Registered: Aug 2001
Location: Hilbert Space
Posts: 35670

My views on airline bailouts are pretty well-known, but I see now that Air Canada may go bust; American Airlines is also in trouble (according that link) and British Airways are also in some deep shit. At the same time, the budget airlines in Europe are doing pretty well, apparently (don't know how the US budget airlines are doing).

I actually have to fly a fair amount and don't see why I should get cheap flights at the taxpayer's expense; if some consolidation is needed, in the market, then so be it. I certainly don't think that it is the taxpeyer's job to subsidise my flights.

This is probably not a popular opinion, however.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jul 2001
Location: China
Posts: 11795

Excellent. I was going to start a topic on this this morning, but couldn't find a good article to stimulate debate. I too am against bailouts. The only concern I have is the lack of competition which may result if only two or three major carriers remain. (How does government regulate competition if monopolies occur not as a result of mergers, which it can block, but rather of bankruptcies, anyways?) I read somewhere that no airline has ever been profitable over the long term, which is fairly believable, considering how much they are subsidized, directly and through infrastructure, air-traffic control, etc. Of the only soundbite I heard in opposition to bailouts this morning was of course a Democrat saying that the bailouts shouldn't just go to the owners, but also to the employees, which would be just as bad.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jul 2001
Location: China
Posts: 11795

Amtrak proposal to replace short-haul flights with trains, reserving planes for long-haul flights, to be connected at intermodal airport/train stations.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Sep 2001
Location: ........
Posts: 15003

"The perfect storm" was how some geezer on CNN has described what the airline industry has experienced lately.

Downturn in the economy >>>> 911 >>>> security issues >>>> war in Iraq.

And now SARS affecting tourism towards a few of the hotspots like Hong Kong.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jul 2000
Location: A New England
Posts: 9187

The East Coast Amtrak express (Acela, or some name like that), is top quality.

I started taking it in preference to the flights from anywhere between DC and Boston and it is comparable in time to flying (if you factor wait time in the terminals). Also you can get a first class ticket for the cost of an economy airfair (with better legroom and service).

The added bonus of course it has always been difficult to fly a train into the side of a building.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Sep 2001
Location: ........
Posts: 15003

quote:

---

Originally posted by Goatboy
The added bonus of course it has always been difficult to fly a train into the side of a building.

---

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jul 2000
Location: A New England
Posts: 9187

I could tell you some stories about my time on the rail, but even with my massive derelictions I was never quite able to manage that (though an extra 10mph down the hill into Gunnersbury and I would be cavorting with my virgins in Allahs palace right now).

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jul 2001
Location: China
Posts: 11795

The only problem with Acela is it's so fucking expensive. And forget about long distance. A train to Florida routinely costs at least twice, sometimes thrice the cost of flying.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jul 2001
Location: China
Posts: 11795

$3 Billion. groan.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Aug 2001
Location: Hilbert Space
Posts: 35670

Hooray for taxes!

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Feb 2003
Location: Oceanside, CA
Posts: 5156

I took Amtrak from LA to Kansas recently. Boy, given enough time (~33 hours), I'd much rather take the train than fly. It's much more comfortable, and the food is so far beyond airplane food that it's not really meaningful to compare them.

Of course, it does take 8.5 times as long, but it's a much more pleasant experience for those hours. Give me a laptop, some DVDs, a few books, and I'm happy.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Aug 2001
Location: Hilbert Space
Posts: 35670

Man, that is a fucking slow train.

I wish that we had the fast trains like the Frenchies and the Japanese; 200+mph is pretty good.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jul 2001
Location: China
Posts: 11795

Trains outside the Northeast are slightly faster than Mexicans can run. But I'd rather take a train than fly any day, I just can't afford to.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jan 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 13002

I agree with your view smug, which is a rarity, with one exception. I don't mind bailing the flag carrier out that much, although its still annoying.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Aug 2001
Location: Hilbert Space
Posts: 35670

quote:

---

Originally posted by Phil
I agree with your view smug, which is a rarity, with one exception. I don't mind bailing the flag carrier out that much, although its still annoying.

---

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jan 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 13002

quote:

---

Originally posted by Smug Git
'Flag carrier' just means that they are reaping the benefits of a former government owned monopoly (in which context it has been epic mismanagement that has got them to where they are)

---

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Aug 2001
Location: Hilbert Space
Posts: 35670

That is a good question. Either is better than giving it to a private company.

I think that higher taxes might be necessary, actually, although I don't like taxes; I think that the police/judiciary and the education system require more investment if they are to achieve their purpose, for example.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Nov 2001
Location: Rio de los Brazos de Dios
Posts: 3876

quote:

---

This is probably not a popular opinion

---

__________________

[Ignore Sig]

oxsan


Don't kick until yer spurred.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged