Jul
04
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.
California High Speed Rail Continues To Be A Joke [Roundup]
American Airlines Passenger Demands Off A Flight, Thinks Man Seated Near Her Is A Ghost [New Video Copy]
Jul
03
2023
Video posted to TikTok shows a woman ranting as she leaves an American Airlines flight prior to departure in Dallas, yelling that she needs off because there’s a passenger on board who “is not real.” And, she says, anyone that stays on board will die alongside that passenger.
A reposting of the original video is garnering millions of views under the hashtag #drunkonaplane although it doesn’t seem that the woman is drunk.
We Should Allow More People To Come To The U.S. And Stay Here
Jul
03
2023
The U.S. is losing millions of visitors due to absurd wait times for visas. Last year we saw them get 14 times longer than they were before the pandemic, in some cases nearly three years. Make make it difficult for talented people to come here for work, too, and after a short time we… kick them out.
And we don’t do a great job even figuring out who ‘we’ ‘want’ here in the first place.
You’re Losing 8,333 Miles A Month And Not Realizing It
Jul
03
2023
You’re losing up to 4,166 points per month if you rent and do not have a Bilt Mastercard. This card offers something literally no other card does and it can mean a huge difference in your points balance.
Air Canada’s Years-Long Meltdown Almost Saved Titan Submersible Passengers
Jul
03
2023
In every disaster, there’s always the story of someone who was supposed to be there too but fate intervened. In this case, Air Canada managed to operate a flight – by no means guaranteed! – and contributed to the demise of Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year old son Suleman.
10 Years After Merging, American Airlines And US Airways Gates Have Been Consolidated (Atlanta Was Last)
Jul
03
2023
They got onto a single operating certificate. They merged US Airways Dividend Miles into American AAdvantage (while following US Airways plans for a revenue-based program). They combined pilot and flight attendant seniority lists, and transitioned to a single maintenance platform.
But that’s not all of the work that had to happen. Going into 2023, a decade later, it still wasn’t done. American Airlines and US Airways had separate airport operations, and different gates, in 140 locations. Atlanta was the final station to consolidate gates and that’s just happened.
Next-Level Airbnb, Hotbedding Lets You Rent A Room Only For The Hours You Need It [Roundup]
Jul
03
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.
I’m Speaking At ZorkFest In October
Jul
02
2023
Honestly I haven’t been to Tahoe in a dozen years. But I have a soft spot for it owing to the 1988 David Mamet film with Don Ameche, Things Change. Far less flash but far more beautiful than Vegas. And I hope to meet several of you there.
Would You Like To Do An Amazing Race-Style Challenge In Europe? I’m Sponsoring.
Jul
02
2023
Several years ago my long-time award booking partner Steve (author of Mileage Maniac) created an annual ‘Amazing Race For Normal People’ team travel competition in Europe. Competitours.com features unique and compelling challenge activities that push you gently out of your comfort zone.
Airline Has Cameras Watching You During The Flight
Jul
02
2023
There are some nuances of their security program that still come as a surprise to me. El Al doesn’t just have missile defense systems to protect its planes against surface-to-air missiles. They have cameras in the cabin now. Is this only on some aircraft?
