COVID Will Change My Airport Security Checkpoint Routine

by Gary Leff

lego tsa agents
Jun 19 2020

Sometimes I depart the U.S. flying an airline that doesn’t participate in PreCheck. And when I do, I still ‘opt out’ of these nude-o-scopes on principle. Maybe I’m the last person that does.

I take a pat down instead of going through the machine. The screener will tell me what to expect, saying to me that they’re going to ‘run their hand up my leg until they meet resistance’ and they’ll ask if I have any sensitive areas. “Only where you meet resistance” I’ve offered, a hundred times. Covid changes all of this.

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4 Reasons Normal Travel Is Just Around The Corner

by Gary Leff

Jun 19 2020

The novel coronavirus has cast a shadow on the whole world since January, though not everyone realized it until late February or early March. It’s led to a deeper recession than we’ve seen in any of our lifetimes, and one of the industries hit the absolute hardest has been travel.

The good news, though, is that we’re not that far away from a real recovery – in travel and for the world.

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The Government Has Now Given Out CARES Act Grants To 287 U.S. ‘Airlines’. There Aren’t 287 Airlines!

by Gary Leff

Jun 19 2020

When the Treasury Department first reported on airline subsidy payouts under the CARES Act I was shocked to learn that 96 airlines were receiving payroll support grants. Who knew there were 96 airlines?

The Treasury Department wasn’t done yet, and there were still a couple of billion dollars to hand out. This week they updated their report, and they’ve committed $24,157,445,417 out of an appropriated $25 billion in payroll support grants, and funds are going to 287 airlines. Who knew there were 287 airlines?

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Canada Transport Minister Defends Making Passengers Give Risky Interest-Free Loans To Airlines

by Gary Leff

air canada plane tarmac
Jun 18 2020

Air Canada, along with other Canadian airlines, hasn’t been refunding tickets when they cancel flights. The Canadian government has backed them, though for flights to or from the U.S. it’s a clear violation of U.S. law.

Telling customers they can only have a voucher, to use later, is effectively an interest-free loan (they hold onto the money until they earn it later) and a risky one (risk that the customer will have an opportunity to fly, and that the airline will still be in business).

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New “Explore America” $4000 Domestic Travel Credit Is A Terrible Idea

by Gary Leff

Jun 18 2020

The Trump administration is reportedly considering a domestic travel “Explore America” tax credit that would refund 50% of up to $8000 per household in air, hotel, rental cars and even event tickets and restaurant spend as long as you’re at least 50 miles away from home.

I would love for other people to cover $4000 of my travel expenses. But the idea is nuts.

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