Flying With Fish The Blog for Those Who Fly & Those Who Want to Fly Smarter

For the past four days I have been living inside the American Airlines network, flying from Hartford to Dallas, to Los Angeles, to New York’s JFK to Chicago, now headed home … a day early … with one goal, to find out how the airline operates from the inside out, focusing on the company’s sustainability.

Now as I am on my last flight of this journey rereading my notes, reviewing my photographs, I am amazed at how a company that appears quite fractured to the outside world maintains a singular focus on moving forward despite significant internal struggles and divides.

As American Airlines reorganizes in bankruptcy, faces labour strife and seeks to avoid being forcibly merged the company is moving forward technologically, in premium services, replacing its fleet, as well as reallocating its internal resources and staff to become a more efficient airline in terms staffing, expenses and return on investment.

There is the issue of whether or not American Airlines entered into bankruptcy far later than they should have, however focusing on that is a matter for debate rather than a matter of reality.

In the coming week I will be breaking down how American Airlines is reducing its operating expenses, increasing its revenue streams, working to combine being ‘green’ and fiscal returns and its adjusting its passenger facing products.

Now however, after four days living in airports and on planes rather than spending my nights in hotel beds or finding the time to lay down, it is time to sleep before going through all my notes again and diving into where American Airlines is now and where it is headed.

On a side note, I’d like to thank American Airlines for allowing me essentially unrestricted access to speak with staff of all levels, from executives to rampers, freely and affording me the freedom to explore just about everything I wanted to explore within its network.

Below is a photo of the most frequent thing I saw during this week within American Airlines.

Happy Flying!

@flyingwithfish

In 2006 travel journalist Peter Greenberg produced a an unprecedented documentary on the U.S. airline industry focusing on American Airlines, for CNBC, “Inside American Airlines.” The state of American Airlines and the airline industry has changed dramatically since Greenberg spent a week inside American Airlines.

At the time Greenberg produced “Inside American Airlines.” In 2006 American Airlines was the only U.S. legacy carrier to have never filed bankruptcy, now the airline is in the midst of bankruptcy reorganization and fending off hostile merger overtures. In 2006 American Airlines was the worlds largest airline, today it is the third largest in the United States.

Where does American Airlines stand today … over the next week I intend to find out.

For the next five days I will spent 24 hours a day inside the American Airlines network, criss-crossing the United States as I explore its flights, its major hubs, meeting with various executives, and looking into its cargo, maintenance, baggage, catering, in-flight operations, as well as other facets of the airline.

Follow my Twitterstream, @flyingwithfish, over the next few days as I gather the information to wrote about where American Airlines is now and where they may be in the future as they navigate the challenging situation they are in.

Happy Flying!

@flyingwithfish

A little over a week ago I wrote What Does The Future Hold For Young Airplane Geeks?,  this post lead to some interesting discussions, and an email I received from Lynn Young, from Delaware, who asked, “This may be an impossible question, but how does one end up an airplane geek? My young daughter is fascinated with everything about them. This fascination goes back as far as we recall and it certainly didn’t come from either of her parents.”

Lynn, your question is one probably without any defined answer. I can tell you how I likely ended up an airplane geek, but I think most serious enthusiasts have their own stories to tell. I have frequently written about growing up at the end of a runway at New York’s JFK International Airport. From the earliest age I recall … or anyone who knows me recalls … I have always been fascinated with airplanes, spending hours just staring up at the sky watching anything with wings go by.  When the Concorde on short-final is a frequent alarm clock, it is not hard to fall in love with airplanes.

While many sit outside and watch airplanes or have to travel to an airport to go plane spotting, all I had to do as a kid was look out the window or sit under the skylight. Many nights of my youth were spent listening to an old radio tuned to JFK’s Tower as I looked out the window counting the moments between hearing an airport bid the airport’s tower farewell and then watching them fly over my house.

All to frequently I knew I was up to late watching planes when I’d hear the Japan Airlines Cargo flight depart and watch it climb overhead. The JAL Cargo 747 disappearing over the horizon was a sure sign that I’d have trouble waking up for school in the morning.

