News and notes from around the interweb:
- Forbes picks up on my blog post about American Airlines predeparture beverages as well as other online discussions of the issue. American responds,
While some flight attendants try to anticipate customer needs and set up frequently requested beverages in advance, such as water and orange juice, customers have a choice of any available beverage catered on the flight. Beverages served as part of the pre-departure service in our premium cabins include any spirits, wine, beer or non-alcoholic drinks.”
American did note there are legitimate reasons flight attendants can’t always offer PDBs, including late catering, various state, city and country regulations regarding serving alcoholic beverages on the ground, as well as FAA regulations during aircraft movement.
- Over the holidays passengers missed flights in Denver as security lines stretched 2-4 hours. TSA did not match staffing to passenger volumes, flight schedules, or weather (which causes delays that bunch of passengers). Via Sam K. the TSA (which originally blamed everyone and everything but themselves) acknowledges fault in a ‘mistakes were made’ kind of way.
- American and South American oneworld member LATAM will seek regulatory approval for a joint business venture which lets them coordinate schedules and pricing. Until we see what new routes would come out of this, that wouldn’t exist otherwise, it’s not clear the extent to which there will be any consumer benefit that follows.
- Woman suing Tortas Frontera at O’Hare over broken margarita glass she says hurt her
- Fly on Air Canada ‘flex’ fares and higher within Canada or between Canada and the US, Mexico and the Caribbean on tickets purchased by March 15 for travel between January 14 and April 30 (except for March 24-29) to earn up to 25,000 Aeroplan miles. Registration required.
- Travel and Leisure: “The Best Trips I’ve Paid For With Travel Rewards Points” (Me, Mommy Points and Lucky from One Mile at a Time)
- What happens to food that’s confiscated by US customs?
Hey Gary, dumb question I’ve always wondered about. Now that I’m a newly minted gold with American, it’s no longer academic. If an elite is upgraded to first, do they board with first or with gold?
Not Gary, but board with first.
Cool, thanks Ben. I actually (rather embarrassingly) called the AAdvantage desk and asked. They said the same – however I wasn’t inspired with confidence as the guy first said, “Well, Gold boards before first, right?” Hehe
It makes sense though – and I have more confidence in your response than the AA guy. 🙂
Sorry to disappoint you Dave, but your new Gold status will not necessarily mean you will be in First, at least not via coupon upgrades. The only way Gold’s typically fly First these days is if you pay for F.
Well, so far so good. My first roundtrip as gold, 3 out of 4 segments were upgraded. From what I’ve read, it is highly route dependent on whether you get it or not.
My route this time was TUL-DFW-SLC. The TUL end of that is under 500 miles so I even got the complementary upgrade on the return.
Even if my batting average drops, I’m still very glad to get the MCE seats free at check-in.
“No middle, ever again!,” is my battle cry! 😉
I haven’t flown internationally in years so was surprised watching that video that packaged salami, ham, and “beef candy” (whatever that is) get confiscated. Could you write an article for us green flyers who don’t know the rules for customs, what sort of thing is prohibited and especially those things that people wouldn’t expect like salami. I am sure I would find out upon reentry, but that is too late if I have already bought expensive goods that need to be tossed.
The US customs website has more info on this, here it is for food type items: http://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/agricultural-items
But generally anything meat (or might be meat) is prohibited, as well as fresh fruits/vegetables. Generall no problems with processed foods like snacks and candy (except for meat candy it seems!). Some cheese is ok, but it depends on the type (hard usually ok, soft no). Etc.
Best to check the site first, and definitely declare it.