TSA bids to control Canadians that cross US airspace
In a new move to monitor everyone who travels through US airspace, the Transportation Security Administration has proposed plans that will force Canadian authorities to transmit passenger lists for anyone whose aircraft will cross US airspace. That pretty much makes any Canadian air travel subject to approval by the US. I know few sovereign countries that would stand for such rules.
Venice faces 4th highest tide in 136 years
Venice has just gone through the fourth highest high tide in the past 136 years. Aqua alta, as the Venetians call these high tides, are a normal occurrence. The town has a series of signal sirens that warn the population of the impending flooding and walkways are set up to allow residents to move throughout the city.
Airline credit-card connection to the financial bailout
Though airlines have been through their own financial crisis with bankruptcies rampant throughout the industry, the financial bailout is as important to them as any of their bankruptcy dealings. Without the financial industry, the airlines lose one of the most important sources of business travelers and they may lose their lucrative credit card contracts and access to millions of dollars of emergency cash.
Enforcing consumer protections is not regulation
Over the past few weeks, travel commentators have been beating the “airline regulation” drum. However, let’s be careful throwing the regulation word around. Most travelers are actually looking for basic consumer protections, not re-regulation.
America’s 10 most stressful airports
Last February, we noted the US News and World Report Airport Misery Index. Now, just in time for Thanksgiving, Forbes has released their list of the country’s most stressful airports.
Southwest bids for ATA’s LaGuardia slots
Southwest Airlines in a move focused on their marketing push towards full-fare business travelers, has offered a bid to the bankruptcy court for ATA’s LaGuardia landing and take-off slots. This move, if approved by the court, will give Southwest a LaGuardia presence with seven round trips daily.
Megabus gives away 100,000 free seats on bus services
After looking at affordable alternatives to travel between Boston, New York and Washington DC, I have found the lowest prices on buses. These are not buses we might remember from a decade ago. Today’s buses are maintained better and offer more amenities.
Vacation rentals are the next big thing in online travel
One of the last lodging frontiers, vacation rentals, is at the forefront of the PhoCusWright conference in Hollywood. As the movers and shakers of the online travel industry convene, aggregation of the vacation home market is happening on at least four fronts. The leader in the industry is yet to be shaken out, but this sector of the industry will never be the same.
Obama, Democratic majority make unions certain at Delta
The incoming Obama administration and the Democratic majority in the House and Senate have just about eliminated any question about whether non-union Delta workers will prevail over their unionized counterparts from Northwest as the airlines merge. Unions will undoubtedly prevail.
A new wave of travel sites breaks at LA conference
After listening to 32 “innovators” at the PhocusWright Travel Innovation Summit in Hollywood yesterday, the verdict is in: Travelers just want more planning tools.