airlines

Gutfeld on airlines banning booze on flights

Have you heard the phrase “never let a pandemic go to waste?” Now you have, because I just said it. Some airlines are doing just that. Delta and American Airlines, among others, are suspending all or part of their booze service to reduce interactions between passengers and crews. And to limit bad behavior. So this, in medical circles, is called a stupid, stupid, highly stupid idea. Do these idiots have any idea why alcohol sales boomed during the lockdown? It’s because we were trapped in a room and we couldn’t get out. This is much like being on a plane, where you’re trapped with no way out, unless you open an emergency exit and aim for a big bush. I wouldn’t suggest that under any circumstances, unless you’re flying next to Joy Behar. It’s a fact that flying is getting less enjoyable every year. And yet we never get anywhere faster. As computer speed doubles every two years, we still produce new jets lumbering through the air at the same speeds as the old ones did in the 1970s. Worse, today we’re packed like sweaty veal, forced to endure endless delays and bizarre regulations that often leave us with hunger-induced migraines and distended bladders. And now, they want to take away the booze? Look, I get the face masks. And believe me, I hate drunk jackasses who fly. I even hate myself. But usually not until the next day But to punish everyone – especially me – because of the actions of a few is not the way to solve problems. Sadly, though, that seems to be the trend these days. With just a few bad apples, we don’t just throw out the whole batch – we defund the orchard. It’s enough to make me drink. And hate myself tomorrow.

As usual, Greg nails it.  This time, with air travel and latest idiotic decision by the airlines.  This was adapted from Greg Gutfeld’s monologue on “The Five” on June 17, 2020.

Trump Administration Bars Chinese Passenger Planes from Entry

As of June 16, President Donald Trump’s administration will bar all passenger planes originating in China from entry to the U.S. The order, announced by the U.S. Department of Transportation, applies to Air China, China Eastern Airlines Corp, China Southern Airlines Co, Hainan Airlines Holding Co, Sichuan Airlines Co, and Xiamen Airlines Co. Despite the agreement to restrict travel, airlines have continued to regularly ferry passengers from the origin point of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Meanwhile, both Delta and United have requested permission to resume flights to China, though the country “remains unable” to say when it will “allow U.S. carriers to reinstate scheduled passenger flights,” according to a formal order signed by the Transportation Department top aviation official Joel Szabat. In a statement on Wednesday, Delta said “we support and appreciate the U.S. government’s actions to enforce our rights and ensure fairness,” while United said it looks forward to resuming passenger service between the United States and China “when the regulatory environment allows us to do so.” The decision will enforce a level of parity between both sides, eliminating the lopsided permissions currently in effect. “We will allow Chinese carriers to operate the same number of scheduled passenger flights as the Chinese government allows ours,” the department said in a separate statement. Additionally, China will no longer be allowed to use charter flights to “further [increase] their advantage over U.S. carriers in providing U.S.-China passenger services.”

This is smart, and in our best interests.  Kudos to the Administration for putting our health and safety first.

Which airlines are blocking middle seats?

Nobody wanted to sit in the middle anyway. A growing number of U.S. airlines are temporarily blocking off their middle seats in an attempt to create as much distance between passengers as possible. This effort — along with new mandates for passengers to wear face masks during flights, and proposals for new airline seating arrangements entirely — is just one of the many ways major carriers are responding to the coronavirus health crisis. But while every major carrier has introduced policies intended to prevent close contact between passengers (and passengers and crew), not all carriers have chosen to block middle seats outright. Click here to see how U.S. airlines are working to keep you as socially distant as possible on their planes:

U.S. Airlines Seek $50 Billion from Federal Government for Coronavirus Recovery

The U.S. airline industry has been hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak and will ask the federal government for a $50 billion aid package, according to Airlines for America (AFA), an airline advocacy organization. “U.S. carriers are in need of immediate assistance as the current economic environment is simply not sustainable,” an AFA statement said. “This is compounded by the fact that the crisis does not appear to have an end in sight.” CNN reported on the move that reverses an earlier stance the air travel industry could weather the storm — before the full impact of the virus outbreak came to light: The requested aid would be in the form of loans, grants and tax relief. The airlines are looking for up to $25 billion in grants for passenger air carriers and $4 billion in grants to cargo carriers, and the same amounts in loans or loan guarantees, Airlines for America outlined in a briefing document. The U.S. aid package has been discussed with key lawmakers and staff, as on Capitol Hill and the Trump administration, two sources said. The discussions were described as early-stage. But one source noted there is a growing recognition from the federal government that conditions “are getting very bad, very fast.” In addition the request to help the airlines, a trade group for the nation’s airports is requesting a separate $10 billion bailout, an airport industry source told CNN. The request also is in line with expected revenue drops at airports because most of the fees airlines pay are based on flight volume. Aircraft manufacturer Boeing is quoted in the CNN report that it is in discussions with the feds and the airline industry. “We’re leveraging all our resources to sustain our operations,” Gordon Johndroe, a Boeing spokesman, said. “Meanwhile, ready short term access to public and private liquidity will be one of the most important ways for airlines, airports, suppliers and manufacturers to bridge to recovery, and we appreciate how the Administration and Congress are engaging with all elements of the aviation industry during this difficult time.” America’s major airlines would run out of money as soon as June 30 without financial assistance, AFA reported. President Donald Trump said at a coronavirus press conference on Monday at the White House his administration is behind helping the industry. “We’re going to back the airlines 100 percent,” Trump said. “We’re going to be in a position to help the airlines very much.” “We’ve told the airlines we’re going to help them,” Trump said. “It’s very important.” “There are about 460,000 jobs in the US airline industry, according to the Labor Department, and most of them provide good pay and strong benefits,” CNN reported. “The industry is crucial for the efficient functioning of the U.S. economy, not only enabling business travel but also leisure travel, which itself is a major sector of the U.S. economy. Commercial aviation taxes and fees totaled $26 billion in 2019, or an estimated $71 million per day, AFA reported. CNN reported that the last bailout for U.S. airlines was $15 billion bailout – $5 billion in cash and $10 billion in loan guarantees — following the 9/11 terror attack.

