New $9 Item Makes Coach Travel Easier In Two Ways

Sep 19 2022

There’s a pretty ingenious new product that could be perfect for road warriors who find themselves frequently flying coach, especially on airlines without seat back entertainment. The Sip ‘n Clip solves two problems at once. Where do you put your drink, maybe your Starbucks, during takeoff and landing when your tray table has to be up (or if you don’t want it intruding into your space during the flight)? Do you really want to use the seat pocket, which is one of the dirtiest places on the aircraft? You’re stuck watching a show on your phone because the airline is too cheap to install screens, but where do you put the phone? The Sip ‘n Clip attaches to the tray table and is a cup holder and phone holder. It doesn’t really work as both…

Continue Reading »

Pilots Union Goal: Make Sure There’s A Pilot Shortage, Keep People From Becoming Pilots

cockpit with pilot
Sep 18 2022

The government makes it difficult to become a pilot. And the government pushes pilots out while they’re still able to work. This is done in the name of safety, but has little to do with safety.

Instead it is rent-seeking by pilots unions who want to limit the number of pilots. And they want to limit the ability of airlines to fill pilot jobs quickly. Both of those give them tremendous leverage in contract negotiations with airlines. When there aren’t enough pilots, pilots earn more money.

Continue Reading »

The Delta Sky Club Red “Line Skipping Pass”

Sep 18 2022

Just because you can finally make it inside the club, doesn’t mean you’re able to stay. You may need help with a reservation. On Friday afternoon Delta didn’t have any staff to assist with reservations in their main New York JFK club.

That means guests had to leave the club to go into the terminal looking for help with a reservation, such as changing a flight in the event of a delay or cancellation. And I learned something new about the Delta Sky Club lines. There’s a way to skip the velvet rope.

Continue Reading »

Should Virgin Atlantic Lounges Exclude Credit Card Guests From Eating?

lounge
Sep 17 2022

The Virgin Atlantic lounge at Washington Dulles uses a QR code for ordering plated meals, and that code is given only to Virgin’s own passengers – and not to guests entering the lounge via American Express or Capital One credit card – creating two levels of service for passengers who are visiting. Is that acceptable? And is there a better way to handle the economics?

Continue Reading »

U.S. Border Agents Take, Store And Search Americans’ Emails And Photos At “Massive Scale”

passport getting stamped
Sep 17 2022

They’re adding “contacts, call logs, messages and photos” from the devices of tens of thousands of people per year and “much of which is captured from people not suspected of any crime.”

“2,700 CBP officers [can] access it without a warrant” according the office of Senator Ron Wyden, while the agency clarifies it’s actually 3,000 officers.

Continue Reading »