Sky Harbor Always Ready For Air Force One

Phoenix and Sky Harbor are ready for Air Force One??? Well this story would have you believe that and for the most part it's somewhat true but I'll tell you more.

Tuesday May 28th, 2008, I knew coming off the long holiday weekend that President Bush was coming through Phoenix on a campaign for McCane trip. Now I'm not on the political bandwagon because I write this because there is an aviation side that the news will not report or at least make it sound better than it was. I went out to the airport on my lunch hour for the arrival of Air Force One and I work right under the flight path on final approach into Sky Harbor. Now my office is less than a 3/4 of a mile from the fence to the airport and when I left I saw how much was closed because of his arrival. # of the cardinal directions out of my office parking lot were closed or jammed heavily due to the rerouting of traffic and security. Now it doesn't bother me especially with the current state of the economy and the like but I'm sure it caught many folks off guard. Airline wise I was looking at how the aircraft were responding to the pending arrival of AF1 and it seemed like to me there was some disruption or delaying of flights in and out. I observed a Delta flight that was starting to taxi out of it's gate area and it stopped at the outer taxiway and got held in position. (AF1 is in range visually about 8 miles out and yet to turn final) All of the aircraft on the North side were basically held in position because activity on this side of the airport was none existant. Now this is normal and I have been on airplanes as a flight attendant when AF1 is in the area and we pick up a delay here and there (do you remember the haircut delays) I was enroute to LAX for that one. Fighter jets covering the skys if you knew where to look were apparent and a lot of people were at the viewing area to observe this aircrafts arrival. By the time he was in range and touched down, rolled out and parked the airport basically went back to the way it was. Now passengers in the terminals may have not known he (POTUS-Pres. of the U.S.) was coming through but a few delays I'm sure were passed on to the passengers on the planes that had already left the gate. The departure of POTUS was just the reverse and more roads and highways were affected because they don't say which way they will be coming from.

Well my recommendation to the traveling passengers is just know where POTUS is traveling to and from and if it will effect your trip. Not a whole lot you can do about this one but if your aware of his presence (POTUS) when you pick up some delays due to his arrival or departure at least it won't be a suprise.

I posted the story from KTAR to give everyone who doesn't live in Phoenix an idea what the press tells us and how good or bad this was.

Keep The Blue Side Up!!!

BlkAv8tor2003


May 28th, 2008 @ 9:14am
by Bob McClay/KTAR

When the president comes to visit, he arrives in one of the world's most famous planes, and Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport workers have to be on their toes, making sure the president is safe and keeping all regular flights on time.
Air Force One lands at a secure area near the executive terminal at Sky Harbor. There are police sharpshooters on nearby buildings and helicopters hovering nearby. Reporters and others who will be near the plane must go through tight security.
Sky Harbor's Julie Rodriguez says the airport is getting used to the routine.

``We've had the president come to Phoenix several times in the last few years. So we've done this many times. It pretty much works the same way every time. Security is very high, coordination is at an all-time high. There are many meetings and much planning, and it always goes very smoothly."
Rodriguez adds, ``Sky Harbor Operations and Phoenix police work closely with the Secret Service and the White House to make sure everything goes smoothly, to make sure security is at its highest."

She says Air Force One causes little disruption in normal commercial air traffic and most people who are at the airport don't even know Air Force One is there.
``The average traveler really doesn't notice Air Force One unless they actually see it flying in," Rodriguez says. ``And it is very impressive flying in. But it doesn't affect flights, it doesn't delay flights. No one in the terminals notices a difference."

Airline Travel...What You Really Need To Know!!!

"BlkAv8tor Checking In!!!"

Hello to all, I'm the BlkAv8tor and I'm a career airline and aviation industry professional!

Coming from someone who has worked almost every position in the airline industry the traveler today needs to slim his travel weight as much as possible. Now not including the hardcore business traveler people need to start truly planning their trips before they leave to go to the airport. Excess and overweight baggage charges, blankets, food and entertainment are many variables that if people would really plan ahead they could be charged less or next to nothing by becoming a savvy flyer.

Buy your food you will like before you go to the airport (security hasn't been taking peoples food yet that I heard of)

Ship your bags to your destination before you leave and have a SMALL carry on with basics in case of delays and cancellations,

Blankets??? Carry your own sheet because you washed it and you know where it's been and most airline blankets are sheet thin anyway and will roll up into a small square...Just a few things for passengers to do that they can control.

Assume your going to be delayed and or have your flight get cancelled...don't assume your going to show up at the airport, walk in, board the plane, fly and land on time...it happens less and less everyday. Give yourself something to do and depend on the airline for anything.

