Airline

In "Agency Enters Virgin Territory in Airline Ads," March 22, Bruce Horovitz starts out with: "First there were automobile ads that didn't show cars. Now along comes an airline with ads that show baby carriages and Christmas trees--but few signs of air travel." Wouldn't it be a nice idea if the sponsors and advertisers could just carry this concept one step further and eliminate the audio track on TV commercials altogether? Think how peaceful and pleasant commercial television could become.

For one who professes to be so knowledgeable of the airline industry, Peter Greenberg has a great deal to learn about charter flights. His flip comments at the end of his article are totally inaccurate. Greenberg is at least 10-20 years behind the times as far as charter flights are concerned. Last year DER handled 40,000 charter passengers from the United States to Europe and 90% of our flights were on time, a record that any scheduled airline might covet. Bookings can be made on charter flights up to the day of departure.

US Airways Group Inc., created in a 2005 merger with America West Holdings Corp., gained official recognition as a single airline from U.S. regulators. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a single operating certificate to the Tempe, Ariz.-based carrier. Work toward the unified certificate began shortly after the two airlines combined two years ago.

After all the airline safety problems we've seen in the past year, it should be apparent that any wrath with pilots and ground crew is misdirected ["United Forced to Scratch More Flights," Aug. 9] Rather, the consumer public should be in horror that airline management regularly schedules flights that require crews who have already worked a full shift to continue working into the bleary hours of overtime--with our lives depending on them. United: Hire some damn pilots. KEN BURKETT Westwood

On July 17, Richard Campbell, a beloved friend for almost 20 years and the father of our godson, was killed when TWA Flight 800 went down. We flew to Ridgefield, Conn., the next morning to be with his wife, Margie, and his sons, Scott and Todd. TWA recognized the family's anguish and distress and kept them informed daily concerning the progress in the search for the wreckage and the bodies. The airline treated us with the utmost courtesy and compassion, and we will always be grateful for the support and help of TWA during this difficult time.

I want to congratulate Dirlam on her excellent article. Many of us shared this kind of aggravation. I suggest you send copies to the chief executive of every airline and also to the Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Authority. SETH LERR Burbank

Regarding the article by the Cookes, I would like to make a small correction. Their statement that Mt. Rainier is the highest mountain in the contiguous 48 states is in error. The highest is Mt. Whitney. As an airline captain who flew that route years ago, I pointed out this fact. TOM PRIOR Encino

Referring to Peter S. Greenberg's article, "Ground Delays Can Make Skies Unfriendly" (March 27), I can only point to new nonsmoking rules that should--amply--compensate for troubles and problems encountered by airline passengers. It is always nice to observe how well priorities can be mixed up. RUDOLF STEINER Mar Vista

What if airlines wooed you with cool music instead of peanuts? JetBlue will be hosting new artists from the CMJ 2012 Music Marathon in New York City who will perform Wednesday at the airline's T5 terminal at JFK International Airport. Icona Pop , JJAMZ , Matt Sucich and Kate Earl will be featured during the 1 to 4:30 p.m. concert, according to an airline statement. It's part of the Live From T5 concert series that takes place post-security for ticketed passengers awaiting their flights.