Orange Juice Terrorist

Terror strikes the skies again! The sinister culprit of this terroristic plot: John Reid. The name sends shivers down your spine it is so diabolic. For those of you weak of heart, you may not want to continue reading. The following are the alleged acts of Mr. Reid’s fateful flight on American Airlines that day.

An ordinary looking man, one Mr. John Reid, boards his flight and takes a seat with the other first class passengers. He blends in perfectly; no one on board would assume the hot irrational behavior housed in his demented mind by just looking at him. After a quiet take off (too quiet) things are put into motion.

Mr. Reid begins struggling with his tray table, the nerves of what he is about to do begins to show transparent, as he wrestles with the simple device. It is obvious he is a mess and his state of mind is to blame, since no piece of airline equipment is ever faulty, raggedy, or non-functional. After he finally has his tray table into position is demeanor quickly resumes to that of calm, cool, and calculating as he waits for his moment.

The Flight Attendant and hero of this sickening tale is Helen. Helen came over to serve breakfast to the passengers as is customary but, as she did so she could tell right away that something was amiss with John Reid . . . something didn’t “feel” right. In an attempt to show him that she was “on” to him and whatever he was up to, she dropped his breakfast tray hard onto the tray table. Unnerved by the act and knowing he had to act now, he sprung his designs into action. He asked if he could have a glass of orange juice! ORANGE JUICE only the most dangerous of the dangerous terrorists would ask for this evil drink with a First Class breakfast.

“This must be your first time in first class,” she allegedly said. Perhaps she could still stop him and gain the upper hand with this retort. It worked, dumbfounded by her cunning Mr. Reid could only stammer out some reply as to the effect that she was being “very condescending.” As her adrenaline began to pump she reacted quickly attempting to rally support from the other passengers.

She found no support and became panicked, the realization sunk in that this was far larger a plot than she had originally surmised. The whole first class cabin, and perhaps many more must be a part of this Orange Juice Terrorist Cell. Again not to be defeated, Helen put her training to use and went to the captain of the flight and got a written letter stating Mr. Reid may have violated federal law for “threatening, intimidating, or interfering with a crew member.” The day was saved and the actions of this heroic flight attendant are under investigation by the airline.

Okay, like I said these are the alleged incidents of that day. What is actually known is that Mr. Reid, who we are pretty sure is no terrorist, did have some problems with his tray table and did ask for a glass of orange juice. The flight attendant made a snarky remark and there was a verbal exchange between the two. The flight attendant attempted to get passengers to corroborate her version of events, which none would.

She did get a letter from the captain stating that Mr. Reid was possibly “threatening, intimidating, or interfering with a crew member.” and that he could face federal charges. Upon landing the passengers in first class all took time to back up Mr. Reid’s version of events. He has since then received and apology from American Airlines, as have the other passengers who witnessed the event.

Whether the Flight Attendant was just having a bad day, or was not very suited for a position dealing with customers face to face, is up for speculation. The fact that you can be threatened for committing acts of terrorism by asking for a glass of orange juice is ridiculous. Can’t wait for the made for TV movie adaptation of these events. If you are making one let me know I have great script for you (see above). That’s all for today folks . . . I think I’ll go have a glass of apple juice now. Yes, nice un-terroristic good old safe apple juice.

www.CaptainNowhere.com

Tags: airline, american airlines, captain, first class, first class passengers, flight, Flight Attendant, Helen, John Reid, Orange Juice, passengers, skies, Terror, Terrorist, tray table

Delta/JAL Deal or no Deal?

Delta Airlines CEO Richard Anderson, wants to have Japan Airlines as part of it’s SkyTeam Alliance. JAL (Japan Airlines) is currently in a marketing alliance with American Airlines. Anderson of Delta believes that an alliance between Delta and JAL would mutually benefit from such an arrangement and that Delta has a stronger potential  for JAL’s future than American.

Currently Delta flies roughly 7,500 passengers daily from the US to Japan. American/JAL only carry less than 1,400 on a daily basis. Delta Airlines is also offering one billion in financial support to JAL during it’s restructuring.  If Japan Airlines were to become a member of SkyTeam Delta could book passengers on JAL flights and in turn, JAL could book passengers on Delta flights. This would help strengthen consumer loyalties and allow the airlines to share in the revenue generated.

Antitrust could be more difficult to get approved with a Delta/JAL alliance than with a similar scenario with American Airlines. However, Richard Anderson doesn’t not believe this will even be an issue. Anderson recently said, “The DOT has approved every antitrust immunity it’s received,” showing his confidence in the ability to move forward in the negotiations.

American Airlines also believes it has a lot to offer JAL, with potentially less headache than a deal with Delta. They call there offer “superior in every way.”

Who will JAL take to the dance? Really it is possible for it to go either way at this moment. The courting of two major airlines heralds a bright future for JAL as it undergoes restructuring. We will keep you updated as more details become available.

www.CaptainNowhere.com

Tags: airline, american airlines, Antitrust, antitrust immunity, CEO Richard Anderson, Delta Airlines, DOT, flies, flights, JAL, Japan Airlines, negotiations, passengers, SkyTeam Alliance

More Baggage Fees, Now on International Flights

Passengers have had to accept the fact that baggage fees are now a part of domestic flight. Passengers have grumbled and complained but, they continue to fly. Soon you can expect to pay for checking bags on international flights. International flights have remained exempt from baggage fees until just recently. American Airlines will start charging $50 for a second bag to India and most European destinations. They are not alone Delta and other airlines will begin charging for the second bag on international flights as well. Unless these fees have an adverse affect on the numbers flying, they will continue to charge them and as statistics have shown passengers will keep paying them.

Don’t expect them  to go away and just become a bad dream. Even if the economy turns around and fuel prices drop airlines will keep these fees I suspect. When the charges bring in $560 million a year and it is an established policy they won’t soon be giving them up. Airlines do tend to exempt those who pay for a full fare ticket and their elite member passengers but, the rest of us are stuck with them.

www.captainnowhere.com

Tags: airline, american airlines, bag fees, baggage allowance, charges, delta, flight, international bags, international flight, passengers