Christopher Elliott wants foreign airlines to enter the U.S. domestic market. I think some of the warrants for his claim are weak, but he’s definitely on to something.
Impostor beats airport
Impostor beats airport security. A watchmaker breached security at Pittsburgh International Airport Sunday night by flashing a constable’s badge at the checkpoint to get to the boarding terminal to see his brother off.
Ninety-nine years later, aviation is
Ninety-nine years later, aviation is still looking to the government for subsidies (Guess they aren’t using the “infant industries” argument.) On this day in 1903, the New York Times reported the Wright Brothers’ successful flights — and the focus of the story was on their desire to get the government to buy their invention. Some things never change.
How The Discovery
How The Discovery of Beer Led to Civilization As We Know It (Link via the Volokh Conspiracy) According to one prominent anthropologist, what lured our ancient ancestors out of their caves may not have been a thirst for knowledge, but a thirst for beer. Dr. Solomon Katz theorizes that when man learned to ferment grain into beer more than 10,000 years ago, it became one of his most important sources of nutrition. Beer gave people protein that unfermented grain couldn’t supply. And besides, it tasted a whole lot better than the unfermented grain did. But in order to have a steady supply of beer, it was necessary to have a steady supply of beer’s ingredients. Man had to give up his nomadic ways, settle down, and begin farming. And once he did, civilization was just…
I’m afraid that
I’m afraid that I might be this guy. Hits a little close to home, The Onion does…
Hey, I just noticed that
Hey, I just noticed that Expedia has started charging $5 for the privilege of booking airline tickets on their website. Orbitz has been doing this for awhile.
A little bit short of
A little bit short of achieving or renewing elite status with United? Register to extend the qualification period through to March 31. Just add your miles flown in the first quarter of 2003 to the miles flown in 2002 in order to achieve elite status.
Changes to the Starwood program.
Changes to the Starwood program. These are pretty minor, and relate only to transferring Starwood points into airline miles. Beginning January 1, Starwood points transfer 1:1 into Qantas miles (instead of yielding 2 Qantas miles per Starwood points). Also beginning January 1, Starwood points transfer 2:1 into United miles, down from 1:1.
Looks like Hilton is making
Looks like Hilton is making some changes to their loyalty program, too. Not as harsh as Delta, but still significant. New hotel classifications — from 5 to 6 — changing the number of points required for award stays effective June 1, 2003 Unlike Delta, which has more or less replaced their elite qualification system to one more reliant on revenue, Hilton has added revenue as a supplemental qualifying method. Next year, HHonors base points are an alternative to stays for qualifying for Gold and Diamond. Gold status: 60,000 Base points in a calendar year. Diamond: 100,000 Base points in a calendar year. Award Stays Now Count Toward VIP Status More points required for VIP-only awards effective June 1, 2003. Reward certificates requested prior to June 1 will be at current point prices and the certificate…
I posted details
I posted details of my trip to Puerto Vallarta last weekend on Flyertalk.
