New York Times Runs The Least Competent Argument for Re-Regulating Airlines I’ve Ever Seen

by Gary Leff

delta plane
Apr 19 2017

Robert Kuttner has been beating the drum seeking to re-regulate the airline industry for years. He takes whatever the latest news story is as a hook for his cause. In 2009 he argued that safety meant we needed to undo deregulation even though airlines are safer than they’ve ever been, and deregulation didn’t take the government out of overseeing airline safety at all.

Now he’s back completely misrepresenting the industry he wants to regulate, with solutions that he even admits would ban low prices and force airlines to travel with empty seats.

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Airbnb Seems to Have a Problem Actually Guaranteeing Reservations Will Be Honored By Hosts

by Gary Leff

airbnb mobile
Apr 18 2017

Among all the controversy over United having Chicago Aviation Police drag a passenger off a plane a week ago, and the horrific videos that spread like wildfire in social media, many commenters here suggested that airline were alone in overselling the products.

Of course some restaurants overbook reservations, too, knowing that a certain percentage of guests won’t show up. Rental car companies overbook, and so do hotels.

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I Don’t Even Know What to Say — Bangkok is Banning Street Food

by Gary Leff

Apr 18 2017

Bangkok is one of the best cities in the world for street food. CNN says it’s the best. Unquestionably it’s one of the best places now for both high-end and cheap eats, with food vendors all over the city on the streets and avenues with different places offering breakfast, food available throughout the day, and late night carts as well.

Yaowarat Road in Chinatown is one of the most renowned places to eat in the world. And it’s next in line to be pushed out.

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