the buzz log
Airlines Want Your Help
Fed-up consumers are vocal about high gas prices, and airlines are hoping to take advantage of their anger. The troubled industry has asked its customers to write letters to Congress regarding the high price of oil.
Our first reaction upon reading the news? The airlines have clearly lost their minds—since when does Congress actually do anything? But, according to several articles within the Buzz, that may not be the point. By framing the energy crisis as a "we're all in this together" type way, the airlines have the opportunity to shift consumer anger to someone else.
So, who is "someone else." Well, as CNN explains, the airlines want Congress to go after speculators and regulate their buying and selling more aggressively. Airlines contend that rampant speculation is the reason they are having to pay so much for jet fuel, and, in turn, are having to charge passengers for the privilege of drinking a Pepsi in 22B.
Whether or not the strategy works, it has certainly gathered up a stream of buzz. News outlets from NPR to Current are covering the story. In fact, Current even has a copy of the email sent to fliers. Check it out and judge for yourself if the new strategy is gonna fly.
Filed under: Gas Prices, Airlines
The Buzz Week in Review
In the Buzz this week, consumers continued to be nickeled-and-dimed, new price highs meant new lows, and a daytime talk show became an unlikely political battleground—with allies from unlikely places.
On 'Idol'
In a season beset with complaints, "American Idol" had the last laugh by putting on a smashing finale—as well as pulling in its third-highest ratings finale ever (or did it?) and dominating iTunes. After subjecting two nice boys to bad boxing analogies and some risky business, a well-paced Wednesday show brought in oodles of searches for celebrity guests like ZZ Top (+437%), Donna Summer (+534%), and George Michael (+1,826%). The David vs. David face-off hyped up the suspense, and many (like Buddy TV) assumed an Archuleta victory. They should have paid heed to the Buzz Log projection, which was posted nine days before the winner was announced. (The projection's secret formula: geography and gender. Or as one audience placard put it, "Cougars for Cook.") Yet the producers can't rest easy, because (as New York Magazine opines) a Cook win really means restless fans want change.
On Idle
As oil executives testified before Congress on why crude oil passed up $130 a barrel, American Airlines added a $15 fee for checking in the first piece
of luggage. The Wall Street Journal predicted a future of higher fares and airlines liquidating. Perplexed lawmakers trying to get a straight answer about costs may want to check HowStuffWorks' piece on just what oil drilling entails.
On Idyll
May is the new June, with all the celebrity weddings and
engagements going on this month. Promptly after the California Supreme Court struck down a ban against same-sex marriage, talk show host Ellen Degeneres announced her engagement to actress Portia de Rossi. A few days later, she interviewed Republican presidential candidate John McCain on the issue. While she didn't sway him from his civil-union stance, another interview with newlywed Jenna (Bush) Hager resulted in a casual thumbs-up for Degeneres to use the Bush ranch for her upcoming nuptials. That show is scheduled to air next Wednesday ... so far.
Also spiking in Buzz this week ...
•A fatal driveway accident
killed Christian singer Stephen Curtis Chapman's 5-year-old daughter.
Sympathy searches rose up more than 6,000% for the Grammy award-winning music artist.
•Crime-fighting pays off in a weak economy, according to the New York Times. Crime Stoppers have reported increased snitching so tipsters can pay their bills or buy groceries.
•Texas welfare authorities appealed a state supreme court ruling allowing the return of nearly 500 children to the Yearning for Zion compound. Among the reactions was that of the ex-wife of the alleged compound leader, who stated in a Houston Chronicle profile that the court ruling could mean "we have lost another generation."
Filed under: American Idol, Crime, Gay Marriage, Elections, Airlines
Airlines Are the New Cable Companies
When things go wrong, people complain. Heck, it's only natural. So you better believe that when airlines provide cruddy service, passengers make their displeasure known. Loudly.
A recent survey on airline customer satisfaction paints an ugly picture. Of all the major U.S. carriers, only khaki-clad Southwest improved its rating. The rest of the carriers saw their scores drop as complaints soared. Flyers, it seems, are fed up.
But airlines aren't the only ones receiving angry emails—every week, we see hundreds of searches on all sort of complaints. Everything from general queries like "how to file a complaint" to super-specific lookups like "dominos pizza complaint line" are represented. Clearly, the general public has caught on to the fact that squeaky wheel gets the grease (especially true of Domino's patrons).
We tracked down the top 20 "complaint" searches from the past 7 days and came away both impressed and disturbed by the number of ticked-off consumers. Here's a look at how they're channeling their rage.
Filed under: Airlines
Sky's Limited
"Sorry... After more than 60 years of serving Hawaii, Aloha Airlines is no longer operating... Mahalo Nui Loa — Aloha Oe. July 26, 1946-March 31, 2008."
And there reads the self-penned epitaph of the Honolulu-based carrier, who ferried millions of newlyweds, tourists, and locals among the islands and to and from the Mainland.
