The ‘No Pee Rule’ Returns to DC Airports For Alaska Airlines Flights

by Gary Leff

alaska airlines plane
Jan 15 2021

After 9/11 passengers on flights to Washington’s National airport were required to remain seated for the last 30 minutes of their trip, and for the first 30 minutes on any flight departing the airport.

Dubbed by frequent flyers the “no pee rule” it was meant to immediately identify anyone that might be trying to take over the aircraft when it was close enough that it could hit the White House, U.S. Capitol or other high value target. More than 30 minutes out, presumably, the government thought it would be able to shoot down the plane.

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Inflight Mask Fights Will Rise This Winter. The New CDC Testing Rule Will Make It Worse.

by Gary Leff

Jan 14 2021

Back in November I predicted that mask disputes on planes would become more common over the winter and that seems to becoming the case, at least based on social media reports and continued reporting from airlines on the number of people banned over masks. Even tiny Alaska Airlines is now over 300 passengers banned.

Starting January 26 the CDC will require all passengers flying to the U.S. to have received a negative Covid-19 test within 3 days of travel. For everything else that’s been written about the new requirement, it’s likely to accelerate mask disputes since everyone on board will have tested negative on flights to the U.S. already.

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How American Airlines Procedures Are Changing As It Prepares For Possible January 20th Unrest

by Gary Leff

Jan 14 2021

As America prepares for January 20th, in the wake of last week’s unpleasantness as electoral votes were counted, businesses across the country are taking precautions. Risk is almost always backward-looking, and the last threat is what’s on our mind most. Some of that is rational, since it means raising an estimate of the likelihood that something could occur based on new information.

Here are the preparations that American Airlines is taking in advance of the inauguration.

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Capitol Hill Rioters Will Be Added To Government ‘No Fly List’ According To Delta

by Gary Leff

tsa logo with text on top
Jan 14 2021

A number of videos have been shared on social media claiming airline passengers are being denied boarding because they’ve been added to the government’s “No Fly List” after participating in protests and riots at the U.S. Capitol last week. That hasn’t been true – although it is about to come true, according to Delta Air Lines.

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3M N95 Masks Just $1.60 Each

by Gary Leff

Jan 14 2021

I’ve written about buying N95 masks and using them correctly if you’re going to travel. They’ve been expensive, $3+ apiece. However for a traveler putting themselves in indoor congregant settings I think they’re worthwhile.

Quality masks have become much more available, and prices have come down a lot. Over the summer you might have spent $7 to get an N95 mask from the limited places where you could find them.

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Employees Getting Electrocuted, Call For Closing New Berlin Airport After Just 3 Months

by Gary Leff

ber airport counters
Jan 14 2021

In 1989 David Hasselhof stood atop the Berlin Wall belting out “Looking for Freedom.” Less than a year later East Germans were finally free.

Thirty one years after David Hasselhof stood between East and West Berlin the East’s old airport finally became Berlin Brandenburg airport. It’s a costly reminder of East German-style planning, with workers still being harmed by the 23 year long project that more than tripled in cost.

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Norwegian Drops All Transatlantic Flights, Liquidates Long Haul Subsidiaries

by Gary Leff

plane on runway
Jan 14 2021

Norwegian helped drive low cost transatlantic travel with its Boeing 787s, much to the chagrin of legacy carriers. British Airways even considered buying the airline in order to quash it as a competitor. Now it will focus on domestic and regional flying with its narrowbody aircraft.

None of this is surprising but it’s disappointing for consumers who benefited from the competition, whether they flew Norwegian or not.

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