News: Weekend: Into the river we’d dive

Saturday, July 29, 2023

Weekend: Into the river we’d dive

Daily Skimm

"Azúcar"

— Celia Cruz's signature catchphrase, which will be included on the Queen of Salsa's US quarter. Only makes cents.

theSkimm With

Zach Griff, senior reporter at The Points Guy

Hours-long flight delays, multiple cancellations, inconveniently rebooked trips. Sound familiar? Chances are, you or someone you know already has a nightmare travel story from this summer. To learn more about the turbulent travel season, we spoke with Zach Griff, a senior reporter at The Points Guy, who flew more than 185,000 miles last year alone. Here's what he had to say…

Q: Have you experienced a travel nightmare this summer?

A few weeks ago, I was one of the many people in the New York area stranded by United … The Northeast has been hit particularly hard [by delays and cancellations] and I was trying to get to Miami for an event ... [In the end] I booked a total of six or seven United flights — and every single one of them was canceled. If I had accepted the new flight from them, it would've been like three days after the event. So I ended up flying with [a different airline].

Q: Summer travel always has its issues, but this year has felt particularly rough. What's going on?

It boils down to a mix of disparate events that are coming together and wreaking havoc on the industry. You have summer weather patterns, which are pretty predictable ... [Though] the storms now may be a little more severe than before. But you've also got staffing shortages at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). So even if the plane, pilots, and crew are all there and you're boarded, if someone at the FAA isn't there to clear your flight or help get a route, you can't go anywhere … Right around the pandemic, airlines implemented early buyouts and [packages] for people nearing retirement. As they've hired people to replace those who retired, [that's created] a significant lag in training. The new people are just not going to be as fast and they're not going to be as experienced ... [Plus] you've got congested airspace, which is another reason the Northeast has had it so bad.

Q: What can people do before a trip to ensure it's as smooth as possible?

If severe weather is expected on your travel days, look at the airline's policies [to see if they] issue waivers, which lets you make changes to your flights without paying a change fee or fare difference within a specified window. If you're flexible and can fly before or after the storms, absolutely do that … [Also] during the pandemic, many airlines stopped charging change fees and lowered the price for some tickets. So if you really need to be somewhere … book a second flight on a different airline, a few hours after your original one. That way, if something happens to your original one, you'll have that ticket. Or, if things go smoothly, you can take a credit to use in the future.

Q: Let's say your flight is canceled. What's the very first thing you do?

Make sure you're using the airline's app — that's typically the fastest way to get re-accommodated … Check if you've been rebooked, and if not, grab a replacement seat as soon as possible. You don't have to [end up taking] that seat, but you do want to be quick and nimble because everyone else on your flight is going [to be looking] at the same options … Then, keep monitoring to see if availability improves. When there are mass cancellations and delays, lots of people end up missing flights and connections, so the standby list has been a popular way to get into otherwise sold out flights … [Keep in mind] if your flight is significantly delayed or canceled in the US, you're entitled to a full refund for your ticket ... Even if [the airline] automatically offers you a credit, you're entitled to a refund. And you can [request that] through the Department of Transportation.

Psst, this interview has been edited for length and clarity.

What's Happening

🙃 In adulting...

If you're struggling to get your steps in, try a "scavenger hunt" walk. In relationship news: Movie preferences have some main character energy. More people are phoning in about "phubbing." And the right day for your big day could be written in the stars.

👗 In style...

Calling all Tomato Girls: Guess what's also cropping up in home decor? That's as a growing number of people are buttering up to popcorn swimsuits. And speedos, apparently. Not to mention pleats are back in the fold, while wide-leg pants are becoming perhaps too true to the name.

🍽 In food...

Want to raise your bar? Hopefully, you have a French press handy. Meanwhile, culinarycore is getting a seat at the table. And there's one thing Americans want in olive their dishes. Plus, if you're looking for a sweet way to stay cool — and, who isn't? — consider an icebox cake. Or, Wendy's new Frosty Cream Cold Brew.

Skimm Reads

"Strip Tees: A Memoir of Millennial Los Angeles" by Kate Flannery…If the thought of zip-up hoodies, deep V tees, and neon leggings gives you full-body nostalgia, we've got a book for you. This memoir covers the author's experience working for American Apparel in the early aughts, aka the store's heyday. As she becomes more enmeshed in the culture — and even recruits other girls to join — sexual harassment accusations begin to fly about the company's founder, Dov Charney. Pick this up for a less-than rose-colored look at our recent retail past.

Skimm Picks

Here are today's recs to help you live a smarter life…

1. Size-inclusive brands we love.

One thing about us? We get excited when our favorite brands offer extended sizes.

Yes, please

2. Summer workout gear that'll keep you cool.

Your fitness grind doesn't stop when temperatures rise, so be prepared.

Let's go

3. 20% off lip products at Fenty.

Leave it to Rihanna to make the perfect lip gloss.

Add to cart

Psst...looking for more discounts on brands Skimm'rs love? Check out all of our exclusive promo codes here.

Weekend Escape

*Slams laptop shut until Monday.* We know the feeling. And we've got some tips for escape.

Landlocked? Simply don't have the time, energy, or budget for a big beach vacation? No sweat. There are plenty of other ways to make a splash — and beat the heat. Let's dive in…

Go tubing. Consider this the adult version of a lazy river. Recruit a few friends, grab some inner tubes, and spend the afternoon floating down a local river. For max fun in the sun, make sure to pack a cooler with drinks and snacks, a waterproof speaker, and some nylon rope so you can easily stay together.
Embrace lake life. Prefer something a bit more active? You can't go wrong with a day at a local lake. Many offer a variety of water sports — including kayaking, paddleboarding, wakeboarding, waterskiing, or jet-skiing.
Visit a water park. There's no shortage of water parks across the US — all of which are sure to tide you over. Check out the largest collection of water rides at Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels, TX. Or, travel back in time at Cowabunga Bay in Draper, UT, which not only has a retro theme, but also 11 water slides, including one that's 800 feet long. Or, if you're in Wisconsin, visit Wisconsin Dells (aka, the "Waterpark Capital of the World").
Rent your own private pool. Of course, you could head to your local pool. Or, you could head to your own pool — at least, for the day. Swimply, which is essentially the Airbnb for swimming pools, lets you rent from more than 25,000 private pools across the country, with prices starting at just $15 per hour.
Or, set one up in your backyard. If you've got the space, why not throw your own pool party? Technically, all you need is an inflatable pool. But you could also add some sprinklers, splash pads, and water slides.

News Quiz

Let's see how well you kept up with the Daily Skimm this week.

Which doll is next in line to make it to the big screen?

A. Polly Pocket

B. Cabbage Patch Kids

C. American Girl

D. LOL Surprise

Check back tomorrow for the answer. But if you just need to know, you'll find what you're looking for here.