Parents be smart when traveling with your kids. Pack them a back pack of toys, books, snacks, video games, DVD's etc. You ask why I say this....You would be surprised how many people who get up in the morning to take a trip with the family forget as soon as they get in the terminal that they have kids. Then they wonder why the kids act the way they do on the plane...sheer boredom after the first 30 minutes or so has passed. Bring kids a map of the route of flight and see if they can follow it while in flight (weather permitting).

Have a back up plan in your route of flight even though you have paid for tickets to go one way. That way you’re not held to go that way when delays and cancels happen.

Don't wait for the customer service agents to tell you what is going on with your flight. The very basics are available to you before you get to the airport or if your online. I track my friends when they travel and they call me to find out delays and problems in the US before they even go to the airport so "they are informed about their flight" when they get to the airport and not waiting for the CSR for the airline to inform them of something.

Sit in the boarding area as close to the departure podium and between the boarding door so you can hear second hand conversations by the employees. They talk and they will discuss flight ops before telling the passengers something and even a minute of heads up on a cancellation could mean a call to reservations by you, rebooking, new seat assignments and you going to get a
Starbucks before the rest of your flight is any wiser.

Weather changes by the minute and hour...Don't think the airlines have decided to delay your flight because the weather is bad at your destination...then you call to a friend or family member at the destination and they tell you the weather is fine. 99% of people don't live next to the airport...So unless your friend/family is a member of NOAA and working that airport don't trip. Airlines don't delay flights for the hell of it! Airlines are made to fly in the worst of weather but ultimately it's the captain’s call if he wants to go or not. Weather can be enroute even when you can't see the storms or weather phenoms like "CAT" (Clear Air Turbulence) turbulence not associated with a visible storm or build up. There is more to getting flights to depart when the weather is bad than when it's good...If you think you can do it better (non pilots) let me know and I'll prove you wrong every time!


This is my attempt to help all the poor travelers who have gotten the raw end of the deal when traveling and I'm open to anyone who wants to offer solutions that seem to work. I'm not airline bashing but airline educating and when I'm teaching I'm learning too.
More stuff will follow in the near future to help make that airline flight a little more enjoyable and so that you can be the one laughing at people who didn't "Think" ahead and you almost knew what was going to happen before it happened...in a sense anyway

Keep The Blue Side Up!!!

Friday, May 2, 2008 at 10:36 AM

Airlines...What You Need To Know!!! Pt. 2

"BlkAv8tor Checking In!!!"

Well to continue where I left off and everything post is not in any particular order so do don't look for it like that...everything is just off the top of my head as I am typing and remembering what I wanted to say.
When you leave the house to take a trip (primarily non business travelers) tell yourself that you have a illness that requires you to take medication if you need it to function and lead a normal life. At this point take your medication out of your checked luggage even if you only need it once a day and have to take it "as needed". people who take medication should never separate themselves from any medication no matter how much you think you don't need it because that will be the one time your flight diverts to another city and you end up staying over night or longer with no meds and now you need a pharmacy or a doctor. If you don't believe me ask a person who has a physical disability (wheelchair) and see if when they fly they check their personal chair in so they can ride in one provided by the airline or airport. I don't think so!!! So if carrying meds means no DVD’s then invest in a book or magazine. Your meds have top priority!!!

Just like medication, if you have dietary restrictions or issues then remember them before you leave. Most people don't like the airline food that is served (except First Class/Business Class passengers) so if you have a low sodium diet, kosher, vegetarian, Low salt/No salt whatever the case may be! Bring your own food!!! Do not (DO NOT) depend on the airlines to feed you how you need to be fed. Also if you miss your flight, delays, cancelled you special meal request if you can get one is not going to follow you. Bring something that is easy to carry, minimal preparation to eat it and most important bring something you have had before and actual like it. An airplane ride across country is not the venue to because a food tester so go with what you know, it may be boring but think of it like this...most people who eat the same thing all the time are very seldom displeased with their choice and are happy or at least content with their choice.

Final thing to remember is "WHEN YOU WOKE UP THIS MORNING YOU WERE A VEGETARIAN, LOSALT/NOSALT, and REQUESTING KOSHER OR SOMETHING!!!" When you get on a plane you are not cured of all ailments!!! So pay attention to what your body needs and plan ahead and you won't have the stress of worrying about special concerns!!!
If you’re special in anyway outside of your bumbling persona take the extra time to plan ahead and plan to get stuck with no food or ability to get outside to a restaurant or grocery store, unfamiliar area and late at night arrival. Plan according to that and you she be ok but remember if it seems easy and uncomplicated is a whole lot better than being sick, hospital stays or being a cranky fool because your hungry and can't eat anything because there is nothing available to accommodate you. The airline has a contract that says their only job is to get you from point A to point B nothing more, everything after that is a privilege not a right!!!

See everyone with my next update to "Airlines...What You Need To Know!!!"

Keep The Blue Side Up!!!

Friday, May 2, 2008 at 02:32 PM

Airlines charging extra for window seats

BlkAv8tor2003 Checkin' In!!!

Hello all!!!

Here we go, as the airlines are charging for almost anything and everything windows seats and leg room are at a premium. The trick will be are you able to get your money back if the flight is not full? If there are enough seats for you to sit anywhere or the seat next to you is open and you paid a premium for the extra legroom and you end up having enough room will you be refunded? It's just a thought and how much grief are you going to catch or hoops you will have to jump through to get that refund. Also don't forget cancellations and changes in your reservations they may not carry across if you miss a flight because the next flight might be sold out of window seats by the time you get to it. Paying extra to talk to a human...that's a new one....I think but then again what are the odds that the person you’re talking to is actually in the US.
I'll revisit this one later but here is the article from UPI.

*note* Supposedly Jet Blue doesn't charge for window seat or legroom.

Published: May 4, 2008 at 3:01 PM

BOSTON, May 4 (UPI) -- The practice of charging travelers extra for such premiums as window seats and extra leg room is gaining a hold among U.S. airlines, analysts note.US Airways, Jet Blue Airways Corp. and Air Canada recently began charging $5 more for a window seat, $10 for extra stretching room and $25 for passengers who want to be able to connect with a reservations agent if s flight is delayed or canceled, The Boston Globe reported Sunday.US Airways additionally plans to charge most passengers at least $5 extra to reserve an aisle or window seat in the first several rows of coach class, beginning Wednesday.The charges are a way for the airlines to offset rising fuel costs in an economic climate that has been the worst for the airlines since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.Although some passengers are sure to grumble over the increased costs associated with air travel, others may welcome the charges as a way to give them more control over what they pay for to fly."Ultimately, they will be more satisfied because they will be in control of their travel experience," said Henry Harteveldt, principal airline analyst for Forrester Research Inc.

© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.

Monday, May 5, 2008 at 01:02 PM

TOP 10 AIRLINE SAFETY TIPS

"BlkAv8tor Checking In!!!"

This is some of the things you should know as safety tips. I have put my 2 cents in as well and I have highlighted my personal opinion in blue. Have a good flight!!!

1. Fly on Nonstop Routings
Most accidents occur during the takeoff, climb, descent, and landing phase of flight so flying nonstop would reduce exposure to these most accident prone phases of flight. The most critical times of flight are the first 5 minutes after take off and the last 15 minutes before landing. Most in-flight emergencies happen during these times. when an in-flight emergency happens during flight (at cruise) in most cases you have as much as 30-40 minutes of time to prepare, listen to safety instruction and your crew will ready the aircraft for what the emergency is.

2. Choose Larger Aircraft
Currently, aircraft with more than 30 passenger seats were all designed and certified under the strictest regulations. Also, in the unlikely event of a serious accident, larger aircraft provide a better opportunity for passenger survival. Now this is somewhat of an easy task depending largely what airport you’re flying out of. If it's a major airport like Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) then depending on where you’re going the odds are in your favor that making this choice will be easy. Now if you’re flying out of a smaller airport like Prescott Valley, Ernest A. Love Field (PRC) the odds are you will be on an aircraft that holds 19 passengers, definitely less than 30. The aircraft are safe and the pilots follow the same rules that the mainline carrier pilots do. Now experience levels could be different and flying the commuters are somewhat of a stepping stone to the majors but most pilots don't want to screw up to kill their chance of making it to a major carrier. Safety is going to be somewhat the same as a major airline but each situation is different. Make your own decisions about if you choose to fly on smaller aircraft or not.

3. Pay Attention to the Preflight Safety Briefing
Although the information seems repetitious, the locations of the closest emergency exits may be different depending on the aircraft that you fly on and seat you are in. That said I know most people will not pay attention to this. From emergencies on planes I have worked (it's been many) passengers don't listen when the situation is out of their control. Hopefully more do listen than don't but passengers are creatures of habit and will copy what the crew does. This is a little late if it's a decompression and the mask just appeared in your face. You won't see the flight attendants for a couple of minutes depending on the severity of the decompression till they get a chance to put on POB's (Portable Oxygen Bottles) and walk through the cabin to check the passengers are on oxygen and assess conditions. The best travelers are the ones best informed and are proactive during their travels and they don't lose minutes out of their lives because they were thinking ahead. Humor the crew and watch them perform the safety demo because it is different from airline to airline in how it's delivered.

4. Keep the Overhead Storage Bin Free of Heavy Articles
Overhead storage bins may not be able to hold very heavy objects duringturbulence or hard landing so if you or another passenger have trouble lifting an article into the bin, have it stored elsewhere. Most of today’s carry-on luggage is over weight and unnecessary. Now take out the airlines ability to lose luggage for a moment. This is one of the fastest ways to get hurt on a flight, before, during or after. If you see someone who cannot lift their bags into the over head easily then it should be stowed elsewhere ie. beneath the seat in front of you. We as a society should go back to hats, coats and women’s purses in the overheads like back in the 60's. People don't talk to each other anymore, read books or talk with your children when on a plane. Once the airlines get a hold on carry-on luggage requirements and fees (its coming) and better checked luggage procedures I think injuries will decrease.

5. Keep Your Seat Belt Fastened While You are Seated
Keeping the belt on when you are seated provides that extra protection you might need if the plane hits unexpected turbulence. I have been in sever turbulence and for the average Joe it's not a great roller coaster ride at all. I have seen a man get thrown to the ceiling and then to the floor after his thigh slammed down on an arm rest to a seat breaking his leg in two and shattering the arm rest. All passengers should keep your seat belt at least "4 fingers" loose. It still allows for comfort and the chances of you getting pulled out of your seat in an explosive decompression are minimized greatly.

6. Listen to the Flight Attendants
The primary reason flight attendants are on an aircraft is for safety, so if one of them asks you to do something like fasten your seat belts, turn off electronic devices, open window shades do it first and ask questions later. Flight Attendants are not there to serve you like in a restaurant. They know more about that airplane than most weekly travelers and what they need to do when something goes wrong. Crew members don't come on your job and act less than respectful so don't come on theirs doing the same. Asking questions is fine but remember they will answer the same question 100+ times in one flight maybe and again if your better informed before the flight most things that happen won't be a surprise. Flight attendants do need to care a little more I think! Now there are thousands of great flight attendants flying for U.S. carriers and many of them take what they do seriously. Now like any job you will have people who don't have the same drive when they got hired, stresses of life etc. but my though on that is this, "if your life is so bad that it bleeds into your work life, then you need to find a new line of work or suck it up!" Passenger don't do well when the crew looks stressed, so the more collected you appear while with the passengers the better it will be for everyone.

7. Don't Bring Any Hazardous Material
There are rather long lists of hazardous materials that are notallowed, but common sense should tell you that you shouldn't bring gasoline, corrosives, poisonous gases, and other such items on the aircraft unless they were allowed by the airline and shipped in a proper container. I'm gonna go on a limb and believe most people know this by now.

8. Let the Flight Attendant Pour Your Hot Drinks
Flight attendants are trained to handle hot drinks like coffee or tea in a crowded aisle on a moving aircraft, so allow them to pour the drink and hand it too you. Your not a flight attendant so don't try to do what they do. Remember the McDonald's hot coffee incident??? Do you go to a restaurant and pour your own beverages when you have a server bringing it to you? This is part of what they do so let them do it, it's for your own good and safety.

9. Don't Drink Too Much
The atmosphere in an airliner cabin is pressurized to about the same altitude as Denver, so any alcohol you consume will affect you more strongly than at sea level. Moderation is a good policy at any altitude. There is one thing travelers should know about drinking "before" a flight. If you have a cocktail before you get on a plane and then you get "loud" with an agent, flight attendant and they can smell alcohol on your breath you can be denied boarding. This is a law not an airline rule because the Pilot- in-Command cannot knowingly carry anyone who appears or acts like they are under the influence of alcohol. The airlines can give you drinks on one flight and deny you from another because of your actions, so be cool and low key if you drink on a flight or before you fly!

10. Keep Your Wits About You
In the unlikely event that you are involved in an emergency situation such as a precautionary emergency evacuation, follow the directions of the flight attendants and flight crew and exit the aircraft as quickly as possible. Don't try to be a hero because you don't know how many crew members are on your flight. Crew members commute on planes like everyone else commutes on buses and trains. They don't always where their uniform when they fly but when something is happening they will make themselves available to the crew. Don't try to tell the crew members how to do a particular thing because they are reading very direct rules for every situation and it's possible they are taking direction from the ground as well. If you want to help and your a doctor, police or fire person, military and your not traveling with family members, offer yourself as an ABA (Able Body Assistant) so if something does happen they don't have to go through the cabin looking for someone, they already know who you are. Let the lead flight attendant know this when you first board the aircraft, they'll appreciate it.

I picked up a lot of my info from AirSafe.com and then added my input and this is for your information to have a more enjoyable flight.

Passenger sues airline over flight spent on toilet

N.Y. man traveling on 'buddy pass,' gives up seat for JetBlue crew member

JetBlue passenger forced to sit on the toilet?

May 13: A JetBlue passenger claims he was forced to sit in the plane's bathroom during a cross-country flight. Msnbc.com's Dara Brown reports.

