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Airlines and Standards
JP-FractalTwo observations as I sit on the JFK tarmac waiting for my Virgin America to take off.
(Point of Order … this link originally pointed to Virgin America … and now - today on September 19th, 2018 - I have updated it to point to Alaska Air. Because Virgin America was bought by Alaska Air - and today they sent me an email. I specifically kept the Virgin America reference - because it was a Virgin America flight I was writing about - that said - Alaska Air are another airline I keep in the ‘very good’ category - I never fly Delta if I can help it.)
The first centers around weather sophistication. Here on Virgin we are taking off just 4 hours and Thirty minutes after the advertised time - apparently ‘due to bad weather in SFO’. A phone call ahead told me that there had indeed been rain falling in the early hours of the day - but not now - and likely not in the 5 or so hours that will pass before we land. So what’s that about ?
The case becomes even curiouser when we learn that Delta flights were taking off to SFO with no more than an hour delay … So next time you go in your holidays - choose Delta over Virgin. I don’t know how they do it - but apparently, they get better weather at the same destination!
Meanwhile - continuing the standards theme … I have oft’ lamented that if the world can’t agree on what electric plug to use - or what side of the road to drive on - what chance do we have on computerized standards.
After an experience a year ago with electronic boarding passes - my bar code got me through the airline gate - but not TSA - so I had to start again … Today I am delighted to report that my electronic pass worked throughout.
But do you hand your device to the inspector - or keep hold of it - and either way is it face up or face down — standards are yet to emerge apparently - even in the single airport of JFK.
Talking of which to arrive in JFK - from SFO - shoes, belts etc stayed on - computers stayed in bags. On my return - belts, shoes, and pockets were emptied. Computer out of bag - but you were ok to leave ‘devices’ in the bag. Duly followed all instructions - and my bag was consequently held up as they hand inspected it - apparently, a Kindle PLUS iPad caused machine confusion.
Cest La Vie !