Every once in a while you hear of celebrities that own and pilot their own planes. John Travolta and Morgan Freeman are two that immediately come to mind.
I've often wondered -- as I guess anyone with just an inkling of testosterone has also -- what it must be like to own your own plane. Ah, that's the way to travel.
So I'm writing now to tell you that two opportunities may be knocking at your door. But remember, I'm just the messenger -- not your personal banker.
The first, brought to my attention by Jaunted, is the opportunity to snatch a plane I've seen a few times at New York's LaGuardia -- Trump's private jet. Yes, that Trump, aka Donald. I guess things must be getting a bit tight.
Trump's plane is a 727, a plane I've refused to fly for years since most are over 40 years old. Donald's, however, is done up in style and listed as "stunning, recently refurbished 24 passenger interior in a VIP configuration". That's it to the right -- if you'd like to see more photos of what life must be like on the flying carpet go to the Leader Aviation website. And you'll need to ask for the price.
Our second plane -- an Airbus 320 -- is not quite flyable but it does have great significance. Yes, according to Gothamist, the Airbus that was the famous US Airways Flight 1549 -- the very plane landed by Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger in New York's Hudson River after a bird strike took out both engines -- is about to be auctioned by the insurance company Chartis.
There are a few issues with the aircraft, of course. First off, it is listed as having "severe water damage throughout airframe." Geez, what a surprise.
And it also it has no engines and comes in quite a few pieces which you can view on the insurance company's aircraft salvage page.
But if you can overlook the water damage for the moment, look at the opportunities here. If you're a do-it-yourselfer, it would make a rather nifty, although quite long, coffee table. Or you could just salvage the seats and have all your friends sit in them to watch the premier of the movie "Miracle on the Hudson" whenever Hollywood gets off its butt and gets around to filming it.
Starring John Travolta, obviously.
Jim Ferri
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Perhaps it's time to fly naked. After all, soon that will be the only way to get around all the added luggage fees being heaped upon us by the airlines.
There are two reasons the airlines charge extra fees for checked baggage.
First, it provides them with a lot of extra money at, literally, almost no cost.
When airlines first started charging for extra bags last year it was estimated the fees would result in about $400 million a year in ancillary revenue for domestic carriers. But now, according to the Business Travel Coalition, charged luggage revenue in the U.S. brings the airlines $2+ billion per year. Talk about growth industries.
And the second reason -- because they can. Yes, airlines will continue to charge extra fees because the flying public -- you and I, their customers -- aren't screaming obscenities about it. Let's face it, we're just easy pickin's.
And it continues. Last week US Airways announced that on domestic flights it will now charge $20 to check your first bag and $25 to check a second one -- but hold it, it gets even better -- plus a service fee of $5 (per bag) to check your bags at the airport (you can check your bags in online), which brings the fees to $25 and $30 respectively.
If you think that's bad, US Airways said it will now also charge you $50 to check a second bag if you're flying transatlantic, matching what Delta already charges on its flights to Europe. As happened when these fees were first introduced, most other carriers will wait to see what the public reaction will be, and then jump on board the gravy plane, as well. Last week, for example, American added a fee for a second bag on some of its international routes.
And, as anyone who flies regularly knows, if your bags are overweight you better stop at the bank on the way to the airport and get a line of credit since hefty additional fees will apply.
Let's face facts -- these increases won't come to an end until customers start screaming bloody murder. And when (if?) that happens the airlines will just stop the increases and lock in the fees at that moment.
With a cool $2 billion stuffed in their flight jackets you didn't think that they'd go back to no fees, did you?
Jim Ferri
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From my years as an airline executive I can tell it's mid-August once again since there is enough going on in the airline industry to put you in a tailspin.
As happens every year with the busy Fall business travel season just around the corner -- although what happens this year in this economy is anyone's guess -- everyone is getting their ducks and planes in a row. It's time to make new announcements, get your name out there in the news and be poised to pounce on all those business travelers who are about to take flight once again.
The first shot of the season was fired with gate and slot swaps, Delta and US Airways swapping landing slots and gates in New York and Washington, and AirTran and Continental at Washington and Newark.
Not to be pushed out of the limelight, JetBlue just announced an "All-You-Can-Jet" pass for one month of unlimited travel for $599. The trick here is to move quickly -- you have to purchase the pass by August 21 and all travel has to take place between September 8 and October 8 this year. All told, it's not a bad deal if you can fly a lot in a one-month time period.
And not to be left out of the news, that new kid on the block - Virgin America - has announced its plans to fly to Fort Lauderdale from Los Angeles and San Francisco for only $99 one-way. Presumably they will fly you back as well.
The company also announced it is celebrating its second birthday with a new contest for its loyalty club members -- it's frequent flyer program is called Elevate -- asking them to write a short story, 50 words or longer, about their first time flying on Virgin. The winner gets 100,000 points and all members will be given a special discount.
In addition, the one millionth person to become a member of Elevate will also win 100,000 points. Now's the time to log on at www.virginamerica.com -- as of two days ago membership was at 950,000 and gaining altitude.
Jim Ferri
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