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Homeland Security misses No Fly deadline

by Jon Surmacz

Homeland Security misses “no-fly” deadline — The government is late in coming up with a plan ordered by Congress to avoid diverting international flights because of concerns about their passengers. Twice in the past week, Boston-bound planes from Europe were diverted from their destinations when a passenger’s name was found to be similar to a name on the “no-fly list” of people considered threats. An intelligence bill passed in December gave the Homeland Security Department until Feb. 15 to develop a plan to check passengers’ names against the list before a plane departed. Under the current system, airlines check the passengers before they board, then forward a manifest to U.S. officials 15 minutes after a plane departs. (Star Tribune)

Commentary from John Frenaye — This is a no brainer. What is the cost to the US to ground a plane and interrogate someone that they may not want in the US anyhow? The lists, if they are going to be useful, must be processed before take off.

Crude oil prices dip to a three month low — Crude oil prices shed almost $2 a barrel to a three-month low yesterday after an Energy Department report showed U.S. stockpiles rose more than expected. U.S. crude oil inventories have risen 13 of the past 14 weeks. They are at the highest level since June 1999 and last week were 8.1 percent above the five-year average for the period, the Energy Department said. Light, sweet crude futures for June delivery fell $1.72 to settle at $47.25 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. (Richmond Times Dispatch)

Record number of travelers expected for Memorial Day — The highest retail gas prices ever seen for a holiday weekend won’t deter drivers, according to AAA. The auto club says a record number of Americans will drive more than 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day holiday. (WDSU New Orleans)

Merger may be US Airways’ last chance — For US Airways — one of the oldest and most recognizable names in the industry — time is drawing short. After plunging twice into bankruptcy protection and shearing off nearly $2 billion in costs, the nation’s seventh-largest carrier is pinning its hopes of survival on a merger with America West Airlines. “We don’t have many other options left. This is it,” said a US Airways Group Inc. executive who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the negotiations. (Washington Post)

Commentary from Stephanus Surjaputra — I haven’t flown US Airways or America West in a long time because I’m in California and the airfare to the east coast has been way to expensive, but I think both airlines need to take a hard look at how JetBlue is doing business. One of the things both airlines can do (which US Airways is already doing) is have the meals that the coach passengers can purchase on board. People have complained about airline food for a long time and, I believe, the quality of the food of the purchased meals is better.

Red Lion Hotels..going to the cats? — The Oregon Humane Society and Red Lion Hotels announce an innovative new partnership, guaranteed to make sure the cats at the OHS shelter “Stay Comfortable.”
Red Lion Hotels is the exclusive sponsor of the “Kitty Hotels,” an ingenious use of a customized cardboard box. Designed so a cat can hide in it or perch on top, the Kitty Hotel provides comfort and a safe feeling to the cats in the shelter. (Bend)

Gunman takes hostages to the airport in their underwear — A bank robber took at least six people hostage Wednesday, ordered them to strip to their underwear and took them to an airport, authorities said. Police shot the suspect during what may have been an attempt to make a getaway in a small plane. The 44-year-old Wichita man was taken by helicopter to a hospital and was in critical condition late Wednesday, FBI spokesman Jeff Lanza said. No one else was hurt. (ABC News)

Commentary from John Frenaye — Obviously the robber was aware of the ins and outs of getting through a TSA security checkpoint.

Airline merger almost set — US Airways and America West are expected to announce their long-rumored merger today, revealing plans for a combined operation that would be large enough to surpass discount king Southwest Airlines as the nation’s sixth-largest carrier. The press conference is slated to be held in the Phoenix area, where America West keeps its headquarters and employs about 10,000. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Commentary from John Frenaye — Stay tuned to Tripso.com as this historic merger kicks off a reshaping of the US airline industry that has never been witnessed.

Summer travelers to be greeted by soaring hotel prices — This summer, hotel guests will be greeted by the highest room rates in five years. PricewaterhouseCoopers hotel analyst Bjorn Hanson said rates will be 6.3 percent higher than they were in the summer of 2000. Some of the stiffest increases will be found at resorts at popular destinations, which are charging up to 15 percent more than they did last year. The simple reason why hotels are raising rates is that they can. (WGAL)

America West and US Airways agree to merge — America West Holdings Corporation (NYSE: AWA) and US Airways Group, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: UAIRQ) today announced an agreement to merge and create the first full-service nationwide airline, with the consumer-friendly pricing structure of a low-fare carrier. Operating as the first national low-cost (LCC) hub-and-spoke network carrier, customers can look forward to simplified pricing, international scope, access to low-fare service to over 200 cities across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe, and amenities that include a robust frequent flyer program, airport clubs, assigned seating and First Class cabin service. (Posted by Tripso: 5:32pm EST May 19, 2005)(America West Investor Relations)

Commentary from John Frenaye — This will change the entire landscape. Hang on for a wild ride in the airline industry.

Maine airport plays a key role for no-fly diverted flights — Officials are fighting to make sure the light is always on at the control tower at Bangor International Airport, which is playing a prominent role as a safe haven for planes diverted because of suspicious passengers. Twice in less than a week, Boston-bound international flights have been diverted to the airport because a passenger’s name appeared on a no-fly list.. (AP)

Avis jazzes up the fleet with a Hummer — In an effort to get away from the plain-Jane “rental car” image, Avis said Wednesday it will offer the new 2006 Hummer H3 in its fleets starting this summer. “Our customers tell us they want to drive cars that are interesting and fun when they rent,” said Scott Deaver, executive vice president of marketing for Cendant Car Rental Group, the parent of Avis. (Edmunds)

Contributing: Stephanus Surjaputra, John Frenaye

Published on May 19, 2005 ·

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