Dec
27
2019
This new paper forthcoming in Vanderbilt Law Review sure sounds familiar to me.
Does This New Law Review Article Sound Like It’s Describing Your Life?
Commentary
Category Archives for Commentary.
Argentina Expected To Impose 20% Tourist Dollars Tax
Dec
16
2019
This is part of an “economic recovery package” that will somehow “reactivate the local tourism industry.” I do not think this is how it works.
Up to 15% of People are Financing Their Package Vacations Every Month
Nov
29
2019
Last week I learned that each month between 10% and 15% of United Vacations sales are made on credit. Since the same credit provider services AA Vacations I assume the results there are similar, though I don’t know their numbers specifically. I found this disconcerting, but not surprising.
Let Me Thank You
Nov
28
2019
Similar to last year I thought I’d take the Thanksgiving opportunity to express my thankfulness for each of you that reads my blog and interacts with me throughout the year. I’ve said this many times before but I really do consider myself one of the luckiest people, and certainly much more fortunate than I could have ever imagined.
Elite Status: Where I’ll End 2019
Nov
14
2019
I just booked what I hope will be my last flights of 2019, and my last hotel stays as well. Looking back on the year I realize I traveled less – fewer days than I’ve spent on the road in recent times since the birth of my daughter last fall.
Less time in the air and in chain hotels for me will still seem like a lot of time away to many readers. In 2016 I was gone half the year. That hasn’t been close to true this year. Still, I’m on track to renew several of my status levels.
Here’s What North Korea’s New Submarine Missile Launch Capability Looks Like to a Pilot
Oct
02
2019
North Korea appears to have submarine launch capability and test-fired a ballistic missile Wednesday, perhaps as a bargaining chip ahead of the resumption of nuclear talks with the U.S.
Here’s what a surprise nuclear launch looks like to a pilot, this from a Boeing cargo captain in the area at the time of the incident.
Privacy Policies are Useless Because Your Biographical Data is Worthless, Here’s What Has Value
Sep
09
2019
Your frequent flyer accounts are more than rewards for your behavior. They’re also data that’s valuable, too. So is your credit card spending. Banks don’t just give you points, get transaction value, and make money on interchange (merchant swipe fees) and revolve (interest). They generate intelligence about your buying behavior that can be rented out to companies that want to sell more to you.
When data is hacked, we hear about biographical information that’s taken – name, address, e-mail address, and we worry about social security numbers. That’s not even the really valuable stuff.
Man Stands in Aisle for 6 Hour Flight So His Wife Could Sleep: Sweet or Toxic Marriage?
Sep
08
2019
A man reportedly stood in the aisle for a full six hour flight so his wife could sleep in their seats.
Was he being selfless, or was she being selfish? Should they have just contorted themselves so that they could both sleep, her head in his lap and his head.. somewhere? And is it ok to stand in the aisle as long as the seat belt sign is on, common space for everyone, or is it rude to block the aisle?
French Protesters Demand Free Disneyland Parking as Many Can No Longer Take Vacation
Sep
03
2019
It’s become conventional wisdom that Americans don’t take enough vacation time. Just look at the quality of life in France! Of course spending time in France I’ve found people in general to be extremely frugal, especially in Paris.
Indeed the French can no longer afford their vacations.
Why Aren’t Flight Attendant Jobs Glamorous Anymore?
Aug
29
2019
Deregulation has meant more people have access to the skies thanks to lower prices (the government used to mandate high prices most people couldn’t afford). Flying has become more small-d democratic. Without government protection for airlines wages haven’t grown.
Working as a pilot was once glamorous, but the relative status of pilots has fared (somewhat) better than flight attendants. Some of the same effects have influenced the way we regard pilots today versus 40 years ago, although there are additional factors that have made serving as a flight attendant fall in status even more than flying up front.
