There is a story out today about a family flying to Chicago from my local airport, Charlotte.

The story began on Flyertalk actually by the perspective of another passenger and the Charlotte Observer also picked it up.

If you read through the Flyertalk post what it really comes down to is that a family of 6 (Father, Mother, 3-year old, 18-month twins, 7-month old) bought tickets under the premise that children under 2 fly free*.  The thing is that they only had 3 paid tickets and wanted to put 6 people in a row.  That leads me to remind people about oxygen masks.

I’m not aware of any aircraft (but please correct me in the comments if I’m wrong) that will allow more than x+1 on side/row of an aircraft, and some it’s really just row since only one side may be +1  Many of the mainline planes do tend to have +1 on each side so if there are 3 seats there are 3+1 on each side, but other planes such as regional jets may only have the extra on the CD (or DF) side and not the AB or (AC) side.

This means that if you are a family traveling with more than 1 lap child you will not be able to sit in the same side of the same row because in case oxygen masks are needed, you will need to choose who is your favorite child (because remember, always put yours on before assisting others or else you pass out and are useless to all your children!) because you will be a mask short.

Was this situation handled poorly, yes!  Is there an abundance of information about choosing seats for a family with lap children?  I just checked SeatGuru and didn’t see anything under the US Airways A321 page.  Was I told I could not have 2 adults and 3 lap children when I attempted to book this ticket on US’s website?  Yes.  Is it easy to learn about oxygen masks and how that affects seating with a lap child?  No.   I just don’t understand how parents who think the laws to keep kids in booster seats in cars until they are 18 make sense, but that having a seat on a plane is not necessary…and while we’re talking about booster seats…don’t bring them on the plane.  There is no point!

The saddest thing I’ve ever heard on a plane

some of the comics are NSFW: Language

Isn’t it sad how low the bar for service is now?

Since I just need 2 segments to remain Gold with Delta I figure I’m dumb to not do a segment run. I know that Delta will often bump up people who are close miles-wise, but I don’t think that’s the same for segments so I’m not taking any chances.

I’ve also fulfilled all my familial obligations for Christmas so I figure what better day than a day when most other people don’t want to fly.  I’m sure I could have found a cheaper flight, but since I know BWI is typically very cheap from CLT and it was pricing out cheaper than some other destinations I was trying I managed to get a r/t to BWI for $265.  I’ll get 4 segments out of it so I’m good to go.

I still need over 8,000 miles with Star Alliance to stay at my current tier of Premier Executive which is becoming Gold whatever on the new United but I just can’t justify spending much more money on mileage runs with a looming home purchase.  Maybe if I can find  a 9,000 mile run for less than $300, but I doubt it so I’ll just acquiesce to dropping a tier.

Apparently some flyers aren’t too happy about Delta using Groupon.  Apparently this was important enough to write an article about.

StarTribune

“The cheaper they make it for somebody to go in, the more it’s like the regular concourse,” said Rick King, a technology executive at Thomson Reuters. “If it’s like the regular concourse, the benefits for me go down.”

Well I don’t even know where to start.  Unless he was sitting at the counter tracking how everyone was gaining their admission how would he know that it was one-day passes?  During peak times there are a lot of business travelers.  Business travelers are likely to either have their membership compensated by their company or they have diamond status and get in for free.  They may even have one of the credit cards that extends membership.  If we get rid of anyone, it would be the AMEX Platinum people.

Regardless of that, there are a lot of people wanting to enter the lounges and if there aren’t enough seats, then what is the point?  When I enter I mainly expect a seat with an outlet.  Anything less than that and I’m unhappy.  A couple times at B9 in ATL there were no seats available so I did just leave and went to the less crowded boarding area.  I also don’t like if someone takes all of my chocolate chip cookies. I paid $350 for the right to eat as many chocolate chip cookies as I can and if they aren’t there and I’m stuck with the other varieties I feel cheated! (sarcasm)

The key is that some businesses may be buying these passes for their members instead of full lounge membership because some people really just need ~6 passes instead of a full membership.

so: Delta better start increasing capacity to match these sales or things are going to get worse.  I don’t know if ATL has room for many more lounges, but I’ve always had problems with crowding the couple times I’ve been to MSP.  DTW is fine as long as a lounge isn’t under construction.  I’m not familiar enough with other lounges to comment.

PC World recently released an article evaluating airports

The one thing that it does get right is that although many airports have been proactive about outlets and wifi, Delta and Southwest have been very good about putting outlets in their areas.  Although I rarely fly Southwest, when I’m in an airport with Southwest I will often leach off their many power stations and comfy chairs with desks.

I’m also surprised that MCI made the list.  Although each airline is their own little world in the airport due to its unique layout, at least one of the gate areas had a power bench that required paying for electricity.  It has been over 2 years since I’ve flown out of there so maybe things have changed.