Airline passenger traffic is down 94% right now.  So, they’re probably offering REALLY good deals right now.  Just sayin..   For more on this story, click on the text above.

Simon the giant rabbit, destined to be world’s biggest, dies on United Airlines flight

Scandal-hit United Airlines is facing a new PR disaster — after a valuable giant rabbit died mysteriously on one of its planes. Three-foot Simon, destined to be the world’s biggest bunny, died in the cargo section of a Boeing 767 after flying out of Heathrow to a new celebrity owner in the US. Breeder Annette Edwards, of Stoulton, Worcs, said: “He was fit as a fiddle. I’ve sent rabbits round the world, nothing like this happened.” United’s reputation is at rock bottom after film of a doctor being dragged from a jet went viral. Edwards, 65, said 3ft Simon, expected to grow to be the world’s biggest rabbit, and was healthy when placed in the cargo hold. But Simon, heading to a new celebrity owner in the US, was found dead after the Boeing 767-300 landed at O’Hare — the airport where a doctor was violently dragged off a UA plane. Annette said: “Simon had a vet’s check-up three hours before the flight and was fit as a fiddle. “Something very strange has happened and I want to know what. I’ve sent rabbits all around the world and nothing like this has happened before.” Annette, of Stoulton, Worcs, added: “The client who bought Simon is very famous. He’s upset.”

As many of you know, we tend to avoid human interest stories here at The Daily Buzz, as there are so many other outlets for that sorta thing.  But, this latest “PR disaster” for United was worth sharing.  To be fair, there is an investigation into the mysterious demise of this giant rabbit.  So, we don’t know if United did anything that might have contributed to it’s death.  BUT, talk about bad timing!  Wow..  To read the rest of this story, and see a photo of this critter, click on the text above.

These are the best and worst airports in the US

Phoenix, Ariz. has beautiful weather, lots of sun– and the best airport in the U.S. According to a new study of the country’s best and worst airports conducted by ThePointsGuy.com, Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International airport received top marks in several categories including having the shortest driving time from the city center and cheap parking. New York’s LaGuardia airport was the worst airport in the country according to the review. The study analyzed several data points including an examination of the 30 busiest U.S. airports and information from the Federal Aviation Administration, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, J.D. Power, Google Maps, iFly.com and the airports’ official websites. The review placed an emphasis on how effective airports are in getting passengers to their destination on time. They also reviewed how easy it is to reach the airport by car or public transportation. Finally, they reviewed amenities like restaurants and Wi-Fi access, as well as fees for parking. Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International airport consistently ranked well in several categories. It was ranked third for the most bars and restaurants per capita and fifth for the fewest flight cancellations. Travel to the northeast however, is a different story. In addition to LaGuardia (which had the most flight delays and cancellations during the period studied and the most expensive parking among the 30 airports surveyed) other New York City airports didn’t fare much better. John F. Kennedy International airport has the longest average security wait time and the longest driving time from the city center while Newark had the second-most flight delays and cancellations and the third-longest average security wait time.

To see the top 5, and worst 5, according to this web site and the criteria mentioned, click on the text above..

Southwest Airlines plane evacuated after smoke from Samsung device

An overheated Samsung device created smoke that caused a plane to be evacuated at Louisville International Airport on Wednesday, an official said. The smoke prompted Southwest Airlines to evacuate the plane before it departed for Baltimore, Louisville Metro Arson Capt. Kevin Fletcher told news outlets. A total of 75 passengers and crew were evacuated from the flight, and no one was injured, said airport authority spokeswoman Natalie Chaudoin. Fletcher said there was minor damage to the plane’s carpet where the device was dropped. U.S. safety regulators announced a formal recall last month of Samsung’s Galaxy Note7 smartphone after a spate of fires led to injuries and property damage. Sarah Green, of New Albany, Indiana, was quoted by The Courier-Journal as saying that her husband, Brian, told her his Galaxy Note7 made a popping noise and started smoking after he powered it down. Green said the phone had been replaced about two weeks ago due to the recall. She said he called her from another person’s phone to tell her what happened. Fire department Capt. Sal Melendez said the device overheated during the flight crew’s safety demonstration. Last month, the Federal Aviation Administration took the unusual step of warning passengers not to use or charge the Galaxy Note 7 phones while on board, and not to place them in checked bags. Southwest warns on its website that passengers with the Samsung device must carry them on the plane instead of checking them in luggage. They should keep the phone turned off and disconnected from power sources, and passengers should make sure that the power switch can’t accidentally be moved to the “on” position. The advisory does not apply to phones that have a green battery icon, which, according to Samsung, indicates that the phone is a post-recall model. Samsung said in a statement that the company can’t confirm that the new Note7 was involved in the incident and is working with authorities to recover the device and confirm the cause.

More bad news for Samsung’s Galaxy Note7.