PS: Oh, and what would the new IATA code be? MLK? Well, that code is already taken, by someplace in Montana. And also, well, MLK, just don’t go there, girlfriend. If you wanted to say something like “SFO, An International Airport from Harvey Milk” or something like that, the damage would be lessened.
All right, now back to Uber. I think they’re legal now. Good for them!
(But Virgin, please don’t let San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee find out about the whole “Silicon Valley’s Airline” thing – you know, he’s having a bad year.)
“Virgin America Hitches A Ride With Uber: First-ever Uber Frequent Flyer Partnership Offers A Seamless, Connected Travel Experience From Ride To Roll - Silicon Valley’s Airline Offers Elevate® Frequent Flyer Benefits to New Uber Users
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept.12, 2012 — Virgin America, the award-winning California-based airline, announces today that it has partnered with Uber, the company revolutionizing personal transportation, to offer Virgin America’s Elevate® frequent flyer program members the ability to earn Elevate points when they complete their first ride with Uber. As of today, Elevate frequent flyer members who are new to Uber can sign-up (on the Uber website or through the Uber app) with their Elevate membership number and will be awarded 800 Elevate reward points upon completion of their first Uber ride. To celebrate the partnership, as of today, Virgin America and Uber will also be giving one winner a week a free domestic roundtrip on Virgin America and $500 in Uber ride credits until October 2, 2012. More information on the “Ride with Us, Roll with Uber” sweepstakes*, official rules and other details are available at: http://vgn.am/VXuber
“As two companies known for looking at ways to improve and reinvent the travel experience, we’re pleased to partner with Uber to offer travelers a new option for ground travel that fits their busy, connected lifestyles,” said Luanne Calvert, Vice President of Marketing at Virgin America. ”Our new partnership with Uber provides our frequent flyers with a more connected, seamless travel experience – from the air to the ground.”
The latest partnership with Uber offers Virgin America’s tech-forward guests more options for ground travel during their business trip or leisure getaway. Uber harnesses the latest technology to provide an innovative on-demand car service that is unique in the marketplace. Since its launch in 2007, Virgin America has grown a passionate following of flyers for its topnotch guest service and unique amenities. The airline’s Elevate frequent flyer program was among the first U.S. loyalty programs to offer dynamic reward pricing – with the ability for guests to redeem reward points for any unsold seat – on any flight, at any time. Earlier this summer, Virgin America announced a suite of enhancements to its Elevate program – including new Elevate Gold and Elevate Silver status levels with a host of traveler perks and enhanced social rewards for virtual check-ins. Elevate program details can be viewed on the airline’s website at: www.virginamerica.com/elevate“
When I was as young as you, Gentle Reader, Boeings and Airbuses and McDonnell Douglases and Lockheeds would fall out of the sky all the time. Engines would fall off, planes would crash into each other, terrorists would hijack and whatnot, but the past decade there’s been nothing.
Oh, I know what you’re thinking, but that was a propeller plane, not a jet.
Oh, I know what you’re thinking, but that was a little jet, one of them tiny corporate jets, or a “regional” jet, not a “big jet plane.”
Oh, I know what you’re thinking, but that was a airport worker what got killed, not a passenger.
Oh, I know what you’re thinking, but that was a flight leaving Brazil, not a flight leaving or coming to America.
Oh, I know what you’re thinking, but that was an accident what occurred before 2002.
A remarkable record, IMO.
But even so, “JetBlue Airways and KaBOOM!” probably shouldn’t be so close together on the same press release.
Took my chances on a big jet plane Never let them tell you that they’re all the same.
Yesterday, owing to the unusual winds what blew away* the fog, I saw jumbo jets above S.F. in places where I normally don’t, but I couldn’t really hear them. (I guess jets have gotten a lot quieter these days.)
Like this low-flying United Air 747-400 near the Ferry Building – you could hardly hear it:
There I was monitoring recent Zeppelin activity over the 415 and what do I see but an old-school Allegiant Air McDonnell Douglas DC9 / MD80 / MD85 / MD90 / whatever flying out of OAK.
See?
Click to expand
You can buy a used jetliners with ancient low-bypass engines for as cheap as $4,000,000 and then start up an airline? Did not know that.
The last day passengers died was November 12th, 2001 on American Airlines Flight 587.
Of course, we’ve had some close calls since then, like with that shoe bomber guy or with Sully Sullenberger and his famous water landing.
Military flights, well that’s a different story. Capt. Christopher Stricklin punches out (and lives to tell the tale) 200 feet above Idaho:
Click to expand
(And this no-deaths record doesn’t include smaller aircraft like regional jets or turboprops or private airplanes.)
Needless to say, this streak of good luck hasn’t happened before. Back in the day, back in the 1960′s, 1970′s, 1980′s and 1990′s, people would die on big jets all the time.
So, take a vacay from your Sunday Punch routine and get out there – let’s hope that B25J will be on hand this year. (Don’t Mess With Texas, or Tennessee, or, well, just don’t mess with 12 machine guns when they’re all firing together.)
See you there!
All the deets:
“Here’s a sneak preview of just some of our 2011 Air Show performers:
Opening ceremony with local Police and Fire Departments commemorating the 10th Anniversary of September 11, 2001
Advance preview of the 9/11 “First Responder” F-15 Eagle aircraft, the first aircraft to arrive over the World Trade Center on 9/11
Famed Air Show Announcer Danny Clisham: Known for fresh, lively, knowledge-based commentary, Danny is one of America’s most popular air show announcers. In the course of his career, he has entertained millions of attendees at air shows throughout North America. He repeatedly puts on performances that thrill audiences and keep them coming back year after year.
Many fantastic static display aircraft
Fabulous Classic Car Show
Huge “Kids World” with great activities for families and children
