Over 30% Of Pilots Have Fake Licenses At The Worst Airline In The World

by Gary Leff

pakitstan international airlines
Jun 25 2020

In the aftermath of the May 22 crash of a Pakistan International Airlines flight from Lahore to Karachi a preliminary investigation attributed the cause to pilot error and lack of professionalism. Cockpit crew talked throughout the journey about COVID-19 and its affect on their families, while ignoring standard operating procedures. 97 of the 99 passengers and crew on board were killed.

The investigation further revealed that more than 30% of pilots at the airlines have fake licenses and aren’t qualified to fly.

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Hawaii Re-Opens August 1 – With Pre-Arrival COVID Testing (Sadly Impossible For Many)

by Gary Leff

hawaii
Jun 25 2020

Hawaii has imposed a 14-day mandatory quarantine on arrival since late March. That order currently extends through July 31, but will be extended.

What’s new is that Hawaii will offer an option to avoid quarantine. Arriving passengers with a negative test for COVID-19 from the previous 72 hours, will be exempted. The state will also be implementing temperature screening at airports.

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It’s Not Really Turbulence Until You Lose Your Wine

by Gary Leff

Jun 24 2020

They say the only true drinking problem is someone who never buys. That isn’t quite right, because when you lose your wine that’s a problem too.

You should always wear your seat belt, even when the seat belt sign is off, because turbulence can be a surprise. But there’s no known wine seat belt. And on one flight the plane shook so badly a bottle of wine was apparently sent shooting off into the ceiling of the aircraft.

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The Most Creative Argument Yet For A Second Airline Bailout

by Gary Leff

Jun 24 2020

And the Allied Pilots Association, which represents pilots at American Airlines, has a creative suggestion. They want the federal government to buy up all the middle seats or more specifically “purchase enough seats on each flight to eliminate the need for any passenger to sit next to a stranger.”

The union says it “has begun discussing the SEATS concept with key lawmakers” to get it included in a CARES Act followup or passed as a standalone. Watch your wallets.

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People Are Testing Positive For COVID-19 And Flying Anyway

by Gary Leff

Jun 24 2020

The biggest challenge with how easily SARS-CoV-2 spreads is that pre-symptomatic people are perhaps the most likely to infect others. Some studies suggest that people shed the most virus in the two days leading up to symptoms. So taking temperatures, convincing people to stay home when sick, only goes so far. That’s why healthy people are asked to wear masks, because they may be infecting others without realizing it.

Another big problem though is that even people who test positive for the virus aren’t staying home. Some are hiding their diagnosis, and still traveling.

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After $2.5 Billion, New York LaGuardia Central Terminal Is Worse Than Before

by Gary Leff

Jun 24 2020

With the opening of the new New York LaGuardia Central Terminal building to replace the old terminal C, United, American, Air Canada and Southwest have a new home at one of the most important airports in the country.

I’ve been overall pretty negative on the renovation project because my fear has been that it would slow down travel, not make it better. A reader shares a report that confirms my fears. He concludes, “LaGuardia now requires an additional 30 minutes to get to the gate.”

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Profitable Deportation Airline Scores $67 Million CARES Act Bailout

by Gary Leff

Jun 24 2020

Omni Air is a profitable ‘deportation airline’ operating charter flights for the Department of Homeland Security, and before securing the $67 million bailout they were awarded a new $78 million Defense Department contract.

They take deportation charters no one else will, billing the government as much as $11,000 per passenger. Their CARES Act funding appears to cover more payroll per person than any other airline receiving government funds.

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New Senate Bill Includes $4000 Per Person Domestic Travel Credit

by Gary Leff

Jun 23 2020

The President has indicated support for a $4000 domestic travel credit where you’d get half your money back from airfare, hotels, restaurants and related spending on domestic trips.

That’s now morphed into Martha McSally (R-AZ)’s “American TRIP Act” which would provide a tax credit of $4000 per adult ($8000 to a couple filing jointly) and $500 additional per dependent child to spend in 2020 or 2021 on domestic travel 50 miles or more from home, as well as $50 million to Destination Marketing Organizations to promote tourism to their region. This is insane.

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