Airlines

Category Archives for Airlines.

The Real Reason People Hate Airlines (People Hate Comcast For This Too)

by Gary Leff on June 7, 2023

Jun 07 2023

Have you ever tried to get your cable fixed by calling Comcast? Or have you ever tried to get advice from the IRS 800 number? Most large organizations become sclerotic. The people hired to field calls may be judged not on whether they help customers, but how quickly they get rid of customers (average time per call). At the very least, they probably aren’t evaluated on whether or not they solve a customer’s problem.

Southwest Airlines denied a baggage claim even though there was video evidence, a police report, and an arrest showing the bags were stolen. Their reason? “A discrepancy.” And Southwest is hardly the Comcast of aviation.

How The 1,500 Hour Rule To Become A Commercial Pilot Compromises Safety

by Gary Leff on June 7, 2023

Jun 07 2023

The 1,500 hour rule leads to less well-trained, less-experienced pilots not more experienced pilots. They get hired by commercial airlines and go through remedial training to fix the bad habits they get into building up hours for hours’ sake.

The World’s Airlines Have Gotten Together To Demand Less Consumer Protection

by Gary Leff on June 6, 2023

Jun 06 2023

Since delays have increased since European EU261 compensation, the airline industry argues that the financial incentive in imposing costs for delays doesn’t reduce delays. That’s a bit rich, though, to argue that an increasing number of passengers needing compensation for airline flight delays proves it’s unnecessary to pay? The incentive isn’t the only reason!

American Airlines Makes Changes To How Upgrades Work

by Gary Leff on June 6, 2023

Jun 06 2023

Starting June 9th American Airlines is making some minor changes to how complimentary upgrades work that most AAdvantage status members are going to like. Upgrades when traveling on an award ticket will now be available to all status members and will come with higher priority than before.

Ex-American Airlines Flight Attendants Union Head Suing After He Was Found To Have Swindled Funds

by Gary Leff on June 5, 2023

Jun 05 2023

Last year former APFA President Bob Ross was found to have misappropriated funds while running the union. An arbitrator’s award covered charges he billed a family vacation to the union credit card, improperly billed his personal furniture (and bedding and even toilet paper) to the union, and of having the union pay for a personal office he wasn’t entitled to among other alleged misdeeds.

Ross filed suit to overturn the arbitrator’s judgment, arguing first that he shouldn’t be singled out among past union Presidents for financial impropriety, and then that the accusations against him are all part of a plot for Sara Nelson’s AFA-CWA to take over the union.

Class Action Lawsuit Says American Airlines Pension Pursues Political Agenda, Not Investment Returns

by Gary Leff on June 4, 2023

depressed businessman leaning his head below a bad stock market chart

Jun 04 2023

A senior American Airlines pilot has filed a class action lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas over the 100,000 member, $26 billion airline pension, arguing that it is pursuing “leftist political agendas” by making investments that follow ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) guidelines.

He argues that the plan breaches its fiduciary duty by privileging activism on issues including race, LGBTQ+ rights, and environmentalism over financial returns.

Qatar Airways Plans To Eliminate First Class

by Gary Leff on June 4, 2023

Jun 04 2023

Long-term the Airbus A380 will retire. And rather than add a new, top-end first class along the lines of something that might compete with Gulf rivals like Emirates, Etihad and even Saudia, or even like European carriers Lufthansa and Air France, Qatar is planning to eliminate long haul first class.

United Airlines Pilot Leadership Unanimously Supports Strike Vote

by Gary Leff on June 3, 2023

Jun 03 2023

United Airlines pilots haven’t just voted to authorize a strike vote, they have done so unanimously according to their union. Here’s what to expect.

When Are You Entitled To Meal Vouchers During An American Airlines Flight Delay?

by Gary Leff on June 2, 2023

Jun 02 2023

It’s clear when American is obligated to provide this. But how do airport agents know this?

Simple (or not so simple): the computer at the gate now tells them, but they need to know what to look for. They need to check whether the flight is “E”ligible or “I”neligible, and how long the posted delay is for.

“Brace, Brace, Head Down, Stay Down” Passenger Shows American Airlines Flight Emergency Landing