Monthly Archives

Monthly Archives for March 2023.

20 Years Ago The Chicago Political Machine Broke Federal Law And Shut Down An Airport

by Gary Leff on March 31, 2023

Mar 31 2023

In the early morning of March 31, 2003, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley ordered city bulldozers to gouge the surface of the single runway at Meigs Field airport adjacent to downtown Chicago with large X’s in the surface. He had announced his intention to close the airport 9 years earlier and finally decided to just destroy it, since he couldn’t close it.

The next day he announced that he was just trying to create a smooth process, and save the city money. There was no longer a reason to spend money litigating the issue in court, since there was no more airport to save.

New Airline “Recline Alert System” So You’re Ready When The Passenger In Front Of You Leans Back

by Gary Leff on March 31, 2023

Mar 31 2023

KLM is out a few hours early with their April Fool’s joke: the world’s first airline to offer a beeping ‘recline alert system’ to notify the passenger behind you that you’re about to encroach on their space.

Air Canada Extends Expiration Of Miles, Aeroplan Points Won’t Expire Until September 30, 2024

by Gary Leff on March 31, 2023

Mar 31 2023

Air Canada has pushed off expiration once again, though not permanently. They’ve just announced that Aeroplan miles will not expire until September 30, 2024. Of course activity in an account extends the validity of miles past that, so you’ll want to make sure to have some.

British Airways Will Staff Flights With More Flight Attendants To See If That Helps Poor Service

by Gary Leff on March 31, 2023

Mar 31 2023

British Airways is seeing low customer satisfaction scores and testing increased flight attendant staffing on its worst-performing routes to see whether or not that moves the needle.

Passenger Sat On Flight Watching Porn Of His Wife – And He Thinks That’s Ok

by Gary Leff on March 31, 2023

Mar 31 2023

When you’re stuck in a metal tube packed in with strangers it’s not your living room, and you shouldn’t behave like it is. For instance, you should wear pants.

You also shouldn’t watch porn on your devices. Of your wife. With other peoples’ kids nearby. Apparently, like the thing about pants, this is something some passengers do need to be told.

Lufthansa Tries Something New To Sell Miles: The More You Buy, The Less You Save [Roundup]

by Gary Leff on March 31, 2023

Mar 31 2023

A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.

United Airlines Award Sale, Reduced Mileage Cost For Japan Travel

by Gary Leff on March 31, 2023

Mar 31 2023

United Airlines is running an award sale to Japan for 25,000 miles each way in economy. It’s marketed in a bit of a funny way, since they’re promoting both paid fares and awards on sale – the lede is about financing the trip for “$74/mo!”

I think it would be interesting if they promoted awards as ’12 months same as miles! Japan for just 2,083 miles per month!’ But financing travel is bigger business than you might expect.

St. Regis Maldives Overwater Villa With Private Pool From Just 70,400 Points Per Night

by Gary Leff on March 30, 2023

Mar 30 2023

Right now overwater villas with a private pool at the St. Regis Maldives – an aspirational property if there ever was one – can be redeemed starting at just 88,000 points with wide open availability.

Actually finding room nights here is what’s great, since Marriott doesn’t require ‘all suite’ properties to release a minimum number of their rooms for redemption. And fifth night is free, making the cost start at just over 70,000 points per night for a five night stay.

United Airlines Has A New Plan For Flight Attendants To “Wow” Customers

by Gary Leff on March 30, 2023

Mar 30 2023

United Airlines wants flight attendants to greet customers and thank them. They want cabin crew to offer to hang coats in premium cabins and offer pre-departure beverages. And they don’t want crew gossiping loudly in the galley.

If the airline’s flight attendants can do this, United believes they will earn a revenue premium since they argue that research suggests “service is more important to customers than price.”

United Flight Attendants Sue, Say They Shouldn’t Get Fired For Bullying If They Have Seniority

by Gary Leff on March 30, 2023

Mar 30 2023

A little over a year ago United Airlines fired two senior flight attendants who were union leaders. A junior crewmember reported their mask violations, and then the two senior crew solicited false conduct reports against the junior flight attendant in retaliation. United uncovered this, and had no choice but to fire the union reps.

It turns out United fired six senior flight attendants for bullying junior crew. And the six flight attendants are suing for age discrimination.

Monthly Archives

20 Years Ago The Chicago Political Machine Broke Federal Law And Shut Down An Airport

New Airline “Recline Alert System” So You’re Ready When The Passenger In Front Of You Leans Back

Air Canada Extends Expiration Of Miles, Aeroplan Points Won’t Expire Until September 30, 2024

British Airways Will Staff Flights With More Flight Attendants To See If That Helps Poor Service

Passenger Sat On Flight Watching Porn Of His Wife – And He Thinks That’s Ok

Lufthansa Tries Something New To Sell Miles: The More You Buy, The Less You Save [Roundup]

United Airlines Award Sale, Reduced Mileage Cost For Japan Travel

St. Regis Maldives Overwater Villa With Private Pool From Just 70,400 Points Per Night

United Airlines Has A New Plan For Flight Attendants To “Wow” Customers

United Flight Attendants Sue, Say They Shouldn’t Get Fired For Bullying If They Have Seniority

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About Gary Leff

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