US Government Plans to Take Mug Shots of All Departing Air Passengers By 2021

by Gary Leff

bar graph
Oct 02 2018

At the start of the Trump administration there was tremendous media attention over the travel ban for nationals of several countries, but I pointed out at the time one of the lesser-noticed provisions was expediting implementation of exit controls at the border. This wasn’t just about keeping people out, it was also about keeping them in.

The plan has become more ambitious in fact a Department of Homeland Security report details the plan to require all departing passengers, including all citizens, to have photos (mug shots) taken when leaving the United States — expanding to land and sea crossings as well.

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The Funniest Take on American Airlines I’ve Ever Seen, I’m Literally Dying

by Gary Leff

digital people
Oct 01 2018

American’s plan was for more extra legroom coach seats while a few seats would have just 29 inches of pitch which is the distance from seat back to seat back. Word leaked about these changes and employees were up in arms (and thoroughly embarrassed). The airline backed down, and didn’t ultimately go to 29 inch pitch.

There’s a brilliant video about that plan. I keep watching it and completely losing it, this is hilarious.

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Double Hyatt Points at MGM Las Vegas Properties Through December 29

by Gary Leff

mandalay bay
Oct 01 2018

Hyatt introduced a pretty revolutionary partnership with MGM 5 years ago with reciprocal points earning, redemption, and status matching. Hyatt didn’t have a significant presence in the Las Vegas market, while this became an opportunity for MGM to reach affluent customers whose choices in Vegas might otherwise be brand-independent. This was a tighter relationship with more value than we had seen from other chains, something almost akin to the kind of codesharing airlines do with each other. Since then the status match has been made less generous for Hyatt members, but there’s still valuable recognition. And the Hyatt-MGM M life deal isn’t ‘either-or’ you receive MGM recongition while still earning Hyatt points also. Through the end of the year there’s a promotion to earn double Hyatt points (an extra 5 points per dollar) at MGM…

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Free Inflight Internet is Coming, And It’s Going to Spread to Most Airlines

by Gary Leff

gogo plane
Sep 30 2018

In 2012 I wrote that once bandwidth increases substantially for inflight internet, it would eventually become free (included in ticket price). I predicted that would happen within 10 years.

Now JetBlue offers it for free. Aer Lingus announced they’ll be offering it for free. Southwest, Delta, and Alaska offer free messaging. And the trend is going to spread because it is a profit maximizing strategy once bandwidth no longer needs to be rationed.

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