Best Seats on a Plane

TOLD YOU SO!!!

January 18, 2015: United Airlines drew a $2.7 million fine from the government recently for violating rules aimed at protecting disabled passengers and preventing long tarmac delays.

The Transportation Department said there was a significant increase in 2014 in disability-related complaints regarding United. A department review found that United had failed to give passengers with disabilities prompt service getting on and off planes, and in many instances damaged or delayed the return of wheelchairs and other mobility devices.

The department cited United operations at Houston International Airport, Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Denver International Airport, Newark International Airport and Washington’s Dulles International Airport.

United also was fined for five lengthy delays in which passengers were kept waiting in planes on the tarmac at O’Hare airport during severe winter weather on Dec. 8, 2013, and for another delay at Houston Hobby Airport on May 20, 2015.

United Airlines fined $2.7M for violating consumer rules

Curmudgeon Forecasts more Airport Delays in 2016!

January 14, 2016: Don’t expect airport departure delays to improve this year — US carriers have found a way around the new government rule that fines airlines $27.50 per passenger for airport runway delays of more than 3 hours — if extensive delays are anticipated, airlines are just canceling flights. Kinda of sad when the FAA tries to enhance passenger service and the airlines find a way to not only not comply but make it even harder for travelers — SHAMEFUL don’t your think?

Travel Feature Tuesday: Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite?

January 12, 2016: For many travelers, finding a hotel with a clean bed is a must — and many will spend 2 to 3 times more to ensure it. However, hotel workers from luxury resorts to motels have begun revealing the dirt of their cleaning rituals through the secret-sharing app, Whisper.

From confessions such as, “We do change all the sheets and towels, but unfortunately the blankets almost never get washed,” to, “sometimes when I’m lazy, I reuse the sheets on the bed and make them look nice … I always feel bad for the next people.”

And if you think the bed is the only thing in danger, keep a close eye on your room service as well. “I work at a hotel and sometimes work room service. We never bring our buy lunch, because we pick off plates before they go up.”

Duct Tape — Never Leave Home Without It!

January 11, 2016: During a private “fly-in” fishing excursion in the Alaskan wilderness, the chartered pilot and fishermen left a cooler with bait in the airplane. A bear smelled it. This is what the bear did to the plane. The pilot used his radio and had another pilot bring him 2 new tires, 3 cases of duct tape, and a supply of sheet plastic… He patched the plane together, and flew it home!

The UAE’s Emirates Air Continues to Spend Heavy $$$$$’s on Self Promotion.

January 6, 2016: Really not sure what the point is on this Emirates Air self-promotion video that seems to focus on adding visual fun to the standard airline pre-take off safety message? Hopefully this doesn’t replace the needed reminder message shown on every flight?

OOPS — Alaska Air Lands On an Active Taxiway at Sea-Tac!

January 4, 2016: Alaska Airlines, one of the better consumer friendly air carriers these days, landed a 737 on an “active” taxiway at their home based Seattle International Airport recently. Apparently not the first time this has happened there — would seem that alert tower air traffic controllers would notice this prior to the plane landing and request the pilot make another try on the correct runway? Maybe pilots and airport officials are just a little too intent on keeping things on schedule these days and compromising safety?

HI HO HI HO It’s Off to Cuba We Go!

December 29, 2015: Several US airlines have announced plans, pending approvals from both the US and Cuban governments, to start scheduled service to Cuba. This would be the first time in more than a half a century that both countries will share scheduled service — although several US airlines have been offering charter service for years. American Airlines wants approval for 20 flights a day to Havana and ten daily to other cities in Cuba; JetBlue Airways and Southwest Airlines are also in line for new services to Cuba. Flights are planned for key travel hubs around the country and could include Los Angeles, Houston, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, Newark and JFK. One trip to travelers — Cuba’s tourism infrastructure (hotels, airport support services, etc.) is way behind the expected rush — so plan to rough it some!

Bump and Grind With Southwest?

December 24, 2015: Rapidly expanding Southwest Airlines, adding several international destinations to its schedule in 2016, has had its share of aircraft “bump and lumps” of late. One aircraft mysteriously slid of the runway after landing in Nashville, requiring emergency passenger evacuation; and another mishap at Burbank when two planes touched wing tips when backing out of their respective gates. And if you’re keeping track of Southwest ticket pricing, the once industry leader in low price tickets is no more — their $39 one way fare deals are long gone. Hopefully their flight attendants still share some fun onboard?