Gee, I know, why don’t they unionize!
Monthly Archives
Monthly Archives for June 2003.
Our secret is out
The subject of elite status and frequent flyer upgrades makes the New York Times.
For my (I mean the public’s!) good
Little new can be said in the debate to open up more flights at Washington National airport. The USA Today piece, though, points out that United is lobbying against it, and in an emporer’s new clothes moment explains that it’s because United has significant operations at Washington Dulles and doesn’t want the competition.
$89 for a ticket — but just try to check-in or board the plane
The cheapest tickets from Los Angeles to California can be booked on the website of Mainline Airways. Except that Mainline has no planes, no gates, and no employees. The government is acting against the pseudo airline, which is taking nonrefundable reservations. However, the airline’s “Chief Executive” says the action is all a hoax perpetrated by the airline’s competitors to discourage bookings.
Time to deregulate computer reservation systems?
The Transportation Department wants to renew regulations of computer reservation systems, while the Department of Justice is opposed. Jay Cochran explains that computer reservation system rules have been completely overtaken by market events and new technologies. A piece in yesterday’s Fort Worth Star Telegram reports that CRS giant Sabre wants to be deregulated but wants websites like Orbitz to be regulated. And, funny enough, Orbitz thinks that Sabre needs regulatory oversight… Meanwhile travel agents are getting together in Las Vegas to sound the death knell. (Well, actually to talk about their problems, but it’s unclear they can actually do anything about their problems.)
United autopsy
Part three in a Denver Post series on the history of United’s financial woes is available. If you haven’t done so, you might start with part one and then part two. There’s no alot new here, but they make for a good read and put personality to the characters involved in the last twenty years of ups and downs at the company. So far, the pieces paint a picture of weak management installed by labor and unable to act in the interests of shareholders. Conclusion: employee ownership, at least as structured at United, was a failure.
Replace the TSA with Ritalin?
A passenger flying to Orlando threatened to hijack a plane. Instead of treating it as a criminal matter, she has been involuntarily committed under Florida’s Baker Act. “Her mental stability is in question at this time,” said Transportation Security Administration spokeswoman Lauren Stover. Apparently the disease metaphor has been stretched to the point where terrorism and attempting hijacking are diseases rather than crimes.
Which Way ATA? (And Southwest, JetBlue, America West, Frontier, Spirit, and …
According to USA Today, Discount airlines now make up a quarter of passengers seats in the U.S. They are expanding routes to the West Coast, Canada and Mexico, and the hubs of weakened major carriers. Apparently growth of low fare carriers was new American CEO Gerald Arpey’s greatest fear, as outlined in his master’s thesis (link via Ben Mutzabaugh).
$220+tax to New Zealand
Air Tahiti Nui apparently has fares from $220 from Los Angeles to Aukland (via Tahiti). Valid for Thursday through Sunday travel and requires a 7 day min stay. Go to Zuji.com and enter “dates are flexible” in the booking screen. Thanks to Scott’s Airline and Hotel Deals mailing list.
Important Invention
The MIT “You’re in Control” Urine Control System and game.
