We follow the Consumerist closely, especially when fellow aviation blogger Mark Ashley from Upgrade: Travel Better is guest-blogging. Here is a selection of airline-related stories from their files.
- An American Airlines pilot was acquitted of the charge of attempting to operate an airplane under the influence of alcohol. He denies trying to co-pilot the plane, claiming he was coming to advise he was not in condition to help fly it. He claims the most potent of the alcohol he ingested may have been done while he was sleeping. Of all the things to do in your sleep.
- United subjected a planeful of passengers to a filthy aircraft, full of “cigarette butts, candy, used tissues, pretzel bags, maxi-pad wrappers, crumbs, dirt, pens, balls of “goo”, and god knows what else” on a flight from Hawaii to Chicago. We understand tight scheduling, but this is not the flying experience we expect for our money. And to add insult to injury, the flight was delayed anyway, causing passengers to miss their connecting flights, but that failed to speed any sort of cleanup.
- An American Airlines skycap at Miami International Airport filled a passenger’s suitcase with garbage because he was only tipped $1, not counting the $2 curbside check-in fee, which goes to the airline, not the skycap. The skycap actually told the passenger the tip was not enough, and threatened the safe arrival of the bag. American offered 8000 frequent flyer miles and an apology…but no reimbursement for dry cleaning.
- Continental Airlines kicked a 16-year old student, part of a school group, off a plane from Newark to Honolulu because she was coughing. The pilot ordered her removed despite examination by another passenger who was a doctor. A video interview with her mother is available as well.