As the blog grows, we want to keep adding new and fun features to the blog. There have been some smaller changes and it might be hard for people to notice an easier to use layout, but there are some more obvious things that I wanted to point out:
- SHARE items that interest you on a blog. On the bottom left of each entry you can see different ways in which you can share. Either, Digg, Facebook, Fark, and maybe more.
- TWITTER. We now have a twitter account and will post when there are new postings and some random thoughts. FOLLOW THE AIRLINE BLOG!
- COMMENT REPLIES. Now you can have replies to your comments emailed to you, to help foster better discussion.
- EMAIL BLOGS. Get a daily email telling you what is new on The Airline Blog (you still have RSS option as well).
- GRAVATAR. Want a nifty picture next to your comments? All you have to do is set up one Gravatar account and upload on image and it will show up on any WordPress blog (ie CrankyFlier or Delta Blog) you comment on. No need to add a picture on each blog you read!
- NO LOG INS. You can now comment without having to log-in. Yes, means I have to deal with more spam, but I think it allows you to give your comments without having to go through the pain of creating an account (and put in your email address and it will post your Gravatar).
- AWESOMENESS. Well this is not really new, but we will continue to keep adding on to it!
Stay tuned. We will continue to grow and add new content, new blog authors, interesting series, more videos, interviews with airline industry insiders, and much more! Any suggestions or story ideas, you are always welcome to email da***@th************.com.
THANKS FOR READING!
A dramatic view of the Grand Tetons immediately after stepping out of door 1L on an American Airlines Boeing 757-200 at Jackson Hole Airport (JAC/KJAC) in Wyoming.
The 57 year old pilot was supposed to be taking 204 passengers from London’s Heathrow to Chicago yesterday on flight AA87. Before the flight could take off, security staff alerted police who administered a breathalyzer that the pilot failed. The flight was delayed, but was able to take off after finding a replacement pilot.
Source: MSNBC Image: matt.hintsa
Oakland Airport Security Line
There are a lot of TSA stories out there recently. MMV “underwear” looking technology, have to put your shoes directly on the belt, and now you must use all three of your names when making airline reservations.
Some security measures I understand, but others leave me wondering if they provide real security or just a false sense of security? Ok, is it that much work for me to write out my middle name on my reservations? Or is it that hard for me to put my shoes directly on the xray belt? No, probably not, but I am a frequent traveller and try to pay attention to the newest rules.
Even though the “laptop in a bin”, your “3oz of liquids in a ziploc” and “have your boarding pass out so 2 people can check it” rules have been around a long time, many people still have a hard time understanding the rules. Are changing them frequently going to speed up the security lines? What happens for people that don’t have middle names? Are they going to be security checked?
The government contends these changes will increase security and will reduce mistakes. The three names will limit the mistakes of people being on the “Do Not Fly” list. Opponents worry that fliers will just be losing more privacy and not gaining any new security.
Hopefully this is the last TSA security changes until at least August when I get to blog about them requiring your birth date and gender when booking a flight too.
Image: tigerpaw511
The first Airbus A320 plane assembled in the northern China
The first Chinese-built Airbus A320 passed its flight trial and is planned to be delivered to China’s Sichuan Airlines by the end of June. This is the first Airbus built outside of Europe and there are quite a few more planned. Airbus hopes to be producing four A320’s per month by the end of 2011.
Airbus ressures customers of the planes quality, even though it was built in a different location. “This A320 assembled in China unquestionably demonstrated the same quality and performance as those assembled and delivered in Hamburg or Toulouse,” Fernando Alonso, senior vice president at Airbus, said in a statement.
Many analysts see China as a booming airline market. With more and more people being able to afford to fly, air travel has been taking off (yes, pun intended). China is even attempting to build its own airliners, the ARJ-21.
Source: Reuters Image: CCTV
Southwest Boeing 737 winglet overlooking LA
A 47 year old woman on a Southwest Airline’s flight from Florida to California ran into some trouble texting messaging someone while on her way to her seat.
She states that a flight attendant approached her and “rudely” told her to turn off her phone and buckle up. The woman states she totally complied and turned it off immediately and sat down. She continues saying the flight attendent returned and harassed her 6 more times before leaving the gate, not listening to her showing him that she turned off her phone.
He suposidly came back to her twice more while the plane was on its way to the runway and he decided to throw her off the plane. The flight was then returned to the gate, the woman was arrested, and the flight continued on.
Personally this seems like a bunch of hogwash and someone found a lawyer who likes publicity. First off a flight attendant can’t control what the plane does. The pilot would have to be informed of the situation and make the call to return to the gate. Then police are not going to just arrest this woman if she really did nothing wrong.
Of course Southwest Airlines is not commenting at this time, but I am sure they are looking forward to comment and set the story straight.
Source: Tennessean.com Image: Krobie