AIRLINE SECURITY - IS IT STILL AN OXYMORON?
American Airlines is in a little dustup after a couple U.S. air marshals got shoddy treatment when trying to secure seats near the cockpit. But you have to read both stories in USA Today to get the full picture. It sounds like the Marshals showed up late and had mistakenly booked themselves into coach. American didn't want to bump anyone from first class and attitude ensued. The American employee said the airline "was growing tired of air marshals taking high-revenue seats," according to the memo obtained by USA Today. The airline denies it, of course. (Thanks to Ed Mazza for flagging the stories.)

There's always more airline news:

The year-end deadline to screen all checked bags probably will be missed.

A pair of scissors in a trash bin shut down a Connecticut airport.

The Wall Street Journal's airline columnist reports (subscription required) that Southwest Airlines and other low-cost carriers are finally making headway in edging out the big guys who hoard gate space merely to discourage competition. Now, airports are less likely to be captive to long-term gate leases.

United Airlines mechanics approved a new contract, avoiding a strike that could have crippled the airline.
- posted by Amy @ 3/06/2002 11:59:00 AM