So, is there a problem with profit? Without the possibility of profits, there would be no airlines as no one would invest. And, is an uncomfortable seat to somewhere in the world that you could otherwise not afford a bad thing? The customer can decide if he wants the product and, if being uncomfortable isn't worth the price of the ticket + the experience of being somewhere else, he won't buy the product. I hate uncomfortable flights as much as anyone but I do have an option of paying 2 - 4x the price to make them comfortable (in first class) but I forgo that option. To exist, airlines must be profitable. So, we can either have more comfort with less flights and much higher costs for every flight OR we can have today's situation with lower prices, more options, and higher costs only for those willing and able to bear the burden. I think the choice is pretty clear.

(Written on 2018/04/06)(Permalink)

Gotta say, SWA strikes me as the most 'honest' airline and it shows in their frequent flyer program. On SW, you can calculate how many FF miles it will take to get somewhere by doing simple division on the dollar cost of the ticket. The miles required on other airlines is never so transparent. They clearly make up the rules to suit their short term profitability. On SWA, however, there's no 'hey, we only have X number of FF seats on this plane' or 'Well, you've actually got to use 2X the points to get on this flight'. My only real beef with SWA is the number of connections it can take to get somewhere (at least when travelling from DTW). The time wasted in connections does represent a real cost in lost work or vacation time.

(Written on 2017/08/20)(Permalink)

Here's what I don't get - it was a visual approach on a clear night, right? I'm not an IFR pilot and open to correction but doesn't that mean that the pilot(s) are looking ahead at the runway to land the plane? Aren't the planes on the taxiway lit up? So, how do you not see them right in front of you?

(Written on 2017/07/21)(Permalink)

Thanks, Mike, that helps. So, it looks like the the tanks "automatically" open up as the water pressure pushes them open.

(Written on 2017/04/21)(Permalink)

Thanks, Pete! I was wondering about how they handled the changes in weight. Very cool.

(Written on 2017/04/21)(Permalink)

So, are the pilots controlling anything to allow water into the tanks OR is that all automatic OR is there another crew member doing that?

(Written on 2017/04/21)(Permalink)

Perhaps you should just go with it. I mean maybe the victim was smuggling drugs. The article doesn't say he wasn't, right? :)

(Written on 2017/04/14)(Permalink)

Really? Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiopulmonary_resuscitation - it's that thing you see in the movies where someone pushes on a heart attack victim's chest to keep them alive.

(Written on 2017/04/14)(Permalink)

At 6'1" I'd also like to see more leg room. Of course, I can get it... if I'm willing to pay for economy comfort (or whatever they're calling it). My point is that, recent news about airline collusion aside, this is a fairly competitive market. If it's possible to make a fair profit with more comfortable planes, someone will do it. Right now, we get what the market demands. Think about it, if you're paying for your own ticket, are you willing to pay $200 more for a one or two hour flight when a competitor offers similar times, albeit with less leg room? I think that for most people, in most cases, the answer is no.

(Written on 2015/08/09)(Permalink)

Very cool! if you just go to nmus.afvirtualtour.com, you can get the same stuff from a lot of aircraft and positions in those aircraft. Now that I've found that I have to rate this very, VERY cool!

(Written on 2013/03/15)(Permalink)