Eos Airlines Files for Bankruptcy, Ceases Operations
Continental Ends Merger Talks With United
Keep Your Stuff Safe From the TSA
Misinformation About Reduced Fuel Load Causes Unnecessary Fear
United Raises Change Fee By $50
EOS AIRLINES FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY, CEASES OPERATIONS – USA Today
Eos Airlines has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and has ceased operations. CEO Jack Williams released a statement on Friday that blamed “some issues [that] arose” in “today’s challenging economic and credit environment,” despite the fact that the airline had recently received additional financing. The all-business-class airline had launched service in 2005 for business travelers from New York to London, accommodating 48 passengers on a plane built for 220. The company has announced that it will eliminate most of its workforce.
Link: USA Today
CONTINENTAL ENDS MERGER TALKS WITH UNITED – The New York Times
Continental Airlines announced Sunday that it has abandoned merger talks with United and intends to remain an independent carrier. The announcement was a blow United’s parent company, UAL, which had been negotiating with Continental with expectations of reaching a deal by the end of this week. UAL announced poor earnings last week which sent caused shares to fall; United lost $537 million during the first quarter and said it would cut flights and eliminate 1,000 jobs. A Sunday meeting between directors at Continental said that they feared a merger with United would put their company in peril. With this deal off the table, United is expected to continue its talks with US Airways, while Continental may push on to create an alliance—not a merger—with American Airlines and British Airways.
Link: The New York Times
KEEP YOUR STUFF SAFE FROM THE TSA - MSNBC
Is the TSA swiping your stuff? Since its inception in 2001, the TSA has fired about 200 employees accused of theft, and has implemented security measures such as background checks and video. But more and more people are coming forth with missing items and pointing fingers at these government officials. According to Elliott, there’s not a lot passengers can do to prevent this, as no airport is immune to crooked government employees and TSA-approved locks are “useless.” The best advice? Never pack valuables or electronic items in your checked baggage (remember that airlines aren’t liable for pricey lost items either), carry it on you, or leave it at home.
Link: MSNBC
MISINFORMATION ABOUT REDUCED FUEL LOADS CAUSES UNNECESSARY FEAR - Salon.com
Pilot Patrick Smith rebuts recent media buzz on the fact that flights are often sent out with reduced fuel loads. While it’s true that in some situations, carriers are lightening loads by cutting back on carrying extra fuel, determining how much fuel is carried on any given flight has “hard-and-fast” rules.” This amount can’t be reduced at will. For example, on domestic flights, a carrier requires enough fuel to reach is intended destination, plus how much it would take to reach the most distant alternative airport, plus a 45-minute cushion. Pilots and dispatchers monitor how much fuel is remaining on the flight which is compared with a predetermined target value during flight. The captain has the right to request more fuel, which may or may not be challenged by a trained dispatcher.
Link: Salon.com
UNITED RAISES CHANGE FEE BY $50 - Smarter Travel
United Airlines is raising the fee for changes on non-refundable tickets by $50 to $150, supposedly in a move to combat rising fuel costs. United also added a Saturday-night stay requirement in 65 percent of its markets. Thus far, no other airline has raised its change-ticket fees to match United, but today’s world of aisle and window seat charges and second checked-bag fees, it may not be far off.
Link: Smarter Travel
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