Limited transit strike underway in NYC
Limited transit strike underway in NYC — Workers at a pair of private New York bus lines went on strike early Monday — the first steps in what could be the shutdown of the nation’s largest public transportation system. (CNN)
US Airways adds staff, equipment for holiday rush — US Airways plans to avoid last year’s holiday travel problems by increasing staffing and buying new baggage equipment in Philadelphia. (Charlotte Observer)
United overwhelmed at O’Hare — The wait for some United Airlines travelers flying out of O’Hare International Airport on Saturday was so long, every little positive was accentuated. “Every little step, we cheer,” said James Dye, an 18-year-old college student who said he waited in line for four hours. (Chicago Tribune)
Towns tax rental cars for extra revenue — Rental-car taxes are perhaps the newest way local governments have found to pay for new projects. Boston already tacks on a fee to rental car bills. The neighboring town of Revere says it will follow suit. (ABC News)
A new emphasis on customer service — All the major online agencies - Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz - have recently introduced customer-service initiatives. In response, many of the troubled domestic airlines are upgrading their Web sites and retraining their phone agents to better compete. (The New York Times)
Fuel spike spurs new Southwest goals — While higher fuel costs are forcing some of the nation’s airlines to eliminate flights, Southwest Airlines Co. is poised to pounce on new opportunities — even though its own fuel costs could soar by $600 million in 2006. (Dallas Business Journal)
Air passengers to pay for luggage overseas — Passengers using a low-fare airline will now have to pay for their luggage to be put in the hold of the aircraft. Flybe said it will charge £4 for each piece of hold luggage or £2 if people have pre-booked hold bags in advance. (BBC News)
Take my room, please — According to the American Hotel & Lodging Association, there are more than 4.4 million hotel guest rooms in the United States. So why can’t this writer find a decent one? (The Washington Post)
Mesa Air trying to acquire Independence — For the second time in three years, Phoenix-based Mesa Air Group is bidding to acquire Independence Air, the East Coast-based low-fare carrier that landed in bankruptcy court last month. (The Arizona Republic)
The new ATA — ATA Airlines had a coveted Chicago Midway hub, 64 jetliners and a hard-earned distinction. By 2004, it finally reached the big leagues by becoming the nation’s 10th-largest passenger airline. Then the Indianapolis carrier went bankrupt. Now ATA is set to emerge from bankruptcy by Jan. 31 as a much slimmer company. (The Indianapolis Star)
JetBlue terminal at JFK evacuated — A John F. Kennedy International Airport terminal was evacuated Sunday after “suspicious” contents were found in a passenger’s luggage, an airline spokesman said. (AP)
Plane crash kills 20 near Miami — A propeller-driven seaplane carrying 20 people crashed off Miami Beach within sight of the city’s high-rises Monday, killing at least 19 of those aboard, authorities said. Witnesses said the plane blew apart in the air, and the FBI joined in the investigation. (AP)
Charlotte remains on Southwest’s radar — The chief executive of Southwest Airlines Co. says Charlotte is among “half a dozen cities high on the list” in Southwest’s expansion plans. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Carrie Charney, Christopher Elliott, John Frenaye, Charles Leocha, Marge Purnell, Valerie Schneider, Mary Staley, Stephanus Surjaputra, Richard Wong.