News notes from around the interweb:
- What lockdown is like in other countries right now
- Samanta Rosen writes that the Westin Houston Medical Center now uses a virus killing robot to clean rooms.
- Expect airline lobbyists to set the final bailout terms
[T]he Senate bill requires airlines to provide “appropriate compensation” for the money, but does not define what that is, said Hunter Keay, an analyst with Wolfe Research. “Right now, the airlines are in a tough spot – taking grants without some assurance what the ‘appropriate compensation’ may look like,” Keay said Thursday in a report.
Keay said he expects the Treasury Department will confer with the Secretary of Transportation to determine terms. It’s a potential issue, but Keay noted Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao is a “a friend of the airlines,” and likely would confer with airline executives and lobbyists to reach an agreement palatable to all.
- American Airlines has suspended several employee reward programs. Separately CEO Doug Parker, who has been paid entirely in stock since 2015, will continue to take his full stock award.
- The flight attendant is not messing around over the risk of sick passengers.
- Virgin Australia flight attendant tears up at offering a goodbye to passengers and crew as her carrier wraps up most of its flights.
- The Emirates parking lot:
Emirates parking lot at DWC. Plenty of 777 & 380s. This video was forwarded to me, it's not mine. If it's yours let me know for credit etc. pic.twitter.com/7X9iCcMurS
— Doug Sommerville (@belowmda) March 27, 2020
@Gary – Any thoughts on the TPG situation from Business Insider?
Wow, that video of the Emirates planes all parked there is such a sad sight. Worse, it’s the same for all the airlines in the world and this scene is duplicated around the world. So, so, so, extremely sad…There are no words to describe how sad the state of the world is right now.
I can’t wait to fly again. I will even pay and not use my points if necessary when the time comes when it is safe to fly again.
@Christian – Not really.
Is there somewhere to see domestic routes that have been cut by US carriers? I figure if so, Gary or someone on here would know. Have an upcoming trip to Hawaii I am hoping gets cancelled, and a little surprised it hasn’t yet. If there was a place to see whether AA has cancelled any Hawaii routes, that would shed light on whether mine made the cut, or just haven’t gotten there yet (I also realize they could be keeping it for cargo).