Where’s that darned car lot?

by | Dec 23, 2009

What’s most important about renting a car? It’s not rate, size of car, or even courtesy. It’s being able to return the car when you’re done with it. So when I went to Advantage Rent A Car in San Diego, an off-airport rental lot in a somewhat out-of-the-way location,...

Making sure you can hear the safety briefing

by | Nov 25, 2009

Here’s an odd one: On my recent US Airways flight into Washington National, I couldn’t hear the safety briefing. Why? Because a guy three rows behind me was talking loudly, non-stop, during the briefing. He was in a pilot’s uniform. A first officer. And he...

The “Three Ps” of getting your airline refund

by | Aug 6, 2009

It took about eight months and two threats to go to small claims court, but I finally got Delta Airlines to cough up the $800 the company owed me. Which brings me to the three “P’s” of getting what you’re supposed to: — Persistence — Patience, and being a — Pain in...

Stupid airline trick no. 462: “Well, sir, those are the rules.”

by | Aug 4, 2009

Everyone has his or her favorite “stupid airline trick.” There are so many, it’s tough to keep track. Here’s my latest — not necessarily my favorite. I’m booked on a 5 p.m. US Airways shuttle flight from LaGuardia to Washington National, connecting back home to...