Quick Reference Guide?

On the flight back last Thursday, I sat in the front row of a smaller plane. From my vantage point, I could see into the cockpit as the pilot and co-pilot were doing their pre-gaming pre-flight procedures.

What caught my attention was the red binder that is partially covered by one of the pilot's arm. That red book was about 4 inches thick and had the words "Quick Reference Guide" on the cover.

It was easily accessible, so it led me to believe that in times of an emergency, the pilots might grab it for help. Is something that large really going to help when a plane is going down? What inch of documentation might have the answer?

Look in the table of contents, you might say. I would bet for a book that is 4 inches thick, the table of contents is at least one quarter of an inch. So, then the pilots waste all their time looking through the table of contents.

So, my point is, don't try to convince me that in the event of an emergency "the bag will not inflate but oxygen is flowing to the mask". We all know everyone is getting high on oxygen while the pilots laugh about how useless thick their "cheat sheet" is. That's probably the first thing they throw out the window as the plane is going down....

United wants you to pay to get your luggage quicker...

Because I travel every week, I feel the need to highlight the latest comments from the CEO of United Airlines.

His new 5-year plan includes the following:

• Invest $4 billion in information systems
  
• Investigate divesting into separate businesses
  
  • $750 million cargo business
    
  • $800 frequent flier program (Mileage Plus)
    
• Exploring merger opportunities
  
• Offer extra services
  
  • Curbside to curbside baggage service
    
  • Fees to check a second bag
    
  • "Renting" elite perks for the day
    
  • Fees for economy passengers to ensure their luggage is first off the plane
    

WHAT IS THAT NONSENSE?

I have silver status on Air France (due to international travel), but other than that, I am far away from being able to not pay for changing flights on Delta or getting upgraded on American or these potentially new charges on United to have my bags get their quicker.

Thankfully, I don't check a bag when traveling for business. But, for non-business travel, these new a la carte fees would suck. As if United isn't charging enough for the tickets, you would have to pay more so you can hang out at the airport less?

I'm glad I use my US Airways frequent flier number when I fly United....