So , while I have a good idea of how I ended up an Airplane Geek, this hobby and lifelong interest was not shared or brought on by my parents, is only shared by one of my two brothers and none of my friends in growing up were excited to watch the planes fly overhead

I’d love to know how other airplane geeks ended up as airplane geeks … if they even know how they got hooked on airplanes.  If you’re an airplane geek, aviation geek, plane spotter … whatever you call yourself … let me know how you got hooked on things with wings,

Below are a few photos shot last weekend from the front lawn of the house I grew up in … they should give you a good idea of how I ended up as an airplane geek.

Oh … and first person to properly identify all the aircraft types in the photos, in order, wins a prize!

Happy Flying!

@flyingwithfish

I used to read books frequently, but somewhere along the way my reading of books turned to reading more and more magazines. I attribute some of this change to packing for work, where space is at a premium.  A magazine is slim, you read and toss it (well, except National Geographic) and keep moving, where as a book is thick and once you’re done reading it, you carry it around with you.

For avid readers, my rationale for where I track back my transition away from reading books may seem a tad hard to swallow, but I began pondering this a few weeks ago when I first unboxed a Kindle Touch 3G and found myself reading Beyond Bin Laden : America and the Future of Terror from start to finish over the course of a few days.   Why do I attribute the Kindle Touch 3G to return to reading books?  Simple … the Kindle can hold countless books, magazines and even blog subscriptions in a device that can be carried virtually anywhere, with a seemingly limitless battery life, that fits in the palm of a user’s hand and has a screen that allow it to be read with ease.

Once I became accustomed to the Kindle I found myself taking it out of my bag and slipping it into my cargo pant pockets, tucking it into my jacket pockets, my pants’ slash pockets … and anywhere else it fits.

I had downloaded the Kindle App for my iPad quite some time ago, but found it didn’t get back into reading books. As much as I love my iPad, it doesn’t fit in the palm of my hand, into my pant pockets, even with its fantastic battery life much of how I use the iPad is battery draining and … have you ever tried to view the iPad screen while sitting next to a bright window you can’t close? Not exactly ideal.

Traveling has almost always involved watching movies and working for the past decade, often while reading a magazine at the same time … now I have found myself returning to reading books and enjoying it.   The Kindle Touch 3G can be packed in anything you’re carrying, taking up no space in a bag, stuffed in the pocket of your jacket, and go more than two weeks without being charged while reading two hours or so a day with the 3G turned on (apparently if you switch the 3G off the battery can last two months!) and … wait for it (OK don’t wait for it, apparently every one knew about this but me) … you can borrow books from your local library and download them to your Kindle (my Mom knew about this, chalk one technology thing up in her favour after all these years). The advantage to the Kindle Touch 3G over the non-3G Kindle Touch is the ability to download books, magazines, newspapers, blogs, anywhere in the world the device can hit a 3G network, at no cost to you, which is fantastic!

I still find myself reading The Economist and the Financial Times, but now I find myself reading them more frequently on the Kindle Touch 3G.   So, what’s loaded up for the next few flights? Republican Gomorrah: Inside the Movement that Shattered the Party, by Max Blumenthal.

Below are a few photos of my Kindle Touch 3G’s screen that allows readers to keep reading in bright sunlight; the Kindle in my pant pocket and the Kindle stacked onto of my iPad and 11″ MacBook Air for size comparison.

Happy Flying!

@flyingwithfish

On a recent flight from Texas’s San Antonio International Airport Congressman Francisco Canseco (R-TX) claims a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Transportation Security Office (TSO) assaulted him during a random pat down.

During the screening process Rep. Canseco claims the TSO’s screening process became too uncomfortable causing him to move the screener’s hand to the side, triggering a response from Supervisors.

Rep Canseco claims to have been selected for a random screening again, the following week, on the 22nd of April, which he believes was retaliatory rather than random.

