Does this fall under the PATRIOT ACT?

Oh my. Oh my my my. I am literally in shock (no pun intended).

As you may or may not know (I’ve mentioned it several times on this blog), my undergrad degree is in an aviation discipline. Ergo, I am far more forgiving of the TSA and the seemingly ridiculous security rules that we all love so much. You see, this is a personal thing to me. Yes, I travel often. Yes, it is sometimes a PITA. But, more than that, I have friends who get on those airplanes and navigate the no-longer-friendly skies for you each and every day. Security, no matter how ridiculous it may seem, is a necessary evil. If it saves just one life, I’m ok with it.

However, I have my limits. This may be it.

Today’s Washington Times reports reports that the FAA is investigating whether or not it will require fliers to wear bracelets that double as stun guns! Yep, I’m serious.

Lamperd Less Lethal is promoting the use of a bracelet (which they, of course, manufacture) that will essentially make aviation security digitized. According to the Times, the “Elecronic ID Bracelet” (well, that’s a considerably placid name, all things considered) would:

- take the place of an airline boarding pass
-contain personal information about the traveler
- be able to monitor the whereabouts of each passenger and his/her luggage
- shock the wearer on command, completely immobilizing him/her for several minutes

The Times adds, “Every airline passenger would be tracked by a government-funded GPS, containing personal, private and confidential information, and that it would shock the customer worse than an electronic dog collar if he/she got out of line?”

I know. I know. This sounds like some sort of science fiction headline made up to grab attention, right? How does the Times know this anyway? “According to a letter from DHS official, Paul S. Ruwaldt of the Science and Technology Directorate, office of Research and Development, to the inventor whom he had previously met with, he wrote, “To make it clear, we [the federal government] are interested in…the immobilizing security bracelet, and look forward to receiving a written proposal.” The letterhead, in case you were wondering, came from the DHS office at the William J. Hughes Technical Center at the Atlantic City International Airport, or the Federal Aviation Administration headquarters.”

Go ahead. Leave your comments. I’m dying to hear what you think.

The Real Price of Your Ticket...

Inflation splation! It's the fees that will be the demise of the free-market economy!

Yea, Ok, I'm being dramatic, but definitely check this out. Take your ticket, add applicable fees, and see what you'll really be spending--a highly handy tool for the summer travel months, with new fees popping up every day.These tables courtesy of Rick Seaney who has promised to keep the tables updated (and I will try to keep you updated here).

And You Thought We Were Done for the Day....

And another one bites and another one bites and another one bites the dust…

US Airways says “Hey!!! Me too! Me too!” and announces their new $15 per bag fee (up to two bags).

Additionally, they announced other fantastic (clearly dripping with sarcasm here) news like:

--They will be significantly cutting capacity.

--They will be cutting 1,700 jobs.

--They will be charging for in-flight beverages.

--They will be increasing buddy pass fees.

Then, following all of these announcements, there’s a big “pep talk” by CEO Doug Parker. As employees and passengers alike partake in a collective eye rolling, he states:

“All of the actions we’re announcing today, when combined with the capacity other airlines have already announced, will have a materially positive effect on the financial performance of US Airways going forward. Our team has been here before and we won’t sit by and wait for external circumstances to dictate our future. A lot of “experts” are counting us out – but like all of you, I can’t wait to prove them wrong again. As part of my commitment to achieve this goal, as well as reaffirming my belief in our company, I’ve made the decision to invest an amount equal to my 2008 salary into US Airways by buying stock in the open market at the next trading opportunity for insiders.”

Soooooo....ya. Delta says they will not be charging the fee, but I'm not so sure. Continental indicates that they will probably be charging it sooner, rather than later, and NWA has remained quiet (presumably due to the pending merger?), so I'm having a hard time believing that, if all of the other majors adopt the fee, Delta will not.

However, lets assume that they don't. Will this present a competitive advantage for Delta? Let's have a quick roundtable. Will the fee(s) affect where you buy your tickets?

Personally, I'm in the market for an international flight at the moment, and have been looking around at options, many of which require me to fly NWA part of the way, and then move carriers. American was one of these options, and I refused to fly them, choosing instead to look elsewhere, even if it meant paying more.

If Delta remains first-bag-fee free, will you forgo flying the other carriers in favor of Delta?
	Yes
	No
	It Depends (please comment below)
pollcode.com free polls

Another One Bites the Dust...

United (who coincidently or not, was also named "The Worst Airline-Ever" this week) announced this morning that it, too, will be charging for the first checked bag. The new fee will be $15 each way for each checked bag, and the fee for a third or an overweight bag will increase from $100 or $125 to $200 or $250.


::insert long, drawn-out sigh here::



I hope the oil bubble bursts, well, yesterday! Although, I'm afraid that even if it bursts today, there's no turning back from the new wave of airlines as we know them.



Welcome to your new life, fellow travelers.

Anyone need a 727?

Granted, it's a bit of a "fixer-upper" since it's been on the tarmac for a while, but it's nothing a little elbow grease can't fix. ;)

Apparently, someone out there is missing a pretty Boeing 727. Officials at Hanoi's Noi Bai airport are searching for the owner of a 727 that's been chillin' on the tarmac since late last year, owner unknown.

There's a Cambodian flag and the words "Air Dream" painted on the skin, but the communist bureaucracy can't seem to figure out where it came from and who it belongs to.



"Oh hi. Yea, it's me, Ashley. You know, I’ve been thinking about it, and I think I totally forgot my jumbo jet there. Is it there? Oh, ok, super! I'll be by to pick it up next week. Thanks!"


Source: Gadling

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

And so it begins.

AMR Corp. just announced that it will begin charging for ALL checked luggage on all American Airlines and American Eagle flights, beginning with tickets purchased after 6/15/2008.

This is bad. bad. bad.

Besides the money issue, it's going to make life hell for those who normally carry-on only--say buh-bye to overhead bin space and hello to very cranky passengers. And while the charge doesn't affect elite passengers, surely the overhead bins will be affected, which, of course means even the "elites" will have a much less pleasurable flying experience.

BLEH!

And while we're at it...

I think this is going a little too far. I am crossing my fingers that other airlines don't follow suit, but you know how they are--if one says "Jump", the others say "How high?"


US Airways announced today that it's going to start charging a fee to reserve "Choice Seats." You may be saying, "Well, Ashley, the airlines have been doing this for a while now?" Well, not by THIS definition of "Choice Seats."


Basically, any seat in the first several rows of coach that's a window or an aisle seat will incur a fee--starting at $5 per leg. So, if you have connections, expect to pay for your seat for each and every flight.


If you're a member of US Airways' frequent flier program, Dividend Miles Preferred, you can choose (and pay for) your seat at any time after booking. If you're not a member, you can book (and pay for) your seat only after the 24 hour point before your flight.


Seriously?

http://www.usairways.com/awa/Content/FAQs/choiceseats.aspx?c=eml_dm_choiceseats_solo_00399_04162008#3

Um, thanks?

As you probably know, I got married in November. In order to get my newly minted married passport to me in time for our March trip to St. Lucia, I paid the express fees. I received my passport in January (only a few weeks after I applied) and all was well.

TODAY, April 16, 2008, I get this gem from the US State Department:

We have finished processing your passport, and it has been mailed to you.

Your passport application locator number is XXX.

You requested delivery by regular mail. Passport Agencies use Priority Mail. This means you should receive your passport on or about 01/30/2008. Check the USPS status at: *USPS Website with Tracking Number Here.

Um, ok, state department--thanks for the heads up.

Seriously?