Travelers were still searching for details on bankrupty, reservations, employment, and founder Ruddy Tongg when another airline called it quits. Less than two days later, ATA's home page offered a more business-like apology about filing for Chapter 11 and the "disruption caused by the sudden shutdown..."
Disruption? More like disarray. The two stunning collapses followed stories of staff buyouts at Delta Airlines and the flurry of Federal Aviation Administration inspections which have ground planes to a halt—including a White House plane.
The troubled skies have led people to research "airline safety ratings." The horrid disruptions do mean long-term safety, but consumers might not be so consoled after the Congressional testimony of two FAA whistleblowers. Southwest Airlines seems to be the main bad boy. The discount carrrier was walloped with a $10 million fine for its bad behavior.
With an already sickly economy, fewer airlines and airplanes could mean that vacations revolve around backyard barbecues. For those determined to travel, here are a few tips from the Buzz:
- Passengers whose flights were cancelled should follow up on travel waivers. United released a statement on how to get refunds. People holding useless ATA tickets may want to look at Northwest's offer for stand-by options to Hawaii, and Southwest refunds.
- With Aloha and ATA gone, expect an island rush for Hawaiian Air. According to the Associated Press, US Airways should swoop into ATA's void in Phoenix, while Delta and Continental while likely take its former Los Angeles routes.
- Porfolio gives advice on controlling business travel costs, although some advice could be used by regular consumers.
- The A.P. extracted five ideas from Travel & Leisure for domestic vacations, and the Street suggests affordable ski getaways and Caribbean vacations.
- Searches for discount online travel brokers are rising fast. Another secret: Some consumers are seeking help from "online travel agents" (+134%).
- The 'open skies' pact came to fruition on March 30. Now airlines can fly anywere between cities between the European Union and the United States. Depending on whom you ask, more competition may or may not mean lower fares... and the dollar is still weak against the Euro.
Abandon Hope, All Ye Who Enter Airports
If your summer travel plans include time on an airliner, be warned: Since early June, we've seen big (and depressingly regular) spikes on "airport delays."
The Department of Transportation this week said flight delays are at their highest level in over a decade. They also mentioned that "reports of mishandled baggage" have risen. We expect that those of you who've been searching on "lost luggage," "lost baggage," and "delayed baggage status" may have already noticed that problem.
A measure of our sympathy goes to the gate agents and flight attendants whose jobs must be so fun this year. It can't be fulfilling to face thwarted travelers daily, especially when conditions have deteriorated to the point that passengers have taken to the Web with accounts of their travel nightmares. How many more months of search spikes on "flight delays" until a Passengers Bill of Rights comes to pass?
Filed under: Travel, Air Travel, Airlines
JetBlue's Jilted Travelers
Since it first appeared on a crowded runway of discount air carriers, travelers couldn't resist the allure of JetBlue Airways. With its low prices, leg room, and personal TV sets throughout its cabins, it was true-blue love at first flight. The mutual attraction steamed up departure gates across the U.S. and kept JBLU's stock ticker box rocking. Yet every love affair sings the blues at some point.
And everyone was singing the blues this week, travelers and JetBlue alike. Ice storms brought on nearly a week of flight delays and cancellation and the relationship was wounded by acts of God. A break-up was seen on the horizon. But JetBlue is now apologizing—in a big way. Will the jilted find it in their hearts to forgive?
With all the negative buzz, we know JetBlue is on your mind. However, it's hard to tell the emotions behind your queries. Could this be the end of an affair for JetBlue and its passengers? Here's how the competition stacks up...
Top 20 Airlines in the BuzzNow, you tell us: Is it over between you and JetBlue?
Filed under: Air Travel, JetBlue, Airlines
top movers
| Rank | Subject | 1-Day Move |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oddest Jobs | Breakout! |
| 2 | Vivienne Marcheline And Knox Leon | Breakout! |
| 3 | Shwayze Song | Breakout! |
| 4 | Cell Phone Etiquette | Breakout! |
| 5 | Your Home Page | 17280% |
| 6 | W Magazine | 8647% |
| 7 | Christie Brinkley | 8361% |
| 8 | Selma Blair | 5953% |
| 9 | Nashville Star | 2758% |
| 10 | Neiman Marcus Christmas Book | 1365% |
top leaders
| Rank | Subject | Move | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leryn Franco | +244 | 456 |
| 2 | Holly Madison | +288 | 351 |
| 3 | Halloween Costumes | -17 | 222 |
| 4 | Hi-5 | +8 | 220 |
| 5 | Kellie Pickler | +101 | 200 |
| 6 | Jamie Lynn Spears | +80 | 180 |
| 7 | NFL | +0 | 136 |
| 8 | Barack Obama | -1 | 119 |
what's the buzz?
A subject's buzz score is the percentage of Yahoo! users searching for that subject on a given day, multiplied by a constant to make the number easier to read. Weekly leaders are the subjects with the greatest average buzz score for a given week.
For more detailed information, visit our FAQ.