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]
Have You Had a “Flightmare” Lately?
Polly Drew with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel recently gave a definition of “Flightmare” in her post:
Flightmares go well beyond the usual perils of airline travel such as crowded seats, lost luggage and food not fit for a dog. A flightmare usually involves lost money, lost opportunities (such as missing a graduation or a funeral) and lost dignity.
An example is her daughter’s recently trip from Boston to Denver with JetBlue, when her flight was canceled for 2 days and the airlines unwilling to provide hotel or food voucher.
Ms. Drew called Kate Hanni of the Coalition for Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights for advice. [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]
(Consumer Advocate Column) Airlines Give Customers the Run-Around
As airlines enter code-sharing agreements and buy seats off each other, customers are finding it difficult to get refunds from the right airline. The Times Union’s consumer advocate, Nadja Drost, penned the story of how an Albany, New York, couple tried to get a $150 refund from a 3-leg trip with 3 different airlines in her post, “Airlines Give Customers the Run-Around”. [Read more]
Perspectives on United’s Lawsuit against Pilots
On July 30, United Airlines filed a lawsuit seeking a preliminary injunction against the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) and a group of UA pilots for allegedly abusing sick-time.
Holly Hegeman at PlaneBuzz.com offers some perspectives on the allegations. [Read more]
US Airways Kicks Skycaps to the Curb
On July 9, the day US Airways began charging $15 per passengers’ bag checked, hundreds of skycaps across the country are scrambling to find jobs in a turbulent economy.
The skycaps, employed by third-party contractors, earned meager wages and had little or no benefits at work. In the past, they were able to supplement their income with tips [Read more]
Bring a book: US Airways unplugs in-flight movies
In addition to $15 for checked first bag, $25 to book on the phone, $5-$30 for sit in the front, near the window, or the aisle, $2 for sodas or coffee, and the end of free pretzels and curbside check-in, US Airways announced it is removing its in-flight movie systems from domestic aircraft. [Read more]
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]
3 Incidences of Mechanical Problems on 2 Aircrafts … on 1 Day
Ever had a flight delayed because of mechanical problem? Sure, we all have. But what blogger Beth found out on her US Airways flight was that it can happen – not once, not twice – but THREE times on one day. [Read more]
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