MSNBC.com


NEW YORK - A New York City man is suing JetBlue Airways Corp. for more than $2 million because he says a pilot made him give up his seat to a flight attendant and sit on the toilet for more than three hours on a flight from California.
Gokhan Mutlu, of Manhattan's Inwood section, says in court papers the pilot told him to "go 'hang out' in the bathroom" about 90 minutes into the San Diego to New York flight because the flight attendant complained that the "jump seat" she was assigned was uncomfortable, the lawsuit said.
Mutlu was traveling on a "buddy pass," a standby travel voucher that JetBlue employees give to friends, from New York to San Diego on Feb. 16, and returned to New York on Feb. 23, the lawsuit said.

Initially, Mutlu was told a flight attendant had taken the last seat on the plane, but then he was advised she would sit in the employee "jump seat," meaning he could have the last seat, the lawsuit said.
The pilot told him 1 1/2 hours into the five-hour flight that he would have to relinquish the seat to the flight attendant, court papers say. But the pilot said that Mutlu could not sit in the jump seat because only JetBlue employees were permitted to sit there, the lawsuit said.
When Mutlu expressed reluctance to go sit in the bathroom, the pilot, who was not named in the lawsuit, told him that "he was the pilot, that this was his plane, under his command that (Mutlu) should be grateful for being on board," the lawsuit said.
The aircraft hit turbulence and passengers were directed to return to their seats, but "the plaintiff had no seat to return to, sitting on a toilet stool with no seat belts," court papers say.
Some time later, a male flight attendant knocked on the restroom door and told Mutlu he could return to his original seat, court papers say.
Mutlu's lawsuit, filed Friday in Manhattan's state Supreme Court, says JetBlue negligently endangered him by not providing him with a seat with a safety belt or harness, in violation of federal law.
A JetBlue spokesman declined comment on the lawsuit Monday.


Now My two cents!!!

Ok this is all kinds of wrong in so many ways. First off the captain was wrong because if there was no immediate emergency and the flight attendant wanted a "comfortable" seat...that's too bad. A part of the airline perks when you travel is flying at a very reduced rate or free. Now that being said, we as the public don't know the whole story. The flight attendant seat is not meant to be comfortable and in turbulence that's where the flight attendants are suppose to sit period, this is not a negotiable choice. It has to do more with after turbulence is over, incident or not the crew is in position (for emergency equipment and communications).
Buddy pass riders in the industry are the very bottom of the "get a seat" list when flying standby and for all practical purposes you have "NO" rights as a passenger. (Unwritten Rule) It's hard to say where things are going in this situation because we don't know all the variables. I'll throw a couple of things out there for ya to think about...
So when this flight originally took off where was the flight attendant sitting and where was the buddy pass rider sitting???
Did the flight attendant stand during the service and the passenger sit for the service or vice versa?
How does the captain get involved in this situation that the lead flight attendant can't handle? Normally if there is an "emergency" or "urgent" need for the cockpit crew to come out of the cockpit it's the First Officer not the Captain.
I'll come back and answer these questions as we hear more about it because this doesn't normally go on with pass riders. Also normally pass riders cannot file lawsuits against the airline because their ticket states your like a member of the airline and certains things don't apply like lawsuits.
This is a sticky situation I'll keep you updated!

Enjoy Your Flight!!!

BlkAv8tor2003

SouthWest Airlines Passenger Refuses To Hang Up Phone

Blkav8tor2003 Checkin' In!!!

Hello all...Here we go again with passengers who feel they know better than the people doing the jobs. I got this from the Dallas Morning News and I feel for this passenger if the story is somewhat true. I don't always trust reporters when it comes to airline and aviation related stories but here is the reporters story. I'll see if I can get the byline to give the proper credit to the reporter. As usual my comments will come a little later on this one.

Dallas police met a Southwest Airlines plane at Dallas Love Field on Monday after flight staff reported that a passenger refused to stop using his mobile phone during the flight.The passenger 50, was cited for disorderly conduct, Dallas police said.The incident occurred during a Southwest flight from Austin to Dallas. “After multiple requests, the flight attendants were not successful in getting the passenger to get off the phone,” said Southwest spokeswoman Brandy King. According to a Dallas police report, flight attendants had asked Mr. Jones to turn off his cell phone and he responded with, "Kiss my ---." When asked again, he stated, "Kiss my ---. Not happening," the report said.He remained on the phone for about 20 minutes. The pilot radioed the incident to the Love Field tower and Dallas police were notified. Officers met Mr. Jones at the gate and he continued to "exhibit disorderly conduct," police said.Federal Aviation Administration regulations prohibit any use of mobile phones except when the aircraft is on the ground.Ms. King said airlines can be fined up to $25,000 if they permit mobile phone usage during a flight, and individuals also can face fines.“Our flight attendants asked for local authorities to meet the aircraft,” Ms. King said. “At that point, we stepped out of the way and left the matter to the local authorities.” Another self-righteous "the rules don't apply to me" passenger. Regardless of his views on mobile phones and safety, rules are rules.

