RE: The Maybach!

Not sure who the car is meant to appeal to?

If I was being chaffeur driven (sigh) it’d be a Rolls, for no other reason than..it should be a Rolls.

For driving myself, I always went for Aston DB7’s and I recokn the Vanquish looks the biz. But I sadly haven’t driven either! The closest I’ve got is a BMW M5, and I felt sick climbing back into my own little 318. I’m saving…

RE: An Aircraft to be proud of! Dutchy, you must take a look at this.

I’d suppose the pole is there to prevent the tail hitting the tarmac if the CG shifts during cargo loading.

Or it could be a boutique barbers shop?

RE: Boeing to scrap sonic cruiser idea!

Very ironic.

Cast your minds back to the fanfare of Concorde…

Boeing: Speed is expensive, we are going to go for size instead.

Boeing were correct, and Airbus learnt the lesson. But Boeing forgot their own lesson!

RE: Delsey / VG Airlines almost banckrupt

The only way that airlines from the smaller European countries can survive is by adopting a “European airline” mentality and not restricting themselves to their home market. To use a US analogy, do you think the notional “Missouri Airlines” could survive?

In theory, all EU carriers have the right to operate freely all over the EU – eg. VG could have flown between LHR and FRA, or MAD to LIS.

RE: Open Skies Agreement

I still browse du temp au temp, especaially when I’m in the office on Saturdays!

United’s position that BA and VS are the causes of the UK government’s commie stance surprises me. Both airlines have repeatedly said they would welcome open skies. In fact BA pushed hard for open skies when it was triying to semi-merge with AA.

I think it will, eventually, happen. But I am not sure if United have the capability to exploit an open sky market? I have similar doubts on BA, which was shoved out of the top 100 companies on the London Stock Exchange recently. Virgin are perpetually in poor financial health, but they do have the backing of Singapore Airlines. Virgin will be one big beneficiary of open skies.

The one I am unsure of is BMI. Neither United nor Lufty will want any actual competition from them – just to boost their ability to sell transatlantic tix from LHR – ie. to build up the Star presence at LHR.

RE: Leaving

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 11-09-02 AT 05:29 PM (GMT)]One last post, as I gotta spend tonight moving:

Cargo and express parcels carrier Emerald Airways is considering favourably, the distant prospect of resuming passenger flights to IOM. They used to operate the IOM-LPL shuttle flights from 1996-1999 and I was lucky enough to use them a few times.

They used HS-748’s (Who else uses these for passenger work?!). Apparently, they would still use 748’s for passenger work. They were looking at a mix of ATR-42 and ATR-72, but they spent the money buying a rival instead. So it’s still the old HS-748’s with the ridiculous 40″-ish seat pitch! Despite dusty old seats, the leg room made them very comfy flights.

The full version of events is available by clicking:

http://www.iomonline.co.im/Businessfullstory.asp?storyid=14

Also, passenger numbers have slightly increased at IOM over this time last year. BA have suffered, but Flybe have had stonking growth. They often use BAe. 146-300’s to LCY whereas a year ago it was only a Dash 8-200. The spare -200 now operates to Newcastle every few days.

RE: Quitting the Forum?

I know what you mean about time pressure Geforce, I personally use the forum at lunch time. Otherwise I’d just work through lunch which isn’t good for you in the long run.

It’d be a shame for you to go though – reconsider?

RE: GLOBAL DEVELOPING POWERS-2003!!!

Geforce, why else would Mbeki be so supportive of Mugabe?

He has already caused a lot of concern amongst financial institutions, MNCs and so on because of his stance. He is clearly not too bothered about it!