Why ‘Standardization’ Means One Woman Can’t Have Her Name On Her Passport

by Gary Leff

Aug 30 2021

When government knew little about its subjects, their location, and their wealth it was difficult to monitor, tax, and regulate. Over time we saw the development of permanent last names, land surveys and population measures, and standard weights. We get planned transportation networks. Local systems and customers were mapped onto more standard grids that allowed for central recording. State institutions seek to order nature and society.

And that, it seems, is why one woman can’t have her name printed on a passport.

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American Airlines Moved To Single Agent Boarding Before They Were Ready

by Gary Leff

Why Charlotte Needs Another American Airlines Admirals Club
Aug 30 2021

Single agent boarding is a disaster. The one overwhelmed agent can’t manage boarding and last minute upgrades, clearing last minute standby passengers, and helping customers change seats – let alone answering questions from nervous flyers.

Perhaps even more importantly they can’t manage all the tasks that are part of departure while also scrutinizing carry on bag sizes (American is asking them to now charge to gate check oversized bags) and observe passengers who may already be drunk or under the influence of a substance which means that single agent boarding contributes to greater conflict on board the aircrat and potential flight diversions, too.

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Qantas Says Australian Borders To Re-Open In December

by Gary Leff

sydney opera house at sunset
Aug 30 2021

Qantas announced plans for the re-start of its international route network, beginning on December. That planned seemed crazy with the country facing an upswing in Covid-19 cases – more than they’ve seen at any point in the pandemic – and what once seemed like an idyllic refuge from the global pandemic now seems like a dystopian science fiction film.

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American Airlines Is Playing Whack-A-Mole With Problems As They Come Up (Not Getting Out Ahead)

by Gary Leff

Aug 29 2021

Large organizations have a tendency become bloated and sclerotic. It’s striking that American Airlines cut 30% of its management workforce, $500 million per year in payroll, and has returned to operating most of its flights.

That naturally raises an interesting question, what were they carrying all that staff for in the first place? Shouldn’t they have eliminated these same positions years ago? That would never have worked, and they’re seeing now why it didn’t work so well this time either.

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Uber Still Extending Elite Status

by Gary Leff

phone with uber on it
Aug 29 2021

The odd thing is that Uber hasn’t told me they’ve extended my status. It’s a great opportunity to capture loyalty with members but the program doesn’t bother to communicate. Which is just another sign that Uber has largely given up and is almost indifferent to its loyalty program. They know they have good customers they want to keep, but they’ve consistently devalued the elite program which was only modestly rewarding to start with.

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At Wits End Over Bad Passenger Behavior, American’s CEO Declares “The Customer Is Not Always Right!”

by Gary Leff

Aug 29 2021

Doug Parker says that American Airlines has been investigating 1 in every 300,000 passengers for an airline ban – about two people per day that they “have to decide if they can ever fly American Airlines or not.” That’s a five-fold increase.

Chief Operating Officer David Seymour shared the plan for what’s next: getting government to crack down on airport alcohol sales.

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