Wednesday February 15, 2012

JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

motytrah's past comments

0

motytrahMay. 19, 2009 - 03:11AM JST

Come to Japan, promote your very successful fitness video, win your self a gold digger of your choice, paying child support and a third alimony at age 60.

I dunn'o, if things go south he can always move out of the country. Gold digging can prove quite difficult when the gold if off-shore.

Posted in: Billy Blanks speaks of June wedding
0

motytrahMay. 19, 2009 - 02:58AM JST

Is there some rule where pretty idols and TV personalities have to marry comedians?

Posted in: Downtown's Matsumoto announces shotgun marriage to ex-weathergirl
0

motytrahMay. 09, 2009 - 03:48AM JST

Some of the best Airline clubs are in NRT. Northwest's World Clubs are fantastic. The JAL first class clubs have private security lines to get air side.

Making connections used to be okay before the flu scare made airport officials crazy.

Posted in: How would you rate Narita airport when compared to other major airports around the world?
0

motytrahMay. 09, 2009 - 03:41AM JST

Basically ANA and JAL messed up and hedged fuel at much higher rates than market for a very long time. They aren't he only airline to do it, but it's put a real pinch on them.

You have to realize the largest holders of oil contracts in the world isn't an oil company, it's large international banks. Which is how supply can go up, demand can go down, yet fuel prices keeps getting higher.

I can't fund any public information in English on what JAL hedged fuel at, but some Airlines were hedging fuel 50+% of their fuel at $85+/barrel well into 2009. The third largest carrier in Japan, Northwest Airlines (Now Delta) for the most part is paying market prices or less, and has some attractive fare prices.

Posted in: JAL, ANA to scrap fuel surcharges on international flights from July
0

motytrahMay. 01, 2009 - 12:07AM JST

Status with the airline means everything. If you are a top tier customer you get first crack at the award seats. General people get table scraps in comparison.

If you fly a lot between Japan and the US, then Northwest (now part of Delta) might be the airline too look at. There are some exclusive benefits Asia based elites get (like lounge access for Gold and Plat members).

Generally, US based airlines are highly automated, so you can look at what award availability is like online before you commit a single dollar to the airline. A lot of the Asian carriers still make you call for a lot of the award stuff, though that's changing slowly.

The big thing is to find a program that meets your needs and maximize your spend on that airline. Some of them office point/miles towards airline status just for having a certain spend on their affinity credit card. Getting status gets you more option on how to spend the miles. You also tend to get accrue bonus miles much quicker if you have status. So it tends to balloon.

Someone mentioned Aeroplan from Air Canada, it's not a bad program, but award tickets are a bit Canada centric. You can't book round trip tickets in other countries easily.

Posted in: What is your experience with airline frequent flyer programs? Are they a good idea or not?
0

motytrahApr. 30, 2009 - 02:41AM JST

Last time I flew NRT-ORD the plane was maybe half full. JL also has sizable Business and First class cabins which appear not loading well either. As far as your fuel surcharge, just because oil prices went down doesn't mean JAL hedged fuel correctly and is paying market.

Posted in: JAL forecasts Y63 bil net loss
0

motytrahApr. 30, 2009 - 12:06AM JST

JAL is one of the largest operators of 747's in the world. A fully loaded 747 has a huge potential for profit. A 747 will a lot of empty seats has a huge potential for loss.

As far as tourism, that's not enough to keep the airlines afloat. 40% of an airlines customers (business travelers) make up 60% of revenue. Usually much higher profit revenue compared to tourists.

The top three international airlines in Japan are JAL, ANA and then Northwest Airlines. What JAL has going for it is NWA was bought by Delta and Delta fired the Asian VP of international ops. Delta has Zero brand in Asia, and is yanking the NWA brand with little thought of how they are going to build up the Delta brand.

Posted in: JAL forecasts Y63 bil net loss
0

motytrahApr. 28, 2009 - 04:47AM JST

I'm going to assume the folks posting the Uncle Ben's comments are having a laugh. The whole rice in a pouch craze is just horrid. There's a lot of off "flavors" get from that junk.

That being said, a good rice maker really does matter. But only to a certain point. A nice 3-cup Zojirush in the $100 range does a fantastic job for all kinds of rice. Certainly better than some of those cheap no-name Chinese brand rice makers. Beyond that price point the law of diminishing returns starts to apply.

Posted in: Steam rice cooker
0

motytrahApr. 27, 2009 - 10:39AM JST

It's a bunch of nerds having fun. Not a big deal. Kind of fun. Every time I see the negative comments on the Akih stuff I can't help but to picture some old dude shaking his fist at "kids on the lawn".

Article Unavailable
0

motytrahApr. 14, 2009 - 01:08AM JST

What's that gadget in the middle of the street near the police officer?

Traffic signal override. So they can set up the photo-op quicker.

Article Unavailable
0

motytrahApr. 03, 2009 - 02:51AM JST

What do you expect. The Japanese like to outdo the US. Why just have a burger, when you can have a burger with a fried egg and cup of mayo ontop.

Posted in: Cheese Katsu Burger
0

motytrahMar. 31, 2009 - 05:50AM JST

I wonder if Accor is going to reassemble the old Sofitel they took apart a few years ago.

Posted in: Accor to open 11 Mercure hotels in Asia during 2009
0

motytrahMar. 31, 2009 - 05:49AM JST

Are they sure it wasn't Rupin the III that carried out the heist?

Posted in: Pink Panther suspect in 2007 Ginza jewelry heist arrested in Cyprus
0

motytrahMar. 27, 2009 - 06:12AM JST

How long until Chinese companies sitting on war chests of money come knocking to buy a Japanese brand?

Posted in: More companies pressuring employees to buy their products
0

motytrahMar. 17, 2009 - 07:41AM JST

Hello, TDD!! It's been around since the 80's. The TDD connections you directly with an operator, who reads the message to the person on the phone.

Posted in: Emergency fax request from man with speaking disability neglected by Yokohama fire department
0

motytrahFeb. 27, 2009 - 06:20AM JST

Life is too short to spend time in Coach.

Posted in: Cathay Pacific launching new range of travel kits
0

motytrahFeb. 25, 2009 - 11:39AM JST

Republicans and Bush passed billions in tax incentives to oil companies who needed no incentive at all and in the long term gives money to enemies of the US. Democrats and Obama passed incentives for something that's actually useful for the US Economy and the US energy policy. Sounds like a good use of a tax incentive to me.

Posted in: Tokyo Electric to build solar plant in California
0

motytrahFeb. 11, 2009 - 01:57PM JST

The club is essentially for people who reserve expensive club floor rooms (more than the already expensive rooms). If you do a LOT of business travel and can get Ambassador status Royal Ambassador status you can get free upgrades to club too. I would guess top Tier ANA folks get upgrades and club access too.

Posted in: ANA InterContinental Tokyo opens 600-sq-meter lounge
0

motytrahFeb. 08, 2009 - 03:44PM JST

Not as insane as Bjork , but also not nearly as talented musically.

Posted in: Yoko Ono sounds off
0

motytrahJan. 30, 2009 - 09:34AM JST

People who make the low level "Elite" or "Premier" status level at an airline who think they are gods gift to the airlines. You've flown 25-30K miles, stop showing your card off like you're something special. You're not.

Posted in: What behavior by passengers or staff at airports annoys you the most?