News and notes from around the interweb:
- I’m used to non-specific, pure bureaucratic milquetoast drivel. This travel warning isn’t playing.
The state dept’s advice for travel to Somalia is wild. It includes:
-draft a will
-discuss funeral wishes with loved ones
-make a plan for custody of your children
-pick a family member to be point of contact for hostage-takers
-leave DNA samples with your medical provider pic.twitter.com/oSEC5yXEFj
— Niels Hoven (@NielsHoven) February 3, 2025
- NIMBYs shut down Long Island’s Spadaro airport, it will be turned into a cemetery (HT: Enirlia)
- ESPN’s Chris Fowler recognized onboard for his United 2 million mile milestone
View on Threads
- People are strange (and put strange things in their luggage)
- Premium economy passengers are the worst
[P]remium-economy passengers are stuck in a bit of a quandary: they can’t quite afford business but feel they are a little too good for economy. Wedged between two worlds, glimpsing life beyond the business-class curtain, they’re in a state of turmoil. These people tend to complain the most, demand everything they can get, and have their fingers glued to the call bell.
- Pakistan sweetens deal to sell national carrier PIA after finding no serious buyers Pakistan imposes an 18% tax on the purchase of new aircraft, which doesn’t help a buyer make the airline better. That’ll be waived. But the carrier is still a mess. At least they’re allowed to fly to Europe again (though took the opportunity to advertise it with a photo of one of their planes aiming for the Eiffel Tower).
— PIA (@Official_PIA) January 10, 2025
@Gary
The warning for Somalia has been that way for awhile.
Does no one remember ‘Black Hawk Down’ (movie from 2001, based on actual events in 1993)?
Friends don’t let friends go willingly to Mogadishu.
Small tangent on United recognition — just thought I’d randomly share as I boarded my UA flight the other day the GA wished me a happy 30th anniversary with United which threw me for a loop seeing I’m in my early 30s…turns out it’s true! Thanks for getting me started early Mom and Dad. Didn’t know it showed that in their system and a nice touch that they passed that along.
I’ve done my fair share of traveling to countries the State Department says not to. Most of the warnings were things that could just as easily apply to parts of the US. but this is on a whole different level, it would sure make me rethink any travel plans.
Interestingly, it’s my understanding that Somaliland (which is basically run as a separate country but not recognized by most states as such) is actually pretty safe. It’s the 2/3 of Somalia that’s parallel to the Indian Ocean that is horrifying.
@L737
Congrats! How thoughtful of the gate agent (and of your parents for creating your frequent flyer account). Keep flyin’–soon enough, you’ll be at 40, 50, +60 years, hopefully.
By contrast, some of the regular commenters on here (not gonna name names) occasionally boast about giving ‘the staff’ a hard time for no good reason. They ignore that GAs, FAs, etc., are all human, trying to get by, doing their best, and it’s often the ‘thought that counts’.
Lest we forget that ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ (maybe a smile, too) go along way.
Well done, United, with a cannon salute for reaching 2 million miles.
Reading the comments on Chris Fowler’s post, it’s astonishing that a loyal Southwest passenger based in Denver has reached 4 million lifetime miles without ANY recognition along the way…she only knew once an agent mentioned he’d never seen that many.
Great job by Bob Jordan for doing absolutely nothing to recognize your highest revenue and margin flyers! Guess his SMT doesn’t keep such a list to know who are SWA’s most valuable customers…
@AngryFlier
Somaliland doesn’t sound like a typical ‘beach’ holiday. The closest I’ve been is Kenya, Tanzania, and Egypt. Connecting through Addis Ababa still seems fine–otherwise, that’d be shame for the sweet-spot of Star Alliance point redemptions on Ethiopian. Most of the other ‘neighbors’ are really ‘off-limits’ to ‘tourists’ these days–with the crisis in Sudan, I wouldn’t recommend Eritrea or Djibouti, either. Of course, Yemen is a big no-no. Really hope for better days in that part of the world–most people are hurting there. If things ever improve (and it’s not looking good), I’d like to tour the Pyramids of Meroë (Nubian Pharaohs), but I’m not holding my breath on that. Certainly bigger problems over there than our silly travel plans.
@1990 Thank you! Definitely not something I take for granted and hope to reach all those milestones and beyond. Wish I could do more in recognition of the gate attendant, but put in a detailed shout-out in the post-flight survey for now.