During World War II, the US Government was terrified that Boeing and its factories would be bombed. When the B-29 bomber began to be manufactured, the government could no longer stand the perceived risk and insisted that Boeing Plant Two be covered in netting. Boeing took the orders a bit farther and created an entire neighborhood on top of their plant made of canvas, netting and paint. You can see it here.

It’s actually difficult at first glance to spot the plant but then you realize there is a neighborhood with roads terminating at odd angles to other roads and it is right on top of the airport.

Filed under: Trivia by ajax
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This story is on the Aviation Blog of the Dallas Morning News.  In short, Delta has decided to charge $50 for the 2nd checked bag on their flights starting shortly.  Many airlines are now charging fees for the first checked bag as well.

This is just bad, bad form.  While I certainly agree that an airline can, and perhaps should, charge fees for various services, those fees should be charged on amenities not basic services.  Carrying baggage on a flight is, in the US, a basic service.  This just makes them more vulnerable to LCC superstars such as Southwest Airlines.  Southwest has been using a great “No Fees” ad campaign in their strong markets with great success and I suspect that these fees for basic services will be the issues that drive fliers away from their chosen legacy carriers. 

Let’s see . . . my choice is to fly AA and pay fees for a checked bag and enjoy a high probability of a delayed flight or I can fly SWA and expect reasonable comfort (often on the same type of airplane), 2 bags checked for free, generally lower prices and friendly service.   Yeah, hard choice isn’t it?

Starting this year, I made a decision that I would no longer buy air travel using frequent flier miles as a decision point.  It’s too hard to redeem the points and now legacy airlines are charging ever increasing fees to redeem them.   Why bother?  I think you now get more value by shopping for the low price and schedule that fits.

Filed under: Airline Service by ajax
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The Runway Girl blog just posted this report on SAAB, Embaer and China with respect to the growing demand for turboprops. 

It’s *very* interesting to me that Embraer has begun studies on a new family of turboprop aircraft.  This is an industry they cut their teeth on and many may still remember their small commuter aircraft from the 80’s and early 90’s. 

The report takes note that most demand for turboprop aircraft is currently in Europe and Asia.  However, it seems like there will be rising demand here in the US over the next 2 years.  Horizon Airlines, the commuter feeder for Alaska Airlines is phasing out its older DH-8-200 aircraft in favor of an all Q400 (really a DH-8-400 Quiet) fleet.   Also, Continental now owns several Q400 aircraft (and has orders for more) that are operating out of Newark with great success. 

The real demand will begin when legacy airlines who contract with regionals (Mesa, Pinnacle, ASA, ExpressJet, Air Wisconsin, etc) ask for turboprops and better revenue.  My guess is that Delta/Northwest will lead here but it might be Continental.  American Airlines and United will be followers, not leaders in this if I’m guessing right.

The economics of operating these aircraft on short hops and commuter routes is just too good to ignore and even if oil does drop below $100, it will never be $30 a barrel again. 

Filed under: Airline Fleets by ajax
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If you are worried about losing your luggage on a trip, here is a travel hint that virtually everyone can do easily.

Got a digital camera?  Take a photo of your suitcase (front and side view) in the sunlight.  Make a note of the brand and, if available, model of your suitcase.  (You’d be surprised at how few people know this stuff.)  Then print out your luggage photos on a piece of paper with your luggage make and model.  Put something that will help identify it visually on the outside of the bag.  An odd coloured strap or tag would do.  Put a copy of your travel itinerary in a plastic sleeve INSIDE your luggage.

Buy a TSA luggage lock.  Almost everyone thinks you can’t lock your luggage anymore.  Wrong.  Many stores such as Brookstone, The Container Store, etc sell a TSA Lock.  The TSA luggage lock can be opened by TSA personnel only with a special key.  This makes your luggage less of a target for dishonest baggage handlers.   I own 3 of these locks and I’ve noticed that when I use them, it seems like the TSA very rarely goes through my luggage as well. 

Carry your luggage info with you on the airplane.  When you land, particularly in a foreign country, if your luggage is lost, a baggage agent will kiss you and praise you for having  photos, description and identifying marks for him to go by as well as a tag sd airport transport.  Make their job easy and they’ll find your bag quickly.

Tens of thousands of pieces of luggage that were separated from their owners at London Heathrow Airport last spring have been either sold or burned beause there was NO WAY OF IDENTIFYING THE BAG AND RETURNING IT TO THE CUSTOMER.  This luggage had no bag tags and nothing inside the luggage to tell anyone who it belonged to. 

Filed under: Travel Hints by ajax
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