Tag Archive for airline

Packed planes? No safety rules?

Plan to travel by airplane anytime soon?  Why not, since the airlines are following federal guidelines to keep us safe from the coronavirus, right?  WRONG!!!  Read this, then go to Secretary Chao: Airline safety is your job and sign the petition to get enforced health and safety regulations that can help us fly safely:

Right now, air travel is a free-for-all when it comes to protecting against the spread of the coronavirus. Without enforceable health and safety rules, airlines are free to fill every seat and ignore social distancing guidelines; mask requirements vary from flight to flight; and airports don’t have to take steps to limit spread.

Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao has the authority to set enforceable standards for airports, airlines and passengers during this health crisis, but she hasn’t. Tell her to require health and safety rules for air travel — airline safety is her job, not yours!

Germs on Airplanes & What to Do

I’ve always thought that the confines space of an airplane can’t be too healthy.  And touching all those surfaces that…well, when were they cleaned last?

I ran across an article that addresses these issues and offers suggestions about protecting ourselves.

Before you fly again, read “Dirty Airline Secrets.”

 

Newborn Receives his First Bill

NEWS FLASH…From ODonnell JustKidding News:

The baby boy born yesterday in-flight from San Francisco to Phoenix has already been introduced to the harsh realities of life.  Although his mom had paid for all the “extras,” like luggage, a snack, a pillow, and engines on the plane, she didn’t pay for her son’s ticket.  Her absurd excuse is that he wasn’t born yet.  But he DID ride the airplane, first inside her, then out on his own, the airlines argued.  By the time the new family made it home, Baby [Blank, to protect his identity] had received a personal bill from Southwest Airlines for his unpaid seat on the plane.  Welcome to the world of commerce, Little One!

[It could happen….]

Travel Smarts

Who Gets the Money?

Ever wonder where the money goes that’s collected in fines from oil and utility companies, airlines, banks that cause disasters, and dishonest politicians and CEOs?  While watching the news about California State Senator Leland Yee, who was caught running guns and dope and selling political favors, I got to thinking.  Why not add an additional, small, say, half percent, assessment to go to help people?  The idea is to remind scoff-laws that they are harming real people, and to channel some of the fine money into helping real people.

The truth is, where the money goes depends on the situation. If it’s a civil matter, either the victims or the U.S. Treasury get the bucks.  Fines for airlines who make you sit in a plane on the tarmac too long go to the U.S. Treasury’s general fund, not to you for your inconvenience and frustration.  The U.S. Treasury will get the Toyota fines.  Sometimes people actually receive money, such as in the financial institution debacle—but the money goes to the shareholders, not to us.

It’s too complicated to do much about.  However, I have a plan.  Add that .5% fee to each fine, and distribute the money where it will do some good.  If it’s a federal issue, put that .5% toward the national debt.  If it’s a state or local issue, use it to fund programs and aid for our poor and homeless to get them back on their feet and into productive society.  Let’s see, half a percent of Yee’s fine would yield $7,500.  There could be an $8,235 assessment on Valero for its fine for violating air quality standards at one of its refineries.  Bank of America’s $150 million penalty would bring in a lot more. It all adds up.  This is done when we receive a traffic ticket: we pay the ticket plus fees.  Why not on a larger scale?

Just a thought……