LAX Workers to Hold Strike Vote
On Wednesday, 2,500 service workers at LAX will vote to determine whether to go on strike.
The workers, who have been negotiating their contract since May, are employed by airline subcontractors to provide passenger services to several major airlines, such as United, American, and Southwest. A Los Angeles Times story reports: [Read more]
Tripso Post: After years of airline subsidies, how about a payback for taxpayers?
Steve Surjaputra at Tripso wrote about the airline subsidies report released by the East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (EBASE), Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy, and Working Partnerships USA. Here are some of what he highlighted from the report: [Read more]
American Airlines baggage meltdown
American Airlines made headlines at New York’s JFK Airport this week when a “software glitch” crippled the airline’s baggage handling system. This baggage meltdown left thousands of passengers without their luggage.
Click HERE to view a picture of the baggage meltdown and read more.
photo credit: Marcin Wichary
American Airlines Flight From Miami to New York Grounded After Angry Passengers Scare Crew
With cuts to service, fees for everything you can imagine, last place for on-time arrivals for the 3rd month in a row, is it any wonder that American Airlines passengers are getting angry?!
According to a FOXNew.com report:
A holiday weekend flight from Miami to New York never got off the ground after the crew arrived more than an hour late and angry passengers intimidated them so much that they refused to work.
American Airlines Flight 1908 was scheduled to leave Sunday evening from Miami en route to LaGuardia Airport in New York City. But the flight crew arrived an hour and 15 minutes late, prompting impatient and irate passengers to boo — and worse, MyFOX New York reported.
One witness said some people used “harsh language” with the gate attendants and were “really kind of like being a mob about it. It was scary.”
When a few of the crewmembers refused to work because of the “hostile environment,” American tried to find replacements — but to no avail, according to MyFOX New York. The airline had to put everyone up in a hotel and fly them out Monday afternoon.
Adding insult to injury? Flight 1908’s passengers flew into LaGuardia, but their bags arrived at JFK.
photo credit: Cubbie_n_Vegas
Skycaps Losing Big Time As Airlines Charge Baggage Fees
Tracing their history back to the tradition of the Pullman porters during the railroad era, skycaps used to be decent-income jobs for African Americans who supplemented their meager wages with tips – enough to buy their own homes and send their children to college.
Today, that reality is becoming more like a dream for skycaps across the country, according to a Los Angeles Times article. [Read more]
American Airlines flight diverted to LAX after pilots report smoke, smell of fuel
An American Airlines flight from San Francisco to Miami carrying hydrochloric acid in the forward cargo was diverted to LAX after pilots reported smoke in the cockpit. Authorities at first suspected that the hydrochloric acid was leaking, but later said the smoke probably came from the hydraulic system.
HERE is the full story from the LA TImes.
photo credit: Cubbie_n_Vegas
What Fees Can You Expect to Pay On Your Next Flight?
In an era of nickel-and-diming by the airlines, passengers are seeing all kinds of fees being placed on their flights – 1st baggage, 2nd baggage, leg room, snacks, etc. Every airline has its own fee scales, and it can be confusing – not to mention costly – for passengers.
Fortunately, Rick Seaney, the CEO of Farecompare.com and airline industry expert, has put together a convenient chart of all fees that U.S. airlines charge the passengers. Click HERE to see the chart.
photo credit: Alan Nakkash
Update: American Airlines drops fee and lifts ban on tipping
Faced with lawsuits and criticism, American Airlines announced it would drop the $2-per-bag fee and lift the controversial ban on tipping at Logan. This announcement, however, comes at the heels of AA’s new $15 fee for checking in a piece of luggage. Many skycaps, according to a Boston Globe report, fear that passengers would tip less with the higher fees. [Read more]
Airlines “Fee”(d) on Passengers – $2 Bag Fee for Skycap Services
In the latest in a long string of new fees imposed on passengers, many airlines have now chosen to charge passengers a new $2 per bag fee for skycap services.
The airline race to the bottom hurts their low-wage workers too. After airlines implemented a $2 per bag fee for skycap services – which used to be complimentary – many skycaps report that they have lost as much as 60% of their income, as passengers now tip less or not at all.
Skycaps also report longer lines as passengers avoid the bag fee. And after Boston skycaps sued [Read more]
American Airlines Ranks Worst For Number of Complaints From Passengers with Disabilities
The Aviation Consumer Protection Division of the Department of Transportation reported an alarming number of disability-related complaints received by American Airlines in 2006. American Airlines received 3,453 disability-related complaints, while American Eagle received 600. Complaints against American were more than two times that of the next highest number of complaints received by Delta at 1,700. [Read more]
