News and notes from around the interweb:
- “Stolen valor” heh.
- Waymo is in Austin, but isn’t allowed to drive to the airport. There’s a lot of lobbying against it, too. The standard can’t be perfection – I’m far more confident in Waymo’s driving than the median human driving for Uber or Lyft or a taxi.
Waymo went on SF lobbying spree last year
byu/walky22talky inwaymo - An airport piano was filthy and out of tune. He fixed it during a layover. (WaPo)
- I moved here in 2014. Back then outsiders got a certain amount of scorn. Not anymore, there are too many transplants. Mostly, premium services haven’t kept pace with demand. There didn’t used to be a reservations culture for restaurants, now the top places require booking weeks out (and the very top places, months). (HT: @crucker)
Austin, TX from the same spot 10 years apart (2014 vs 2024)
Pretty stunning transformation. pic.twitter.com/PegKAAGryX
— Hunter (@StatisticUrban) January 24, 2025
- Central Texas barbecue in… Chiang Mai
- Another Marriott property demanding guest sign a release for… 15,000 points, which is worth about $100.
Being asked to sign a release in order to receive points?
byu/CastlesofDoom inmarriott
I’ve see a few ‘Cardboard’ Medallion bag tags in the wild. Economy Minus.
If the Reddit poster was in fact sexually harassed, they should sue. Not settle for 15,000 points.
I think all status based bag tags are so lame. The bag tag put on your bag by the airline at check in is the only one that matters. On cabin bags it’s the most lame thing ever. My airline status is between me and the airline.
(Sounds like someone *cough* above *cough* has never received a bag tag)
It’s alright. The tags are overrated. Status (these days at least) is too. Actually, the most pretentious thing out there is that colorful United Premier 1K ‘bag handle wrap’. Like, sheesh. Who came up with that?
What exactly is the Reddit poster saying happened? People use the term “sexual assault” to cover a wide range of behaviors. If it was physical assault she shouldn’t be wasting her time getting opinions on Reddit — go straight to a lawyer.
No problem w the Marriott hotel asking for release. Person is claiming “sexual assault” but no idea if any real truth to the claim. Release likely is to end any potential future action on their part similar to how insurance companies typically require a release when you get a settlement check. If they don’t want the points then don’t sign and pursue other action (which may or may not result in compensation)
Stolen valor: You should see how much people get when they sell shopping bags or garment bags from high-end stores/brands. I think I’m in the wrong job.
Delta Museum in ATL sells the Day One Medallion 747 metal tags for $25 in its surplus sales. I turned $200 into $1000 in a week.