Mar
29
2020
A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
Travel Booking Site Fired 100 People Via Videochat
Plane Full Of Heroes Flies INTO New York To Help COVID-19 Patients At Great Personal Risk
Mar
29
2020
The saying ‘not all heroes wear capes’ has become trite and is frequently used ironically. But how else are you supposed to describe a Southwest Airlines plane full of doctors and nurses flying into the hardest hit region for the novel coronavirus?
Each of these women and men are taking on real personal risk to help the people of New York. There’s not enough personal protective gear. Over 50 doctors have died of COVID-19 in Italy so far. And yet they’re all smiling, even knowing what’s in store.
Inside The Special Plane Airlifting COVID-19 Patients Out Of Italy
Mar
29
2020
This aircraft was used to bring German patients suffering from COVID-19 out of Italy and home for care. The aircraft is a 30 year old, ex-Lufthansa Airbus A310 belonging to the German Air Force with “the medevac kit installed.”
How The King Of Thailand Is Self-Quarantining (He Isn’t Even In Thailand)
Mar
28
2020
Thailand was the first country outside of China with a confirmed COVID-19 patient. It’s generally considered to have done well containing the virus, currently reporting just 1245 total cases, though I’m skeptical of testing and reporting at least outside of Bangkok.
The King of Thailand also must be skeptical, because he’s quarantined himself in Germany where there are over 56,000 cases. King Maha Vajiralongkorn has rented out the entire Grand Hotel Sonnenbichl to isolate himself “with his harem of 20 women and his servants.”
American Airlines Makes Basic Economy Better: Paid Seat Assignments At Booking
Mar
28
2020
I do not see any real reason to stay way from Basic Economy fares at this point, unless the buy up to regular economy is very small. It largely is a buy up for the possibility of an upgrade and more credit towards re-earning elite status, which has been less likely and less valuable in recent years. And that means, effectively, the end of basic economy as a pricing strategy.
Rhode Island Will Hunt Down New Yorkers House-To-House To Fight Coronavirus
Mar
28
2020
Rhode Island doesn’t want any loopholes in their new ban on New Yorkers seeking refuge in the state. The U.S. now has over 112,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, nearly 40% more than China has reported. And half of all U.S. cases are in New York and New Jersey.
Police in Rhode Island are now stopping cars with New York license plates and the state’s National Guard is conducting house-to-house searches to find New Yorkers and impose a 14 day quarantine. According to the Governor of the state, their “risk is called New York City.”
$13 Cross Country Airfares! But Why Are Airlines Pricing Below Marginal Cost?
Mar
28
2020
Airlines are pricing cross country flights as low as $12.89. All but $2.79 of that is taxes. That’s much lower than the marginal cost to the airline for transporting an additional customer. Why would they intentionally sell tickets tickets for such low prices?
An Interesting Investment Play For People Who Take Cruises
Mar
28
2020
If you cruise, and will cruise again, cruise line shares are cheap – and shareholders get folio credit when they take trips. A reader passes along that at current prices they get an effective 6% dividend annual when they take a 7 night cruise.
Hilton Offers 90 Days Of Free Gold Status, Fast Track To Keep Gold Or Diamond
Mar
28
2020
Hilton has offered status matches and fast tracks to elite for years. They’ve just extended their latest offer. Hilton will give you 90 days of Gold status which largely means free breakfast or lounge access and avoiding the bad rooms at the hotel.
Airport Will Convert To Makeshift Morgue In Preparation For Coronavirus
Mar
28
2020
A part of Birmingham airport in the U.K. is being converted to a makeshift morgue to initially hold 1500 bodies but with plans to covert to 12,000 as the need arises. Existing storage capacity is expected to be overwhelmed, and staff transferred to the airport facility to handle the volume.