Thanks, Dallas Morning News

Parents board flight, forget toddler at airport

BlkAv8tor2003 Checkin' In!!!

Good Morning all,

This seems to be just a lack of communications between family members. Although I would suggest in the future and I have seen passengers do this, hand held walkie talkies. I know this is after the fact but it your fun doesn't have a "chirp" feature this would be a cheap and easy way to stay in contact with the family members. One goes ahead and checks in, one is checking bags or getting food while one is at the gate. Plenty of scenarios to choose from. Maybe this situation is a lesson for us all, "When we rush, Bad things can happen". Now an Air Canada spokesperson saying that "they didn't know that the young child wasn't on the airplane, because lap passengers aren't given boarding passes." I don't know if it's an Air Canada thing but when I was flying domestically and internationally we have had children issued a boarding passes. No seat number is given, just an "INF" code on it. I'll have to remember to post info on how to make a reservation and how to make things appear a certain way. Hopefully I can post that one today, Keep an eye out for that. Overall though it's sounds like everything turned out ok. I'll keep an eye out for any updates.

Thanks for the info Yahoo news.

Tickets, check. Passports, check. Luggage, check. Baby ... oops.


A family boarded a flight on Monday in westernmost Canada, and forgot their tot at the Vancouver international airport, media said Tuesday.
The 23-month-old boy's family had just arrived in Canada from the Philippines, but they were forced to repack their overweight bags before catching a connecting flight to Winnipeg, causing them to run late.

In their sprint to the gate, the family became separated.

The boy's father Jun Parreno, told local media he had thought his son was with his wife and the boy's grandparents, who ran ahead. They thought the boy was with his dad.
On the plane, the family members were seated separately and so did not immediately realize they had left the child behind.

Sometime later, a security guard found the boy, who speaks no English, wandering near the departure gate, and Air Canada officials tracked down his shocked parents on the flight.
Because the boy was so young, he was not issued a boarding pass and would have sat on a parent's lap during the flight, so airline personnel did not notice a passenger was missing.
According to the Vancouver Sun, airport security found a Tagalog-speaking Air Canada agent who looked after the child while his father flew 2,300 kilometers (1,400 miles) back to Vancouver to pick him up and then return to Winnipeg to rejoin the immigrant family on their first day in Canada.

The baby was kept in Air Canada's offices and staff found him some toys, said local media.

"Air Canada took good care of him," Parreno told the daily Winnipeg Free Press upon arrival.

"I'm grateful."

Air Midwest, A Part Of Mesa Air Get's Shut Down...Is The Rest Of Mesa Next???

BlkAv8tor2003 Checkin' In!!!

Hello all, this one was not really anything new or a suprise. This has been talked about in aviations circles since before the end of last year. Sorry for the folks in some of the outlying cities that will have to make the drive into a major city that Air Midwest served. Will Mesa Air go back to flying into some of these cities with larger aircraft or will they just let them be unserved?
My other question is, Mesa Air group as a whole next??? I don't think so but down sizing could be on the horizon for a short time. I personally know Jonathan Ornstein and I think he has an ace up his sleeve if the economy get's any worse. Now I don't know where he could go with this but anything is possible. Remember he took a mainland carrier/commuter to Hawaii and made it work for a while...Didn't see the ATA fiasco coming to bear so quickly though. I think it would have worked if ATA would not have shut down like the traditional Hawaiian carrier. His market from connecting flights was killed over night. I hope he got a phone call ahead of time!!!
This one comes from Yahoo News...Thanks Yahoo!!!!
Air Midwest, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Mesa Air Group, Inc. today announced that it will discontinue all operations including its current scheduled services provided under the Essential Air Service (EAS) program. This announcement follows the company's January 15, 2008 announcement of the decision to discontinue Air Midwest's operations. The company cites record-high fuel prices, insufficient demand and a difficult operating environment as the main factors in its decision.
Air Midwest began filing notices with the Department of Transportation (DOT) of its intent to terminate EAS beginning over a year ago. "Although we are unable to continue to provide service, Air Midwest plans to cooperate with the DOT and any replacement carriers in the interest of lessening the impact on the communities affected," said Greg Stephens, Air Midwest's President.
Source: Mesa Air Group, Inc.


