Edmonton’s anti-smoking law has a truly perverse consequence A “sober bar” that caters to recovering alcoholics was told Thursday to get a liquor licence and start serving alcohol if it wants to let customers smoke. … If they start selling liquor, they’ll be tempting many patrons to return to addiction. “The city is forcing us to promote alcohol as the only way we can keep smoking,” co-owner Tom Charbonneau said. “Other restaurants and bars have that option, but we don’t.” Charbonneau and Lawrence Lathe opened Keep It Simple two years ago to give recovering alcoholics, gambling or drug addicts a bar-like atmosphere without the booze they have to shun. They also hold meetings for Alcoholics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous and other 12-step programs in a back room. Most former addicts smoke; it gives them at least…
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American Airlines rescinds “use it or lose it” rule
This is basically a return to how things worked a year ago. Under terms of the new policy, customers with nonrefundable tickets must now cancel their flight reservations before their flight is scheduled to depart. When they do, they will have one year from the date their original ticket was issued to reschedule and apply the value of the unused ticket (less any applicable change fee) to their new trip. Tickets must be reissued and travel must commence within one year of the date the original ticket was issued. Here’s how it works: A customer purchases his ticket on Sep. 1, 2003, for travel departing on Oct. 15, 2003. On Oct. 1, 2003, his plans change, and he calls his travel agent or AA Reservations to cancel his itinerary. He will now have until Sep.…
Mobile phone ticketing
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.
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.
