How To Get People To Stop Talking To You On Planes And In Hotel Bars

by Gary Leff

Mar 10 2023

Your seat opponent starts chatting away, and you’re tired and just want to rest, or you want to work. You’re not up for a conversation, don’t really care about their kids or that their monthly flights and co-brand credit card shows how much they know about the airline and its loyalty program.

So you put on noise cancelling headphones but that doesn’t quite do the trick. Sure, you opt for over the ear rather than ear buds just to make it more blindingly obvious yet somehow it isn’t. You also look down at your phone, which is a universal sign for ‘I’m not paying attention to you.’ But maybe it’s not so universal?

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American Airlines Flight Attendants Demand 35% Raises ‘Plus What The Pilots Get’

by Gary Leff

Mar 09 2023

American Airlines isn’t just negotiating with its pilots. They have an amendable contract with flight attendants as well, and have for years. Negotiations have progressed slowly but the Association of Professional Flight Attendants has now presented their economic proposal to the company. And as some in Dallas might say, bless their hearts?

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Union Head Wants Flight Attendants Armed With Tasers

by Gary Leff

Mar 09 2023

A taser wouldn’t have prevented the attack. Unless cabin crew have their tasers out at all times, they won’t be protection against a passenger coming at them by surprise.

And the taser won’t be a deterrent either because an attack like this one is done by a passenger who is mentally unbalanced, not someone making a rational calculation.

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JSX: A Deep Dive Into Flying From Private Terminals For The Price Of A Regular Ticket

by Gary Leff

Mar 09 2023

With JSX you don’t go through TSA, you can bring all the liquids you wish. And you only need to show up at the airport 20 minutes before your flight. That’s because they fly in and out of private terminals, but they sell scheduled flights that are affordable.

I was able to spend time with JSX’s executive team, learn about their strategy and challenges, and find out about their growth plans.

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Astronomical Pilot Pay Fuels The Move To Single Pilot Cockpits

by Gary Leff

Mar 09 2023

Delta Air Lines pilots got an incredible contract. American Airlines says they’ll match and that means pilots who make up to $590,000 per year. United Airlines and Southwest pilots are also negotiating new deals, and have a benchmark of what to expect.

The American Airlines pilot contract is so rich that the increased cost is much greater than the airline’s current profits. Combined with massive debt, American Airlines has a problem if fares do not go up.

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