…Now if only CLT and ORD would shape up!

Back on November 2nd I filled out the online application for Nexus.  Today I finally got notification that I am conditionally approved.  The next step is to schedule an interview.  Since I primarily intend to use Nexus for air travel I need to do my interview at one of the facilities that can scan my irises.

I haven’t looked at the schedule yet, but I will update this when I know approximately how long the waits are for the interview.

I was starting to get worried that my initial approval was taking so long, but Flyertalk did mention about 6 weeks is typical right now.

Sometime on December 13th Delta and Groupon are going to offer pairs of RTW tickets for $10,000 in Economy and $20,000 in Business.

In a Nutshell

Monumental journey around the world for two with up to 10 stopovers in North America, Europe & Asia (taxes, fees, restrictions apply)

The Fine Print

Expires in 1 year
Book by 12/12/12. Travel must begin in US city serviced by participating airlines & completed by 11/8/13. Limit 1/person. See other conditions that apply. Non-refundable & issued to buyer or gift recipient only. Tickets non-transferable. Passengers responsible for all int’l travel docs. If difficulty collecting payment, Grouponcierge will call number provided & must resolve within 24hrs of purchase or tickets will be released. Clicking ‘Buy’ does not guarantee purchase.
See the rules that apply to all deals.

This morning at CLT I was the only one in line so of course that meant the floating talker tried to strike up a conversation.

TSO: “Good morning”

Me: “‘Morning”

TSO: “So, where are you off to today”

Me: (in an overwhelmed/distressed tone) “Oh, I don’t even know, it’s too early”

TSO: Tried to give me some words of wisdom, but luckily didn’t push the issue further since I just wanted to get through and get to Starbucks.

In the past I’ve tried the (matter of fact tone) “I’m not telling you” or “It’s right here on my boarding pass” or just made up a city, but that usually sours them and they come back with more questions.

Since 2007 I’ve been able to maintain Premier Executive on United and Gold Medallion on Delta, but this year I had initially avoided any west coast clients and opted for more local clients.  I also had a few clients with odd restrictions leading me to drive hours and fly Southwest instead of my usual carriers.

Ultimately I find myself with 9 segments (or 17,000 miles) remaining to requalify for Gold on Delta with 3 pending being credited and 4 upcoming next week leaving just 2 total…definitely something I can swing out of pocket.  Since I’m so far off mileage-wise that is why I chose the extra 2 months for the Sky Club.

United, on the other hand, has me needing 12,354 EQM or 18.5 EQS.  I’m picking up 4 EQS/4,000EQM this week, but that leaves me with 8,000+ EQM.

Since I currently have a contract pending on a house with several months before the short-sale will close I can’t pick up any credit cards for the EQM bonus, plus I just got the JP Morgan card from Chase so I need to wait a bit before applying with them again anyway, but my lender told me they don’t want me to open any new lines before closing so I will hang tight until that’s all settled.

I guess I need to play around with a few routings.  I did a 7,000 mile run last year so 8,000 isn’t too bad, but I just have to decide what matters more: money for unexpected purchases with this house or maintaining 1P.  I’m leaning towards 1P, but if I can get 8,000 EQM under $300 I won’t object!

I did manage to maintain my Hilton Diamond status and Marriott Silver status so hotels are fine, but qualifying by miles instead of segments is much easier so I’m suffering this year.

I decided to stick with the Delta Sky Club.  It doesn’t hurt that right after my query Delta decided to post this:

Join now to get two extra months free or 1,500 Medallion Qualification Miles.

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Hello Fly Gracefully, There’s still time to get an exclusive holiday gift from the Delta Sky Club, but you have to purchase or renew your membership by December 31, 2011.Just use one of the special promotion codes below to receive your choice of one of two exciting holiday gifts: Two free additional months of membership (use promo code HP2MF) 1,500 Medallion® Qualification Miles (use promo code HPMQM) And, if you’re purchasing a new membership, we’ll also waive the initiation fee (a $50 savings). At the Delta Sky Club, you can relax, unwind or do business in stylish, comfortable surroundings at more than 50 airport Clubs and 35 partner lounges worldwide. Our award-winning Club’s exceptional amenities include: Fully stocked bars with complimentary beer, wine, and cocktails, and our new Luxury Bar in select locations A variety of tasty and healthy snacks served all day Free Wi-Fi, satellite TV and wireless printers Clean, private restrooms (and showers in some locations) Remember, just use one of the two promotion codes above when you purchase a one- or three-year membership by December 31, 2011, to receive your gift. We look forward to welcoming you at the Club soon. Happy Holidays!

The MQM were tempting, but this year I’ll re-qualify on segments so I decided to go for the extra 2 months instead.