In the Trenches: What to Give Employees for the Holidays? – Intuit Small Business Blog
It’s holiday time, and that means it’s time to figure out the best gift to give to those who contribute to the success of the business. But what should it be?

Surviving the holiday travel season Cranky style – The Madeleine Brand Show on KPCC
I had a fun chat with Madeleine about airplane etiquette. You can listen here.

If you’re wondering where my CNN column has gone, it hasn’t disappeared. I’m just going to be writing a little less frequently. The next one will go up on Monday, and as always, will be linked to from here. I’m also hoping to have something new to report in the next two weeks.

In the Trenches: Standing in the Customers’ Shoes – Intuit Small Business Blog
It’s never fun to get stuck, but my experience this week has been great for helping me relate to clients.

In the Trenches: Repeat Clients – Intuit Small Business Blog
There’s nothing better than having repeat clients, so I’m always trying to figure out the best way to increase that business.

United, American airlines challenge proposed new fees (poll) – Cleveland Plain Dealer
I’ll be writing more about proposed aviation taxes next week, but here’s a preview of my thoughts (with a very non-elegant quote).

It’s a rare Sunday post here on Cranky, but of course, it’s no ordinary Sunday. It’s been 10 years since four aircraft were hijacked and flown into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania, and this is the fifth year that I’ll be following Holly Hegeman’s lead in honoring those flight crews that died while they were just doing their jobs.

There’s a heightened awareness of the event this year since it’s the 10th anniversary, but that’s really just a number. It’s not any easier or harder for those families who lost someone than it was last year on this day. So let’s forget about the pomp and circumstance and just honor those we lost in our airline family.

American 11 (Boston to Los Angeles)
Crashed into World Trade Center
John Ogonowski, Dracut, Mass., Captain; Thomas McGuinness, Portsmouth, N.H., First Officer; Barbara Arestegui, flight attendant; Jeffrey Collman, flight attendant; Sara Low, flight attendant; Karen Martin, flight attendant; Kathleen Nicosia, flight attendant; Betty Ong, flight attendant; Jean Roger, flight attendant; Dianne Snyder, flight attendant; Madeline Sweeney, flight attendant

United 175 (Boston to Los Angeles)
Crashed into World Trade Center
Victor J. Saracini, Lower Makefield Township, Pa., Captain; Michael Horrocks, First Officer; Amy Jarret, flight attendant; Al Marchand, flight attendant; Amy King, flight attendant; Kathryn Laborie, flight attendant; Michael Tarrou, flight attendant; Alicia Titus, flight attendant; Robert J Fangman, flight attendant

American 77 (Washington/Dulles to Los Angeles)
Crashed into the Pentagon
Charles Burlingame, Captain; David Charlebois, First Officer; Michele Heidenberger, flight attendant; Jennifer Lewis, flight attendant; Kenneth Lewis, flight attendant; and Renee May, flight attendant

United 93 (Newark to San Francisco)
Crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania
Jason Dahl, Colorado, Captain; Leroy Homer, Marlton, N.J., First Officer; Sandy Bradshaw, flight attendant; CeeCee Lyles, flight attendant; Lorraine Bay, flight attendant; Wanda Green, flight attendant; Deborah Welsh, flight attendant

We might be used to quakes on the west coast, but the one in Virginia this week took a lot of people out there by surprise. Anyone have any good air travel stories surrounding the quake? Were you delayed or canceled? Were people unnecessarily freaking out?