United Airlines CEO claims the entire U.S. airline industry is overstaffed by 10%. But airlines haven’t been getting more efficient, and they’ve lacked the staff to manage their operations, especially as air traffic control melts down, bad weather rolls in, and carriers like United lose control of their schedule.
Three TSA agents were arrested a few months ago for stealing money and other belongings from passengers as they went through the checkpoint. Here’s the thing: there’s video footage of airport security checkpoints. So now video is out showing some of the thefts at the Miami E concourse checkpoint.
Here, one screener reaches in and grabs a passenger wallet to take cash from it back on June 29. In total there’s more than 20 minutes of video showing three screeners pilfering from passengers.
Is this a clue about the direction it’s changing? I’m told that the effort is internally called Project Orion, that nondisclosure agreements were signed (and so we’re hearing fewer leaks than normal), and that the way status is earned will be changing – but details are not yet fully clear.
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.
Hyatt is out with their fall promotion and it’s for a very limited period of less than two months.
Hyatt “is adjusting how it markets its loyalty program to reflect new realities” of reduced business travel and increased leisure travel. Hyatt’s CEO says that experiences now matter, with leisure, more than points. But that isn’t correct.
Gate agents are asked to do more with less than ever before. During the pandemic, American moved to single agent boarding where narrowbody aircraft that are less than 80% full get just one gate agent rather than two. They have to make all of the announcements, deal with standbys and upgrades, check boarding passes at the gate, and also deal with gate checking bags. They’re supposed to do passenger breath checks, too?
And they’re going to get called in if the flight pushes back even one minute late. No time to notice if a passenger is high on meth!
American Airlines AAdvantage status members can register for 90 days of elite status with Hyatt, with an expedited path towards keeping or increasing that status next year.
Generally speaking involuntary denied boarding rules apply not just to when an airline cannot accommodate you on board, but also to when they cannot accommodate you in your ticketed class of service. You may wish to take a different flight rather than travel coach (even if it isn’t right away) or you might prefer to take your original flight and reach your destination faster. Either way, compensation is due.
Airport police were called shortly after 6 a.m. after United Airlines 1195 flight crew reported an unruly passenger. He was charged with disorderly conduct, intoxication, and making terroristic threats. Apparently seat power was inoperative at his seat and that’s when the ruckus began.
Jones says that had purchased two seats, so he could have extra space. He asked to be moved so he could have access to seat power.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
