not that is that much important, but one of the return flights has already been cancelled.

(06-14-2014 09:57 AM)panama Wrote:  

(06-13-2014 07:22 PM)AndreWhere Wrote:  They all suck. Air travel sucks. It's a perfect example of how our economic system ruins ****: build capacity until the price falls just to the point where typical idiots will put it on a credit card. That's how you go from GTOs to Toyotas and from hot pants to pantsuits.

It's the new normal. We don't have a 1960's economy. It's why Wal Mart keeps opening 150k sq ft stores. The personal attention that we would all want isn't economically feasible unless you pay a premium. MLB, retail, air travel; they all suffer from the same mallady. Southwest has found a model that basically means you fly am air bus. It's working for them for now. It likely doesn't work to fly people to Japan or Dubai. One also has to wonder how continued increases in fuel prices affects their model. Time will tell. If the argument is "it's not 1978 anymore and I am mad as hell" I understand but there is not much that can be done about that. I have also found that most people who complain about air travel do not like air travel, likely because they are forced to fly rather than using it for leisure. Accept the reality and look at it as an adventure. Also mitigate your personal circumstances. Example: I have flight benefits. But if I am going to a wedding in say, mid-July I am likely being a ticket because air travel sucks universally in the summer.

I do wish certain things like air travel were more expensive. Like, if gas were $8-$10 per gallon, I would still drive basically the same amount, because gas just isn't a big percentage of my budget. Other people would drive less, and the road wouldn't be all crowded with crappy cars. At least some of us would get to enjoy driving.

And it's not like the people who'd get shoved off the road in my fantasy really have the capacity to appreciate the joy of motoring anyway... I'm talking about all those people in Fred Sanford-looking Toyotas with coat hangers for antennas. Those people need to be on the sidewalk.

I'm not saying it's going to happen, but maybe if we at least talk about it, my kids (or their kids) will get to live in a less egalitarian world.

(06-15-2014 07:32 AM)AndreWhere Wrote:  

(06-14-2014 09:57 AM)panama Wrote:  

(06-13-2014 07:22 PM)AndreWhere Wrote:  They all suck. Air travel sucks. It's a perfect example of how our economic system ruins ****: build capacity until the price falls just to the point where typical idiots will put it on a credit card. That's how you go from GTOs to Toyotas and from hot pants to pantsuits.

It's the new normal. We don't have a 1960's economy. It's why Wal Mart keeps opening 150k sq ft stores. The personal attention that we would all want isn't economically feasible unless you pay a premium. MLB, retail, air travel; they all suffer from the same mallady. Southwest has found a model that basically means you fly am air bus. It's working for them for now. It likely doesn't work to fly people to Japan or Dubai. One also has to wonder how continued increases in fuel prices affects their model. Time will tell. If the argument is "it's not 1978 anymore and I am mad as hell" I understand but there is not much that can be done about that. I have also found that most people who complain about air travel do not like air travel, likely because they are forced to fly rather than using it for leisure. Accept the reality and look at it as an adventure. Also mitigate your personal circumstances. Example: I have flight benefits. But if I am going to a wedding in say, mid-July I am likely being a ticket because air travel sucks universally in the summer.

I do wish certain things like air travel were more expensive. Like, if gas were $8-$10 per gallon, I would still drive basically the same amount, because gas just isn't a big percentage of my budget. Other people would drive less, and the road wouldn't be all crowded with crappy cars. At least some of us would get to enjoy driving.

And it's not like the people who'd get shoved off the road in my fantasy really have the capacity to appreciate the joy of motoring anyway... I'm talking about all those people in Fred Sanford-looking Toyotas with coat hangers for antennas. Those people need to be on the sidewalk.

I'm not saying it's going to happen, but maybe if we at least talk about it, my kids (or their kids) will get to live in a less egalitarian world.

that could be 'theeee' most flawed logic I've ever read....your personal wants are almost nazi-like

take a look at overpopulation and white flight....may provide more humility and insight to what is real

and I already know....you won't get it....

