Air Travel. Top Of Mind Thoughts.

We Need A Bit More of Alfredo Rivera.

• In last week’s post I mentioned my surprise at the number of airport and in-air incidents as we return to air travel. I took a look at the FAA website and found data that is really concerning: Just in the last week there were over one hundred incidents on planes, which brings the overall year-to-date total to 3,509. While I thought that passengers would just be thankful that air travel is once again a transportation option, it seems that there are a few issues fueling the fire:

• Fewer frequent travelers on board – with business travel down, the level of inexperienced air travelers has increased leading to many misunderstandings, from TSA security checks to onboarding procedures, including the ‘norms’ of air travel rules and regulations.
• Inconsistent and changing mask rules – this is self-explanatory but reality tells me that if a private enterprise/business requires you to wear a mask on board, you wear a mask on board or choose to not fly.
• Pandemic fatigue – there is no doubt that all of us are completely over the issues, concerns, and endgame of the pandemic. Count me in as “fatigued” and with the onslaught of the Delta Variant there is no end in sight.
• Violence – incidents of violent behavior are increasing and airlines are part of society and part of this trend. Sad, but true.

Last week’s incident aboard a Frontier Airlines flight brought all of these issues to the forefront. Drunk and belligerent, a passenger’s behavior crossed the line in so many ways. Possible charges for this moron will hopefully include a short stint in prison. Alfredo Rivera’s performance in the video below is Academy award material, but the reasons he had to interfere and marginalize this jerk are very concerning.

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• Four Thoughts As We Head Into The Middle Of August.

1. Another reason for the number of onboard incidents is the quick increase in passenger counts over the last few months. With that said, that fact does not give Spirit Airlines a pass with their lack of planning and forecasting. I do not like the phrase ‘you get what you pay for’ but in this case the cliché holds true.
2. There is new ownership controlling the National Women’s Soccer League’s Orlando Pride and Major League Soccer’s Orlando City. The Wilf family, who made their mark with commercial real estate, have a vested interest in professional sports having owned the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings for last seventeen years. Here is to the Wilf family leading the charge providing both the Orlando Pride and Orlando City the resources to be top-of-class in both leagues. The Pride has already taken a big step replacing their former head coach with Becky Burleigh, one of the most successful women’s soccer coaches of all time. During Burleigh’s 26-year career at the University of Florida, she won 14 SEC regular-season titles, had 12 SEC tournament wins, 22 NCAA Tournament appearances, one national title with a total of more than 500 victories. Hopefully, the Pride can hold onto Burleigh for a while as there is no doubt that Kate Markgraf and the U.S. Women’s National Team will be ringing Burleigh’s mobile phone soon.
3. There must be a way. A way forward with fire prevention, especially in the foothills of California. The ongoing “Dixie Fire,” named after the road where it started, has burned 438,339 acres, with only 21 percent containment. There has never been a better time for Smokey Bear to remind everyone that “Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires.”
4. Just when you think 91-year-old Clint Eastwood has finally completed an incredible career as an actor, director and producer, along comes his latest, which from the trailer, looks like a great film. Eastwood’s list of honors and awards are staggering: five Academy Awards, five Golden Globe Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award and five People’s Choice Awards. Will we ever forget his iconic lines “Make My Day” and “Get Off My Lawn?” At the end of this trailer, Eastwood again has come up with another gem. 🙂

Adios, pay it forward, be safe, and have a Funday Sunday!