Consumer Traveler Today: Feb 11

Consumer Traveler Today: Artificial dog nose — the answer to airline security?
 
 
Artificial dog nose — the answer to airline security?
What we’re reading: JAL chooses AA/Oneworld, LGA-DCA slot swap questions, O’Hare talks on hold
Will AA flight attendants strike? Ex-TWA flight attendants hope so
So how big a lie would you tell to get a travel discount?
Brave new world of proactive airline weather cancellations
Artificial dog nose — the answer to airline security?
Posted: 11 Feb 2010 03:09 AM PST
Though, this was the first time I had heard of studies attempting to unlock the secrets of how dogs smell, these studies have been being conducted for decades at our national labs and in private labs. A canine's nose functionality is still a mystery for sensory scientists. Dogs have been trained to sniff and search for bodies under rubble, explosives, drugs, banned foods and even the presence of cancer.
       

What we’re reading: JAL chooses AA/Oneworld, LGA-DCA slot swap questions, O’Hare talks on hold
Posted: 11 Feb 2010 03:00 AM PST
JAL minimizes risk by sticking with American and oneworld alliance, US Airways and Delta must sell slots to receive okay for LGA-DCA slot swaps, O'Hare talks and expansion on hold
       

Will AA flight attendants strike? Ex-TWA flight attendants hope so
Posted: 10 Feb 2010 08:15 AM PST
Have no doubt about it, in the current “negotiations” between American Airlines and its flight attendants, the flight attendants union, Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), have already shot themselves in the foot. The the airline knows that it has a ready, willing and able workforce of ex-TWA flight attendants who will happily break any [...]
       

So how big a lie would you tell to get a travel discount?
Posted: 10 Feb 2010 07:15 AM PST
So how big a lie would you tell for a discount on travel? Americans love a bargain. And the vagaries of travel pricing certainly don't discourage anyone from doing what they can to save money. Many discount hunting strategies are legal, others are gray areas and some are flat out dishonest. But how far is too far over the line?
       

Brave new world of proactive airline weather cancellations
Posted: 10 Feb 2010 06:15 AM PST
The truth be told, technology has had a lot to do with the new ways that airlines can handle weather delays. Automatic telephone software, the ubiquity of cell phones. text messaging and automatic rescheduling software have changed the cancellation world of both passengers and the airlines.