I always thought my 2 bucks went to the SkyCap

American Airlines is set to lose quite a bit of money after a Boston judge ruled Skycaps from 85 airports can join a class action lawsuit against the airline.
At the heart of the ruling is an American Airlines $2 fee for curbside bag check-in at the airport. In the past, curbside check-in was considered free - but tipping the skycap was customary. Once American implemented the $2 fee, passengers assumed that covered the entire cost.
One Skycap testified that his daily tips dropped from $200 to $70.
Logan airport skycaps already won a ruling, awarding them $325,000 to be split between nine workers.
Sadly for American Airlines, their money making scheme may have backfired quite badly. If other skycaps win in this class action lawsuit, any money the airline made with the fee will probably be wiped out.

Major Airlines Have No Responsibility Once They Contract With Regional Airlines

The National Transportation Safety Board says it's a serious but little known problem: the fact that once a major airline contracts with a regional airline to fly a route, the major airline no longer has any responsibility for that flight's crew, training or safety.
Many of the passengers on Flight 3407 assumed they were flying Continental because that's who they had booked through.
But in fact, they were flying Colgan Air, and the Department of Transportation's internal watchdog says there is a two-tiered standard for safety when it comes to airlines: one for the majors, and a different, and lower standard, for the regionals.
The NTSB says this has been a long-standing problem.
"The Safety Board is going to be looking at these relationships and the oversight and the resources associated with safety functions," said the Board's Chair, Deborah Hersman.
"Should the major airlines have oversight and responsibility for their regional carriers?"
Randy Babbitt, FAA Administrator: "These are separate corporate entities - and this wouldn't happen at the FAA this would be a DOT view - and ultimately a congressional view as to whether or not that responsibility resides with the carrier, who simply makes a commercial arrangement to carry traffic."
"But sometimes it's flown under the major's name.
"Randy Babbitt: "Oh absolutely, and that's what may inspire congress and the DOT to take another look."
And in fact, congress is taking another look - in a pending Safety Aviation Bill, the senate would place two new safety requirements for regionals:
•First, that the the majors have oversight for safety, training and maintenance when contracting with regionals.
•Second, that the FAA be required to make random safety inspections of the regionals every year.

Travel Guard Insurance Unluckiest Traveler Contest

Travel Guard travel insurance company is inviting holidaymakers to share their own worst experiences as it bids to find the world’s “unluckiest traveller”.
Travelers can tell Travel Guard their stories by logging onto www.travelguard.com and uploading a video - or a series of photos - in which the traveller relates his or her travel tale.
“If you have ever experienced a one-of-a-kind travel travail, been the victim of a startling vacation mishap, or simply been an unwilling participant in a downright strange occurrence during your travels, Travel Guard wants to hear your story,”
According to the company, the contest takes a whimsical look at the very real problems travellers face daily, emphasising that preparation is the best remedy for unanticipated travel difficulties.
Consumers who share their travel tales in this special promotion will be automatically entered into a year-long contest. At the end of the year, each of the monthly winners will be posted for a final round of voting to decide the winner of the $10,000 dream vacation. EuropebyAir offers and encourages clients to buy travel insurance..You can get more information on travel insurance and great savings on your next European journey by calling 1-888-321-4737. Phones are answered promptly by a live representative.

My guests this week on WTMY 1280 Sarasota. Elie Seidman CEO of Oyster Hotel Group, Lisa Simmons Director, Mass. CVB, April Merenda Pres. Gutsy Women.net, Nadir Syed, CheapOstay.com....So, get your insider info while I'm Talking Travel 5-6pm ET every Sunday

'Travel Promotion Act' Introduced

The U.S. Travel Association today praised Representatives William Delahunt (D-MA) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) for introducing the "Travel Promotion Act of 2009" - much-needed legislation to create thousands of new jobs and boost economic growth nationwide by attracting millions of new international travelers to the United States.

The "Travel Promotion Act" establishes a public-private partnership to promote the United States as a premier international travel destination and communicate U.S. security and entry policies. The legislation specifies that travel promotion would be paid for by private sector contributions and a $10 fee on foreign travelers from countries that do not pay $131 for a visa to enter the United States. Nearly every developed nation in the world charges entry and exit fees and spends millions of dollars to attract visitors. Overseas visitors spend an average of $4,500 per person, per trip in the United States. However, since 9/11 international travelers have found ever-changing security policies and negative foreign press coverage to be a deterrent to visiting the United States. Oxford Economics estimates that a well executed promotion program, as outlined in the "Travel Promotion Act," would attract 1.6 million new international visitors annually, create $4 billion in new spending and drive $321 million in new federal tax revenue. An analysis by the U.S. Travel Association reveals that this program would create nearly 40,000 new American jobs.

British Airways Asks Staff To Work For Nothing

British Airways, which reported a record annual loss last month, said on Tuesday it had asked its staff to work for nothing as part of the company's battle for "survival" in tough market conditions. The appeal to its British-based employees, which featured in the company's staff magazine, asks workers to volunteer for between a week and a month in unpaid leave or in unpaid work. Chief executive Willie Walsh, who along with the chief financial officer Keith Williams has promised to work for nothing in July, said the idea was part of BA's across the board cost-cutting measures. "Many of you from across the airline are stepping up to help the company," Walsh said. "I am looking for every single part of the company to take part in some way in this cash-effective way of helping the company's survival plan. It really counts."

Richard Branson launches new airline V Australia

A new airline started by flamboyant British billionaire Richard Branson inaugurated service between Los Angeles and Australia on Friday, is the latest volley in a transpacific fare war that has already cut the price of a round-trip ticket by half.

The first flight of V Australia, carrying about 300 passengers from Sydney, landed at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday morning, greeted on the tarmac by firetrucks with water guns and then at the gate by Disney characters Mickey Mouse and Goofy.

Branson, in a telephone interview after a welcome ceremony at LAX, said he was confident that his new airline could weather the economic turbulence."There are plenty of people who've still got to fly, and the market across the Pacific is still very big," Branson said. "I wouldn't necessarily say every airline in the Pacific will survive, but if you make sure you've got the best carrier flying, the chances are you'll do well." The new airline can "afford to be price competitive," Branson said, because it flies newer planes that are more fuel-efficient and less expensive to maintain than those flown by competitors. The planes also have amenities that include two bars, a restroom for women only and mood lighting.