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"We are extremely saddened this decision has become necessary; Air Midwest has a long and proud history and has served millions of passengers in its 43 years of operation," said Jonathan Ornstein, CEO of Mesa Air Group. "Unfortunately under the current economic conditions there was no foreseeable way to achieve sustained profitability. Even with subsidies from the DOT, Air Midwest has been unable to sustain profitability for the last several years. While this was an extremely difficult decision, and one that the company worked tirelessly to avoid, we are working diligently to minimize the impact this decision will have on Air Midwest's passengers and employees."
Air Midwest, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mesa Air Group, Inc., and currently operates 20 Beech 1900D 19-seat airliners serving 27 cities throughout the country. Air Midwest was founded in Wichita, Kansas in May 1965 by Gary Adamson as Aviation Services, Inc. In 1969, it changed its name to Air Midwest and by 1978 it was operating a fleet of 10 Metroliners. Air Midwest was purchased by Mesa Air Group in 1991.
Mesa currently operates 181 aircraft with over 1,000 daily system departures to 150 cities, 38 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, the Bahamas and Mexico. Mesa operates as Delta Connection, US Airways Express and United Express under contractual agreements with Delta Air Lines, US Airways and United Airlines, respectively, and independently as Mesa Airlines and go!. In June 2006 Mesa launched inter-island Hawaiian service as go! This operation links Honolulu to the neighbor island airports of Hilo, Kahului, Kona and Lihue. The Company, founded by Larry and Janie Risley in New Mexico in 1982, has approximately 5,000 employees and was awarded Regional Airline of the Year by Air Transport World magazine in 1992 and 2005. Mesa is a member of the Regional Airline Association and Regional Aviation Partners.
This press release contains various forward-looking statements that are based on management's beliefs, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Such statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated, projected or expected.
Air Midwest will shut down based on the following schedule:

Effective
May 23rd east coast operations serving:Lewisburg, WVDuBois, PAFranklin, PAAthens, GAEffective

May 31st west coast operations serving:Ely, NVMerced, CAVisalia, CAPrescott, AZKingman, AZFarmington, NMEffective

June 30th central operations serving:Columbia, MOJoplin, MOKirksville, MOGrand Island, NEMcCook, NELittle Rock AR

Reservations Tricks When Flying!!!

"BlkAv8tor Checking In!!!"

Hello All,

Despite the latest happenings, I thought I would bring up a few reservations trick for everyones, especially those who travel with children.



This all got started because of passengers in Canada who left there child in one city while they flew on ahead not realizing that the child was on board the aircraft. Now don't jump to the conclusion that they were bad parent or how could you forget a child. This one was was easy, when they left Canada it sounds like the didn't have a child and were going to pick the child up from another country. They were caught up in the moment of a new child being added to the family plus a multitude of problems with their flight being possibly missed. They were split up running between flights and split up once seated on the plane and never had a chance to talk once at the next departure flight.
So I figured I should put out some helpful tips and info that the airline probably won’t tell you. I know it’s long but it can be helpful when you fly with the family, kids, new spouse etc.


Ok, let’s say you’re planning a trip for the family and you have two kids and a husband and wife pair. This is an easy roundtrip and no connecting flights this round. (This is based on what you might find in today’s families.) You’re married and your spouse has a different last name than you. Here is what the airline will see. Since the adults have different last names even though the reservation system sees the names in the same reservation it will consider them (2) two separate parties. So why is this important? Do you want to sit with your wife (kids read below)??? (Guys don’t answer that one too fast) Usually in today’s day and age some women don’t usually change from their maiden name to their married name. So when the reservations system see’s this it will automatically seat you separately. Now the agent will go back in the check-in profile and change that to put you both together in seating. This is ok when the flights not real full but when it’s full this can be a headache for some people. If you have a good agent this will happen and you won’t even notice it in the time you’re standing there checking in. The trick is 1. Ladies change your maiden name to your married name if you if you think you’re going to travel. It’s usually it’s a trip down to DMV and it’s done. 2. Always keep each other in the same reservations if at all possible. Now if you’re coming from different airports and meeting up and traveling on further, this is not possible. The more you show individuality the more problems you may encounter, so travel as a family unit it will make things easier.

