TCMA rules the skies, and it rules the fares that ruin the pocketbooks of would-be travellers on its flights; not to mention all the extra add-on fees, such as for an actual seat, or to carry on or check a bag, or to eat or drink anything. And of course your plane will stand in runway queue for five hours with absolutely no chance to get off the plane or to use the restroom or to unfasten your seat harness. Etc.
Due in substantial part to TSA, I never fly anything that is less than 400 miles. By the time I drive across town to the airport and park, and get to the airport for 30 minutes in the TSA line, then ride the rail to my concourse and walk to my gate (not later than 30 minutes before take off), andspend 25+ minutes taxiing for take off
any flight shorter than 90 air minutes can be driven faster. Admittedly other airports may not be as lousy overall as Hartsfield – location, congestion, “government service” – but many are. The TSA 30 minutes alone makes most regional flights unreasonable, even if you discount the intrusive screening.
94 miles / 55 MPH (top speed limit back then) = roughly 1.71 hours if the driving time was spent entirely on the highway. Maybe round that up to 2 or even 2.5 to allow for traffic and bathroom breaks. No point in flying. []Opus could, indeed, rent a car for the duration and top it off with gas for the cost of a single one-way ticket.
Fer cryin’ out loud, if Japan, China, France and Germany can all run efficient and profitable high-speed rail, why can’t the US or Canada? Don’t say too much distance — in Europe and Japan the trains can barely get up to speed before you’re at your destination. Rail is so much more energy efficient than air that they could easily serve you gourmet meals on the way.
Well, it certainly works great in Europe where you can also take your car on the train so you don’t have to deal with rent-a-ripoff at the end of your flight. My train from Amsterdam to Paris was in under-time, served delicious food, and had a taxi waiting for me at the terminal in Paris. And, I didn’t have to get to the rail station 3 hours early so they could x-ray me and my luggage.
California keeps trying to get into the mass-transit game, but people have too much freedom and don’t want it or have the money anymore to send on it. Friend wanted to take a train from Northern California to Southern, and 3/4 of the trip was by bus, because the railways are only on the coast and not in-land. And if you want to know what the buses are like in California, ever seen the movie “Speed?”
Don Winchester Premium Member almost 11 years ago
Glad I’m a private pilot!
Orion-13 almost 11 years ago
Rent a car?Hitchike?
vwdualnomand almost 11 years ago
that is why we need high speed rail.
Clotty Peristalt almost 11 years ago
And you have no idea how much worse things are going to get, tofu-face. You’re living in the golden age of airline travel compared to us in 2013.
Sisyphos almost 11 years ago
TCMA rules the skies, and it rules the fares that ruin the pocketbooks of would-be travellers on its flights; not to mention all the extra add-on fees, such as for an actual seat, or to carry on or check a bag, or to eat or drink anything. And of course your plane will stand in runway queue for five hours with absolutely no chance to get off the plane or to use the restroom or to unfasten your seat harness. Etc.
kenray2010 almost 11 years ago
the best part is by IRS rules the ‘fees’ are non-taxable income, unlike the fare
elbeck almost 11 years ago
@deerflatener – Good god, give it a rest. Orion was making a simple comment on Opus’ plight.
Fogger_man almost 11 years ago
@deerflatener:Get a grip! It’s just a comic strip…
jbmlaw01 almost 11 years ago
Due in substantial part to TSA, I never fly anything that is less than 400 miles. By the time I drive across town to the airport and park, and get to the airport for 30 minutes in the TSA line, then ride the rail to my concourse and walk to my gate (not later than 30 minutes before take off), andspend 25+ minutes taxiing for take off
any flight shorter than 90 air minutes can be driven faster. Admittedly other airports may not be as lousy overall as Hartsfield – location, congestion, “government service” – but many are. The TSA 30 minutes alone makes most regional flights unreasonable, even if you discount the intrusive screening.
Ironhold almost 11 years ago
94 miles / 55 MPH (top speed limit back then) = roughly 1.71 hours if the driving time was spent entirely on the highway. Maybe round that up to 2 or even 2.5 to allow for traffic and bathroom breaks. No point in flying. []Opus could, indeed, rent a car for the duration and top it off with gas for the cost of a single one-way ticket.
mrssaskfan almost 11 years ago
Fer cryin’ out loud, if Japan, China, France and Germany can all run efficient and profitable high-speed rail, why can’t the US or Canada? Don’t say too much distance — in Europe and Japan the trains can barely get up to speed before you’re at your destination. Rail is so much more energy efficient than air that they could easily serve you gourmet meals on the way.
lindz.coop Premium Member almost 11 years ago
Well, it certainly works great in Europe where you can also take your car on the train so you don’t have to deal with rent-a-ripoff at the end of your flight. My train from Amsterdam to Paris was in under-time, served delicious food, and had a taxi waiting for me at the terminal in Paris. And, I didn’t have to get to the rail station 3 hours early so they could x-ray me and my luggage.
rugratz2222 almost 11 years ago
California keeps trying to get into the mass-transit game, but people have too much freedom and don’t want it or have the money anymore to send on it. Friend wanted to take a train from Northern California to Southern, and 3/4 of the trip was by bus, because the railways are only on the coast and not in-land. And if you want to know what the buses are like in California, ever seen the movie “Speed?”