Tag Archives: air travel

Now, American: American Airlines said Wednesday that it would soon start charging passengers $15 to check their first bag each way, or $30 round-trip, if they are flying on a discounted fare. The airline’s new policy — to take effect June 15 — comes only two weeks after many major carriers, including American, began charging $25 each way for checking …

Thrilling news. Five of the six major airlines in the United States plan to start charging coach passengers as much as $25 next month to check a second bag, the latest move in their quest to offset high fuel prices. But while the airlines, and even some industry specialists, say they expect the fees will primarily affect leisure travelers, business …

After being forced to remove her nipple rings in order to pass through airport security, a woman has hired the grand dame of litigiousness, Gloria Allred, in order to sue the TSA. Having traveled many times with fairly hardcore leathermen, I can tell you that as I am typing these words, TSA employees around the country are getting quite an …

When I do these weekend trips, I rarely carry more than a backpack and small carry-on, but this time since I was bringing something for Father Tony, I had to use my big suitcase….which Spirit Airlines charged me $20 to check at the ticket counter.  Grrr.  I vaguely recall hearing about this new practice a few months ago, but since …

It appears that U.S. courts are about to reverse a 2006 ruling that customs officials cannot search the laptop computers of travelers without probably cause. The government contends that it is perfectly free to inspect every laptop that enters the country, whether or not there is anything suspicious about the computer or its owner. Rummaging through a computer’s hard drive, …

It’s really too bad that there’s a writers strike right now, the Daily Show and Letterman would have a field day with this.

Air New Zealand has announced a promotion aimed at the gay market. Passengers departing San Francisco for Sydney’s gay Mardi Gras on February 26th will be treated to an in-flight drag show, pink cocktails, and other “in-seat” (ahem) entertainment including gay-friendly movies. There will be a pre-boarding party called “Get on board, girlfriend.” Groan. Still, sounds like a riot. The …

Yesterday a NYC-bound Spirit Airlines passenger smuggled a “fist-sized” marmoset past security at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International by keeping the monkey under his hat. Only after the flight was airborne did other passengers notice the animal “playing in the man’s ponytail.” A day earlier, the passenger got the monkey past security as he departed Lima, Peru. When asked how they could …

A JetBlue airliner pushed back from the gate at JFK on Wednesday and waited for the bad weather to clear so it could take off. ELEVEN hours later, the passengers were still on the plane, waiting for take off. Finally, the jet returned to the gate and the enraged passengers were allowed to get off. We’re hearing these stories more …