+1
Ironic that people are using the Internet to criticize government programs.

People really think that without R&D through the NIH the US drug companies would deliver quality health care products. Oh wait, avoid the H1N1 vaccine, it's a conspiracy. Perhaps more spending on education is needed.

By the way, there wasn't a single mention of taxes in the article.

Well, actually no. The Allies defeated the Nazis. :rolleyes::rolleyes:

And yeah, I just love the efficiency and customer friendly service of the USPS. :D:D

You're citing as the "last time the federal government got involved in something and things got better" something that happened almost 65 years ago? Kind of supports jgxtrav1's argument, I'd say. :p

Yep. KFC's. I was a General for the last couple of years, but I won't make it this year. I'm hoping for a soft landing to Colonel come March.

It really males me laugh out loud reading this on FT...
Are we talking about the same persons that do use mistake rates to accumulate tons of miles?
Are we talking about the same people signing up for a credit card just t cancel it after getting the bonus miles every other month?

FF programs are what most Americans deserve and we (as European) are paying the free tickets for them in the first place. Higher taxes, higher base fares, lower miles earning schemes and so on

sorry for the rant
maclover

Q: Where's the most dangerous place to be in Washington?

A: Between Chuck Schumer and a microphone. ;)

Miles DON'T evaporate without notice. Check your account and it tells you how long until the miles expire. Are they supposed to make a personal phone call every month to let you know how many months you have left?

My only experience is with AA and their availability but I've not had to much trouble getting free flights. If you want to go at a peak time, then yes, you'll have trouble, just as you'll have to pay more $$ at a peak time. If you want to spend more miles then you can get any seat at any time.

And as far as I know, there is no charge to redeem miles. Just the usual security fees.

Apparently yes, in today's era of zero personal responsibility.

I see this less as a case of zero personal responsibilty and more of a case of difficult to understand contracts that contain confusing terms that make no sense to most people without a law degree.

Furthermore, there are enough people who don't know that they can access their account online or who fly so infrequently that they probably only log in once a year for whom there needs to be better notice. Either a mandatory letter warning of expiration 2 or 3 months prior or a phone call. Simple, really.

Hmm, sure sounds like an example of zero personal responsibility to me.

Parts of Yosemite National Park *WERE* historically logged over.... And I doubt seriously you could tell the difference between old growth and 2nd growth areas w/o a biologist on hand. The only logging in Yosemite Valley was for timbers that built some of the oldest structures in the valley....because there is no cost effective way to get that timber from the valley to any market. Nobody clear-cuts with some profit motive, bopper.

I don't see how Schumer / Government can have a say on this.

1. You don't 'pay' for the miles. It's kinda like icing on the cake. Regardless how we feel we're entitled to upgrades, bonus, no expiration....etc, miles are given to us by airline companies. And like pension, they can just take it away.

2. There are warnings about expiration.

3. Awards are very hard to come by. Yes, we all know that. Hence FT's existence. If redemption is so easy, airline will be out of business. What do you think the gov't can do about this? Forcing certain # of seats per flights?

"They are?" "health plan"? You should have just left your politics at the door.

Crafting award strategies is but a teeny tiny fraction of FT's raison d'être.

Sen. Schumer
Please stay away.
Is there a Senator out there who would say, "It is not my responsibility to do anything about this. Wait, I know, I will hold a hearing"