bkonnerHowdy,
I always wanted to fly in a BA Trident, BA VC10, and an Aeroflot IL62. We never saw a Trident in the US and the VC10’s were rare as were the IL62. By the time I was old enough to travel to Europe, it was too late.
I remember as a kid looking at the BA timetables. As a non technical statement, so please forgive me, I always thought these aircraft were SO COOL!
BUMMER!
Bkonner
bkonnerHowdy,
I always wanted to fly in a BA Trident, BA VC10, and an Aeroflot IL62. We never saw a Trident in the US and the VC10’s were rare as were the IL62. By the time I was old enough to travel to Europe, it was too late.
I remember as a kid looking at the BA timetables. As a non technical statement, so please forgive me, I always thought these aircraft were SO COOL!
BUMMER!
Bkonner
bkonnerPaulc, you are correct. It was the AA accident that caused the grounding. I was in Honolulu at the time (a kid then) and my flight back to Boston was cancelled because of this.
Bkonner
bkonnerPaulc, you are correct. It was the AA accident that caused the grounding. I was in Honolulu at the time (a kid then) and my flight back to Boston was cancelled because of this.
Bkonner
bkonnerBankruptcy and protecting your self financially
Howdy,
I am not sure what the law is in the European Union. In the US, if you purchase your ticket with a credit card, you are protected if they go bust. Its not a good idea to pay in cash. I would be careful about buying a ticket on US Airways too far in advance right now. I just do not think they are going to make it (long term anyway). Also, something to consider, is it worth saving a few bucks if they go bust six months from now even if you pay with a credit card? You’ll get your money back, but you will have to buy a new ticket, and this would be a problem during peak travel periods, especially to the Caribbean during the winter.
Regarding frequent flyer miles, you would probably lose them, but I am not certain about this.
Bkonner
bkonnerBankruptcy and protecting your self financially
Howdy,
I am not sure what the law is in the European Union. In the US, if you purchase your ticket with a credit card, you are protected if they go bust. Its not a good idea to pay in cash. I would be careful about buying a ticket on US Airways too far in advance right now. I just do not think they are going to make it (long term anyway). Also, something to consider, is it worth saving a few bucks if they go bust six months from now even if you pay with a credit card? You’ll get your money back, but you will have to buy a new ticket, and this would be a problem during peak travel periods, especially to the Caribbean during the winter.
Regarding frequent flyer miles, you would probably lose them, but I am not certain about this.
Bkonner
bkonnerWhy US Airways will not survive
Here’s the problem that US Airways faces:
I live in Boston and US Airways has a large presense at Logan Airport. A good number of their flights are under two hours. With the security requirements in place in the United States, it no longer makes sense to fly any flight under 1.5 hours. It often is faster to drive. Their big money maker prior to 9/11 was the Boston-Washington-New York shuttle. While I continue to fly to D.C. (I just flew to Dulles on Independence Air this weekend), I don’t to New York; its just not worth it (I must admit I flew Continental to Newark because of the Path connection to New York which made Newark prior to 9/11 a faster link to New York City).
There are of course other problems. Southwest Airlines is a big one. They now have a growing presense in Philadelphia, which is going to hurt them a lot. I wish Southwest flew to Logan. They fly to Providence and Manchester, NH, but because I live down town, I am not going to drive (or take the T to Providence).
I travel a lot, and I will not book US Airways on anything more than a month in advance right now, because I am not sure they will be around, or the non-stop flight will become a connection–I don’t do connections! They also got out of the Florida non stop market from Logan, which I think was a big mistake. I have a condo in south west Florida 75 miles south of Tampa (in Englewood–lucky me, huriccane number two coming this week–GRRRR!), and I go down to Tampa probably six times a year. I flew Metrojet all the time, now I have to use Delta; AND I HATE DELTA!.
Personally I do not care if they live or die. If they die, someone else will take their place. They are not a great airline any way; no US carrier is (I correct my self, Southwest is a great airline, one of the best). I want convenient and inexpensive transportation. I am not brand conscious. I will always fly the carrier that costs less. I will not waste my money on a plane seat, even when going 5000 miles from Boston to Honolulu. I would rather spend my money at the destination and not on the plane. I am always amazed people fly business or first class. I assume their company’s pay for it.
I should also add that management at US Airways made a disasterous purchase of PSA about 15 years ago or so. They bought the west coast carrier, destroyed it, and now pretty much do not serve the west coast any more except on east-west flights from their east coast hubs. That was a stupid and expensive move on management’s part which hurt their bottom line.
