Whoa there partner! As stated above if you are European you need to pay for a ESTA visa waiver to enter the USA. 21 dollars. My Hungarian daughter in law almost was denied boarding because of a screw up in the ESTA visa system. You may decide not to vacation in Europe because of this new requirement but the same thing can be said for Europeans traveling here. Right or wrong this is what governments are doing on both sides of the Atlantic and Pacific and one can choose to travel or stay local.

(Written on 07/28/2023)(Permalink)

I am not surprised. Most Europeans need to apply for an ESTA visa waiver before entering the US. Pretty cheap at 7 bucks for 2 years.

(Written on 07/25/2023)(Permalink)

I would need to see the fine print. If full retirement is still at 65 and one has the option to work until 67 if so desired then that is fine and may be a benefit to help younger pilots train. I retired from my partnership at 65 but I am still working at 67 this year because I enjoy it not because I have to and my tenure helps the younger less experienced surgeons gain skills.

(Written on 06/17/2023)(Permalink)

SFO is my home airport and my impression is that layout of paired intersecting runways makes this a very difficult configuration to manage. Arrivals only on 28L and R. Departures on 28L and R and crossing runway 01L and R, no landings. Heavy aircraft only depart on 28L and R as they are the 2 longer runways. Cloudy weather affects parallel landings on 28 R and L. It is a real acrobatic feat to keep aircraft arriving and departing here. When departing I am always amazed at the timing especially when crossing the 28 runways on takeoff and seeing arriving flights not too far away on final approach. It is a difficult ATC job.

(Written on 06/09/2023)(Permalink)

I generally do not recline my seat. To go back 2 inches isn't making me more comfortable although maybe some benefit on a trans Atlantic flight. Problem solved for some carriers by having seats that don't recline.

(Written on 05/31/2023)(Permalink)

I am sorry they are not flying the 380 from SFO to FRA. I really enjoyed the 380 pre pandemic. That said, we just flew on the 747-8 to FRA upper deck business and it was like flying on a private jet so I am fine flying the Boeing.

(Written on 05/19/2023)(Permalink)

I guess I would need to understand the efficiency data of whether a a larger plane makes better economic sense or not. Is it actually cheaper to fill a 777 to run once every 3 hours vs. flying a 737 once an hour? Someone obviously knows the revenue per seat to determine the cost benefit when factoring in crew and fuel costs.

(Written on 05/10/2023)(Permalink)

And that's why you are never going to see a single pilot on the flight deck on commercial flights.

(Written on 03/23/2023)(Permalink)

Similar experience listening on channel 9 for me as well. Landing in Denver close to touch down as we were over one of the parking lots, Tower issued a go around due to a vehicle on the runway. A couple of seconds later up we went freaking out the passenger next to me so I had to explain to him what happened before the captain came on the intercom for the explanation.

(Written on 03/14/2023)(Permalink)

We fly Lufthansa 3-4 times a year from SFO to FRA or MUC. I actually like the old business seats since I like a window and my wife likes the aisle. The newer configurations here and on other carriers eliminates the ability to sit next to each other unless we sit in the center seats. Otherwise I like premium economy if not planning on sleeping as the seats are 2 on the side and are like domestic business seats. I will be interested to see the new premium economy seats.

(Written on 03/10/2023)(Permalink)