With internet booking of airline reservations now in the mainstream, a Malaysian discount airline is introducing cell phone text messaging as a way to book tickets. It takes about 8 messages back and forth. Asian markets are a bit ahead of the US in doing business electronically via mobile phones, but as the technology improves and becomes more mainstream this will eventually take hold in the US as well.As for me, I’m a little skittish because I don’t yet feel comfortable shopping in all the ways that I shop before buying using just a mobile device. It’s a bit too cumbersome still. But I do use my mobile device to check schedules, on time departures, and flight availability. Booking should be next.
About Gary Leff
Retaining and Selling First Class Seats
USA Today covers something that View from the Wing readers already know — that Alaska Airlines has decided to keep its first class cabin, and USAirways has swapped planes on its shuttle routes to offer first class service. In the case of Alaska, they realized the cutting first class would severely cut into the loyalty of their frequent flyers who generate much of their revenue. Without a first class cabin, there would be little to differentiate them from Southwest Airlines. “For our passengers, especially our (most frequent fliers), it’s really the foundation to the whole loyalty program,” says Tom Romary, Alaska vice president of marketing. “As we did the analysis, we realized there was a major loyalty impact if we were to remove first class.” At the same time, they hope to generate some marginal…
American Airlines sweepstakes
American Airlines is running a sweepstakes called Max to Relax. They’re giving away three prizes (Carribean vacation, recliner, hammock) to promote their ‘mileage maximizer’ which promotes American mileage earning opportunities.
Pilots and Security Decisionmaking
The Airline Pilots Association (ALPA, the largest pilots union) has petitioned the FAA to give pilots total control over security decisions when on the ground. Currently, airline employees and the TSA control decisions when the plane is parked at the gate, and the Captain has final authority in the air.My unsupported hunch? If you give this authority to pilots, it will be used in work slowdowns. Rather than a safety measure, it’s a way of amassing leverage for union bargaining. Just as pilots might work slowly before and after takeoff, and mechanics might ground flights for minor transgressions that don’t effect safety, pilots would now be able to use their own judgment and decide to cancel a flight for “security reasons.”Maybe I’m just paranoid…
Now this is twisted…
… but it may be even better than Arnold, Arianna, Gary Coleman, and Larry Flynt all running for Governor of California:
Most Bizarre Case for Tort Reform… But if Doesn’t Come from the U.S.
A man’s wife is killed in a car crash, and is sued by the driver of the other car for trauma. The lawsuit is victorious. (Link via the Volokh Conspiracy.)Update: There are still plenty of U.S. examples, too. A federal judge has awarded $2,500 to a clown who was refused permission to perform for children because of two convictions for molestation and sexual abuse of minors. Westchester County apparently violated the man’s rights…
BA Discount
Book using this website to get a 10% discount on British Airways coach fares. Book by October 17, travel by March 31.
Double Bonus for Signing up for Amtrak Loyalty Program
There’s a standard bonus for signing up for Amtrak Guest Rewards: 500 points if you take an Amtrak trip within 90 days of signup.There’s now an offer for 1000 points, though still requiring the train trip within 90 days to claim it. Signup by September 30th using promotion code BKM03.
Finding Low Fares
I’m asked with some regularity, “Could you let me know when the fare from X City to Y City is really cheap?” And to some extent I keep on the lookout, but mostly I just hear (via e-mail, via my own checking, via Flyertalk.com, or via ScottC’s email list) about especially good fares.. but not tied to specific destinations. So I usually say “sure, if I see something I’ll let you know. But why don’t you let the internet travel agencies do it for you? They will, of course, since they want to sell you a ticket.”And I suggest the following: Orbitz: http://www.orbitz.com/dealdetector/ Travelocity: Choose “FareWatcher” Expedia: http://www.expedia.com/daily/promos/promomail/default.asp?rfrr=-1265 Now, if what you’re trying to do is just find out where you can fly cheap from where you are rather than looking for specific destinations, you…
What’s Going on on the East Coast?
The Top Ten Theories About What Caused the East Coast Power Blackout. Among them: 9. Overstressed computers in West Coast attempting to tabulate all the candidates for California Governor. 8. Osama bin Laden and his compatriots check into a motel in New Jersey and turn up the air conditioning *really* high. 7. All innocent persons on death row in Texas prison system electrocuted at once. 6. Justice Antonin Scalia seeks return to original conditions when Constitution was written. 4. Liberal paranoia comes true as country is returned to Dark Ages. 2. President Bush attempts to divert electricity from middle class to the wealthiest 1 percent. Update: The Associated Press has a story with the top ten tips from Iraqis for surviving a blackout. For example, –3: CALL IN THE IRAQIS. Some suggested the Americans ask…