Now as far as the kids are concerned, the children should fly under whatever the family name is when it comes to what they’re reservations should be made under. (Carry some form of ID for your kids like passports or at least copies of birth certificates) Even if the mother’s children from a previous marriage they should fly under the new family surname. If you don’t, you take the chance of the children getting split from one or both parents when seating assignments are issued, like children under the age of 12 sitting in the Emergency Exit Row Seats and worst of all not everyone getting a seat assigned if the flight is in an oversell situation. Because of children I have seen a whole family to get bumped (Involuntarily Denied Boarding) and it’s usually late night, vacation trip or international travels which are the hardest to fix after the fact. Also I know it might be a pain to do but when you initially go to check-in for the flight (before you know exactly what the seat assignment are) bring the whole family up, not just the tickets that way the agent can see what type of passengers they will be seating. The agent will know to avoid the certain areas on the plane that are not conducive to children. There is another way to try to keep from catching a seating problem when making the reservation through an airline representative or travel agent.
Male or female children, 15 and younger get “MSTR” or “MISS” in front of their name when the reservation is made. This will tell the reservation system that this is a minor and to seat them with the assumed adult names listed in the reservation. The computer system will try to keep this group together.
Lap children (defined as a child less than 2 years of age) may travel sitting on your lap. If the flight is full your child is required to be in your lap the whole flight. Now if the flight is not full “after” the flight get’s going you may put your “Lap Child” in an open seat if one is available next to you. Carry some form of ID for your kids like passports or at least copies of birth certificates and if your child is larger than most 2 year olds prepared to be asked. Age and weight requirements do exist and the airline may charge you if the child is too big to sit on your lap even though they may be 2 years old or younger. Lastly when you check in for the flight with an agent at the airport you can ask for a boarding card for an infant or it say’s “INF”, this is not really for you but more for the agents working the flight that will now to look for an infant or lap child in there physical counts before the flight leave. If there is an emergency on board the aircraft or worse the airline can advise emergency officials that there was “X” number of infants or “INF”’s on board.

So these are a few tips to help you when you travel with the family, take what works for you and pass on anything that doesn’t apply. I think everyone can benefit from this in some way.

Have A Good Flight!!!

BlkAv8tor2003

Angry Flight Attendant Charged With Setting Fire in Airplane Bathroom

BlkAv8tor2003 Checkin' In!!!

Hello All,
I think it's safe to say the stresses of society is starting to get to people or somebody didn't think their choice of job selection through. As a former flight attendant, this is my take on this one. Fire his butt and whatever he get's as a punishment in court he deserves!!! When someone is hired to be a flight attendant the first day in training they tell you your going to miss parties, events, birthdays and major holidays until you gain some seniority. He must of been on some type of reserve status (on-call) and not a major line holder (set schedule). Don't think for a moment that when you have little or no seniority that your going to get the glamour trip at the start. Junior crew members sometimes get the "not so popular" trips. You have to be flexible and if you can't, then find another line of work. Now don't get me wrong but if you get creative as a junior flight attendant with your schedule bidding and the little ways to tweak your schedule you can do ok on reserve. Now people don't just become flight attendants because they went out drinkin' and then signed up. This is not the old movies of the days when guys get drunk and join the Army. It takes a certain type of person to become a flight attendant that makes a career at it and not just a "2 yr break from life job". He new what he was getting into before he was even in training! Eder your young, I think it was wrong of you to do this and put other peoples lives at risk. Calling in sick or quitting didn't cross your mind but burning or crashing the plane did??? Oh, the benefits are too good to quit, that's usually the case when some flight attendants problems off the plane carry over on board the plane. This can be perceived as a terrorist move of sorts but I don't think it will become an issue.
My friends this is why I say if your crew members are not happy when they get to you or they're having a bad day your going to possibly feel the after effects. Not all of them are this way but remember we are all human.
Well I could go on and on about this one so I will cut it here!
Have A Good Flight!!!
BlkAv8tor2003


FARGO, N.D. — A flight attendant angry about his work route set a fire in an airplane bathroom, forcing an emergency landing, authorities said.
The Compass Airlines flight carrying 72 passengers and four crew members landed safely in Fargo on May 7 after smoke filled the back. No injuries were reported. The plane was flying from Minneapolis to Regina, Saskatchewan, authorities said.
Eder Rojas, 19, appeared in court Thursday, following his arrest a day earlier in Minneapolis, and ordered held without bail, prosecutors said. The charge of setting fire aboard a civil aircraft carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
His public defender did not return a phone call seeking comment. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lynn Jordheim, who is prosecuting the case in Fargo, would not comment.
Court documents said Rojas, of the Twin Cities suburb of Woodbury, told authorities he was upset at the airline for making him work the route.

"Rojas further stated that he was preparing his cart to serve the passengers, he set the cart up, went back to the lavatory and reached in with his right hand and lit the paper towels with the lighter," court documents said.
Pilot Steve Peterka told authorities that an indicator light came on about 35 minutes into the flight, showing smoke in the rear bathroom.
Peterka called Rojas, who was assigned passengers in the back of the plane, and asked him to check the bathroom, documents said. Rojas, another flight attendant and a passenger were credited with quickly putting out the flames with fire extinguishers, authorities said.
Investigators later found a lighter in one of the overhead bins. Rojas confessed after authorities interviewed him, the complaint said.
Compass is a subsidiary of Northwest Airlines, based in Eagan, Minn. Rojas has been fired, said Northwest spokesman Rob Laughlin. Northwest did not say how long Rojas worked for the airline.

FBI agent Ralph Boelter said Compass Airlines officials showed "extraordinary cooperation" in the investigation.

Thanks Yahoo News