Delta and Northwest announced they plan to merge their airlines. There is something in this merger for everyone to hate. Planebuzz.com’s Holly Hegeman sez Northwest’s pilots hate it because Delta’s pilots were bribed with a pay raise. Consumers should hate it because it will enable both airlines to trim service and hike fares. Investors should hate it because, instead of adding value, it’s simply perpetuating the losing proposition of the hide-bound legacy carriers. There’s a reason they’re called dinosaurs, after all.
Worse, this merger does nothing to address the systemic problems plaguing the airlines: sky-high fuel prices are here to stay. Labor costs continue to rise as real purchasing power lags in the face of the escalating cost of living. Regulatory nightmares abound, including everybody’s favorite: the TSA. And lately, the FAA has been finding new muscle to try and and get off its knees and enforce its procedures.
So, here comes Delta and Northwest who attempt to solve the problems the old-fashioned way: form an anti-competitive trust to cram bad service and Shylock fares down the collective throats of millions of hapless travelers. Oh, there are several labor groups (particularly at Northwest) who have some choice words for this ill-fated match. Yep, it’s a marriage, of sorts. Made somewhere far south of here.
American Airlines continues to cancel hundreds of flights each day, effectively stranding tens of thousands of travelers. Because the cancellations involve safety inspections, there is no easy way around this mess–just be sure and check to make sure you’re not flying on any American Airlines flights. IMPORTANT: Some of your Alaska Airlines flights are operated by American Airlines because of “code-share” agreements. You have to go over your itinerary carefully to make sure no American segments are included. If they are–call Alaska Airlines to reschedule. MORE IMPORTANT: Oh, don’t bother calling American Airlines. They are not answering their phones. If you do happen to get through, you’re likely to get bad information from well-meaning people who simply don’t have the up-to-date bad news. Read William Allen’s take on the “AA-holes”. Let us pray.
David Rowell writes: “Frontier Airlines has just filed for Chapter 11, but says it will continue flying its full schedule of flights. It says it needed to do this when its credit card processing company increased the amount of payments that it ‘holds back’ from the airline, messing up the carrier’s tightly stretched cash-flow.” Frontier offers seasonal service between Anchorage and Denver, starting May 5.
We’re going to Kodiak!
Wanna come along? There’s plenty to do. To start with, this year marks the 50th Anniversary of CrabFest, the big community-wide event over Memorial Day (May 22-26).
I’m staying at Marty and Marion’s new B-n-B on the water. Learn all about it on the website. Check out the photo. Marion took it from the deck–just as the Trusty Tusty (aka m/v Tustumena) was pulling out on its ferry run to Homer.
No doubt I’ll be sampling some fine beer at the Kodiak Island Brewery. I’m flying over on Era Aviation. Renting a car from Avis.
Time to caffeinate? No fear. Head over to Mill Bay Coffee Company. Not only does Martine fix a glorious espresso from locally-roasted beans. Mais non! Ce n’est pas finit! You must have a French pastry–something sweet that Joel whipped up in the kitchen. I’ll be a better man–and a bigger one, too.
Mary Stephenson has a booth right at the harbor, where she books activities for everyone: fishing, bear viewing, flightseeing, ATV tours, kayaking…and more. Did I say everything? I meant e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. Call her at: (907)486-8766.
Sushi? Head to the Old Powerhouse restaurant. Best sushi in town.
Local stuff? I love visiting the two museums right downtown (walk from the ferry terminal): the Aluutiq Museum and the Baranov House. But don’t miss the military museum out at Ft. Abercrombie. We visited the museum last fall and actually did a video!
No kidding: plan your trip to Kodiak today. If you can get to Anchorage, climb aboard either Alaska Airlines or Era Aviation for great $79 one-way fares each weekend between now and May 31. If I see you at Crabfest, I’ll buy you a Crab Sandwich!!
Joe Brancetelli writes: “The crisis of cancellations continues to expand. Now Alaska Airlines says that its nine MD-80s are being inspected “to ensure precise and complete compliance with a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness directive related to wire bundling in the aircraft’s wheel wells.” The airline says the issue caused three cancellations yesterday and 14 flight cancellations today.”
I spoke with Scott Habberstad at Alaska Airlines in Anchorage. He noted two facts: First, the MD-80s are not flying to/from Alaska anymore. Second, the MD-80s should be retired by this October.
That said, he noted that there have been 19 flight cancellations to date. It’s hard to predict how long this inspection process will take. The take-home message is this: double-check flight status before you leave for the airport. If one of your flights is on an MD-80, ask the airline to change it.
American Airlines has cancelled more than 850 flights because of additional inspections on its fleet of MD-80s.
According to American Airlines, “These inspections are to ensure precise and complete compliance with the FAA’s directive related to wiring in the aircraft’s wheel wells.”
As is often the case with massive disruptions in service (half of American’s fleet is comprised of the MD-80s), this action affects more than just the MD-80 routes–and more than American Airlines.
If you’re traveling to Dallas or Chicago, your flights may be delayed, changed or disrupted–even if you’re not on American. It’s just best to reconfirm and be prepared to deal with last-minute changes as a result.
The fallout of this last-minute move by American could last as long as a week while crews and aircraft are back in place.
Keep in mind that Alaska Airlines and American Airlines have code-share agreements on many routes. It’s worthwhile to check your itinerary carefully before you head to the airport!