(06-15-2014 08:55 AM)stinkfist Wrote:  

(06-15-2014 07:32 AM)AndreWhere Wrote:  

(06-14-2014 09:57 AM)panama Wrote:  

(06-13-2014 07:22 PM)AndreWhere Wrote:  They all suck. Air travel sucks. It's a perfect example of how our economic system ruins ****: build capacity until the price falls just to the point where typical idiots will put it on a credit card. That's how you go from GTOs to Toyotas and from hot pants to pantsuits.

It's the new normal. We don't have a 1960's economy. It's why Wal Mart keeps opening 150k sq ft stores. The personal attention that we would all want isn't economically feasible unless you pay a premium. MLB, retail, air travel; they all suffer from the same mallady. Southwest has found a model that basically means you fly am air bus. It's working for them for now. It likely doesn't work to fly people to Japan or Dubai. One also has to wonder how continued increases in fuel prices affects their model. Time will tell. If the argument is "it's not 1978 anymore and I am mad as hell" I understand but there is not much that can be done about that. I have also found that most people who complain about air travel do not like air travel, likely because they are forced to fly rather than using it for leisure. Accept the reality and look at it as an adventure. Also mitigate your personal circumstances. Example: I have flight benefits. But if I am going to a wedding in say, mid-July I am likely being a ticket because air travel sucks universally in the summer.

I do wish certain things like air travel were more expensive. Like, if gas were $8-$10 per gallon, I would still drive basically the same amount, because gas just isn't a big percentage of my budget. Other people would drive less, and the road wouldn't be all crowded with crappy cars. At least some of us would get to enjoy driving.

And it's not like the people who'd get shoved off the road in my fantasy really have the capacity to appreciate the joy of motoring anyway... I'm talking about all those people in Fred Sanford-looking Toyotas with coat hangers for antennas. Those people need to be on the sidewalk.

I'm not saying it's going to happen, but maybe if we at least talk about it, my kids (or their kids) will get to live in a less egalitarian world.

that could be 'theeee' most flawed logic I've ever read....your personal wants are almost nazi-like

take a look at overpopulation and white flight....may provide more humility and insight to what is real

and I already know....you won't get it....

$8/gallon gas would pretty much put an end to the whole "white flight" thing, though, wouldn't it?

When I first moved to Hattiesburg, Temple Baptist was pulling out of Downtown and relocating to Oak Grove. I always thought that was a defining moment. I mean, it's cynical enough when a mall or a gas station does it. A church that does it has less than zero credibility, in my opinion.

(06-15-2014 02:16 PM)AndreWhere Wrote:  

(06-15-2014 08:55 AM)stinkfist Wrote:  

(06-15-2014 07:32 AM)AndreWhere Wrote:  

(06-14-2014 09:57 AM)panama Wrote:  

(06-13-2014 07:22 PM)AndreWhere Wrote:  They all suck. Air travel sucks. It's a perfect example of how our economic system ruins ****: build capacity until the price falls just to the point where typical idiots will put it on a credit card. That's how you go from GTOs to Toyotas and from hot pants to pantsuits.

It's the new normal. We don't have a 1960's economy. It's why Wal Mart keeps opening 150k sq ft stores. The personal attention that we would all want isn't economically feasible unless you pay a premium. MLB, retail, air travel; they all suffer from the same mallady. Southwest has found a model that basically means you fly am air bus. It's working for them for now. It likely doesn't work to fly people to Japan or Dubai. One also has to wonder how continued increases in fuel prices affects their model. Time will tell. If the argument is "it's not 1978 anymore and I am mad as hell" I understand but there is not much that can be done about that. I have also found that most people who complain about air travel do not like air travel, likely because they are forced to fly rather than using it for leisure. Accept the reality and look at it as an adventure. Also mitigate your personal circumstances. Example: I have flight benefits. But if I am going to a wedding in say, mid-July I am likely being a ticket because air travel sucks universally in the summer.

