Allegiant Air pilots authorize strike, if necessary

Pilots at Allegiant Air, represented by the Airline Professionals Association (APA) Teamsters Local 1224, voted overwhelmingly, 465-8, Friday to authorize a strike against Allegiant Air.

The voting period closed Friday, with 98 percent of Allegiant Air pilots voting yes to authorize the union to call a strike if necessary.

"This does not mean that a strike is going to happen tomorrow or even next week," said APA Teamsters Local 1224 President Daniel Wells. "If Allegiant continues to stonewall in negotiations, then a pilot strike at Allegiant Air will be very realistic."

The pilots have been in negotiations with Allegiant Air for two years with little to no progress. Their first negotiation session began in December of 2012.

Teamster pilots with Allegiant Air conducted informational picketing on Tuesday at McCarran International Airport and Allegiant Air Corporate Headquarters in Las Vegas, as well as at St Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport and Fort Lauderdale International Airport in Florida, to make the public aware of their fight for infrastructural investments into Allegiant Air's operational systems, basic industry averages in salary and for other job protection measures that are standard in the airline industry.

Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air is one of the most profitable airlines in the world, reporting a profit for 47 consecutive quarters. Its executives are among the highest compensated in the industry, yet its pilots are among the lowest paid and are subject to substandard working conditions in comparison to the rest of the industry.

Military aircraft market worth $61.2 billion in 2015

The global military aircraft market is expected to be worth $61.2 billion in 2015 and increase to $87.5 billion by 2025, representing a compound annual growth rate of 3.64 percent during the forecast period, according to the newly released "Global Military Fixed Wing Aircraft Market 2015-2025 report."

The 216-page report, now available with ReportsnReports.com, provides readers with a detailed analysis of both historic and forecast global industry values, factors influencing demand, the challenges faced by industry participants, analysis of industry leading companies, and key news.

 “The market is anticipated to be dominated by the North America followed by Asia Pacific and Europe,” the reports says. “The U.S. is the largest spender with a cumulative expenditure of $260.9 billion over the next decade. In terms of segments, multi-role and transport aircraft are expected to account for 56.4 percent and 22.4 percent of the military aircraft market respectively, followed by reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft and bombers.”

Major military aircraft programs discussed in this research include multi-role aircraft [F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, Rafale, Fifth-generation fighter aircraft], transport aircraft [KC-46A aerial refueling tankers, V-22 Osprey, C-17 Globemaster III, KC-390], reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft [P-8A Poseidon, E-3 Sentry (AWACS), E-2D Hawkeye, Kawasaki P-1], bombers [Long-Range Strike-B bombers, Su-34 fighter-bombers, H-18 Bomber] and training aircraft [T-X, Yak-130 and Hawk].

Climax Utilities completes first electric sale on ProEconomica

Climax Utilities, a virtual company created on the website ProEconomica, successfully conducted its first sale of electricity service on Thursday. The inaugural sale was conducted between Climax and a ProEconomica player in Washington, D.C. The player purchased one unit of electricity from Climax at a cost of $1.99 per unit using virtual dollars.

"Our first sale in electricity is a historic milestone for Climax,” commented Brothel, CEO of Climax Utilities. He continued, "Our successful launch in 2014 and first sales to ProEconomica players in New Orleans, Georgia, Nevada and Washington, D.C., has established an important cornerstone for the company. I am excited to see our continued growth."

The sale was conducted from Climax's virtual office on ProEconomica led by one virtual employee, Kim. The interactive nature of ProEconomica's virtual world combined with players worldwide allows for users to interact directly with each other and develop entrepreneurial skills.

About ProEconomica 

Are you ready to develop your entrepreneurial skills in order to become a really successful businessman? Do you want to manage your own company or compete with other players in a virtual world based on the concepts found in reality? Then go to ProEconomica and get into an unique economic adventure. Join a virtual world that brings you real experience.

300,000 'recreational' drones in the skies by 2030

If you hear a strange sound in the air following you, it could be one of thousands of recreational drones given as presents for Christmas last month. Unfortunately not all drones (also called Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) are being used for entertainment.

