TSA Trusted Traveler Program: Finally, Something the TSA does RIGHT

I'm not usually a big fan of the TSA. In fact, quite the opposite. As a heavy business (and leisure!) traveler, I've found many of the TSA's tactics silly or simply pure theater over the years.

However, today, upon leaving Las Vegas, I got sent to the Trusted Traveler line after the agent up front scanned my boarding pass. I'm an Elite flyer with both Delta and American, the two pilot airlines for the program but hadn't yet seen anything special. The last place I expected anything was certainly Las Vegas.

But, get this! First, there was NO line. Next, I didnt take off my shoes. Really. I didnt have to yank my computer out of the laptop (I did buy one of those Tumi bags that allows you just to unzip awhile back but I didn't even have to do that!) And, I may jacket stayed on. So did my belt. And I didn't have the nudie scan - just walked through the metal detector old school - like clearing security in 1972.

Finally, something done right by the TSA! Bravo. Now lets just get it to more airports.

How bad is Business Class demand this summer? Pretty bad

First the airlines began offering discounted business class fares for travel this summer - around $2000 round trip with an advance purchase and Saturday night stay. But these kinds of deals have become common place during the summer season over the past few years.

Then, particularly to London - where a host of new competition has be launched with the opening of London Heathrow, came bonus miles. Lots of them. American and Delta have both been offering 50,000 bonus miles with the purchase of a round trip business class ticket. Both promotions were supposed to end tomorrow but Delta has continued this promotion all the way until the end of September - well into the usual peak demand period for business travel. Details here. Delta is also offering 25,000 miles for coach tickets by the way.

Today, Delta began offering upgrades into Business Class from select coach fares for 1 mile. Yes, that is correct, one (1) frequent flyer mile will get you a big seat to Europe, South America or Asia. Granted, the lowest coach fares do not qualify (you need to buy one of the more expensive Y, B or M fare classes) but it is still an amazing deal. Usually, Delta requires 25,000 miles EACH WAY for an upgrade into Business Elite as Delta's business class is known... Travel is possible until September 15th. The deal isn't available online but can be booked by calling Delta's reservation centers.

We give credit to Delta for trying something new to stimulate some demand - this is certainly better than dropping business class prices and trashing the marketplace. Delta may tempt some people to try the product who would not have otherwise. And some revenue is better than nada these days in the airline biz.

Delta Finally Seems to Admit that Shuttle Pricing is Broken on LGA-DCA/BOS

Last week, Delta quietly lowered pricing on the Delta Shuttle which operates between New York LGA and Boston/Washington Reagan National.

For years, Delta (and USAirways) have both charged over$300 each way for a last minute, walk-up fare. Of course, corporate discounts lowered these fares considerably for companies with huge volumes but the masses were stuck with paying $329+taxes each way.

Several months ago, Delta down-sized the LGA-DCA flights from MD-88s to Regional Jets in response to slowing demand on the route

But now it appears that a combination of the decline in business traffic, Amtrak's success in the market and competition from JetBlue from JFK to Washington Dulles and Boston have finally pushed Delta to think differently about this market.

A check of Shuttle flights this afternoon showed walk- up fares to Boston as low as $129 and DC at $169. Talk about relief! There are even lower fares out there when booking round-trips and staying a minimum of 3 days or over a Saturday night - as low as $199 total, including tax roundtrip. With a 21 day advance purchase one way tickets up to Boston are just 74 bucks including tax.

To further sweeten the pot, Delta is offering 2,500 bonus SkyMiles each way (+ the normal 500 you would earn anyway) until July 26th. More details here.

Now if only they could fix the Air Traffic Control delays into LGA.........