Got an e-mail from United Airlines that said in the event of a bankruptcy filing, “you will continue to reap the benefits of Mileage Plus(R) membership. WE WILL HONOR MILES PREVIOUSLY EARNED IN MILEAGE PLUS, AND YOU WILL CONTINUE TO ACCRUE MILES FOR TRAVEL ON UNITED AND OUR MILEAGE PLUS PARTNERS.” Now, promises are promises, and bankruptcy is by definition a way to discharge promises. However, it would be a silly business decision to disavow accrued miles because they would take away the accumulated incentive for their best customers to continue to fly the airline. Miles are not just a liability — they are the single most successful marketing tool ever devised. First, miles aren’t a true liability — they are a commitment to give away for free seats that otherwise go unsold (and they…
About Gary Leff
The INS and Border Patrol
The INS and Border Patrol are having a hard time attracting and retaining personnel the Transportation Security Administration will pay more for the same people. (Link via The Comedian.) Now, maybe the TSA needs the best people more than the INS and border patrol although I doubt it. Of course, they’re not even getting competent people.
Northwest bonus miles. New WorldPerks
Northwest bonus miles. New WorldPerks members, who enroll online using source code VP2P, will earn 4,000 bonus miles for their first qualifying roundtrip. (Enroll prior to travel but not later than Dec. 31, 2002, and travel must be completed by Feb. 13, 2003.) Existing members earn 1,000 bonus miles by registering online with registration number 5075 by Dec. 31 and complete travel by Feb. 13. Either way, register here.
Delta and American Express introduce
Delta and American Express introduce a new business credit card. The new Platinum Delta SkyMiles Business Credit Card offers 10,000 miles when enrolling and 5,000 more miles (which count toward elite status) when using the card for the first time. Every year spending reaches $25,000, a bonus of 10,000 base miles will be added to the user’s account. Plus, there’s a free companion certificate awarded each year the card is renewed. Many charges earn double miles and there’s no mileage cap on annual earnings. The card’s annual fee is $135 which is less than the standard AmEx fee and Membership Rewards fee. Apply by calling 1-800-NOW-OPEN.
USATODAY reports that
USATODAY reports that the Air Marshall program is in disarray. (Link via Instapundit.) This is no longer an elite corp, since standards have been lowered to meet hiring quotas. The air marshalls themselves believe the situation is unsafe. Air marshalls are clearly not an alternative to arming pilots. From the article: Hiring standards for marshals added since Sept. 11 have been lowered dramatically, sources say. No longer must applicants pass a difficult marksmanship course that used to be the make-or-break test for the program. In addition, many new hires were given guns and badges and put aboard flights before extensive background checks were completed. Another money quote: “In May, for 3 1/2 weeks, they forgot about me and 15 guys in the office,” said one marshal. “We sat (around) watching kung fu movies.”
TAPPED demonstrates its
TAPPED demonstrates its bonafides by calling out the Dems for pork, pointing out a little exchange between two Democratic Senators: “Paul, let’s talk pork,” Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) said to Sen. Paul Wellstone (D-Minn.) in a candid exchange on the Senate subway before the spring recess earlier this year. “We like you and we want you back.”
The inventor of the
The inventor of the frisbee died. His ashes will be molded into memorial flying discs to be given to friends and family and to those who make a donation in his memory. (via the Frosty Mug Revolution.) What a month. I was already mourning the passing of the inventor of clumping cat litter and white out.
Tony Woodlief writes
Tony Woodlief writes an open letter to the Quaker Oats company. Wilford Brimley must be mighty uncomfortable.
An Instapundit reader
An Instapundit reader doubs that the grounding of all aircraft on 9/11 was necessary to stop potential terrorist attacks.
Today is the biggest traffic
Today is the biggest traffic day yet for Impeach Underperformin’ Norman. I’m also seeing the graphic on a variety of sites. I got to thinking this afternoon about the Impeach Mineta meme. It’s a simple slogan that “fits on a bumper sticker” so it’s easy to understand. It’s easy to pass on. It’s represents a set of ideas incredibly concisely. I’m just starting to realize how much that kind of packaging matters. I’ve been railing about the transportation security agency, and our nation’s approach to security, for a long time and falling upon deaf ears. All of the policy studies and detailed analyses fail. Now, I think the analysis has to be there to undergird the marketing — I’m not sure that the marketing is sustainable without a strong argument — but the marketing really…
