Customers of Size Chart

A couple of years ago, Actor/Director Kevin Smith was booted off a Southwest Airlines flight for being too large for one seat. A war of words began on Twitter and other social media, and the story was eventually picked up by most mainstream media outlets.

It also brought attention to a growing problem in the airline industry: customers too big for the seats. What to do? Sadly, there isn’t one policy to fit all, but each airline handles love handles a bit differently.

Our friends at Airfare Watchdog have put together a chart of Customer of Size Policies of the larger airlines.

BTW, no puns were injured in putting together this posting.

I will allow the comment section to stay open on this but please stay on subject. Any derogatory remarks about people of size will be removed.

TSA Removes X-Ray Machines

The TSA has started  to remove x-ray machines, known as Backscatters, from some larger U.S. airports. They will be replaced by millimeter wave machines.

The x-ray machines came under fire because they not only emitted radiation, which at high doses can cause health problems, but also because they displayed a “nude” image of the passenger being screened.

The newer machines are deemed safer than the x-ray and produce a cartoon like image of the passenger rather than a nude photo.

The TSA says the reason the change is occurring is that the newer machines can process people faster and that will shorten wait time.

The x-ray machines removed from the larger airports are being redeployed to smaller ones.

Don’t think the TSA is ruling out x-ray backscatter technology. Recently, it awarded three new contracts for newer model machines, one of which uses the backscatter technology.

Did I mention that the European Union has banned this type of machine because of health concerns?

Airline To Test Reserving Meals Prior To Flight

Starting next month, American Airlines will allow passengers to reserve meals on specific routes.

Unlike requesting a special type of “special” meal, this new program will allow first and business class passengers to know what foods are available ahead of time and reserve an exact meal. High level frequent flyers traveling in economy would be able to reserve “food for purchase” sandwiches ahead of time.

If the program is successful, it will be rolled out throughout all routes during 2013.

I guess this is better than a USAir cross country flight I was on a few years ago where the only entree loaded  was filet of sole. Not too many happy passengers. Since then I always carry a couple of energy bars on all flights.

Spirit Airlines Raises All Carry-On Fees

Spirit Airlines, one of only two U.S. carriers to charge for carry-on bags, is raising its fees for carry-on with the highest one going up to $100.

Starting next month, if you don’t make arrangements to pay the fee in advance, you will be charged $100 at the boarding gate for each bag. It’s currently $45.

Spirit claims this policy saves them money and fuel and speeds up the boarding process.

Airline To Offer Kid Free Quiet Zone

If it only flew where I needed to go.

Air Asia, the Malaysian based discount carrier, says it will start offering a child-free quiet zone in economy class.

This section will be separated from the rest of coach not just by a curtain but by a row of lavatories and a galley. The airline realizes that at times some travelers just want quiet to make their journey more pleasant.

The seats will cost extra but no more than any other specially requested seat.

How many here would be willing to pay a little extra if this was offered on flights you took? I would.

Lufthansa Cabin Crew to Strike

Lufthansa cabin crew will begin a series of strikes tomorrow, Friday, August 31. Unlike a general strike, this one will be roving and will affect different airports at different times. The union says it will only give six hours notice at each location.

If you’re flying Lufthansa over the next few days, or even weeks, you probably want to keep an eye on your flights. This strike could last a long time. And considering the size of Lufthansa, it could hinder the plans of a lot of people.

Lufthansa Cabin Crew To Strike

Airlines cut legroom in coach

If you’ve flown lately and it seems your legs are more cramped than normal, you’re not imagining it. Most major airlines have installed thinner seats and added more rows. Just how bad is it? You be the judge:

 Legroom Crunch

World's Shortest Scheduled Flight

There are always arguments about what is the longest scheduled airline flight in the world. But how about the shortest? According to the Guinness Book of World Records, it’s between Westray and Papa Westray in the Orkney Islands. How short? Well, here’s a video of the entire flight from takeoff to landing:

Airline Starts Bag Delivery

American Airlines will begin testing a new service that allows passengers to bypass baggage claim and have their luggage delivered for a fee.

It will run you anywhere from $30 to $50 depending on the amount of luggage. If the delivery address is 40 miles or less, the bags should be delivered somewhere between one and four hours. For addresses further away, it will cost $1 per extra mile and take longer.

American says its perfect for business people who need to get to a meeting, want to save time by not having to stop at baggage claim, don’t want to take their luggage with them, and don’t have time to go to their hotel. Or for families who don’t want the hassle of worrying about bags with little kids in tow.

While it’s not stated, I believe the delivery fees do not include the checked baggage fees.

I hope there are lots of people who take advantage of this service—especially business people who usually have wheeled carry-ons. Why? That would leave more overhead space for those of us who onebag it.

USAir Offering Premium Meals For A Price

Anyone flying domestically in the U.S. knows that if they want to eat something at 30,000 feet they either have to bring it on board themselves or buy whatever is offered. And the pickings are usually slim.

However, on international flights, we still get served complimentary food considering the length of the trip and how much we paid. But don’t expect that meal to get any better. Especially now.

USAir has just introduced their new Dine Fresh option. For $19.95, you can get a “premium” meal. Supposedly of better quality, the meal must be ordered in advance. No “on a whim” purchases.

USAir is the first U.S. airline to offer this but I have a feeling it’s going to be adopted by others.