I do wish certain things like air travel were more expensive. Like, if gas were $8-$10 per gallon, I would still drive basically the same amount, because gas just isn't a big percentage of my budget. Other people would drive less, and the road wouldn't be all crowded with crappy cars. At least some of us would get to enjoy driving.

And it's not like the people who'd get shoved off the road in my fantasy really have the capacity to appreciate the joy of motoring anyway... I'm talking about all those people in Fred Sanford-looking Toyotas with coat hangers for antennas. Those people need to be on the sidewalk.

I'm not saying it's going to happen, but maybe if we at least talk about it, my kids (or their kids) will get to live in a less egalitarian world.

that could be 'theeee' most flawed logic I've ever read....your personal wants are almost nazi-like

take a look at overpopulation and white flight....may provide more humility and insight to what is real

and I already know....you won't get it....

$8/gallon gas would pretty much put an end to the whole "white flight" thing, though, wouldn't it?

When I first moved to Hattiesburg, Temple Baptist was pulling out of Downtown and relocating to Oak Grove. I always thought that was a defining moment. I mean, it's cynical enough when a mall or a gas station does it. A church that does it has less than zero credibility, in my opinion.

chief, 8/gal puts people out of business....pre katrina prices vs today's is a major part of the problem

st thomas moved too and took father tommy with him

I get what you are trying to say, but the US isn't designed across the board to be vertical....this ain't europe....it would cripple rural america....

(06-11-2014 08:37 AM)Niner National Wrote:  

(06-11-2014 07:50 AM)VA49er Wrote:  It's hit or miss. The airline doesn't really matter. I've had terrible experiences on some of them and great experiences on some of them.

This is what I was going to say.

Every major airline is virtually the same and late flights are often not their fault.

A lot of moving pieces. If they offered a hotel to every person that was on a flight that got canceled, they'd go bankrupt.

That said, my United flight to Munich for Oktoberfest got bumped to Lufthansa yesterday and I am very happy about that.

More and more US Airlines are finally following Lufthansa's lead in FINALLY monitoring the size of carry-on luggage at self-serve counters and/or main gatse...as Lufthansa normally (maybe not all the times) has employees monitoring bags that passengers do not check...and they see if they fit the overhead guidelines (something most US Airlines have been lenient on...which has lead to delays in boardings, i.e. takes longer to board when overhead space runs out from too many passengers carrying on oversized luggage).

Lufthansa is able to get more bags checked...which frees up overhead space for those bags that qualify, which helps with their boarding process.

United has tried since the Spring to enforce carry on size.

Many German companies pay attention to the small things (such as this issue) and it really helps in the long-run.

Cant afford United any way.

(06-15-2014 08:05 PM)stinkfist Wrote:  

(06-15-2014 02:16 PM)AndreWhere Wrote:  

(06-15-2014 08:55 AM)stinkfist Wrote:  

(06-15-2014 07:32 AM)AndreWhere Wrote:  

(06-14-2014 09:57 AM)panama Wrote:  It's the new normal. We don't have a 1960's economy. It's why Wal Mart keeps opening 150k sq ft stores. The personal attention that we would all want isn't economically feasible unless you pay a premium. MLB, retail, air travel; they all suffer from the same mallady. Southwest has found a model that basically means you fly am air bus. It's working for them for now. It likely doesn't work to fly people to Japan or Dubai. One also has to wonder how continued increases in fuel prices affects their model. Time will tell. If the argument is "it's not 1978 anymore and I am mad as hell" I understand but there is not much that can be done about that. I have also found that most people who complain about air travel do not like air travel, likely because they are forced to fly rather than using it for leisure. Accept the reality and look at it as an adventure. Also mitigate your personal circumstances. Example: I have flight benefits. But if I am going to a wedding in say, mid-July I am likely being a ticket because air travel sucks universally in the summer.

