Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Gas Prices Are Too High For Diddy's Private Jet

In what must be the most outrageous and surprisingly event in the timeline of high-gas prices, Diddy has revealed in his most recent video blog that he is stuck riding the commercial airlines.

Mr. Bad Boy Records himself can no longer afford to fly his own private jet from New York to LA more than twice a month.

Prepare to be overcome with sympathy: [He drops a few F-bombs, so I will deem this NSFW]


Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Will Jet Blue Start Charging For Everything?

Since Jet Blue had decided to charge us for everything we touch on the plane I figured I would put together an advance list of things I expect to be charged for soon.  I guarantee one of these will actually become true

 

 "We Won't Lose Your Bag" Insurance $15

"We Won't Damage Your Bag" Insurance (presently not offered)

Carry on Bag Storage $10

Pressing of Button to Recline Chair ........$1

Overhead Fresh Air   $1 an hour or $5 for entire flight

Drinks........Free

Disposal Service for Drink Cups $5 ($15 Fine for those who don't use Disposal Service)

Bathroom Usage

Number 1......$3

Number 2......$5

Toilet Paper $.50 cents a sheet

Bathroom VIP .........$50 (allows you to cut in line, free toilet paper, free 1 and 2) Mile High $10 extra

Rental of Bathroom for "Mile High Club" achievement.....$40 (10 minute Max)

Crabby Flight Attendant ........Complementary

 

Photo credit

 

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Double Your Pleasure, Double Your Checked Bag Fees

That second checked bag better be full of $100 bills or at least cocaine, because you're gonna need it with these new extra fees announced today.

Less than 3 months after introducing the first extra fees for a second checked bag, Delta airlines has resorted to doubling said fee. It will now cost you at least $50 to bring that second bag with you.

But oh no, that's not all. Check out some of these other significant increases:

Monday, July 28, 2008

Ryanair Warns of Losses, Where’s the BJ Proposal Now?

ryanair, babes, hottiesRyanair is the Irish airline that brings new meaning to the term 'discount travel'. The low fares you get with these guys would even give JetBlue blue balls (whatever that means?). But even these notorious price slasher are experiencing the decline in consumer air travel and the rise in fuel costs.

Ryanair may only charge you 20 bucks for a flight from Dublin to Paris, but you'll certainly pay for it. For one, there is no assigned seating, so be prepared to make a mad dash across the airport tarmac for a decent seat once the gate is opened. Secondly, don't even mention the word complimentary. No snacks, no pillows, no blankets. But the system works.

Especially in Europe, where traveling between nations is as carefree and frequent as American interstate highway travel, this airline is embraced by all. It looks like they even cut the frills out of their website, which looks like it was designed by a 12-year-old with ADD.

Despite announcing a potential 60 million euro ($94.41 million) loss this week, the company refuses to institute oil surcharges or cutback on any flight routes. Shares of Ryanair stock also dropped 22% upon the announcement.

Laughing in the face of all the Ryanair positive spin, one analyst has told the company to basically 'get real.' According to a BBC News report:

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

See An Oil Bubble, Buy 'SpiceJet'

Wilbur Ross has made his fortunes making ballsy contrarian investment choices.

Back in the day, he bought a steel company in the US when no one else would and eventually sold it for twice his purchase price. He bought a Japanese bank in the year 2000 after it had some problems and sold it for a profit. And recently he's been buying up some major financial organization in the US, while they are reeling from the credit crisis and sub-prime loan meltdown.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Bernanke Hollers A Little Pessimism Up In Here

Ben Bernanke was cornered into admitting some unpleasant truths today.

In Washington at the Senate Banking Committee, our bearded Federal Reserve Chairdude said the economy will continue to 'weaken' and things will stay sluggish for consumers.

Most notably, Bernanke seemed to address the recent airlines bid to blame oil speculators for the rising costs. The 12 CEOs of the country's major airlines banded together last week and wrote this stern letter.

The 'Nanke was having none of it. According to a New York Times report on his speech, it's a simple supply problem:

In his testimony, he was especially pessimistic about any easing of energy prices, dismissing suggestions that they were being driven by speculation in futures markets. Instead, he said high energy costs reflected the markets’ recognition that demand was outstripping supplies.