Last December, a couple believed they were being stalked by their neighbor using a drone. Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez where both spied on by paparazzi flying drones. Someone caused a riot by flying a drone onto the field during a soccer match last October. Drones are frequently used to drop contraband and weapons into prison yards. Airlines have had several close calls with drones. There are serious concerns that drones will be used by terrorists to cause harm. And they are even being used to spy on corporate activities.

The frequency of drone-related incidents is expected to rise over the coming years. The FAA estimates there will be 30,000 commercial drones in the United States by 2030. This number doesn't take into account recreational drones sold to individuals. Just taking a conservative estimate of ten recreational drones for every commercial one there could be 300,000 recreational drones by 2030.

To combat this growing problem, Drone Labs,LLC, a provider of drone-related technologies, announced the launch of its latest offering: Drone Detector. Much like a burglar alarm is used to detect home invasions, Drone Detector protects against privacy invasions. When a drone or drone operator is nearby, Drone Detector will alert you to their presence and give you the opportunity to respond to the threat.

"To be clear, most [drone] pilots are responsible, law-abiding people. We [at Drone Labs] are drone pilots ourselves. Unfortunately there are some bad pilots out there who don't follow the rules," said Drone Labs CEO and co-founder Zain Naboulsi. "We are committed to protecting people from unwanted drone invasions."

The device isn't currently meant to detect military drones, but Naboulsi says it can easily catch recreational and commercial drones. Competing companies have tried to detect drones by listening for them, but sound signatures are easy to hide for flying drones and cannot detect ground or water-based ones.

Nordstrom Rack plans new stores in Colorado and New York

Seattle-based Nordstrom, Inc., announced Wednesday plans to open a Nordstrom Rack at Chapel Hills East in Colorado Springs, Colo. The 31,203-square-foot store is scheduled to open in spring 2016. The property is owned and managed by DDR Corp.

When the new store opens, it will be the sixth Rack in Colorado. The company recently announced a new Rack location opening in Fort Collins in fall 2015. Nordstrom also operates three full line stores and first came to Colorado in 1996 with a store at Park Meadows.

Chapel Hill East is located in north central Colorado Springs off of Academy Blvd. Nordstrom Rack will join other tenants such as Whole Foods, DSW, Best Buy, Old Navy and Carter's.

New York

In addition to Colorado Springs, Nordstrom plans to open a Nordstrom Rack at Destiny USA mall in Syracuse, N.Y. The 33,357-square-foot store is scheduled to open in fall 2015.

Nordstrom Rack is expanding across upstate New York. The company recently announced new Rack stores opening in Buffalo and Albany this fall 2015.

The new Rack will be located on the first level next to The Cheesecake Factory and across from the Armani Outlet. Other anchors include Lord & Taylor, Macy's and JCPenney along with a great mix of specialty and off-price retailers such as H&M, Saks OFF 5(th), T.J.Maxx and DSW among others.

Nordstrom Rack is the off-price retail division of Nordstrom, Inc., offering customers a wide selection of on-trend apparel, accessories and shoes at an everyday savings of 30-70 percent off regular prices.

Quiznos new CEO hopes to improve restaurant economics

The troubled sandwich chain Quiznos announced Monday the appointment of Doug Pendergast as the company's new President and Chief Executive Officer.

Pendergast joins Quiznos having previously held a variety of leadership roles in the restaurant industry. Most recently, he served as President and CEO of The Krystal Company. Prior to that, he held positions as Chief Development & Franchising Officer for Craftworks, EVP & Chief Franchise Officer for Church's Chicken, and VP of Strategy for AFC Enterprises. He has also held positions with McKinsey & Company and Procter & Gamble. Pendergast has an MBA from Harvard University and a Bachelor's in engineering from Georgia Tech.

Pendergast succeeds Stuart Mathis, who has resigned to pursue other opportunities. Mathis was appointed Quiznos CEO in July 2012, at a “time of change” for the company. The company filed for bankruptcy March 14, 2014, after sales shrank. The sandwich shop emerged from bankruptcy in July 2014 after restructuring its finances.

Pendergast plans to help franchise owners build their profitability, strengthen their businesses and grow the brand for the future. “This is a critical and exciting time for the brand. Quiznos is operating under a new food cost and supply model that should improve restaurant economics and is in an excellent position to build customer loyalty and frequency,” Pendergast said in a company press release.