Jan
11
2019
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.
10% Off British Airways and More Pilot Drinking in Japan
So Many TSA Screeners are Calling in Sick Miami Will Be Closing Concourse G Early
Jan
11
2019
During the government shutdown most employees are furloughed. TSA screeners, however, are supposed to work. They won’t be paid until funding is restored. Screeners have been calling out sick at a higher rate than normal with what’s being referred to as ‘blue flu’ (screeners wear blue uniforms).
At Miami the sick out rate is higher than average, and the airport will close the G concourse checkpoints in the afternoon to compensate. G primarily serves United, Frontier, Sun County, and Bahamasair.
Two American Express Centurion Lounges Close Temporarily Starting Monday
Jan
10
2019
For your strategic awareness, two American Express Centurion lounges will be closed temporarily starting Monday — Miami and Las Vegas.
Etihad Laying Off Pilots
Jan
10
2019
Worldwide there’s a significant pilot shortage in commercial aviation. However at Etihad, where the airline has been scaling back from an expansive growth posture, they believe they have too many pilots.
According to an internal memo Etihad will be laying off some of their excess pilots this month.
Air France Killing Low Fare Carrier-Within-a-Carrier Joon and Millennials Everywhere Rejoice
Jan
10
2019
It’s been a year since Air France started service under the ‘Joon’ brand. A separate airline with lower labor costs is one thing – and Joon had lower flight attendant costs, but not lower pilot costs. It’s hard enough to pull that off without really being a separate company. Just ask United, Delta, US Airways, and Continental about the airline within an airline experiment.
Pretending that the Air France low cost carrier without low costs was really a different brand for millennials was just silly. It was created by consultants who think millennial means “no money, doesn’t care about comfort, and is into marketing buzz.”
Air Canada Just Completed Purchase of Aeroplan Frequent Flyer Program, Now Let’s Learn How They’re Changing It
Jan
10
2019
Air Canada, along with Aeroplan’s banking partners CIBC, TD, and Visa, completed their agreement to buy Aeroplan from Aimia.
That gives Air Canada its members to market to right away, and it eliminates expected new major competition between the two from the marketplace before it even begins.
Law Student Missed Her Flight Thanks to TSA and the Government Shutdown, So She Danced.
Jan
10
2019
She danced on the airport train. She danced in the terminal. She danced while having a drink. You can’t get frustrated with travel — with the airlines, with the TSA, with yourself — when you’re dancing.
Hyatt Will Pay You to Hack Their Systems
Jan
09
2019
United has a bug bounty program paying out up to a million miles for identifying vulnerabilities.
Now Hyatt has a bug bounty program, too.
US City Paying People to Visit and Paraplegic United Passenger Had to Scoot Down the Aisle Himself
Jan
09
2019
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.
Award Availability at the St. Regis Maldives is Better – and Cheaper – Than You Think
Jan
09
2019
Until March the most expensive standard room redemption Marriott offers is 60,000 points which is amazing value at the St. Regis Maldives.
Right now there’s better redemption availability at the property than the Marriott award calendar shows — and they appear to be underpricing awards for overwater villas.
