News and notes from around the interweb:
- An airport passenger is trying to use self-checkout at a Hudson News. And the kiosk sure fells broken. The touchscreen lags, taps “stack,” and the checkout flow is bloated with extra prompts (bags, loyalty sign-in, charity round-up) before you can even pay.
Guys how has Hudson News not hired an HBS grad to tell them that their POS system is insane. pic.twitter.com/m5g3xCleNh
— Olivia Reingold (@Olivia_Reingold) December 3, 2025
Hudson has described modernizing its point of sale system across 1,000 stores with a unified platform. They’re even a vendor’s case study as though this is something to be proud of.
The interface is overoptimized for data capture and add-ons, slowing down transactions and taxing the customer. But if you want a bottle of water before your flight, and Hudson News is at your gate, you’re already there… you’re probably not walking away over it. And even if you’re frustrated, there are passengers on the next flight to sell to. Meanwhile, Orlando airport will shutter its 6 Hudson News locations in favor of a new operator.
- St. Regis is now a conversion brand. “The idea is that the St. Regis Estates brand will usher in “privacy, authenticity, and a deeper emotional connection to place,” and… the first property is a 200+ room hotel in Newport Beach?” Either it’s just about Marriott’s quest for ‘net rooms growth’ over everything else, or that owners need a brand carveout so that they don’t have to honor standard elite benefits? We’ll see.
- Alaska Airlines will be leasing slots from American Airlines for its new Seattle – London service. American had flown Seattle – London as part of their ‘West Coast Alliance’ with Alaska. But Alaska is not part of the American-British Airways transatlantic joint venture. So American’s willingness to give up flying a Heathrow frequency is notable.
Alaska Airlines to lease 14x weekly slots (7a, 7d) from American Airlines at London Heathrow in Summer 2026 (from 22 May 2026)
Daily flights from Seattle to London Heathrow will commence 21 May 2026 (landing 22 May 2026) on Boeing 787-9 aircraft
On sale imminently pic.twitter.com/yBNp4wVSO3
— Sean M ✈ (@SeanM1997) December 4, 2025
- Treat yourself! ‘Perfect’ private jet flights for the masses take off — leather seats and no TSA checkpoints for as little as $149 I think that oversells JSX a bit, though I’d certainly fly them over any of the major airlines in a heartbeat. Indeed, I chose them over American when I was a ConciergeKey. Private means flying at your own convenience, not on someone else’s schedule. This is flying on a schedule out of private terminals, with all first class seating, free drinks and bags, and Starlink wifi.
- People are wearing pajamas to airports to protest Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s insistence that we stop wearing PJs and slippers to the airport
@gretagretagretagreta please why is the government concerned about our loungewear at the airport ? #travel #thanksgiving ♬ original sound – Fox4News
I’m here to see the people defend dressing like a slob on airplanes.
I’m here to watch @Thing 1 pretend to enjoy others’ faux outraged.
Funny, we are going to dress even more like a slob because an adult said we should dress better. How childish.
And they wonder why they aren’t treated with respect?
Play stupid games, vote Democrat or is Demonrat?
They’re in for a surprise when they start getting denied for improper attire.
If you don’t think the administration will try to strong arm the airlines into compliance, you’re mistaken. And its about time.
Hundson News check out reminds me of Steve Jobs comments. He said it’s so so easy to make something complicated and almost impossible to make it easy.
@Kevin,
Even under the Civil Aeronautics Board there was no statutory authority to ban pajamas. And especially now, where Chevron deference is history, such a ban would run afoul of the major questions doctrine. There are also First Amendment implications if pajamas are worn as a means of silent protest.
I’m here to snicker at @1990’s commentary.
@Christian — I’m here to read others snicker at my commentary.
@Michael Mainello —Did you see @David R. Miller’s failed attempt to use your silly dehumanizing phrase on Gary’s recent TSA Las Vegas post from December 4? He forgot the ‘Demon’ part. So, when are you hugus gonna start machete-ing us tutsis, anyway? Like, we’re getting tired of waiting. Act on your vile prejudices already… *yawn*
@Christian @1990 is now sharing his bon mots on DOC too!
In the event of an emergency footwear could be regulated. Do you think golf shoes would be allowed?
How about roller skates? Ice skates? Inline skates? Flip flops?
Can not wait to see a 300lb guy in a teddy
Can not discriminate
I would think AA just doesn’t have that many wide bodies to support a long haul route out of Seattle right now versus something being concerning about the BA JV? But that’s just a guess.
@SOZ — DoC is the O.G. no-nonsense source for cards, points, miles, bank bonuses, etc. Deep respect for Will and Chuck over there.
That PoS checkout and flow likely *was* designed by HBS grads.
@1990 – So, when are you hugus gonna start machete-ing us tutsis, anyway? Like, we’re getting tired of waiting. Act on your vile prejudices already… *yawn*.
Not to worry 1990 conservatives are civilized. It is the libs, muslims, trans lunatics, illegal invaders and demonRats that are the violent ones that attack and injure the innocent. Sorry that the truth offends.
@Michael Mainello — It’s ‘hutu’ not ‘hugu,’ though I’d expect you to not know that relatively recent history, hence, why your ‘type’ is bound to repeat it. And, this is less-so about mere country-club conservatives, and more so about the far-right, and their willingness to use violence against others, systematically, which you have enabled. You repeat some of their talking points on here, often, as you just did, yet again. Come on, you can’t be this naive. Quit playing dumb.
@1990 – “It’s ‘hutu’ not ‘hugu,’ though I’d expect you to not know that relatively recent history, hence, why your ‘type’ is bound to repeat it. ”
I cut and pasted your mistake. I didn’t call you names for typing errors, it happens. I also don’t see Conservatives using machetes on anyone.
“And, this is less-so about mere country-club conservatives, and more so about the far-right, and their willingness to use violence against others, systematically, which you have enabled. ”
Please explain and cite examples of “far-right” violence. I will condemn it. Do you condemn all the left wing violence? Democrats / Liberals / Communists / Deep State are the violent ones. They will not even have an open discussion.
“You repeat some of their talking points on here, often, as you just did, yet again. Come on, you can’t be this naive. Quit playing dumb.”
Again, cite what you are word puking about. Your ideological rigidity and logic make Somali’s appear intelligent.