Yes, United Airlines’ least favorite troubadour will be touring in Ireland at the end of this month, and you can hear him in person thanks to FareCompare’s cheap flights to Dublin.
I’m not sure what’s on Dave Carroll’s playlist, but he has just announced that the third song in his “United Breaks Guitars” trilogy will be released March 2, along with a video. You may recall how his hilarious first video and the follow-up were huge hits that related the story of United baggage handlers flinging Dave’s guitar through the air and breaking it. This past fall, Dave took a chance on United again and – guess what happened to his bag?
Dave, however, wishes United well and says he’s optimistic about changes they say are coming. Meanwhile, if you’d like to see him Europe, check out our When-to-Fly Europe Flight Finder for great deals during February and beyond, including:
Not in the mood for Ireland? Our When-to-Fly Europe Flight Finder will take you to Rome, London, Paris – you name it. But look for Dave in Ireland.
Starting on May 1, American Airlines will start charging $8 for a blanket and pillow in coach – but I don’t think this is anything to get too excited about.
After all, JetBlue and US Airways already charge $7 for the same deal (though I wouldn’t be surprised if that price creeps up a buck to match AA). That said, there are good and bad things about this, mostly good.
Best Thing: You know your blanket will be fresh and clean (it comes in sealed plastic) and that’s great for staving off colds or even the N1H1 virus (what used to be called “swine flu”); close personal contact with an infected person is said to be the main reason we may get sick on airplanes – and nothing spreads germs like an old, dirty blanket.
Good Thing: Blankets will not be available on flights of less than two-hours, which suggests to me there will be more room in the overhead bins (Southwest got rid of blankets last year during the flu scare and say their customers appreciate the extra space).
Not-So-Good Thing: If you’re the type who gets chilly on a plane even during short hops, bring your Snuggie – if you’re on a longer flight, bring some plastic (on domestic flights, American does not accept cash).
Possible Worst Thing: You buy a blanket and pillow, and it’s yours to keep – but once you land, are you really going to stuff these things into your already over-stressed carryon? Or will there be a wholesale dumping of airplane blankets and pillows? I doubt it will have much effect on global warming but still – remember to recycle…
Remember last October when those two Northwest pilots overshot their Minneapolis destination by 150 miles because of some argument or discussion or something while both were on their personal laptops?
Now, Delta (which merged with Northwest) is taking steps to see that won’t happen again by “making software and avionics changes” on some of its planes, according to the Wall St. Journal – changes that will enable Delta dispatchers to use “sound alerts” to raise distracted pilots.
You might remember that everyone in the world seemed to be trying to reach those pilots (radio contact was lost for a long 77 minutes) – trouble was, contact was attempted via silent text messages, which the oblivious pilots simply never noticed. They just kept cruising along…and along…
I think a great big loud “WHOOP-WHOOP” sound might do the trick.
UPDATE: JAL has spoken – it has spurned Delta in favor of continuing its relationship with American.
EARLIER: You have to admit, this whole thing with JAL (Japan Airlines) sounds kind of like a primetime soap opera.
The Asian carrier which declared bankruptcy last month is the “bachelor” (sort of) in a triangle that pits American and Delta fighting to win JAL’s love – or rather, a partnership with the airline.
Actually American Airlines and its Oneworld alliance of global partners has the longstanding alliance with JAL, but in wake of the bankruptcy, the carrier has signaled it may switch – and Delta and SkyTeam entered the fray, trying to “woo” JAL to their team. At stake is the lucrative Asian-Pacific market, seen as the world’s fastest growing aviation market.
And according to news reports (and USA Today has the roundup), JAL can’t seem to make up its mind – though the Wall St. Journal suggests the carrier is now leaning back toward American.
No final decision has been made yet though. Maybe we’ll hear more by Valentine’s Day.
What do women (men, too) want for Valentine’s Day? Forget roses and chocolate* and give the gift of your time. People are so busy these days, that getting away together is a very big deal – but getting together in just the right spot is key.
Where to go? How about the Caribbean? Our “When-to-Fly” Flight Finder for Caribbean destinations shows you all the deals to the best beaches, instantly. I just saw this deal for a cheap flight from New York to the Bahamas for just $229 roundtrip.
Rather be skiing in the Rockies or savoring a charming bed and breakfast in New England? Then visit out “Where-to-Go” GetAway Map – with prices and Twitter – and have a wonderful time.
Tip: If the prices aren’t right for travel on Valentine’s Day or the immediate surrounding dates, there’s no law that says you can’t wait a couple of weeks. Just slip the itinerary in a nice card and give that on the 14th.
* Actually, don’t forget the flowers and candy altogether – these things tend to be expected. A true romantic, however, will kick it up a notch – with travel.
Sad and unnerving story about a still unidentified man who somehow got himself into one of the landing gear compartments on a Delta flight that took off from JFK and arrived in Tokyo yesterday.
It was a mechanic at Narita who made the disturbing discovery in the 777-200. Authorities figure the stowaway got in there just before take-off (you can’t get there from the cabin during the flight), which raises some interesting security questions and I’d like to hear some answers.
Meanwhile, whoever this person was, he sure wasn’t dressed for the situation – just jeans and a long-sleeved shirt. Temperatures in that particular section of the plane, according to news reports, can drop to minus-58 degrees.
For the most part, pilots and flight attendants who are fans of the New Orleans Saints do what most of us who have to work on Super Bowl Sunday do – they swapped shifts so they could get off work (I’m sure Colts fans did likewise).
Southwest flight attendant Julie Robinson got someone to cover for her, according to the Times-Picayune – then flew from her home in Chicago to join the party in New Orleans.
If she’d been working? She’d go to the cockpit. Sometimes pilots will request scores from air traffic control (said Robinson, “We say it’s for the passengers, but it might really be for us”).
In case you think air traffic controllers are having one big party on Super Bowl Sunday, no, they are not; in fact, the rules say no television, radio, the Internet or mobile phones allowed. However, they do get breaks, and there is usually a TV in a break room, and somebody will pop in during a quiet period to update the working controllers – and, the pilots and crew.
Meanwhile, sorry Colts fans – and congratulations to the Saints. And our best to YouTube sensation, the “Who Dat” dog – who really came through for his team.
When a lot of people think, “travel to Europe”, they think summertime – but that is the “high season” when everyone wants to go and chances are, prices will not be the greatest.
If you want cheap flights to Europe, a great time to go is now.
Just now, I used our “When-to-Fly” Flight Finder for airfares to “All Cities in Europe” – and look at all the deals in March I came up with:
New York to London, $537 roundtrip total
Chicago to Barcelona, $569 roundtrip total
New York to Dublin, $601 roundtrip total
San Francisco to Paris, $703 roundtrip total
Try our “When-to-Fly” Flight Finder for destinations in the U.S. and world-wide – it is so easy and quick and – well, don’t take my word for it, see for yourself.
