View from the Wing

Americans Stuck Abroad With No Money After Uber Charged Them $30,000 For A Single Trip

by Gary Leff on July 7, 2023

Jul 07 2023

Two Americans vacationing in Costa Rica were charged $29,994.33 for one Uber ride. It was supposed to be 29,994 a single Uber ride due to a suspected currency conversion error. The couple claims that the cost of the ride should have been 29,994 Costa Rican Colón – or US$55.16.

Complaining to Uber, they were told to contact their bank. The bank says Uber’s the one who charged them this way. And since they paid via debit card, their bank account has been fully drained. They shared their story having made it to Guatemala with “no access to funds” for their five year anniversary.

When Travel Goes Sideways, Don’t Rely On Airlines To Help. Take Matters Into Your Own Hands.

by Gary Leff on July 7, 2023

Jul 07 2023

Many travelers are at the mercy of airlines when things go wrong. They wait in line to be rebooked and curse at how bad their options are. They become, as my grandfather used to say, “farbissen” or mad at the world.

I write a lot about taking control over your own travel destiny. Here’s what that means.

One Mile At A Time Is Wrong To Support The Airline Pilots Union Against JSX

by Gary Leff on July 7, 2023

Jul 07 2023

Everyone acknowledges what JSX does is legal from the DOT and FAA who allow it to even ALPA. ALPA argues they take advantage of a ‘loophole’ by using aircraft with no more than 30 seats, never ‘intended’ to support an operation that gives passengers the similar access to convenient terminals as private air travel offers to the wealthy. And One Mile at a Time is sympathetic. He acknowledges that JSX is safe, and the rules ALPA wants to impose are non-sensical, yet wishes “to be balanced.”

Mexico City Karen Goes Behind Ticket Counter, Smashes Airline Computers

by Gary Leff on July 7, 2023

Jul 07 2023

A woman who purchased a trip on Volaris out of Mexico City lost all control when she checked in at the airport and found out that she didn’t have a properly-issued ticket. The agent at the counter insisted that the woman purchase a new one.

Since Many Hotels Stopped Cleaning Rooms Thoroughly, Travelers Take Matters Into Own Hands [Roundup]

by Gary Leff on July 7, 2023

Jul 07 2023

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.

Earn 1.3 Million Miles With One Roundtrip, Bali – London

by Gary Leff on July 7, 2023

Jul 07 2023

Malaysia Airlines is offering 1,348,000 miles for a single roundtrip ticket in business class, Bali – London at a cost of ~ US$4,043 at current exchange rates.

The Kuala Lumpur-based airline is a member of oneworld and partner of American Airlines, British Airways, Qantas and others.

Air Line Pilots Union Asks The Government To Ban JSX’s Business Model

by Gary Leff on July 6, 2023

Jul 06 2023

The Air Line Pilots Association, the largest pilot union in the U.S., has filed with the Department of Transportation asking them to outlaw the business model of JSX, which operates 30 seat planes from private terminals.

Owner Of Multiple Airlines A Giant Fraud, Moving Money Around And Siphoning Cash? [Roundup]

by Gary Leff on July 6, 2023

Jul 06 2023

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.

New American Airlines Technology Has Prevented 1,000 Flights From Cancelling

by Gary Leff on July 6, 2023

Jul 06 2023

American Airlines has new technology that’s enabled them to avoid cancelling 1,000 flights in just the past year. It helps them recover quickly during weather events, replacing manual processes with computers. And it changes how we should think about who’s at fault when a flight does cancel.

Passengers Are Causing Chaos On Flights By Airdropping Bomb Threats And Porn

by Gary Leff on July 6, 2023

Jul 06 2023

A Southwest Airlines flight from Las Vegas to Maui diverted to Oakland on Monday when a passenger Airdropped a bomb threat. The plane was evacuated, passengers and luggage were searched, and no explosives were found. After five hours and forty minutes on the ground the flight was permitted to continue to Hawaii, where it arrived about eight hours late.

The pilot lied to passengers during this diversion, reporting a mechanical issue – presumably so as not to tip off an actual terrorist. However, crew knew and a passenger reports hearing a flight attendant break down, “Get me the f— off this plane.”

Americans Stuck Abroad With No Money After Uber Charged Them $30,000 For A Single Trip

When Travel Goes Sideways, Don’t Rely On Airlines To Help. Take Matters Into Your Own Hands.

One Mile At A Time Is Wrong To Support The Airline Pilots Union Against JSX

Mexico City Karen Goes Behind Ticket Counter, Smashes Airline Computers

Since Many Hotels Stopped Cleaning Rooms Thoroughly, Travelers Take Matters Into Own Hands [Roundup]

Earn 1.3 Million Miles With One Roundtrip, Bali – London

Air Line Pilots Union Asks The Government To Ban JSX’s Business Model

Owner Of Multiple Airlines A Giant Fraud, Moving Money Around And Siphoning Cash? [Roundup]

New American Airlines Technology Has Prevented 1,000 Flights From Cancelling

Passengers Are Causing Chaos On Flights By Airdropping Bomb Threats And Porn

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About Gary Leff

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