Antlers are now allowed back on United Airlines. Photoshopped by AirlineReporter.com
I realize the timing of this story might be a bit poor, but it is just a coincidence…
I never realized that airlines allowed passengers to check or carry-on antlers. About a month ago, United Airlines tried to stop the practice, but met with harsh protest. A combination of antlers damaging other people’s luggage and hunters complaining that their antlers got damaged, caused United to put an end to transporting them all together.
Most other airlines allow the transport of antlers, but have strict packing policies and won’t transport them unless they are packed safely. The Professional Outdoor Media Associates (POMA – a big group of hunting/fishing writers) complained loud enough to make United re-think their ban. Robin Urbanski from United Airlines stated that United, “heard their customers’ complaints”, and was responding. “Soon,” he told POMA, “we will begin accepting antlers and animal horns as checked baggage again.”
“We will soon publish new requirements — and ones we previously did not have — about packaging and cleaning antlers and animal horns to ensure their safe, clean transport,” Urbanski continued. United will limit the size of antlers and horns brought on an aircraft according to the size of the plane.
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Source: PressConnects.com Orig Image: Drewski2112
United Airlines livery
Thank goodness! United’s appearance has annoyed me for a while now. Flying on some of their planes is like time traveling back to the late 80’s. It seems United has had issues with deciding if they want to update their fleet or not.
Not too long ago they re-painted their fleet in a stormy clouds (my name) livery, which people didn’t like and didn’t last too long. I kind of liked it, even though it was dark, but they decided on a lighter livery (see photo). But they haven’t fully changed over their entire fleet (which I am ok with, b/c the new livery seems dated). It has been the slowest livery change I have ever seen.
The livery is not the only thing they have been slacking on. Anyone who has flown United Airlines in the last 10 years will see a familiar site: the same seats. They call the design “Tequila Sunrise” and I call it ’œdated and ugly’.
Good news! United plans to replace all the dated seats with new blue leather seats and they plan to re-paint all their aircraft. And not too soon! Brett Snyder with CrankyFlier.com recently flew on the last United Boeing 737 and it was obvious they were avoiding replacing those seats and I wouldn’t doubt other plans have the same ’œquick fix’.
United will also be updating their overhead bins, allowing more carry-on luggage and creating a friendlier atmosphere. The crew won’t be left out. Designer Cynthis Rowley is creating more trendy crew uniforms to match the airline’s new (or really consistent) interior look.
This also comes at a time where United Airlines is looking to purchase 150+ planes very shortly. Hopefully this is a sign that United is not going to be a dinosaur and fight for its survival. I wish them the best of luck!
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Source: Gadling Image: Thomas Becker
United 737-200 taking off at LAX. Circa 1992
On April 28, 1968, United Airlines flew its first Boeing 737-200 on an inaugural flight between Chicago and Grand Rapids. Over 41 years later, a Boeing 737-300 will be the last Boeing 737 to fly in United Airline colors.
Instead of going with the next generation of Boeing 737’s, United chose to go with Airbus A320s instead. The last flight will start off in Washington DC on October 28th and end up in San Francisco where it will be prepared for its retirement. The airline was only flying 737-300’s and 737-500’s and most likely the Airbus A320 will replace the lost 737’s.
Source: NYC Aviation Image: JW Jets
Vietnam Airlines Boeing 777 being towed at Frankfurt
American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, US Airways, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and UPS have agreed to use up to 1.5million gallons of synthetic diesel made from plant waste per year. The fuel would be used to fuel their ground service equipment at Los Angeles International Airport.
Rentech Inc. will be supplying the alternative fuel starting in 2012, made mostly from urban yard waste and clippings.
Most people only think about aircraft causing much of the pollution in air travel, but there are thousands of support vehicles at each airport that also cause harmful emissions. Rentech is currently in talks with other airlines and airports to increase the fuel’s usage.
Image: Thomas Becker
Baggage Claim at PHL
The European Union (EU) is pushing to create tougher regulation over airlines and airports that damage and lose luggage.
Recently, United Airlines felt the brunt of a passenger who had his guitar broken during a flight. He was unhappy with how the airline treated him and if you agree or disagree, his video went viral and got a positive reaction from United.
Of course this strategy cannot work for everyone. The EU Commission is proposing that each EU country create an agency to monitor incidents of lost and damaged bags. An EU Commission survey shows that between November 2008 and March 2009, airlines on average lost one bag for every 64 passengers. ’œIt’s a serious problem,’ European Transport Commissioner Antonio Tajani said, ’œWe have to act.’
With airlines charging more for checked bag fees, it is frustrating that so many bags in the EU would be lost and damaged. Even though having less baggage lost would of course be better, is it worth all the extra money it would cost to have the government watch over the industry?
Image: Casteel