Cranky Flier

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• Using Electronics on Takeoff, Standing Flight Attendants (Ask Cranky)

  I have an Ask Cranky two-fer today as one reader had two semi-related questions to ask. Fortunately, I’ve got the answers (or as close to the answers as I’m going to get). Hi Cranky, A couple questions about FAA Regulations. 1) I’ve... Posted Oct 21 2009, 01:09 PM by The Cranky Flier Filed under: Ask Cranky, Government Regulation, Safety/Security

• Europeans Require Pitot Tube Modifications for A330/A340

  Though the ultimate reason for the Air France A330 crash in the South Atlantic will likely never be known for sure, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has recently issued an urgent Airworthiness Directive to replace certain Thales-manufactured... Posted Sep 29 2009, 03:34 PM by The Cranky Flier Filed under: Accidents/Incidents, Safety/Security

• An Exclusive Look at Bird Strikes

  I really haven’t written much about bird strikes on the blog. Yes, they happen a lot, and they can be dangerous, but the hype after the FAA released its data was certainly overdone. I didn’t see a need to join in. But when someone from Tableau... Posted Sep 03 2009, 03:20 PM by The Cranky Flier Filed under: Safety/Security

• TSA Now Needs Your Birthdate and Gender

  It was just a couple of months ago that the TSA started requiring you to use your exact name as it appears on your ID, and now, they need more. As of last Saturday, August 15, you’ll have to give your birthdate and gender as well. Ok, so it may... Posted Aug 18 2009, 03:41 PM by The Cranky Flier Filed under: Government Regulation, Safety/Security

• TSA Needs Your Exact Name When You Fly Now

  The TSA is finally transitioning from airline handling of the watch lists to the long-delayed and oft-criticized Secure Flight program, and that means there will be some changes in the way you book your flight. Last week we saw the first change, and now... Posted May 22 2009, 03:43 PM by The Cranky Flier Filed under: Government Regulation, Safety/Security

• NTSB Tells Rolls-Royce to Redesign 777 Engine Parts

  Last month, I talked about how the British Airways 777 accident and the Delta 777 incident had been connected by an interim report from the UK. The NTSB has, after review, agreed with these findings and is now requiring “urgent” action. But... Posted Mar 16 2009, 02:59 PM by The Cranky Flier Filed under: 777, Government Regulation, Safety/Security

• Southwest Agrees to Steep Penalties Over Maintenance Problems

  Remember when Southwest was fined for flying its planes past the time they were required to go through inspections? It appears that they’ve agreed to settle this thing with some pretty hefty penalties. From the looks of the punishment, you’d... Posted Mar 03 2009, 03:57 PM by The Cranky Flier Filed under: Government Regulation, Safety/Security, Southwest

• This Week on BNET (Feb 23 - 27)

  JetBlue Leaves Open Skies for Sabre The Open Skies system may be simple, but it no longer provides what many low cost carriers need. That’s why it’s Sabre time. Abandoned Airport Looks to Solar Energy Palmdale Airport may not work as an actual... Posted Feb 28 2009, 03:17 PM by The Cranky Flier Filed under: Airbus, Alaska Airlines, BNET, Boeing, Civil Aviation, Delta, Distribution, Fares, Government Regulation, JetBlue, Northwest, PMD - Palmdale, Safety/Security, Schedule Changes, Technology, United

• TSA Begins Testing Security Without a Metal Detector

  Pop quiz: Where is the one place in the continental United States where you’ll never be asked to walk through a metal detector before boarding a commercial aircraft? The answer is . . . Tulsa. Yes, the people of Tulsa can now rejoice; there’s... Posted Feb 23 2009, 03:30 PM by The Cranky Flier Filed under: Safety/Security

• This Week on BNET (Feb 2 - 6)

  Virgin Atlantic’s Food Complaint Was Excellent PR, Possible Hoax? No airline is better at turning around a bad situation than Virgin Atlantic. Even rumors that this was manufactured haven’t stopped it from helping the airline. Virgin America Reports... Posted Feb 07 2009, 03:29 PM by The Cranky Flier Filed under: American, BNET, Continental, Delta, JetBlue, Labor Relations, Northwest, Safety/Security, Virgin America, Virgin Atlantic

• This Week on BNET (Jan 19-23)

  Report: Investors Looking to Abandon Virgin America Financial Times is reporting that Virgin America’s US investors may be looking to bail out. What does this mean for the future viability of the airline? American Flight Attendants Begin Aviation... Posted Jan 24 2009, 03:29 PM by The Cranky Flier Filed under: American, BNET, Delta, Fuel, Hawaiian, Safety/Security, United, Virgin America

• US Airways Pilots End ASAP Participation

  I wrote about American’s inability to come to agreement with its pilots on continuing participation on the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) in October, and now we’ve seen this very sad problem spread to other carriers as well. The latest... Posted Dec 22 2008, 04:40 PM by The Cranky Flier Filed under: Safety/Security, US Airways

• Homeland Security and the TSA Open Up in a Blogger Roundtable

  I have to say that as much flack as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the TSA get, they do a pretty good job of facing it head on. Case in point . . . they held a blogger roundtable recently where DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff and TSA Administrator... Posted Dec 04 2008, 04:49 PM by The Cranky Flier Filed under: Government Regulation, Safety/Security

• This Week on BNET (Oct 20 - 24)

  “Airport Security in America is a Sham . . .” Effective security may be unpleasant, but it’s worthwhile and important. Is what we have today effective? What else can airlines be doing? Mayor Villaraigosa’s Misguided Strategy for LA Airports LA Mayor... Posted Oct 25 2008, 03:49 PM by The Cranky Flier Filed under: AirTran, BNET, Fares, Fuel, LAX - Los Angeles, Safety/Security, United, US Airways

• “Secure Flight” Will Soon Require Gender and Birthdate When You Fly

  Looks like those wacky folks over at the Department of Homeland Security are at it again. In the name of improving your safety and security, Secure Flight is (supposedly) ready for implementation in early 2009. (Click for a little history on the program... Posted Oct 24 2008, 03:49 PM by The Cranky Flier Filed under: Government Regulation, Safety/Security