Author Archives: MildlyRelevant

Two Flight Attendants Sue Weather Forcasting Service

Posted on by

http://bluewaveted.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/flight_attendant.jpg

Yes, two flight attendants are, indeed, suing a national weather forecasting service for an incorrect guess on the day’s weather. I say “guess,” because that’s all it really ever is.

Two Alaska Airlines flight attendants who were injured when a 2007 flight from Seattle to California encountered turbulent air have filed a legal claim against a national weather forecasting service and against the U.S. government.

Donna Dacko and Inga Isakson were working on the flight to Ontario, Calif., on Dec. 25, 2007, when the aircraft hit “previously unreported severe turbulence” before landing, according to the claim filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Seattle.

Here’s what’s going to happen. Their claim is going to make it through the legal system, because with our legal system, a monkey could file a claim, and their going to get paid to go away. One of the biggest flaws in our legal system is that it’s cheaper to pay someone to go away than it is to prove how stupid they are.

I’m not saying these two attendants weren’t seriously injured or that what happened didn’t completely ruin their day. But really? You’re suing someone for not being able to predict turbulence? I have a feeling an ambulance chaser of a lawyer was involved in this one.

Despite what I said before about how they’ll probably get paid to go away, part of me hopes this claim gets fought. Otherwise, it will set a precedent that whenever you hurt yourself in unreported weather, you can sue someone. It’s just like when people started shoving 20 Big Macs down their throat a day, and later sued because there was no warning that said “Eating 20 Big Macs a day might result in obesity and then all the good things that come with obesity.” Now our legal system is filled with claims like the above, hypothetical scenario.

When I take my flight to Denver in March, now I know I should think of a new way to file a frivolous claim that can get me paid off. How about leaving my knee out in the aisle and let it get banged when the flight attendants go down the aisle with their cart to pass out drinks? NOBODY WARNED ME!

[via BND]

East Coast Blizzard Leaves Passengers Hoping For Seats

Posted on by

http://cache2.asset-cache.net/xc/72871330.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF193875DCB1DD8387ABBD5DFD95851EDB68A39F71A9C9BC19C35

Nobody received special treatment this passed weekend, which saw a massive snow storm nailing the east coast. Even the Chicago Bears had their flight delayed, resulting a delayed start in Baltimore.

With Christmas right around the corner, the weather Gods couldn’t have picked a worse time to turn the east into a winter wonderland. Passengers who had flights canceled have to wait for seats to become available on other flights, and as Christmas comes closer and closer, seats become about as hard to find as Santa on Christmas Eve (I swear I saw his sleigh’s silhouette once!).

“It’s really market by market,” says George Hobica, founder of the website airfarewatchdog.com.  ”Some routes are going to be absolutely sold out, but others won’t be a problem at all.”

Still, even though options may be limited during the busy Christmas travel schedule, airlines are moving to help stranded passengers get to their destinations.

Indeed, they are doing their best to get travelers to their destinations. In a time where they could easily be the Scrooges of the sky, they’re instead allowing their hearts to grow, a-la the Grinch.

Nearly every major carrier flying to the region has waived change fees and some other rules for customers affected by the storm.

Unfortunately the words “Nearly every…” imply that some have not. Instead of basking in a mood of anger and astonishment over how an airline could possibly punish a passenger for not having the power of Chione (Goddess of snow), I would rather focus on the kindess of those airlines who are doing their best to help passengers get home for the holidays. Because as Mr. Bing Crosby once said, there’s no place like home for the holidays.

Follow the link below for a list of airline policies regarding cancellations to see how you can get home for the holidays.

[via TodayInTheSky]

Sir Richard Branson’s stewardess wager

Posted on by

http://www.tedded.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/richard-branson-1.jpg

What do you do when you’re a billionaire with a new car in Formula 1? You raise the stakes early on.

AirAsia founder and group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes has accepted Sir Richard Branson’s challenge that the loser of the F1 race between Lotus F1 Racing and Virgin Racing dress up as a flight attendant on the winner’s airline.

This wager, straight out of a bad, nineties sitcom, will more than likely result in some good YouTube videos and Twitter pictures via the passengers of the winning flight.

Apparently the idea came as an alternative to Mr. Fernandes’ original promise.

Fernandes recently quipped that his only target in the new F1 season was to beat Branson; otherwise, he would retire and kill himself.

Yes, the latter is probably a better bet. Less of a mess to clean up, too.

While some might find reason to get angry with these two millionaires, having some fun in the midst of a recession (because everyone should be miserable if one person is), others will appreciate the stunt for what it is; a playful wager between friends. Two very wealthy friends, indeed.

My money is on Branson. The guy doesn’t seem to lose at anything. Period.

[via NST]

Napping Rooms Arrive In America

Posted on by

Picture 2

After years of traveling across the country and one summer traveling in Asia, it became crystal clear to me that Asia trumps American airline services like a professional football team over your local pee-wee club. Instead of hanging their heads, however, American airports are starting to learn from their Asian brethren.

Tiny airport sleeping rooms — similar to the cubicles that Asian travelers use to catch a snooze in between flights — have arrived in America.

Continue reading →