With gas prices in the forefront of everyone’s
minds, and wallets, car rental companies have been announcing new refueling policies. Following an
investigation by Maryland’s Attorney General’s office, many car rental companies in the Baltimore
area are offering lower refueling charges for a partially filled tank. Additionally, some are
offering discounts for pre-purchasing a tank of gas. Some costs had been reportedly up to $8 a
gallon for gas. Under the new agreements, some car companies are agreeing to charge between 135%
and 142% of current retail prices, and others are reconfiguring their refueling pricing policies
nationwide.
As always, saving gas will save money. If a rental company offers a “free upgrade,” drivers
should keep fuel prices and efficiency in mind. While these refueling charges are reduced, it still
tends to be more cost effective to refuel before returning the rental car.
Sources: ABCNews, Wjz.com, USAToday
O’Hare flight caps to be lifted
In mid June the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
acting administrator announced the elimination of flight caps at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport effective
October 31. The FAA imposed the caps as a “last resort” in 2004 to reduce congestion.
The cap lifting is a direct result of the O’Hare Modernization Program, which deals with
capacity, congestion, and delays. The extension of Runway 10 is to be completed on September 25,
two months ahead of schedule. The new runway and the new north control tower are on schedule to be
complete by November 20, allowing for an additional four to five arrivals per hour. Lifting the
caps will make it easier for airlines to adjust their schedules to meet market needs.