Commentary

Category Archives for Commentary.

Another silly proposed security rule

by Gary Leff

united
Nov 16 2004

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security wants passengers on planes headed to the U.S. to be on board an hour before flight time. They trot out the usual justification The United States wants to tighten passenger checks to prevent a repeat of the Sept. 11 Even though, of course, this measure wouldn’t have prevented September 11 in the first place. As if we didn’t already have to get to the airport early enough, not only would the push back that time even further but connections would have to be much longer. It would no longer be enough to have an hour between connecting flights if you actually have to be onboard the new plane an hour before takeoff.

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What happens if you read this website and you have too many miles to use?

by Gary Leff

airplane
Nov 16 2004

You can always give them away to charity. Miles aren’t taxed when you obtain them (except if you win a contest or buy them), and they aren’t deductible when you give them away. But you can make some needy folks much better off. Liz Morgan, general manager of customer loyalty at Delta, said that last year customers donated 88 million SkyMiles award miles to 26 charities, including Operation Hero Miles, the United Way and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In one sense, that’s a lot. On the other hand, it’s a tiny fraction of the miles earned each year. Hal Brierely, an airline-marketing consultant in Dallas, said there were awards representing more than a trillion miles sitting unused in the accounts of Americans who bank them like any other asset. Unless the miles are going to expire,…

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Vacationing and Flu Shot Arbitrage

by Gary Leff

flu shot
Nov 15 2004

Via Travel Notes, a Jamaica Resort is offering travel packages which include flu vaccines. ”There is no shortage of flu vaccines in Jamaica and there’s no mad rush of people trying to get one,” said Zein Nakash, marketing vice president at SuperClubs, which owns the Grand Lido Negril resort and spa. … ”We should have enough (vaccines) for anyone who wants one,” she said. Which leads me to ask: how is it that ‘too many’ vaccines made it to Jamaica and not enough to the U.S.? And if the packages are in high demand, as suggested by the article, why aren’t flu shots being exported to the U.S.? Surely the flu shot package cost exceeds the the transportation cost of the vaccine. I can speculate, but I’m not enough of an expert to offer a…

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Points Won’t Be Taxed in New Zealand

by Gary Leff

air new zealand
Nov 13 2004

New Zealand has decided not to tax Air New Zealand airports dollars. Apparently there was some concern over the issue, now that Air New Zealand is rewarding ‘dollars’ instead of points those dollars might have been taxed. That fear has apparently been put to rest.

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I keep meaning to walk

by Gary Leff

church
Jul 04 2002

I keep meaning to walk into the Founding Church of Scientology in Dupont Circle — they invite tours and advertise “help wanted” all the time. I’ve never gotten around to it, but PJ Doland has, and he filed this report.

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Victory! Bill Bennett

by Gary Leff

washington post
Jul 04 2002

Victory! Bill Bennett concedes that conservatives have lost the culture war: “They’ve won,” says Bennett. “They can’t stand to have won, but it’s over and they’ve won. They get to say and do anything and make billions and castigate us in the process.” Good riddance!

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Family Leave comes to German

by Gary Leff

lufthansa plane docked
Jul 04 2002

Family Leave comes to German Aviation. European countries are unmatched in their “sensitivity” to personal issues. Now frequent flyers can take advantage of this sensitivity! Top level Lufthansa Elites can now stay that way if they stop flying as long as they have children. This fascinating new rule they just announced: ——————————————————————————– Lufthansa Senators and Frequent Travellers who would be unable to maintain their status during maternity leave can now retain their status. The status extension is valid for one year at a time, and can be used by mothers or fathers. ——————————————————————————– As I read the “one year at a time” line – if you and your wife are a Senator now, and you then have 5 children, one per year, husband and wife both stay Senator for that 5 year period.

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