American Airlines and US Airways are destined to merge, if you believe the many airline industry talking heads. Here’s my wish list for the two airlines, post merger.
Sky Harbor
Delta Air Lines Flight 1921: A Look Inside a Flight Delay
Just one airplane with a mechanical problem can cause serious headaches for airlines and their customers. Just ask Delta Airlines. On March 18, a cancelled flight cost hours of delay and disrupted the complicated ballet of getting travelers to their destinations. Here’s how Delta Airlines handled the situation.
One Way to Banish Fear of Flying
I just don’t understand how anyone can be afraid to fly. It’s well-established that flying is statistically safer than driving.
Annoyed by flying, I can understand. That happens to me, even though I love flying (yes, I act like a golden retriever hopping into a pickup whenever it’s time to fly).
Even if I don’t understand frightened fliers, I do sympathize. If you’re one of those who shudders at the thought of flying, here’s one possible remedy that I’ve never considered before: a Fearless Flight seminar, which is part of Captain Ron’s “Cleared 4 Takeoff” program. There are free upcoming sessions at Phoenix Sky Harbor airport, and they aim high to alleviate the anxiety and stress of people who don’t dig the wild blue yonder. Captain Ron (who really should change his name with a namesake like this movie)says his the program has worked for thousands. Since the seminar is free and only requires advanced registration, you have nothing to lose.
Does it work? I honestly don’t know since I love flying. But if you hate it and it makes you cringe and whinge, maybe this can help you at least tolerate the experience, if not relish it.
The Cap’n also offers one-on-one coaching, an online seminar (for those of you really far from an airport) and other options to return your fear to its upright and locked position. In the meantime, don’t pay attention to the smart aleck who says “Hey, is it just me or is the wing on fire?”
Arizona Tourism Boss Blows Chance to Show Vision
Sherry Henry is the new Arizona Office of Tourism director, recently appointed by Governor Jan Brewer. Her goal is to get more people to visit Arizona. She recently answered some questions posed by The Arizona Republic. I think she missed a great chance to address some real issues, so I’d have to give her a grade of C.
There were three particular questions in her interview that I wish I could’ve answered for her: Getting foreign travelers to Arizona, helping Arizona residents find more of the state’s unsung treasures and identifying her favorite place in the state. Really, I think Henry needs to think more like a traveler. She needs to better understand the obstacles people face in getting here, and she needs to know that there are many alternatives that offer much of what Arizona does – golf, shopping and sun. And those need to stop being the main weapons in her arsenal.
If Henry wants travelers to visit Arizona, she must start with Phoenix Sky Harbor International (in name only) Airport
One lousy daily flight to London along with a few to Canada and Latin America do not a true international airport make. The lack of international flights should deeply embarrass the officials of America’s fifth-most populous city.
People want to get to their destinations quickly, with as few stopovers as possible. Henry identifies her craving for French, Japanese and German tourists – but she doesn’t say “I’m going to work with Sky Harbor officials to do everything possible to get Air [...]
