View from the Wing

Does United Airlines Have The Answer To Improving Flight Attendant Service?

by Gary Leff on March 21, 2021

Mar 21 2021

At most U.S. airlines if a flight attendant provides great service it’s because of their own inner drive. It’s not because of any training program or incentives that the company has set up.

One of the most frustrating thing I hear from cabin crew all the time is about the small percentage of their colleagues who are slackers, who perform poorly and do as little work as possible (increasing the workload for everyone else). This is frustrating because there’s usually very little consequence. And seeing poor performers do just as well as those who provide exemplary service is demoralizing.

Marriott’s New CEO Continues To Flatter China’s Authoritarian Rulers

by Gary Leff on March 21, 2021

Mar 21 2021

Late Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson lent international support for China’s argument that their response to Covid-19 was world-leading. Sorenson knew that crushing the pandemic through any means necessary was good for travel and the hotel business. And he knew that flattering Chinese officials and supporting their narratives is key to staying in their good graces. China is a key growth market for Marriott.

New Marriott CEO Tony Capuano appears to be taking a similar approach.

The Federal Government Is About To Reveal What It Knows About UFOs

by Gary Leff on March 20, 2021

Mar 20 2021

The last Director of National Intelligence says there “quite a few” incidents that are “difficult to explain” incidents “exceed[ing] the sound barrier without a sonic boom.” And in some cases “we don’t have good explanations” for what we’ve seen “all over the world.” Many haven’t been made public before.

Expedia Reps Dance On The Ashes Of Their Loyalty Program

by Gary Leff on March 20, 2021

Mar 20 2021

A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.

Airlines Need To Extend Elite Status Again, Start Over Next Year

by Gary Leff on March 20, 2021

Mar 20 2021

The pandemic is lasting longer than many had hoped, even though vaccinations create much hope. Airlines weren’t initially aggressive enough in extending status, or reducing requirements for earning status this year.

Travel may pick up as 2021 progresses. People are getting vaccinated, and CDC guidance notwithstanding that means more people who ‘jab and go’. But that isn’t enough to forestall the need for status extensions.

Can’t Afford An Upgrade? Delta May Soon Offer You ’12 Months Same As Cash’

by Gary Leff on March 20, 2021

elta Air Lines and American Express are testing out a new airline ticket financing option for Amex cardmembers. And in the mockup being focus grouped there’s a limited-time no fee offer to spread ticket purchase costs out over 12 months (“12 Months Same As Cash”). I’m told they’re also testing financing for upgrades.

Pilot Sues For Stress After Plane Loses An Engine, Lands Safely

by Gary Leff on March 20, 2021

Mar 20 2021

The pilot didn’t even need to make an emergency landing or divert, but they’re suing Qantas for the stress of losing an engine. The airline though says the engine failure isn’t their fault, and isn’t that why they have pilots in the first place?

Delta Is Literally Paying People In Seattle To Fly

by Gary Leff on March 20, 2021

Mar 20 2021

Alaska Airlines and Delta were friends, turned frenemies, turned competitors as Alaska resisted Delta’s entreaties to become its vassal and Delta responded by building its own hub in Seattle. Delta hasn’t operated as significant a Seattle operation as it has middle of the country hubs during the pandemic, but the rivalry is heating up again between the two.

Customer Forgets To Cancel Spirit’s $9 Fare Club And Can’t Get A Refund – Or Even The Membership

by Gary Leff on March 19, 2021

Mar 19 2021

There aren’t too many $9 fares anymore, and the program has recently been rebranded the Spirit Saver$ Club.

You can definitely make your money back on the program, especially traveling with family, but there are no refunds on membership. Not even when you cancel the same day the annual fee is charged. But a cancelled membership can’t take advantage of its benefits.

TSA PreCheck Scam Becoming Common As Travel Returns

by Gary Leff on March 19, 2021

Mar 19 2021

Online scammers are setting up fake websites that look like TSA or Global Entry signup, They steal your personal information and even charge you for the privilege.

Does United Airlines Have The Answer To Improving Flight Attendant Service?

Marriott’s New CEO Continues To Flatter China’s Authoritarian Rulers

The Federal Government Is About To Reveal What It Knows About UFOs

Expedia Reps Dance On The Ashes Of Their Loyalty Program

Airlines Need To Extend Elite Status Again, Start Over Next Year

Can’t Afford An Upgrade? Delta May Soon Offer You ’12 Months Same As Cash’

Pilot Sues For Stress After Plane Loses An Engine, Lands Safely

Delta Is Literally Paying People In Seattle To Fly

Customer Forgets To Cancel Spirit’s $9 Fare Club And Can’t Get A Refund – Or Even The Membership

TSA PreCheck Scam Becoming Common As Travel Returns

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About Gary Leff

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