Bkonner
bkonnerAn American’s perspective about the EU
I am a big fan of the European Union. Everywhere it has expanded in Europe it has created wealth. Just look at Ireland, Spain, and Portugal. I see the stability it has brought to the continent. France and Germany have truly become partners. That concept would blow the imagination of people 60 years ago. The EU, I hope, is the future for Europe. I do fear that it is growing too fast, and perhaps should slow down. But the fact is, as I said before, every country that has joined the EU has benefited (incouding the UK).
As an American I believe in immigration. Immigration is what made my country great! It brings in new blood. Look at what it has done for my country. The United States now has over 300 million people. All are immigrants (almost all anyway). Look at the wealth that they have created. The US is great because of immigration. Some bad apples do get in, but most are hard working people who just want the American dream; and they usually get it. I welcome them. They do bring their customs. There certainly are tensions, but eventually they become part of our famous melting pot and become Americans. This is true of every ethnic group that has made it to these shores from New England to Hawaii and Frorida to Alaska.
Europe has problems. Your population is aging. Who is going to pay for your retirement? Most people are not having enough children to support the next generation. The only solution is immigration. If Europe restricts immigration, then there is going to be a crisis in paying benefits through the various state pension plans in Europe. While the US has problems with is social security system, they are minor compared to what Europe faces. The only solution is to encourage people to come to Europe. These people will bring energy and new ideas. These people will make Europe like the United States, a melting pot of various people who seek a dream. This is nothing to be afraid about, this is something to be excited about. And as an American, this is something I know.
bkonnerI should add…
Americans do not have an emotional feeling towards their carriers. We fly who is ever cheaper. In fact, when it comes to flying to Europe, Americans actually prefer to fly the carrier of their “ethnic background.” Given the option, an Irish-American would always fly AerLingus over Delta. An Italian-American would always fly Alitalia (but only if the ticket was cheaper). We do not have the same emotional feelings that Europeans have towards their flag carriers. We do not have a flag carrier. No US carrier since the 60’s can claim this one (Pan AM). United is strong in the Far East, American is strong in Europe and South America, Northwest is strong in the Far East, but no carrier dominates. US carriers are businesses, no more and no less. There was a time when a carrier could claim “emotional support,” as Delta once could about 20 years ago, but that all changed with deregulation (as it should have).
bkonnerAA-BA merger, Heathrow slots % US limit on foreign ownership
Howdy,
There are problems with this. A big one is BA’s unwillingness to give up landing slots at London’s Heathrown Airport which prevented the two carriers from setting up an alliance like KLM’s/Northwest’s. Also, a non-American can only own 49 per cent of a US carrier and control only 25 per cent of the carrier itself. It should be interesting to see how Virgin get past this one as it contemplates setting up a low fare carrier in the US (badly needed, particularly here in Boston).
Nevertheless, it is time that the United States and the European Union re-visited the ownership limit. A combination of American, the largest carrier in the world and British Airways would be a potent carrier and a competitive nightmare for other carriers. This would be an incredible combination. American is particularly strong from the US to South America, and British Airway is strong in the Far East and to a lesser extent, Africa from London. The only weakness is American’s routes from the US to the Far East.
One big problem for British Airways would be the financial condition of American Airlines. BA is in much better financial shape. As you all know, the majors in the US are fighting for their financial life with expensive hub operations to support and competition from low fare carriers like Southwest and Jet Blue among others (these are the two best in the US).
The majors in the US need to rethink their strategy. For one, American, which is considered a “full service airline,” needs to put the service back, at least for its bread and butter passengers, the business traveler who pays a substantional fare when booking just a day or so before his trip.
I’ve always felt that the majors need to have a second economy class for full fare passengers, something like EVA Air’s premium economy. There should be a seperate cabin, meal service, and other ammeneties. If American expects to keep the loyality of its business fare passenger, they minimally need to give them something besides their lousy frequent flyer program. Right now there really is no reason to pay their fares when you get better service from Southwest and Jetblue. I realize I diverted from the topic, but until AA figures this one out, they will struggle with the so called low fare carriers, who lets face it, pretty much offer better service or the same service, except a frequent flyer program (not really true now that I think about it), than the majors (with their no service). But this combination would be exciting.
Bkonner
bkonnerCharters/bankruptcy
I am not sure about Europe, but in the US, if a charter goes bust, I believe you are somewhat protected, because the carrier does not get the money from your ticket until after you fly. The money is held in escrow. In the US when a carrier totally stops flying (both charter and “regular”), the other carriers normally allow you to fly on a stand-by basis. You will get home, but not quickly. You should always buy a ticket with a credit card, never cash. There is protection, at least in the US, when doing this. Also, because there are so many no-frill carriers (???), there are usually options, when you get stuck (usually).