Following the second selection for pat down in a week the Congressman released the following statement, “I believe that TSA has become an agency without restraint, and its overzealous policies threaten people’s personal dignity and freedom. There are other ways of securing airways from terrorists without forcing people to make such sacrifices, which I believe we in Congress should look into.”

Much like when Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) had an incident with the TSA at Nashville International Airport, turning to the media rather than his position on the Senate’s Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee … Rep. Canseco should be turning to his seat on the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, which has oversight over the TSA.

Elected officials in the House and Senate need to use their positions of power to not only have their voices heard in the media, especially during an election cycle, but also from the elected seats which they hold the can effect a change.

There is no disagreement by the majority of ‘the people’ and elected officials in Washington D.C. that the TSA needs oversight … hopefully Rep Canseco goes back to the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, confers with fellow Texan committee member Randy Neugebaur (R-TX), the committee Chairman, and the gears of politics are set in motion to provide some oversight to the agency.

Happy Flying!

@flyingwithfish

Libya’s Afriqiyah Airways has been grounded since the 17th of March 2011, when a United Nations mandated No Fly Zone went into effect at the start of the nation’s civil war. Now after a year on the ground, the airline remains flightless while its counterpart, Libyan Arab Airlines, has returned to flying.

Despite the European Union suspending the airline’s rights to enter its airspace the airline has its sights on growing its fleet and its planned merger with Libyan Arab Airlines, announcing that it ordered three new Airbus A330-300s on the 23rd of April, and is planning to reinstate its service toLondon’s Gatwick Airport this May.

The airline’s three new Airbus A330-300s, expected to begin entering the fleet in the first half of 2013, will join its current A330-202s, both of which are in storage, one at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport since March 2011. The airline has not indicated why it selected the A330-300 with a higher passenger capacity over the currently operated A330-200 with a lower passenger capacity and longer range.

Afriqiyah Airways‘ intention to return to London Gatwick in a few weeks may be pushing the boundaries of political expedience, as well as operational hurdles must be overcome to return to service, much less restore service to London with aircraft that have been in storage for more than a year.

Presently Afriqiyah Airways’ active fleet, capable of being operational in a fairly short span of time includes three Airbus A319-111 and six Airbus A320-214 aircraft. The airline also operated an Airbus A340-213 (5A-ONE), in its livery, for deposed dictator Muammar Gaddafi with VIP interior, this aircraft is expected to be sold off or scrapped.

Afriqiyah Airways and Libyan Arab Airlines share a modern hub at Tripoli International Airport, posses a young modern fleet and merged have the potential to be a highly competitive airline between Europe, Africa and the Middle East … however before any of this comes to fruition the airlines must both return to full operational status, merge and overcome European Union political barriers.

Happy Flying!

@flyingwithfish

US Airways’ management and it’s labour unions are at odds with each other on a good day, especially with the bitter merger between America West and US Airways, but the airline has managed to win the support of three major American Airlines unions in regard to a potential bid by US Airways to take over American Airlines.

As American Airlines’ parent corporation AMR remains focused on strengthening the company to emerge from bankruptcy as a solid company, labour remains focused on next week’s hearings that may allow AMR to terminate their existing labour contracts.

American Airlines unions support the potential take over  based on the US Airways’ promise to undo AMR’s shedding of jobs, although how much of US Airways’ intent is rooted in rhetoric rather than reality would remain to be seen should the two airlines combine to become one.

Interestingly, the Association of Flight Attendants, which represents AMR regional carrier American Eagle, supports US Airways taking over American Airlines, as AMR continues to explore selling off American Eagle from the company.

Will AMR’s board and stakeholders fight or embrace the consolidating of the two carriers?  Their decision will be based on the best perceived financial outcome, and that has not been determined.

Happy Flying!

@flyingwithfish

Fellow BoardingArea.com blogger Mike Reed, author of Getting Status, writes a different point of view on AA Unions’ supporting US Airways’ bid for American Airlines today as well … take a look – AA Flight Attendant files brief decrying APFA union

The other day my seven year old son, Max, asked me why I can’t take him on the Concorde. When I explained to him that Concorde had been retired in November 2003 I was met with the follow up question enquiring why there were supersonic jets when I was a kid, but none while he is a kid.

