Consumer Traveler Today: Feb 24

Consumer Traveler Today: French air traffic controllers’ strike creates havoc
 
 
French air traffic controllers’ strike creates havoc
Good night, sleep tight, don’t let the … ouch! What was that?
What we’re reading: Greek airlines merge, NASA researching VTOL jets, 787 test flight cut short
Forget about climate change, let’s get to work changing the air-traffic system
Elegy for an anniversary — 32 years with Ozark
Dutch Treat? Vacation dreams better than reality
Lufthansa suspends strike, British Airways votes to try it again – a few thoughts on strikes
More ways to be thrown off a plane than Carter has pills
What we’re reading: Royal Carribean iPhone app, Pope agrees scanners strip “dignity,” LAX renovation
“You will be charged $25 per bag on your return flight”
French air traffic controllers’ strike creates havoc
Posted: 24 Feb 2010 06:15 AM PST
Lufthansa pilots just had a short strike. British Airways flight attendants are planning a strike. Now French (and possibly Greek) air controllers are on strike. You need a score card. Karen Fawcett reports from France where the French air traffic controllers are in day two of their action and air traffic is suffering from all of the above.
       

Good night, sleep tight, don’t let the … ouch! What was that?
Posted: 24 Feb 2010 03:05 AM PST
Bedbugs. Just the mention of these tiny, bloodsucking insects is enough to send a veteran road warrior packing. But what does a hotel owe you if you’ve been ravaged by a swarm of Cimex lectularius during your stay?
       

What we’re reading: Greek airlines merge, NASA researching VTOL jets, 787 test flight cut short
Posted: 24 Feb 2010 03:00 AM PST
Aegean Airlines to merge with Olympic Airways, NASA researching VTOL regional jets, 787 test flight cut short
       

Forget about climate change, let’s get to work changing the air-traffic system
Posted: 23 Feb 2010 09:00 AM PST
I just saw another article about a new “attempt at passing a climate change bill in the Senate.” With the underpinnings of climate change in doubt, resignations of UN environmental bigwigs, flat temperatures over the past 15 years and the discovery that glaciers covering the Hymalayas are not likely to disappear in a decade, I [...]
       

Elegy for an anniversary — 32 years with Ozark
Posted: 23 Feb 2010 08:15 AM PST
Last week I celebrated what would have been my 32nd anniversary with Ozark Air Lines. Well, perhaps “celebrate” is too strong a word. No corks were popped, no cakes decorated. The only thing I did to commemorate the occasion was watch the very same episode of “The Rockford Files” (“The Prisoner of Rosemont Hall”) that I had watched that Friday evening those many years ago as I packed for my very first trip. I also took some time to reflect on my expectations at the beginning of my career and how different things look now that that career has ended.
       

Dutch Treat? Vacation dreams better than reality
Posted: 23 Feb 2010 07:15 AM PST
According to a study recently released by Dutch researchers, the act of planning a vacation (and by inference, daydreaming about how perfect it will be) significantly boosted the ‘happiness quotient’ of those surveyed, even two months before the actual trip.
       

Lufthansa suspends strike, British Airways votes to try it again – a few thoughts on strikes
Posted: 23 Feb 2010 06:15 AM PST
As Roseanne Roseannadanna used to say “It just goes to show, it’s always SOMETHING.” Many travelers – and travel agents – found out late last week that Lufthansa pilots had a four day strike planned for Feb 22-25, which made for a wild and worrisome weekend. As it turned out, the pilots did strike, but Lufthansa [...]
       

More ways to be thrown off a plane than Carter has pills
Posted: 23 Feb 2010 03:29 AM PST
Ned Levi reviews many of the reasons airplane passengers are being kicked off their flights from praying to being drunk, from being a large person to breast feeding. Ned examines which ones might be valid and which not.
       

What we’re reading: Royal Carribean iPhone app, Pope agrees scanners strip “dignity,” LAX renovation
Posted: 23 Feb 2010 03:00 AM PST
Royal Carribean iPhone app and Wi-Fi on ships, Pope agrees scanners strip "dignity," LAX breaks ground on massive renovation
       

“You will be charged $25 per bag on your return flight”
Posted: 22 Feb 2010 08:45 AM PST
I never meant to openly challenge American Airlines’ indefensible policy of charging those who can least afford it – budget-conscious leisure travelers – for the first checked bag. I had no intention of making a scene when I boarded a flight to Dallas with my family last week.