if this is true,this would be a sad state of affairs..mergers,although good for shreholders,for the most part are a bad deal for not only the consumer,but the employees of that carrier as well..customer service generally goes "downhill",and route structures are not really improved..united has so many issues with their brand,particularly the way passengers are treated by employees,so I don't think buying out another carrier would improve the situation!!

(Written on 10/16/2017)(Permalink)

roger..well said..this is part of the new trump economic system,which is (as mr spock used to say on star trek)highly illogical...

(Written on 10/13/2017)(Permalink)

regardless of what mr trump and his "cronies" say,(and yes, this is a political issue because of mr trumps hypocritical ideas on "free trade"and making/purchasing in America),a company or corporation should be free to price and compare any purchase,particularly a large order of aircraft,and if they are offered a reasonable deal from elsewhere,make that purchase without being "fined" with an extremely large tariff..i might add mr trump already has had some drama of his own making,with boeing ,and they are an American company..

(Written on 10/12/2017)(Permalink)

I am guessing many of the people commenting here do not know nor understand the rules and regulations of travelling with a service animal,nor a carry on pet..pets can only be carried n if they are small enough to fit in a small carrier that will fit under the seat in front of them..this can only be a cat or a dog..these pets are not allowed per regulations to be taken out of the carrier during a flight, and if that occurs, the flight attendant is supposed to tell the passenger to put the animal back in the carry on..service animals are larger as a rule, and do not require a carrier, but for the convenience of the passenger,that person and their animal who must remain at their feet,,are accommodated on the bulkhead of the aircraft..i mentioned here before i have worked many flights with both service animals and carry on pets, and have not had problems nor heard complaints because most people do follow the rules!!!

(Written on 09/29/2017)(Permalink)

having worked flights with service animals,i can tell you that paperwork and verification,as well as pre booking and advising the airline of a service animal is required..very small dogs and very small cats,no birds or othersuch,are allowed with proper paperwork and a fee to be carried on if the carrier fits under the seat in front of them..usually only one per cabin..these are not service animal,but someones very small pet..service animals are not held on a lap, nor in a carrier,but sit at the owners feet (bulkhead)and are required to wear the vest..these animals do not bark nor cause any inconvenience to others..i have never heard of a person reacting the way this woman did,nor seen anyone die from a pet allergy..i believes she had some issue and was trying to capitalize on getting not only attention, but some form of compensation..if she was truly afraid of an allergic reaction,you can rest assured the crew or the agents at the gate would have made sure she was rebooked on another fl

(Written on 09/28/2017)(Permalink)

thank you jeff for a short and logical explanation..i live in the flight path for a major airport, as well as a few miles from a small (but well used) airport for private aircraft..this small airport offers flight training in both fixed wing and helicopters,and used to be a landing point for training helicopter medivacs.the larger commercial jets at times come over low enough to read the logos or aircraft numbers, and some of the larger international carriers even have the airlines name printed on the bottom where it is readable...my point is,the use of drones does need regulation with regard to how high,and exactly where the drone can be flown (in my area for example,it might cause damage to an airplane or a helicopter)..realty agencies use them frequently for overhead shots,various goverenmental agencies use them for surveys and law enforcement reasons, and most recently, in my area,drones were used to fly over and video the total damage and flooding caused by hurricane harvey..if you

(Written on 09/25/2017)(Permalink)

middle eastern airlines are well known for the quality of their service,the comfort of their aircraft,and the almost submissive service of their personnel..i can undertand the ceo of jet blue saying (as he did in the article)that by excluding these carriers from u.s. cities as he mentioned,it limits passenger bookings on jet blue from these same passengers..however..those who fly on emirates or quatar or whomever,expect and get the best of seating,food,service and amenities,so it is doubtful they would opt to fly on a low fare,no frills carrier like jet blue upon arriving in the u.s....

(Written on 09/20/2017)(Permalink)

thank you dnorthern..this is a point many here have basically overlooked...

(Written on 09/11/2017)(Permalink)

I had not seen or read this story with regard to delta airlines..i did see wall to wall,dawn to dusk coverage on the cable networks with regard to the preparations, the storm itself and as of today, the aftermath in florida and the carribbean..as usual the national guard was enlisted,and any and all local groups were involved all over the state of florida..the media did report on the masses of humanity at airports,and the fact that a lot of those people were already ticketed for flights before the storm..the cruise lines had to get the ships out of ports, so they docked early and all of the thousands of "cruisers" were left a day or so early at the airports...thousands of people stayed and are still at,large shelters all over the state,and yes,thousands did stay in their homes as well..it is easy to stand back and criticize the hows and whys of evacuating basically whole towns of people,but the local mayors and city government people did what they have done in the past in an area that i

(Written on 09/11/2017)(Permalink)

this is a storm of unheard of magnitude..having just been through Harvey,my heart and my thoughts go out for all of the people in irmas path..i have seen the pictures on the news of those waiting in neverending lines at ft lauderdale airport and Miami international,most of whom are visiting or on vacation..its a very scary event for everyone,and the agents at the ticket counters and the gates will do everything possible to help as long as they are able and the airports are open..been there and done that...

(Written on 09/07/2017)(Permalink)