http://www.clickondetroit.com/money/26312902/detail.html

Small Claims court

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

I really hate to play devil's advocate for the airlines, but they really don't have a good solution for such a situation.

NFW you can staff a call center with sufficient personnel to handle the cancellation of 1000 flights simultaneously.

And, in reality, the call center really cannot help you much..........the flights are running with a load factor of 85%, typically, so there are very few additional seats to accommodate those that didn't get to fly.

The flights that didn't takeoff are gone forever..........the airline cannot fly then again on another day.

I'll bet that some folks won't get to their original destination within seven days of the storm. There isn't enough lift.

ditch the airport idiots and get a Mercedes GL or a Subaru. Wave at the airport idiots as you engage the four wheel drive and traction control and proceed onward towards your destination.....

I'm afraid that the "idiots" are waving at you while they pass overhead at 450 kt.

55 mph average speed over 500 miles isn't much fun.

Since some of them were stranded for over two days, I could travel 2,640 miles (48 hours X 55MPH ground travel speed = 2,640 miles), and avoid sitting in an airport with stopped up toilets, people coughing and hacking in my face while I'm on hold trying to reach reservations, having to watch my bags like an eagle to prevent baggage theft, eating crap airport food etc etc.

but that's just me.

Citing the occurrence of a major snowstorm as your argument is a bit weak. Anybody with half a brain waits a couple of days and then rebooks the trip.............or uses a vehicle if they must go.

If you head to the airport (as some did) expecting to get on an aircraft, you're a total moron.

I've made it Door to door, Raleigh/Durham to my home in Blue Point, in 3.5 hours. Try that with your Subaru............

............but that's just me.

I'd rather take a good rented car ANY day and drive it to the destination for 3-5 days than endure that unmitgated 9th circle oF Dante's Hell described hereinabove by you!!

Brian Carlton's rather ridiculous and glibly postulated alternative also omits the stupid TSA theatre AND that "first class" <------- travel in those flimsy aluminum cigar tubes in the sky involves close personal interaction with crying babies smoking expensive cigars,

and coach is far worse, like taking a cheap bus from Lima to Caraz Peru in the Andes, with the attendant boxes of crowing chickens and babys kicking the back of the your seat incessantly for hours, while you are stuffed like "sardinas en lata" (sardines in a tin) with obese unwashed passengers beside you, squashing you in from both sides.


Nein danke, I'd rather rent the new Mercury Grand Marquis or the Subaru Outback, and cruise in sublime pleasure to my destination..

But hey, that's just me.

__________________
1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

You fellows are good with the talk, but when it comes time to walk the walk, you generally realize that spending 3-5 days on the road is not that pleasurable. Sure, you do it once, when you've got nothing better to do. But, if you need to cover large distances on a regular basis, spending 3-5 days behind the wheel doesn't make a whole lot of sense. And, if you factor the cost of food and hotel rooms, you're way behind the curve with the costs of such a trip. Spending $300 on food and hotels to avoid the TSA is the epitome of ridiculous. Additional costs include the $.20 per mile to drive the vehicle (possibly more), a cost which I'm sure you simply dismiss.

Believe me, nobody enjoys the TSA theater, the packed sardine cans, and the extensive delays, but the alternative is generally less satisfactory over the long term.

There are exceptions, and I usually consider a 550 mile drive, however it's 10 hours by vehicle when the airplane can do it in 4-5 with a decent connection.

One thing you both forget is the potential for vehicle issues and/or the potential for a serious traffic situation en route. Driving has it's risks, as well.


One thing I am curious about: Those that wail about how they'll never fly............when was the last time you were actually in an airport? Are all of your wild claims of oppression anecdotal from others? I doubt I'll get an honest answer...........but, have at it.

I fly 3-4 times per year. It's not great.........but, it usually takes 6 hours door to door...........no matter the distance.

Well Brian, I do walk the walk. I agree that driving long distances is time consuming, but I still find it less hassle than flying. Everyone has to decide for themselves.

Yep, you do. And you're the one exception to the talkers. I tip my hat to you............the time lost is significant to walk the walk on a regular basis.

I take a new tack. I try to avoid going to the customer site. If it can be done by phone, that's what will happen. To go out there to simply show my face and shake a few hands isn't in the cards anymore. The trip is too exhausting, whether you drive it or fly it.

I rarely travel for meetings, when I go someplace it is normally for 1-2 weeks at a time. I do fly if I need to, I wouldn't drive from CO to DC for a one day meeting. For longer trips, I prefer to have my own car instead of a rental, and I like to be able to carry whatever I need without dealing with the airlines. Fortunately, I am able to arrange my schedule so that the extra time isn't an issue. I understand that most people don't have time to avoid flying.

Brian,

My daughter and her bf are flying from JFK to LA later this afternoon direct. (They purchased their tickets long ago.) She told me last night that the flight was overbooked.
Apart from that problem, which I guess the only way to combat is to get there early?, the storm problems shouldn't cause them any concern. It's only the stranded passengers from canceled flights that have problems moving about the country now, is that correct?

Side question, They will be travlling from Jersey, prolly across the VZ bridge. How are the roads to JFK now?


(Always) A concerned Dad.

as they say, to each their own. Last flight I took the airline allowed a drunk passenger to board the flight. The flight attendant continued bringing him more alcoholic beverages. As a result of the alcohol infusion, the drunk became more and more obnoxious, loud and demanding.

The television show "Airline" brings to light just how rude and abusive the flying public can be. The abuse people give the gate attendants is unbelievable. They should have two armed airport security guards at each gate along with a sign that says, "Play nice and we'll treat you nice, get nasty and you won't like what we do to you".

Notice when you enter the airport there is no sign that says:

"Welcome, your experience here at XYZ international airport will be 100% smooth sailing".

People know there might be flight delays, bags lost, snowed in, etc etc. but they want a private charter jet service experience on a greyhound bus budget.

Dream on.