Answering this question was more of dancing the question that actually answering it.

Just after my Son asked about Concorde the Space Shuttle Discovery flew over Washington, DC … piggy backed atop of a 747-123/SCA, stripped of her engines, for her last flight, to her new home at the National Air and Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center.

I sat with my son and showed him photos of Discovery and discussed how the Space Shuttle was essentially a massive glider once it reentered the atmosphere … and began pondering, what does the future hold for young airplane geeks?

The Airbus A380 is a massive aircraft and a breathtaking to stand beneath, the Boeing 787 is incredible and amazing to be just a few yards from as it puts its wheels down, the Lockheed Martin F-35 is fantastic in its technology and versatility … but only one of these new aircraft breaks the speed of sound and chances are neither my Son nor I will ever get to take flight in it … and none of these aircraft travel into space.

Of all the photos that sum up the question of what will young airplane geeks dream about, one stands out, a photo shot by Carolyn Russo and published by the National Air and Space Museum on the 17th of April.

Take a moment to look at the photo below and ponder why I had the Concorde and Space Shuttle as a kid … but my kids do not.

Happy Flying!

@flyingwithfish

There has been a recent resurgence in film photography, maybe it is Kodak’s bankruptcy that has reminded serious photographers, and long time shooters, that shooting film is fun and a medium that is worth preserving … or maybe it is just that those of us who have been shooting digital for a really long time (I’ve been digital for around a decade-and-a-half) miss the sound of a motor drive whirring and the camera stopping dead in its tracks between 36 and 40 frames.

Earlier today photographer John Milleker, a die hard film (and even glass plate!) shooter, shared a link with me from PhotoJoJo.com, entitled Keep Your Film Safe On Plane Trips,  discussing the use of lead line film safety bags as a way to protect film while passing through airport security checkpoints and my heart sank … not at the thought of airport security, but because the misconception that lead lined bags will keep a photographer’s film safe.

Reading Keep Your Film Safe On Plane Trips caused me to go back through the archives of Flying With Fish and pull out Flying With Film 101 : The Do’s and Don’ts

So … if you plan to fly with film, take a moment and read up on Flying With Film 101 : The Do’s and Don’ts …

What is the primary concern of photographers packing film for the road? How to avoid having their film damaged by X-Rays.   The answer to this question is surprisingly simple and fully effective at the vast majority of airports travellers are likely to transit around the world.

While most airports have their x-ray scanners calibrated, and x-rays are unlikely to harm most film, there are instances of low ISO films being fogged by x-ray scanners…so why take the risk?  At airports around the world there are often signs up clearly stating that only “High Speed” film will be suffer the effects of x-rays.  Some airport signs go so far as to list ISO 800 or ISO 1600 as those films likely to encounter problems if x-rayed.

Rather than stand in line at the airport and argue with security that you’d like your Fujichrome Provia 100F, Ilford HP-5+ or Kodak Portra 400NC hand checked, simply label the film as “Pushed” and write a new ISO on the film can with a piece of tape.

Years ago when I flew with film far more often than I do today I use to place masking tape on my all my film canisters rating them between ISO1600 and ISO3200.

If I shot Ilford HP 5+ at ISO 400, I’d write on the film canister “Push 2 Stops 1600” , if I happen to actually push the film on each canister I’d made a denotation to myself at the end of text. Next to “1600″ I’d write “r1″ or “r2.”   R1 equaled a 1-stop push and R2 equaled a 2-stop push.   This code was simple for me, “R” stood for “Real” as in “I really pushed the film.”

No one at any airport security check point ever questioned the denotations on my film, all they where concerned with was that my film was considered “high speed” and needed to be hand checked.

In the United Kingdom film speeds of ISO 800 and above, as well as certain specialty films,  qualify for a ‘special handling request’ (ie: hand-check). While hand-check  requests  are normally accommodated, they are at discretion of the on-duty security supervisor.

