Consumer Traveler Today: March 11

Consumer Traveler Today: The devil in United’s “unlimited upgrade” details isn’t the devil you know
 
 
The devil in United’s “unlimited upgrade” details isn’t the devil you know
Pets on a plane: should they stay in the cargo hold?
What we’re reading: Allegiant to obtain B757s, pilots need air-hazard skills, SkyWest makes emergency landing
A failure to launch — and refund
Internal TSA memo warns Good Samaritans: “We cannot allow a distraction”
Consumer Travel Alliance — Nudging along DOT consumer web pages
The devil in United’s “unlimited upgrade” details isn’t the devil you know
Posted: 11 Mar 2010 05:17 AM PST
As a regular (if often grumpy) United elite-level flier, there's something very appealing about the offer of unlimited domestic upgrades.
       

Pets on a plane: should they stay in the cargo hold?
Posted: 11 Mar 2010 03:30 AM PST
Traveling with pets has become big business. More and more, you see hotels rolling out the red carpet for dogs, cats and other pets with special packages and welcoming treats. And I can’t seem to board a plane these days without seeing someone carrying a small animal in a case with them.
       

What we’re reading: Allegiant to obtain B757s, pilots need air-hazard skills, SkyWest makes emergency landing
Posted: 10 Mar 2010 09:42 AM PST
First Allegiant Boeing order is for 757s Until now, Allegiant Air has operated MD-80s. Now they are acquiring B757s in preparation for its new service to Hawaii. Allegiant said Friday that it expects to spend $75 million to $90 million through 2012 acquiring and preparing the 757s for service. Allegiant said it has the ability to acquire [...]
       

A failure to launch — and refund
Posted: 10 Mar 2010 07:30 AM PST
Glenn Cox had planned a trip to Orlando to watch the next Space Shuttle launch, but when liftoff was postponed, he found himself holding a hotel reservation with some surprise restrictions. His room at Orlando Airport SpringHill Suites by Marriott was completely nonrefundable, to be exact.
       

Internal TSA memo warns Good Samaritans: “We cannot allow a distraction”
Posted: 10 Mar 2010 07:30 AM PST
If you’re unlucky enough to have a medical emergency on a plane, your flight attendants are trained to help. Same thing goes for other public places, like restaurants and schools. But an internal memo circulated to employees at one airport suggests the TSA would rather you take your heart attack elsewhere.
       

Consumer Travel Alliance — Nudging along DOT consumer web pages
Posted: 10 Mar 2010 07:30 AM PST
Way back in the spring of 2009, while visiting various Senate staffers and members of the Department of Transportation enforcement division, the Federal Railroad Administration and the FAA, two members of the Consumer Travel Alliance raised the concept of a more user-friendly Website for travelers.