View from the Wing

NTSB Report Confirms The Unraveling of Boeing: Missing Bolts and a Quality Control Crisis

by Gary Leff on February 6, 2024

Feb 06 2024

The Boeing 737 MAX 9 was temporarily grounded – and tremendous faith was lost in Boeing – after a the left mid exit door plug detached from Alaska Airlines aircraft N704AL while performing flight 1282 from Portland, Oregon to Ontario, California.

The NTSB has now issued a report on what happened, and it tracks what readers of View From The Wing already know: the plane left the factory missing bolts to hold the door plug on, and tracking of defects at Boeing seems to be a problem.

Pilot’s Passive Aggressiveness On Display In Phoenix ATC Clash

by Gary Leff on February 6, 2024

Feb 06 2024

An American Airlines pilot operating flight 1479 from El Paso to Phoenix exhibited grumpy and passive-aggressive behavior, failing to correctly read back ATC instructions and engaging in a contentious exchange with controllers over communication issues.

Hertz Still Can’t Keep Track Of Cars, Threatens Reader Who Returned Vehicle On Time

by Gary Leff on February 6, 2024

Feb 06 2024

It seemed like Hertz really got this under control, after bringing in Palantir to help track its rental fleet. So it was pretty jarring to me that a reader recently received the scariest letter than anyone who frequents this blog can get. They rented a car from Hertz. And Herts wrote to them to say the car was missing.

‘No Change Fees’: $10 Billion In Airfare Savings Since 2020, But There Are Two Traps To Avoid

by Gary Leff on February 6, 2024

Feb 06 2024

United Airlines’ Super Bowl ad with Kyle Chandler promotes “No Change Fees,” but is misleading about basic economy and how long you can use your travel credits when you cancel a trip. However the broader industry shift to dropping change fees on most fares has meant ticket changes that would have cost customers $10 billion to make.

Passengers Have To Weigh Themselves Before Flying From Major European Airport [Roundup]

by Gary Leff on February 6, 2024

Feb 06 2024

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.

Naked Passenger Strolls Through Fort Lauderdale Airport, Wants To Get Screened By TSA

by Gary Leff on February 6, 2024

Feb 06 2024

On Monday a naked man strolled through the Fort Lauderdale airport and proceeded up to TSA security screening.

This should be the easiest security screening of the week: no shoes to remove, no pockets to empty, and he’s obviously not concealing hidden water anywhere. I’m not sure though if he just wants to avoid a pat down, or he’s actually hoping for one?

New All Business Class Airline Beond Gets Its Second Plane, Flying High Or Destined To Fail?

by Gary Leff on February 6, 2024

Feb 06 2024

The Maldives-based all business class airline has received its second leased aircraft, an Airbus A321 which will be fitted with 68 lie flat seats. It’s expected to fly between the Maldives and Milan, Dubai and Bangkok later in the year.

Up To 90% Of Lufthansa Flights Will Cancel On Wednesday Due To Strike

by Gary Leff on February 6, 2024

Feb 06 2024

Lufthansa’s ground staff union will strike Wednesday and Thursday. The airline estimates that they will only be able to operate 10% – 20% of flights on Wednesday, and has not provided an estimate for Thursday.

Woman’s Joyful Run Past A Spirit Airlines Jet Leads to Harsh Takedown at Atlanta Airport

by Gary Leff on February 5, 2024

Feb 05 2024

A woman ran onto the ramp at the Atlanta airport on Monday. Police pursued and caught up to her. At their initial encounter, with an officer speaking to her behind a Spirit Airlines plane, she walks off – and skips for joy! Law enforcement pursues, slowly at first. Then she begins to run.

An officer runs after her, and shoves her from behind down onto the ground. He handcuffs her, and then throws her into the vehicle the other officer drives up next to them.

Flight Attendant Crowned Thailand’s Transgender Beauty Queen

by Gary Leff on February 5, 2024

Feb 05 2024

Saruda Panyakham was declared the winner of the Miss Tiffany transgender beauty pageant in Bangkok on Sunday. The pageant winner identifies as as an American Airlines flight attendant. However the airline tells me that no one with this name works for the company.

Miss Tiffany’s Universe is a pageant for Thai transgender women and the winner represents Thailand at the Miss International Queen pageant.

NTSB Report Confirms The Unraveling of Boeing: Missing Bolts and a Quality Control Crisis

Pilot’s Passive Aggressiveness On Display In Phoenix ATC Clash

Hertz Still Can’t Keep Track Of Cars, Threatens Reader Who Returned Vehicle On Time

‘No Change Fees’: $10 Billion In Airfare Savings Since 2020, But There Are Two Traps To Avoid

Passengers Have To Weigh Themselves Before Flying From Major European Airport [Roundup]

Naked Passenger Strolls Through Fort Lauderdale Airport, Wants To Get Screened By TSA

New All Business Class Airline Beond Gets Its Second Plane, Flying High Or Destined To Fail?

Up To 90% Of Lufthansa Flights Will Cancel On Wednesday Due To Strike

Woman’s Joyful Run Past A Spirit Airlines Jet Leads to Harsh Takedown at Atlanta Airport

Flight Attendant Crowned Thailand’s Transgender Beauty Queen

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About Gary Leff

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