In the United States the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), like their UK counterparts, allows for hand inspection of ISO 800 or higher film, and specialty films. In fact the TSA has this quote on their web page regarding hand inspection of film at TSA check points “Protect your film by requesting a hand-inspection for your film.”

What should you NOT do when travelling with film?

For starters you should never place your in the cargo hold of your flight.  Baggage placed in the cargo hold is subject to significant x-rays that can damage film, including films of lower ISO speeds. If you are flying with significant quantities of film consider using a commercial shipper such as FedEx or UPS. When shipping with them you need to have your package clearly labeled as “Light Sensitive Materials.”

While many companies produce and sell ‘film-shield‘ bags, in reality these bags are more likely to cause harm to your film than protect your film.  When an airport security x-ray operator is unable they see through an item within a bag they frequently crank up the power of the x-ray.  As the x-rays are cranked up they are able to see through the ‘film-shied’ protector bags, as the intensity of the x-rays increase to cut through the ‘film-shield‘ the end result is the film that should be protected in the ‘film-shield‘ gets baked inside. The end result is almost always the film you sough to protect is fogged or completely destroyed.

So while grabbing your Nikon F3hp or Leica M4-P and all the film you can stuff in your Mountainsmith Tour pack, remember that some tape a Sharpie marker can make your airport experience simple and stress free.

For more information on the resurgence of film visit www.insideanalogphoto.com

…below are two photos of how I label my film  to avoid the question of “should this film be hand checked?”
I think it is time for me to go pick up my Nikon F3, Nikon FA, bag fill of Nikkor Ai and AI-S lenses and burn through the 18 pro-packs of Fujicolour 20, 400 and 800 film I have laying around.

Happy Flying!

@flyingwithfish

I hate camera bags … no, that isn’t true. I have been involved in the design process for two camera bags for the legendary Domke company, I have designed a photo insert for Mountainsmith bags and played a significant role in designing a compact camera bag for Mountainsmith. My collection of camera bags has caused me to lose count … but really I do hate camera bags, or more to the point I have grown to hate camera bags that look and act like traditional camera bags (with the exception of the Domke F-2 because the Domke F-2 is perfect exactly as it is) …

… so, where does this leave the Timbuk2 Snoop?

While searching for a better camera bag for the road nearly a year ago I began speaking with a number of bag companies and the folks at Timbuk2 were nice enough to send me a fairly new bag to their lineup of messenger bags, the medium Snoop Camera Messenger bag.

The Timbuk2 Snoop Messenger was a different design than I was accustomed to using in that the bag didn’t sit on my shoulder, but rather was worn like a well … a messenger bag.  After a brief adjustment period of getting used to a messenger design I found I loved this bag and found myself carrying this bag with me nearly everywhere, on a plane for work, to the city for a day out, to the park with my kids, the library because when loaded it makes a nice ottoman for the chairs at the local library.     In short, when I don’t need a backpack or belt-kit, this bag can take everything I can reasonably shove in it, and carry it comfortably.

The internal design of the Snoop is different than I other bags I was accustomed to due to the design of its shaped and customizable insert (and I say this having designed a photo insert for Mountainsmith). The insert is lined with Velcro to customize the dividers, rather than connecting the dividers to the bag’s interior directly.    The insert slips into the Snoop Messenger in a unique way, in that it does not take up all of the space inside the bag.  By allowing excess space inside the bag, users can pack additional accessories within the main compartment.

On the ‘short sides’ of my Snoop Messenger, between the insert and the bag, I pack a single-sling Black Rapid strap and a pair of Mechanix gloves on one side, and a Newswear belt-loop lens pouch on the other side.   Along the rear-wall, against the laptop slot I usually slip in an iPad. At times I slip a 13″ MacBook Pro into the laptop slot and my 11″ MacBook Air between the insert and the wall.

