Barun Mitra stirs up some trouble by awarding the “Bullshit Trophy” to Greenpeace and two other organizations for their contribution to the preservation of poverty in developing countries. Mitra called the three groups parasites which “prey on the blood of the poor.” (Link via Instapundit.)
Frequent flyers are
Frequent flyers are backlashing against policy changes at USAirways. My prediction: if other airlines don’t follow suit with the changes then USAirways will have to rescind them.
Instapundit noted a
Instapundit noted a Washington Post story that the two dumb “security questions” which haven’t stopped a terrorist in 16 years of being asked are being eliminated (I noted it last Thursday). Glenn Reynolds asks whether my Impeach Norm Mineta bumper stickers are having an effect….
More Frequent Flyer Program Devaluation.
More Frequent Flyer Program Devaluation. United will increase the cost of 500-mile upgrade certificates for Premiers from $125 for Premiers to $200 and non-premiers to $325. They will increase the number of miles it takes for upgrades as well: – domestic – Y/B fares – 8000 miles – domestic – other fares – 15,000 miles – international – Y/B fares – 15,000 miles – international – C/M/H fares – 30,000 miles
The TSA’s Air Marshall program
The TSA’s Air Marshall program is facing a flurry of resignations.
The TSA is
The TSA is paying double for security screeners compared to what the airlines paid when security was private.. and in many cases these are the same screeners. The government is paying for screeners that don’t even show up to work. The government was supposed to negotiate prices and terms with the screening contractors after taking over the contracts six months ago, but hasn’t done so yet, the inspector general said. The TSA instead awarded “letter contracts” to the companies, which don’t spell out detailed terms.
Instapundit links to
Instapundit links to this picture and this picture which encapsulate the status quo of TSA airport security.
Darwin Award nominee.
Darwin Award nominee. A man whose fuel gauge was broken used a cigarette lighter to illuminate his fuel tank in order to see if he had any gas left. He blew up the car.
More Room Thoughout Coach endorses
More Room Thoughout Coach endorses Gronk for Senate.
United is beginning to pull
United is beginning to pull a few benefits from their top-tier elites. No more special 1K rooms (for those who fly over 100,000 miles a year). No more free same-day changes confirmed in advance for Premier Executive (50,000 miles a year) and 1K (100,000 miles a year) flyers. Will United follow USAirways lead cutting benefits? The strange thing is that United’s announcement is a cut for their best customers. USAirways announced was a major cut for everyone except their most lucrative customers.