I do wish certain things like air travel were more expensive. Like, if gas were $8-$10 per gallon, I would still drive basically the same amount, because gas just isn't a big percentage of my budget. Other people would drive less, and the road wouldn't be all crowded with crappy cars. At least some of us would get to enjoy driving.

And it's not like the people who'd get shoved off the road in my fantasy really have the capacity to appreciate the joy of motoring anyway... I'm talking about all those people in Fred Sanford-looking Toyotas with coat hangers for antennas. Those people need to be on the sidewalk.

I'm not saying it's going to happen, but maybe if we at least talk about it, my kids (or their kids) will get to live in a less egalitarian world.

that could be 'theeee' most flawed logic I've ever read....your personal wants are almost nazi-like

take a look at overpopulation and white flight....may provide more humility and insight to what is real

and I already know....you won't get it....

$8/gallon gas would pretty much put an end to the whole "white flight" thing, though, wouldn't it?

When I first moved to Hattiesburg, Temple Baptist was pulling out of Downtown and relocating to Oak Grove. I always thought that was a defining moment. I mean, it's cynical enough when a mall or a gas station does it. A church that does it has less than zero credibility, in my opinion.

chief, 8/gal puts people out of business....pre katrina prices vs today's is a major part of the problem

st thomas moved too and took father tommy with him

I get what you are trying to say, but the US isn't designed across the board to be vertical....this ain't europe....it would cripple rural america....

Isn't St. Thomas right across campus, on Fourth Street? Are you saying that they moved out West? Or are you saying that they used to be further Downtown?

$8 gas would be "disruptive"... the scary thing is that business types nowadays think "disruptive" is good.

I think I'm with you, though. I wouldn't want America to become any less rural because I think it would turn us into a nation of pansies and zombies... to the extent that it isn't one already.

(06-16-2014 06:10 PM)AndreWhere Wrote:  

(06-15-2014 08:05 PM)stinkfist Wrote:  

(06-15-2014 02:16 PM)AndreWhere Wrote:  

(06-15-2014 08:55 AM)stinkfist Wrote:  

(06-15-2014 07:32 AM)AndreWhere Wrote:  I do wish certain things like air travel were more expensive. Like, if gas were $8-$10 per gallon, I would still drive basically the same amount, because gas just isn't a big percentage of my budget. Other people would drive less, and the road wouldn't be all crowded with crappy cars. At least some of us would get to enjoy driving.

And it's not like the people who'd get shoved off the road in my fantasy really have the capacity to appreciate the joy of motoring anyway... I'm talking about all those people in Fred Sanford-looking Toyotas with coat hangers for antennas. Those people need to be on the sidewalk.

I'm not saying it's going to happen, but maybe if we at least talk about it, my kids (or their kids) will get to live in a less egalitarian world.

that could be 'theeee' most flawed logic I've ever read....your personal wants are almost nazi-like

take a look at overpopulation and white flight....may provide more humility and insight to what is real

and I already know....you won't get it....

$8/gallon gas would pretty much put an end to the whole "white flight" thing, though, wouldn't it?

When I first moved to Hattiesburg, Temple Baptist was pulling out of Downtown and relocating to Oak Grove. I always thought that was a defining moment. I mean, it's cynical enough when a mall or a gas station does it. A church that does it has less than zero credibility, in my opinion.

chief, 8/gal puts people out of business....pre katrina prices vs today's is a major part of the problem

st thomas moved too and took father tommy with him

I get what you are trying to say, but the US isn't designed across the board to be vertical....this ain't europe....it would cripple rural america....

Isn't St. Thomas right across campus, on Fourth Street? Are you saying that they moved out West? Or are you saying that they used to be further Downtown?

$8 gas would be "disruptive"... the scary thing is that business types nowadays think "disruptive" is good.

I think I'm with you, though. I wouldn't want America to become any less rural because I think it would turn us into a nation of pansies and zombies... to the extent that it isn't one already.

yes to west....

yes to big biz....

no to small biz.....like mine and more that matter...