US Government Will Audit Its Own Safety Oversight of American Airlines and Allegiant

american plane
May 10 2018

Under pressure to ‘do something’ the Department of Transportation’s Inspector General is going to audit the FAA’s oversight of American Airlines and Allegiant. This is a change in focus of an existing audit launched at the behest of Democrats in Congress last summer.

It’s a concern, apparently, that the FAA takes a collaborative approach to safety rather than focusing on finding violations it can fine.

Continue Reading »

Since American is Taking Out Seat Back Video, Prepare With an Amazon Tablet for $20

back airplane tv
May 09 2018

American Airlines is getting rid of seat back video from its domestic fleet. As part of their “Project Oasis” retrofit even planes that have seat back screens are going to have those removed.

While American claims 90% of customers bring their own devices, so screens are unnecessary, that number can’t possibly be right unless “devices” include “flip phones.” Older travelers and children frequently don’t have their own devices. A family of five probably doesn’t own five tablets.

Continue Reading »

Kismet: American Passenger Flying to Clinic Has Inflight Emergency, Life Saved By Clinic’s Doctor

american airlines planes
May 09 2018

Ashley Spencer was flying American Airlines from Philadelphia to Cleveland over the weekend where she would receive treatment at the Cleveland Clinic. But she went into anaphylactic shock on the flight.

Spencer reports she stopped breathing, she “still had a pulse. That’s when the stewardess said, ‘Is there any medical professionals on the aircraft? It’s an emergency.'”

Continue Reading »