I can just picture it. You have a choice of two meals: the premium option or a bowl of gruel. And, of course, reminiscent of “Oliver,” some passenger will take his bowl, go up to a flight attendant, and say: “Please, miss, I’d like some more.”

Not only will that passenger not get any more, but he’ll probably be met upon landing by the police and charged with interfering with the flight crew.

After reading what they consider to be a premium meal, I think I’ll stick with what’s served for free, and supplement with my own goodies.

Regional Carrier Comair to Shut Down

Delta Airlines owned regional carrier Comair will cease operations on Sept. 29.

Delta says it will replace many of the current 50 seat aircraft with more mainline equipment but that regional aircraft are still important. Many of those flights are contracted out to other carriers flying under the Delta Connection banner.

Delta insists passengers should not have a problem but it will be a major economic blow to the Cincinnati area where Comair is based. About 1600 people are expected to lose their jobs.

The dissolution of ownership between major carriers and their regional affiliates is not precedented at Delta. American Airlines, currently operating under bankruptcy, is looking for ways to part with its regional carrier, American Eagle.

Comair operates Canadair regional jets with the majority being the 50 seat CRJ100. It also has one of the oldest regional jet fleets in the industry.

On a side note, when Delta merged wtih Northwest, it also acquired two other regional airline companies, Compass and Mesaba. Both continue to operate.

Another Airline to Charge for Carry-On Luggage

Wizz Air, the budget Hungarian airline, will begin charging for carry-on luggage for bags over a certain size.

Starting August 1, bags over 42cm x 32 cm x 25 cm (16.5 in. x 12.6 in x 9.8 in.) will be charged 10 euros to be taken on board. They must still be under the maximum allowed for carry-on or they will be put in the hold.

There are some caveats. First, this is only a trial. Second, it’s only on Wizz Air flights between London’s Luton airport and Katowice, Poland.

After the trial, the airline will decide whether or not to implement this on all flights.

According to a survey from booking site Skyscanner, 88% of those polled said they would take a different airline rather than pay for carry-on luggage, and 64% thought this fee unfair. 

In protest, I’m cancelling my vacation plans to Katowice. 

Oh, and please, no “wizz” air jokes.

Boston Offers Free Airport Transportation

Boston is now offering free public transportation between its downtown area and its airport.To help alleviate traffic and parking congestion, the buses going between Boston’s South Street Station and Logan Airport will now be free. It used to cost $2.

Many cities in the U.S. are either inaugurating or upgrading public transportation from downtown to their airports. Boston, however, is the first one to make if free. Wouldn’t it be nice if other cities followed suit.

Our Dreams May Come True

If this article comes to be, those will be tears of joy you see streaking down my face.

Airlines Weighing Fee for Oversized Carry-Ons

Is bigger better?

For some things, bigger is better. For others, not so much.

Many airlines are replacing their overhead bins with redesigned ones that will carry more bags. This is a good sign for if the airlines pay for more overhead space, they’re unlikely to start charging for carry-ons. If only we could get the few arrogant elite fliers, like the guy mentioned in the beginning of the article, who refuse to get a smaller bag and insist they have the right to take up as much overhead room as they wish. I have just as much right to that space as they do. Only I’m more considerate, I put my bag in the right way and it fits because I don’t have wheels.

On the other hand, Airbus is marketing wider aisle seats to U.S. airlines on their A320 jets. The wider seats could be sold at a premium to help raise revenue. It’s also seen as a marketing ploy to help Airbus sell more 320’s than their biggest competitor, the Boeing 737.

Spirit Airlines is raising its carry-on fee

Spirit Airlines, the first airline to charge to use the overhead bins, will raise it’s maximum fee for carry-on’s starting this fall.

The fees are as follows:

Pay the fee prior to checking in:  $35 online/$40 call center

Pay the fee at the ticket counter or check in kiosk: $50

Pay at the gate:  $100

Rates go into affect on Nov. 6.

Spirit ups carry-on bag fee

AA gives dimensions for overheads and underseat

American Airlines; website now offers information on the storage dimensions of both the overheads and under seat areas of its entire fleet.

American Airlines Fleet

 I wish all airlines would do this.

Bigger Bins

Lately, almost all the news coming out about airlines has been, well, bad for us and good for them. But now, the airlines are actually doing something for us passengers. Especially those of us who are strict carry-on fliers. Many of our favorite airlines are replacing their overhead bins with newer versions that will hold more bags. Yeah.

 Bigger Bins

Goodbye Continental

On Saturday, March 3, at approximately 12:35 p.m. Central time, Continental flight #6 from Tokyo’s Narita Airport will land in Houston. If will be the last Continental flight to land. From now on, they will be United flights.

Only four U.S. legacy carriers left.

Leave your shoes and belts on....

Homeland Security Czar Janet Napolitano and TSA head-honcho John Pistole both stated in separate appearances that we’re moving towards an intelligence and risk-based approach to how we screen airline passengers.

Because of this new approach, and thanks to new technology, we may soon not have to take our shoes and belts off while going through airport security. This is similar to what is done in most of the world. 

In nearly 10 years since Richard Reid, the infamous “shoebomber,” tried to carry explosives in his shoes, not one person going through security has tried the same thing. 

However, no specific date for the change was mentioned.

Both also went on to say that one of the last restrictions to be lifted will be the one on liquids. Technology is far off on this one according to Napolitano.

It looks like we’re stuck with the 3-1-1 bag for quite some time. But, every little bit helps

(Frank II)