Is there any proof to show that the russian space program or space stations in general were ever realy suffering because of Lack of Finances? Or is this just something America took for granted back when They were suffering from lack of finances?

I’ve been round the Star City complex and I have to say that the lack of finances was something that was raised more than once.

I remember going to see John Glenn’s capsule at the Chambers Street Museum a very very long time ago…

Knowing ICAO reasonably well I doubt they have done anything on A380 testing that quickly …

Whilst I appreciate we live in difficult times – and it has been said before on the forum, but I will say it again – BAA have no interest in spotters or enthusiasts as has been proved by the closure of facilities in recent years at Heathrow Gatwick and Edinburgh. When I first started spotting I remember walking out on top of the piers at Gatwick and there was a cafe reached by a bridge from the left hand pier for spotters and in the summer you could sit outside on a patio area have a cup of tea and sandwich and watch and photograph to your hearts content. Its a shame but I only see things getting worse rather than better.
Anyway on that depressing note I will wish everyone a Merry Christmas!! :diablo:

Yes, I remember spotting on the pier at Gatwick about 2200 one July night back in 1970 watching I-FINR a MS760 dropping somebody off at the terminal. Changed days indeed.

I think it all started to go downhill when airports forgot they were airports and decided that they were actually shopping malls and I don’t care if they say that rents from shops keep airport charges down, I hate them 🙁

Unfortunately I never had the pleasure of either seeing or hearing an F105 in the flesh. However in its day I considered it to be the nicest looking of all its contempories, even the Phantom!

I went from Scotland down to Lakenheath many moons ago to see a bunch of 105s come over for a deployment. Fantastic.

For a passenger paying his/her own money and unwilling/unable to accept the fare restrictions etc. there is indeed not much point in not paying a bit more for more legroom, service, lounges and human treatment.

But a business passenger? They can justify not travelling in discounted economy and instead getting full-fare economy ticket so as to have the flexibility to be in time where ordered and not need to pay for forfeited tickets. How do they normally justify spending the money on legroom, service, lounges and human treatment if they could have saved a little by having the same flexibility with a full-fare economy ticket?

Company travel policies because the vast majority of business passengers don’t pay for the tickets out of their own pocket. And many large corporates will do deals with travel agents for bulk discounted tickets in whatever class.

The place I used to work for always used business travel class for duty travel but where I work now its always economy class.

Also, many legacy carriers are flying into more accessible airports (central airports) making the difference in price potentially more attractive.

The European LCCs (with one exception) don’t interline, even with their own flights so if your flight is delayed and you miss the connection, tough.

At the end of the day, you pay your money and you take your choice.