The front design of the Snoop Messenger is brilliantly designed with a clear window, along with other accessory pockets.   The clear window is great for small vital accessories such as a card reader, cords, an iPad Stylus, jump drives, etc. Being able to see what is in the pocket saves a considerable amount of time and effort in retrieving the item you want … you won’t realize how much time and effort this saves you until you try and pull an item out while staying in the rain.

Speaking of the rain the interior of the Snoop Messenger is completely weather proof. I have taken my bag out in awful New England rainstorms and my gear has always remained perfectly dry!

The closure of the Snoop Messenger gives photographers a lot of flexibility, the bag can be closed with either two clips, or a Velcro closure   I prefer to use the clips, but when working quickly, being in and out of the bag, I switch to the Velcro, Need to carry your tripod?  The Snoop has lash-tabs to keep it attached to your bag while out shooting … I tend to use the lash tabs to hold a jacket or sweater.

So … what’s in my Timbuk2 Snoop Messenger?   I unloaded my bag the other day while out shooting to find out …

2 – Canon EOS 5D / Mk II bodies, with vertical grip

1 – Canon EOS 16-35f2.8L

1 – Canon EOS 28-70f2.8L

1 – Canon EOS 70-200f2.8L

1 – Apple 11″ MacBook Air

1 – BlackRapid DR-1 Double Strap

1 – BlackRapid RS-7 Curve

1 – Newswear Large Press Pouch

1 – PacSafe CarrySafe 100 Strap

2 – USB Jump Drives

1 – Beats by Dr. Dre iBeats in-ear headsets

1 – Kodak SD USB Card Reader

2 – iPhone/iPad USB Dock Connector Cables

1 – Press Credential Lanyard

1 – Mechanix Original Gloves

1 - Moleskine Notebook

2 – Pens

Below are a few photos of my Timbuk2 Snoop Messenger and just about everything I stuff in there

(Not Shown:  Apple iPad and Apple MagSafe MacBook power supply, but they’re packed in there)

What would I change about the Snoop Messenger?  I’d add a handle to the top of the bag … but as it turns out, Timbuk2 added a handle to the updated version of this bag recently, so now it is pretty much perfect.

If you like to keep your smart phone handy, I might also suggest checking out the 3Way Case. My iPhone spends a lot of time in there on my bag.

Happy Flying!

@flyingwithfish

Earlier today Singapore Airline’s Facebook page posted an unusual warning on its Facebook page. Around 4:00pm Singapore time the airline posted the following:

North Korea is reportedly planning a rocket launch in the coming days. We wish to reassure our customers that none of our flights will be operating in airspace that may be affected by the planned launch.

Singapore Airlines’ warning is unusual for a number of reasons.  The first and foremost reason Singapore Airlines passengers have little reason to worry about North Korea’s rocket launch is that Singapore Airlines flies around North Korean airspace rather than through it, as do most airlines, except those flying into North Korea.

The airspace around North Korea is restricted and considered hostile, causing the majority of the airlines around the world, including Singapore Airlines, to create flight plans ensuring their aircraft stay out of North Korean airspace.

The second factor that stands out about Singapore Airlines warning is this … North Korea is launching a satellite into space atop a Unha (Galaxy) 3 rocket.  While the Unha 3 rocket based on the Taepoding 2 intercontinental ballistic missile, the rocket itself and its payload are of no danger to any airliners.   The only real risk to aircraft in the area … and there is not much air traffic in the vicinity of the Musudan-ri launch site, in the North Hamgyong Province, along the Sea of Japan … is the rocket coming down.   In North Korea’s last attempt to put a satellite into space, with Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2, the Unha rocket failed to reach orbit, with the rocket’s first stage falling into the Sea of Japan and the remainder of the rocket falling into the Pacific Ocean, roughly 2,390 miles from the launch site.

So … if you are planning to fly with Singapore Airlines this week, expect your flights to arrive and depart on time, likely with no diversions to avoid rocket parts falling from the sky.

If you are flying any airline from Japan, know that Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) are adjusting their flight paths, and plan to operate normally, with no delay and no cause for alarm.

Happy Flying!

@flyingwithfish