Holly Hegeman Speaks to American Employees About the Airline’s Dark Days

by Gary Leff

obi wan
Apr 14 2018

The latest American Airlines employee podcast interviews Holly Hegeman. She talks about how she got involved covering the airline industry, doing consulting for Bob Crandall and doing the airline’s annual report with him.

I’m pretty sure I found Flyertalk.com in 2001 from a link on Holly’s PlaneBusiness website so in some sense I owe the start of my journey — which began reading Thomas Petzinger’s Hard Landing over 20 years ago and by traveling as a newly minted frequent flyer and that was accelerated through my association with Randy Petersen — to Holly.

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American Airlines CEO: Why You May Not Have a Gate When You Land

by Gary Leff

airport
Apr 13 2018

This past week American Airlines CEO Doug Parker held an employee question and answer forum in Miami. A pilot there expressed his frustration at delays, saying that they’re measured in “dog minutes” because each minute feels like seven. They finally get on their way and arrive at their destination only to find that they have no gate.

Parker offered an explanation for how and why they run into a lack of gates.

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DEAL: $140 for $250 in Your Choice of Wine Plus Miles

by Gary Leff

loyalty program rewards
Apr 13 2018

WineAccess.com is a wine shop I wouldn’t usually buy from. Their prices are a bit on the high side. However there are (3) stackable offers that make them an amazing deal right now.

You can spend $250, get back $50 from referral credit, and American Express has an ‘Amex Offer’ of $60 back on $250 spend. And you can earn miles for your purchase through a shopping portal too.

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REPORT: Emirates Cutting Flight Attendant Staffing and Service

by Gary Leff

emirates airline cabin
Apr 13 2018

Emirates still offers angled business class seats on most of its Boeing 777s (and they have more 777s than A380s). They’re cutting back flying to many destinations based on demand. They’ve cut many service elements of their inflight product and sought to monetize things like lounge access.

And now just like American Airlines reduced flight attendant staffing on its Boeing 777-200s, treating premium economy as just a part of regular economy, Emirates too is reducing onboard staffing.

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