Delta Proposes Banning Accused Mask Non-Compliant Passengers From All Air Travel

by Gary Leff

Sep 23 2021

You might say that airlines, as private businesses, should be allowed to choose not to transport anyone they wish. But this shouldn’t be viewed as private action, it is state action. The proposal comes in response to an FAA threat that airlines had one week to come up with a solution to unruly passengers.

There is a federal regulation in place on masking. That has a fine as a maximum penalty. Pressuring airlines to impose a more significant penalty than provided for in regulation or law is highly problematic.

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United Flight Attendants Union: It’s Unrealistic For Passengers To Expect Clean Lavatories

by Gary Leff

lavatory
Sep 23 2021

When you fly an Asian or quality Middle Eastern airline, you expect that lavatories will stay relatively clean throughout the flight. I’ve seen ANA flight attendants cleaning restrooms between passengers, and Emirates has even had staff on its A380s dedicated to this cleaning.

After a long haul flight on a U.S. airline, though, it’s almost de rigueur to expect that by the end of the trip lavatories look like something out of a post-apocalyptic zombie film where we everyone must band together to rebuild humanity out of the ashes.

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Don’t Let American Airlines Rewrite History On Government Subsidies

by Gary Leff

man speaking on microphone
Sep 22 2021

American Airlines CEO Doug Parker did a live chat with the Washington Post on Tuesday and faced mostly softballs – but since it’s the DC local paper government policy is at the forefront.

So when they’re talking about operational problems customers face, what viewers want to know is whether Congress got its money/s worth for subsidies to airlines during the pandemic.

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Delta Promises Free Miles, Takes 10 Seconds

by Gary Leff

Sep 22 2021

I didn’t scan a QR code at LAX and don’t have associated flights credited to my SkyMiles account. But Delta says miles are coming in a couple of days. If nothing else, this is a good reason to always stick to the mantra and register for promotions when they’re right in front of you.

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United Employees Sue Over Vaccine Mandate, As Airline Reveals Makes Semi-Public Who Is Unvaxxed

by Gary Leff

Sep 22 2021

There’s little question that employers have the legal right to impose vaccine requirements, and this seems to be true even where working conditions are subject to collective bargaining. However what remains to be litigated is what sorts of accommodations are in fact required for religious or medical exemptions. The Biden administration’s proposed OSHA rule is expected to include regular testing as an alternative to vaccination.

United does not allow such an alternative. At 97% vaccination, United faces less operational risk than other airlines – who might see pilots take retirement if they object.

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