Paul,
Interesting perspective. Here is another.
From time to time I have reason to visit my son and his family in Austin
Texas. From KARR to KEDC it is 812 NM. Driving time from home
to either KORD or KARR is about the same but the parking is different. Flight
scheduling is quite flexible. After pulling my Lancair 320 out, I certify
that the luggage is free of bombs and no terrorist is going to be on board
(33 second check). Luggage is placed in the behind-the-seat bin and
sidearm goes under the seat. Car is then parked in the heated hangar
and, after the preflight (2 minutes) things get rolling after I take my first
class seat. Block time is about 4.5 hours non-stop and the last trip
was started at 6500 feet (usually 8500). KTAS around 186 and
LOP at 7.3 GPH the fuel cost would be about $180. The KEDC FBO
will hangar my plane if I fill up and rental cars are available there, just like
KAUS. The in flight view is always great but I have to serve coffee
myself.
AA from KORD is shown as about a 3 hour flight (ground holds at
ORD not included) and a one-way econo ticket at round trip
prices is about $300 for seniors. If the trip is for more than 4 days, I
would take a limo to the airport ($50) because it costs about $25 per day to
park somewhere there. I am required to be there 2 hours before the
flight because of the TSA checks. I could take a chance that the TSA body
search would be less personal and quicker because I hold a Trusted Traveler
ID card (I can keep my belt and shoes on and I don't have to prove my
laptop is a laptop). While my ticket doesn't allow access to the Admiral's
club, my AMEX Platinum Card does and that eases the waiting time - (coffee and
donut is free). I won't add the hassle of fetching checked luggage and
I would have to leave my sidearm at home. I don't even know if
there would be a terrorist aboard (uh, that category includes weirdos,
crying babies, whiners, etc.).
Arrrrggghhh - My last flight was turned back shortly after St.
Louis by a gi-normus curved long-lived weather front with very lo vis
and imbedded thunderstorms. So, I went back home, packed the dogs
(big goofy Labs) and my wife in the van, and spent two days driving (about
22 hours of drive time) and $250 in gas plus a motel room (we carried our
own food, breakfast is provided by the motel). It was great fun (think
of Peewee's Great Adventure) except for driving thru incredible
thunderstorms in Texas. BTW, my sidearm went with us.
Airline travel is always the Last Resort.
Grayhawk
In a message dated 10/22/2012 9:11:20 A.M. Central Daylight Time,
pjdmiller@gmail.com writes:
The airlines are great and for long haul can be very cost
effective. I flew home from Daytona to Calgary after dropping the
Legacy at Spruce for the winter. Fare $250 for 2,000nm plus.
Flying the Legacy down the week prior through Casper WY for customs I got to
meet (again) probably the nicest CBP officer (Latham) in the ranks. Not
only does he greet you to Casper and show you what's around but he offers to
come out any time day or night--providing a cell number so you can reach him
at home. KCPR is a great place to clear customs from the north.
Then on to Midland TX (CAF event), Addison and Daytona where each
centre gave proactive weather advisories and I got back to Daytona in three
more great flights. Fuel was far more than this return fare but but the
Legacy is fun and on my schedule and I just get in and go.
During the return flight I actually didn't mind the airport waits,
security checks, three completely full flights. I guess it has been a
while because I was surprised to see wi-fi onboard the flights selling for 24
hours for $9.95 and I think that's incredible. However, I just plugged in
my audio books and enjoyed the flight. At the end of the first leg
waiting for the masses to exit, I saw a detail of sailors and a color guard
transporting someone home for the final time. That was a sombre
experience and I wondered how much history was contained in that life. Waiting
in the concourse, the Boston flight departing was overbooked and staff were
offering $600, a first class seat on the next flight and a hotel room for
volunteers. Wow, that would have paid for my Legacy fuel on the way
down I thought. No such offers to MSP though. After a 3-hour
layover I boarded the next leg and that's where something really strange
occurred.
We were packed in six across. The door was closed. I was
about 5 rows back of the window exits and the attendant was beginning to brief
that row of pax about the responsibilities of occupying a seat in that row.
I guess one pax was not paying attention because she announced "fire" in
a raised voice that I heard clearly. But I looked at her and she was
calmly looking at the row of pax. Then, in quick succession she called
out "fire" a second time in a louder voice followed by a third time even
louder. I had about a one-second panic to start looking for exits when I
realized she had a smirk-- then she looked at the offending pax and said "got
your attention?".
The woman beside me and I looked at each other slightly shocked.
Nobody had moved but it was obvious that for a split second a lot of people
started to believe she might be serious. Using that fancy onboard wi-fi
I sent a short email to the airline to suggest they reconsider the briefing.
I got a $25 voucher. Had I yelled such a thing I'd probably get
25 of something else.
Tallying, airline was 14 hours door to door while the Legacy is usually
11-12. Airlines $250, Legacy $600 in fuel. Unusual experiences:
Airline +4, Legacy +1 (primary alternator u/s).
Paul
Legacy, Calgary
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