Happy Holidays 2015 From Jess Peterson

Wishing everyone a very Merry whatever it is you celebrate.

This is a fun Sainsbury's Christmas 2015 ad that depicts what this season is all about:  Sharing.

Enjoy and may Santa be good to you this year.

Canada's WestJet Surprises Passengers For Christmas

Passengers on one flight headed to Mount Hope, Ontario, were asked by a virtual Santa-as they were checking in- what they wanted for Christmas. Kids and adults alike asked for everything from socks and underwear to a big TV. When they arrived at their destination, they were surprised with everything they had wanted.

Yes, this is an ad, and a marketing ploy, but what a great one.

Airlines Could Ban Carry-On Baggage Due To Terror Threat Over Christmas

Due to a viable threat by Islamic terrorists to blow up 5 Europe-bound passenger planes over Christmas time, there is talk that carry-on baggage and/or electronic devices in the cabin might be banned during that time period.

NPR's Dina Temple-Raston writes, "One remedy under consideration is to ban all carry-on baggage, though there is some question as to whether airlines would push back against such a draconian provision." To be sure, it is highly unlikely we would see a full ban on carry-on luggage across the U.S. around the holidays. The logistics of this kind of action would be very tough to see through in a short amount of time, especially on full flights during the busy Christmas travel week. So don't get distressed about your holiday travel plans just yet.

This might not happen, but if it does, all those I-pads, cell phones, cameras, laptops etc will have to be placed in checked luggage. All those thieves in TSA and baggage handling will be very happy.

More here.

Scrooge Spirit Airlines To Raise Baggage Fees For Holidays

Spirit Airlines is an airline I refuse to travel with ever since they started charging for carry-on AND checked baggage.  They are the only company that charges for carry on luggage, as far as I know, and now they have decided to tack on an extra fee for travel during the upcoming holiday season.

If you travel Spirit from December 18th through January 5th, you can expect to pay an additional $2.00 per bag for checked baggage. That's each way. Above and beyond your carry-on baggage fee and the checked baggage fees.

This is what they had to say about the temporary increase:

"Winter is coming and that means holidays, which means more people than ever will be traveling with Spirit to visit their loved ones. To make sure we have room for everyone's bags, we're encouraging customers to pack a bit lighter."

The cheapest options you have  are if you happen to be a $9.00 Fare Club member and you book and pay on-line, before online check-in, for tickets purchased after December 31st..

$26.00 for one carry-on bag
$21.00 for first checked bag
$31.00 for second checked bag
$76.00 for the third, fourth and fifth checked bag. Each.

You will pay the most if you check them at the gate. A whopping $100.00 per bag.

Here's the list of prices that vary depending on when you purchase your bags, be it on-line, or at the reservation center.

Bah Humbug.

Source: CS Monitor

Nickel and Diming Us To Death- Mad TV Airline Safety Video

Although this an oldie from 2007, the video produced by MAD TV is still relevant today.  Airlines are still nickel and diming us to death.

Airbus To Patent Bicycle Seats For Airlines

Think that air travel couldn't get any worse than it already is, what with being packed onto airlines like sardines? Well, the people who manufacture the Airbus are contemplating doing just that.  They have applied for a patent in Europe that would have you sitting on a bicycle seat.  No joke.

Imagine traveling from N.Y. to  Beijing seated on one of these things.

I have no clue why they would even think this a viable option for travel, but it's seen as a way to

..cut down on bulk, which in turn allows for more sardined passengers and ostensibly, more money.


“In effect, to increase the number of cabin seats, the space allotted to each passenger must be reduced,” the patent application states.

Not that they're really serious about trying to get these on planes.  Not really. They're just protecting their posteriors.

“Many, if not most, of these concepts will never be developed, but in case the future of commercial aviation makes one of our patents relevant, our work is protected,” an Airbus spokeswoman explained. “Right now these patent filings are simply conceptual.”

As if anyone would want to steal that idea. Oh wait, maybe Spirit Airlines would.


Source: Consumerist

Southwest Flight Attendant Turns Safety Announcement Into Comedy Routine

Southwest is one of the best airlines to fly- some of the lowest baggage fees, and then you've got the uber friendly flight attendants. On this particular flight to Salt Lake City, Utah, the passengers were treated to a very funny safety announcement by Martha "Marty" Cobb.

A great way to get people to listen to those boring, routine safety instructions that most well-traveled individuals tune out.


More on the story and Marty.