What is wrong with the Department of Justice ?

When United Airlines and Continental Airlines filed Papers back in 2010 for permission to Merge companies, Jeff Smisek, Then CEO of the very popular Continental Airlines, and now CEO of the remanence of that Airline, and newly merged  United Airlines, testified in front of the D.O.J that there would not be any significant job losses. This weeks announcement that it would close the status of Cleveland International Airport as a Hub, with job losses estimated at 450, and Last month's announcement of the Furlough of 850 Flight attendants is obviously a contradiction in motion ! as it 'aint' over ! Does anyone expect the D.O.J. to Hold Smisek and co' accountable for such statements and subsequent actions ? Plane and simple NO, emphasis on PLANE, as less and less of them are going to be servicing Cleveland, and standby for this company to announce more routes to be cut.

Airlines taking longer to recover from Weather Events

With this weeks major weather Event in the north east, The major carriers were tested on their ability to recover after the Snow and Ice Storms. What was important about this test was it being one of the first for recently merged Airlines such as United- Continental, and newly merged US Airways and American. Although the merger between Continental and United is now in its Third year, it was also in the process of only now merging its Software for Pilots and Crew Scheduling. After the storm hit and dissipated Aircraft and Crews were understandably logistically out of place. What normally happens post weather is that These Crews along with the Aircraft are ferried or re positioned to be conducive with the Schedules of the next Good Weather day, this is normally accomplished within the next day or so, However Crews were Lost in the System. Many Pilots and Flight attendants whereabouts were unknown for many days, and Consequently many Aircraft sat in Airports without Crews to Fly Them.
Thousands of passengers were unable to get to their destinations, not just through the Weather cancellations, but for many days after storms had left, waiting for Seats to become available to get them there.
During the Bank Crisis the Government said these Banks were too big to Fail. I believe with the Size of these Airlines Post Merger, It would Suffice to say These Airlines have become too Big to Succeed.

Only 3 Major Airlines standing.

With United Airlines and continentals Merger complete, Delta and north-west's Merger History, and the pending merger between US Airways and American Looming, the General prediction 10 years ago of  3 Major Airlines in this country has Finally come to Fact,
and  the losers in this new Flying age being of course the Customers. Gone are the Free meals and drinks, and in its place the exorbitant Bag fees and so called Premium seat charges if you happen to need 3 more inches of leg room in the Exit row, Customer service is non existent, unless you want to pay a premium for talking to an impatient  nonchalant agent, in their place are the Kiosks or the Web. In a way this Industry now reflects the Bigger world around it, in that Choices are less, and Automation has replaced the Human element.

Airports can opt-out from the TSA

With the TSA's reputation becoming worse everyday Airports need to consider that they do have a choice, by Law  they can opt-out and go back to Private security screening, the TSA would still have a presence at those Airports with a Supervisor present. Some Airports already have private security and the Tests that are done at random on these Airport checkpoints do not suggest that Private versus government are any better.Airlines are reluctant to go back to private as they would be paying more of the costs than they do with the TSA standing guard.

American Airlines Files for Bankruptcy

How can American Airlines file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy when some carriers are on target to post a profit of close to a billion dollars this year ?
With the new found ways of the industry to make money and lots of it with ad ons such as Bag fees, reservation fees, seat assignment fees, meals, etc. In a year where air travel is up and so are air fares American did not plan well for its future, their equipment is old and therefore they have had to order many new aircraft and for the fleet they currently have more mechanical problems arise which in turn costs them for cancellations and delays. Their work contracts are expensive and their routes are in competition with the other Airlines, instead of finding their own niche routes. A s a legacy carrier and one which I have had some memorable travel on I hope they find a way out and move forward.

Taking your pet on the plane

When you plan to take your pet on board be sure to ask for the pitch of the seat, there are many types of configurations on a plane and therefore the height of the seat varies immensely, so when you book your reservation ask for the height measurement of the seat where you will stow your pet in front of your own seat for the duration of the flight. These days some aircraft on some airlines will not be able to even accommodate your pet in carrier as they have the entertainment electronics under the seats and therefore no room for a pet. Also make sure you have a reservation for your pet as there are restrictions on how many on board pets are allowed in ratio to how many seats on the aircraft.

Dress codes for flying, In the news.

In the news today was the idea that Airlines should have dress codes, this is not an unreasonable request if the Airlines decide to implement. In years past it was a celebration of sorts that you had arrived with a lifestyle that was conducive to success when you flew and you dressed accordingly, as in suites and Sunday best dresses.
Now anything goes, pants falling below the under wear line, midriffs that would look better on the beach and T- shirts with slogans that would make an army major blush. Shops and restaurants have the rite to demand what their customers that frequent their business wear, so why not airlines.