Atlanta federal screeners say training inadequate
Atlanta screeners not trained — Some federal screeners at the Atlanta airport say they’re under such pressure to avert long lines at security checkpoints that they are not getting the training mandated by the Transportation Security Administration. The workers said they have been threatened with disciplinary action or losing their jobs unless they sign a form each week stating they’ve received training.
US Airways blamed for travel debacle — Severe staffing shortages in Philadelphia and an inadequate response by US Airways management were to blame for a holiday travel fiasco that afflicted 560,000 passengers, a government report. The finding by the U.S. Transportation Department’s inspector general appeared to contradict the initial response of US Airways Chief Executive Officer Bruce Lakefield, who attributed the “operational meltdown” to a high number of sick calls among certain employees, citing the “irresponsible actions of a few.”
AAA demands ‘real world’ mileage tests — Well-known motorists club AAA says many cars and trucks it road-tests fall far short of their government fuel-economy ratings. Using that disappointing fuel economy data from hundreds of road tests in what AAA calls real-world driving, the organization plans to endorse legislation to be introduced Thursday that would require the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to overhaul its gas-mileage tests.
Beverly Hills at war over luxury hotel — It’s getting nasty in them thar hills — Beverly Hills, that is — as voters wrestle over a proposal to build a $200-million luxury resort hotel, public garden and parking garage in the ritzy commercial district known as the Golden Triangle. The proposed development has dominated civic discourse for more than a year and prompted a big-bucks campaign that pits developers of the planned Montage resort against the equally posh Peninsula Beverly Hills hotel, which is investing heavily to defeat the project.
Marketing? That’s not something airlines do — I have a new reason why almost no one in the airline industry has the right to hold the title, director of marketing. As I understand the concept of “marketing,” it doesn’t exist in this industry.
ID law dispute grounds philanthropist — John Gilmore’s splendid isolation began July 4, 2002, when, with defiance aforethought, he strolled to the Southwest Airlines counter at Oakland Airport and presented his ticket. The gate agent asked for his ID. Gilmore asked her why. It is the law, she said. Gilmore asked to see the law.