American Lets Planes Go Out Mostly Empty Rather Than Letting Members Book Awards

by Gary Leff

Dec 24 2015

It’s understandable that on a premium route with their best aircraft they’ll want to be a bit conservative releasing award space. At this time there is not a single day during the entire 11 months of the schedule that there’s even one business or first class saver award Los Angeles – Sydney. That’s absurd. But it’s worse than that.

They aren’t just protecting seats hoping to sell them, not knowing yet what seats are going to go unsold. Even when it is 100% obvious that seats are going out empty, they’re still extorting members for more than 200,000 miles for a one way flight. That’s some dirty pool.

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Coyote Runs Through Baggage Claim, Gets Stopped at the Security Checkpoint

by Gary Leff

Dec 24 2015

A coyote ran through baggage claim at the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina airport. It was ultimately caught at the airport’s security checkpoint.

You might think this was the first time that the TSA actually caught a terrorist, but no dice — after airport staff chased the coyote unsuccessfully, it was eventually caught by animal control officers called to the scene.

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Dublin Airport Evacuated, Because Mötley Crüe

by Gary Leff

thank you for smoking promo
Dec 23 2015

Dublin airport isn’t just a great connecting city and a convenient spot or US immigration preclearance (as well as a great place to find award space. It’s ground zero for weird aviation experiences, giving ‘Germany or Florida’ a run for its money. And they’re purists when it comes to St. Patrick’s Day.

A man died onboard a flight to Dublin in the the fall after attacking another passenger. And a passenger recently stripped naked and requested flight attendant sex on a flight that departed from there. It’s also where a male model had $646,000 confiscated. So it should be no surprise that…

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TSA Taking Away Your Right to Opt Out of Naked Imaging Screening

by Gary Leff

Dec 22 2015

The Department of Homeland Security has published a privacy impact assessment for the use of ‘Advanced Imaging Technology’ — in other words, ‘nude-o-scopes’ the whole body imaging machines that you step into and ‘assume the position’.

They published this assessment because they are changing the procedure for these machines, giving themselves the discretion to eliminate the option of passengers opting out of these machines.

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NEW: Get Email Alerts When British Airways Award and Upgrade Space Becomes Available

by Gary Leff

Dec 22 2015

Expert Flyer is a pay site, though they offer free 5 day trials.

I find it invaluable. Historically it has been a must for any American AAdvantage member since it’s been one of the only sources for real-time availability of American Airlines flight inventory and because it also displays confirmable upgrade availability for American’s flights.

Two weeks ago they added support for awards across the Star Alliance. Now they’ve just added British Airways as well.

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Miami Airport Skytrain Derails, Car Goes Onto Airport Roof

by Gary Leff

Dec 22 2015

The Skytrain at Miami International Airport which makes it easier to traverse to long D concourse that houses American Airlines had an accident last night.

A train derailed at 2 a.m. during a maintenance run. An employee was onboard but wasn’t hurt. The Skytrain is currently shut down, making connections more arduous and the need to clear security at the closest checkpoint more important.

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