The industry in my country is in a total mess right now. The full service (???) hub and spoke carriers are hurting because their operations at the hubs are expensive to operate. Their costs are just out of control. The no frill carriers (???) don’t have the hub/spoke expensea, plus low labor costs, so they are doing great. Just look at Southwest.
In the US, once a carrier goes into bankruptcy, but not liquidation, it continues to fly, and the consumers is not effected. When Midway went bust and totally stopped flying, most people were able to get to their destinations, at no extra cost, but it was a pain in the butt! There usually are warnings when a carrier is in trouble and ready to liquidate. People who booked on Midwey were asking for it. While USAirways is not at that point, people should be cautious about booking very far in advance (my opinion). I think they are going to have to go down the bankruptcy route again. I don’t think they have much of a future. And that’s bad news, because they are large in the part of the US where I live. But other carriers will fill the gap as they always do. Look at what happened to Eastern Airlines 12 or 13 years ago.
bkonnerSwiss would be a problem
The problem with BA-Iberia-Swiss is that Switzerland is not in the EU. That would pose a problem. Also, what benefit does Iberia offer BA.? Iberia does not offer a central base for good connections in the EU like KLM did. SN-Brussels and its Brussels base offers endless possibilities, though.
Think about it. Brussels is a full-fare market because of the EU and NATO. The airport is a good one, centrally based in the middle of Western Europe, and under used. It also just underwent a large expansion with the opening of the new wing. The only problem would be night operations. Although that does not seem to be a problem for cargo carriers, and BRU is a major player in the cargo market.
I just don’t understand the logic of not offering a strong hub in Brussels. Sabena couldn’t do it, because, unfortunately, it was not well run, and Swissair screwed up. Again, BRU is centrally located, a very good facility, lots of full fare potential, and a reasonably sized population base for tourists traveling from BRU to other destinations, especially to warmer destinations. An American carrier would setup a hub there is a second if it could.
bkonnerlockheed constellation
The lockheed constellation is a classic, classy aircraft. Not many around, but this aircraft has grace and style. You know you are flying when you are on one of these. I have never flown on one, but I would love to get a chance. There is one in good shape down in Florida. None here in Boston or New England, though. The Super G is an amazing aircraft!
bkonner
bkonnerWhy the world hates us?
Most of the world doesn’t hate us. Most of the world admires the dynamics that makes the United States a great country. I love my country! I love what my country truly stands for. But I hate the current government’s policies. They are misguided. Bush has caused a great deal of damage on many fronts (economics, terrorism, national security). He has been a disaster. But I am hopeful this will be corrected in November!
For those of you who are not Americans, do not think that the entire nation is behind Bush and the idiots who are running this country. The country is truly divided. The war in Afganastan was(and is) necessary and I strongly support what we are doing there. We need to finish the job! We were attacked and this country had to take out that government that allowed the attack to happen. Iraq on the other hand is a disaster. Yes, the government there was terrible. But there are a lot of terrible governments that should be removed. But for this to happen, other countries must agree. The US shouldn’t do this alone. This is a job that belongs with the UN!
The United States has a lot of power, more power than most of the world combined. But there are limits to that power. In addition, the US needs its friends (I hope we still have some!). The US must understand that it absolutely must consult its allies and friends on issues that effect other countries (Canada, particularly Canada, the European Union, Japan, Australia, Israel, Mexico, even Russia). We must always use our power carefully.
I think the American people will fix the problem in Washington, DC, this November.
BRING BACK BILL CLINTON!
bkonner
bkonnerWhy the world hates us?
Most of the world doesn’t hate us. Most of the world admires the dynamics that makes the United States a great country. I love my country! I love what my country truly stands for. But I hate the current government’s policies. They are misguided. Bush has caused a great deal of damage on many fronts (economics, terrorism, national security). He has been a disaster. But I am hopeful this will be corrected in November!
For those of you who are not Americans, do not think that the entire nation is behind Bush and the idiots who are running this country. The country is truly divided. The war in Afganastan was(and is) necessary and I strongly support what we are doing there. We need to finish the job! We were attacked and this country had to take out that government that allowed the attack to happen. Iraq on the other hand is a disaster. Yes, the government there was terrible. But there are a lot of terrible governments that should be removed. But for this to happen, other countries must agree. The US shouldn’t do this alone. This is a job that belongs with the UN!
The United States has a lot of power, more power than most of the world combined. But there are limits to that power. In addition, the US needs its friends (I hope we still have some!). The US must understand that it absolutely must consult its allies and friends on issues that effect other countries (Canada, particularly Canada, the European Union, Japan, Australia, Israel, Mexico, even Russia). We must always use our power carefully.
I think the American people will fix the problem in Washington, DC, this November.
BRING BACK BILL CLINTON!
bkonner
Sign In
