After a three-month effort to try and unionize the pilots of JetBlue, they did not have enough votes and the pilots remain union-less. Only 33% of the pilots voted for the union, where 50% was needed to approve the formation of a union. This might show a positive outlook of the JetBlue pilots that the main cooperation is able to hear and deal with their concerns now and in the future.
JetBlue, being able to remain union less since its inception in 2000 has allowed them to keep costs low and compete better against other airlines who have unions.
Although unions can surely help with securing competitive wages and benefits for employees, it seems that sometimes in the dire situations the airlines are in, they look out for more of their own interests and not the overall big picture of the airlines. If employees feel they can get what they want without having to form a union — that is probably a good thing!
Source: USA Today Image: matt.hintsa
Man with pigeons in his pants
What silly things people will try to get on flights. While traveling to the Middle East there are all sorts of fun things people can pick up. One man tried to smuggle two pigeons — in his pants!
The 23-yr old traveler raised suspicions by having two eggs in a container. After a full search they found two pigeons — in his pants!
Even though smuggling of wildlife can carry at $70,000.00+ fine and 10 years in jail, but I would imagine that to be a bit much in this case.
The odd thing (well I guess a few odd things in this one) is they weren’t even endangered.
Source: AP Image: AP
American Airline's Boeing 767 Tail
If you will be flying on an American Airlines 767-300, you might have quite a few empty seats around you. It seems American installed additional business-class seats on 58 767-300’s and now there aren’t enough life vests for all the passengers.
American states that no one was ever in danger since they also have life rafts aboard (personally, not as assuring if you are on a plane going down into water and all those around you have life vests on and you don’t).
Source: Chicago Tribune Image: Van-Murph
Cabin of an airline -- keep it clean!
I know I have been on certain airlines (I will keep them nameless) where there seems to be a constant dirty feel to them. Seats are stained, garbage in the seatback, and don’t even get me started with the bathrooms…
After United Airlines tied for last place in a JD Power and Associates survey for aircraft interiors they took a second look at their cleaning schedules.
It is not as simple as breaking out the 409 or some other cleaner, since many passengers will have allergies or some chemicals might interact negatively with the plane’s frame (and no one wants that).
Where United would only do deep cleans (shampooing and scrubbing) once every 6 to 18 months (kind of gross thinking of the number of people on the planes), now it is more about 30-days for domestic and about 15 days for international aircraft.
Gulf Air - Alcohol Free?
No, you make not have a drink.
If you are a frequent flyer of Gulf Air and like to have a drink or two on your flight, you might have to resort to going back to biting your nails for a little bit of nerve comfort.
Parliament in Bahrain unanimously voted to ban the serving of alcohol on the Gulf Air flights, since they claim it Islam bans then from serving alcohol.
Although it is sometimes hard to argue with forcing people to do something against their religions, Mona Almoayyed, who is president of Bahraini Businesswomen Society, points out that it might, “start with this and it will end up with restrictions on women.” That,” it is a matter of personal freedom,” and , “it is not a matter of alcohol.”
Of course in this world economy and market for almost all airlines, they can’t really afford to lose much more profit. No matter what happens with this situation, I just hope it doesn’t spread to many other airlines.