Fighting the high cost of flying

"Andrew Sarangan" wrote in message
...

Just having returned from a 400NM trip, I have to say there are other
reasons besides fuel cost that is against GA. Today's automobiles have
come a long way in comfort, speed and convenience. The same level of
comfort only exists in airplanes that cost several million bucks.

The 95F heat this afternoon made the 10 minute taxi and run-up feel
like an eternity. Even with the cabin fan at full blast we were
suffocating by the time we took off. Then there was the 30 knots
headwind all the way, which increased the trip time by a full hour.
Even with ANR, the noise was physically draining. Now combine this
with a 2-year old in the back seat. I find it is impossible to justify
to your family that this is better way of traveling.

I could not see my family suffer through this ordeal, so I stopped at
an airport and rented a brand new Toyota Prius and told them to drive
it home, one of the best decision I have made in a long time. It was
definitely longer than flying, but it was way more comfy and cost far
less than flying. Next time I have decided to drive for family trips.


Noise, vibration and temperature.

In the past 40 years, the improvement in the automobile has been remarkable,
in the comparable aircraft, almost no change at all.

"Maxwell" luv2^fly99@cox.^net wrote in
:


"Andrew Sarangan" wrote in message
news:f6423c42-6781-4f01-bb32-36092af60689
@y21g2000hsf.googlegroups.com.
..

Just having returned from a 400NM trip, I have to say there are other
reasons besides fuel cost that is against GA. Today's automobiles
have come a long way in comfort, speed and convenience. The same
level of comfort only exists in airplanes that cost several million
bucks.

The 95F heat this afternoon made the 10 minute taxi and run-up feel
like an eternity. Even with the cabin fan at full blast we were
suffocating by the time we took off. Then there was the 30 knots
headwind all the way, which increased the trip time by a full hour.
Even with ANR, the noise was physically draining. Now combine this
with a 2-year old in the back seat. I find it is impossible to
justify to your family that this is better way of traveling.

I could not see my family suffer through this ordeal, so I stopped at
an airport and rented a brand new Toyota Prius and told them to drive
it home, one of the best decision I have made in a long time. It was
definitely longer than flying, but it was way more comfy and cost far
less than flying. Next time I have decided to drive for family trips.


Noise, vibration and temperature.

In the past 40 years, the improvement in the automobile has been
remarkable, in the comparable aircraft, almost no change at all.



Not if you fly a 40 year old airplane, moron.


Bertie

I could not see my family suffer through this ordeal, so I stopped at
an airport and rented a brand new Toyota Prius and told them to drive
it home, one of the best decision I have made in a long time. It was
definitely longer than flying, but it was way more comfy and cost far
less than flying. Next time I have decided to drive for family trips.

That's so ironic, since I just subjected my family to a 1,000 mile *drive*
to Detroit (and back) for the Red Bull Air Races. At first, the kids were
happy, saying "Boy, we've never done anything like this before!"

At hour three, they started to get restless, but were still generally happy.

By hour five, they wanted out.

By hour eight, they never wanted to drive anywhere again. This trip was
the best sales pitch for personal flying, ever -- except for those pesky
Level 5 storms that just wouldn't move away...

Comfort levels. Atlas has XM radio, in-panel CD and (portable) DVD
players, and the back seats are positively spacious -- so the kids'
experience flying has been almost 100% positive since birth. It's at least
as comfortable as driving, with the advantage of having a great view.

Of course, all of that goes away if (when?) gas prices double again.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

"Jay Honeck" wrote in
news:sQv2k.197984$yE1.110862@attbi_s21:

I could not see my family suffer through this ordeal, so I stopped at
an airport and rented a brand new Toyota Prius and told them to drive
it home, one of the best decision I have made in a long time. It was
definitely longer than flying, but it was way more comfy and cost far
less than flying. Next time I have decided to drive for family trips.

That's so ironic, since I just subjected my family to a 1,000 mile
*drive* to Detroit (and back) for the Red Bull Air Races.

I'll alert Child Protection. Noone should be subjected to you for that
length of time.



Bertie

Jay Honeck schrieb:
Comfort levels. Atlas has XM radio, in-panel CD and (portable) DVD
players, and the back seats are positively spacious -- so the kids'
experience flying has been almost 100% positive since birth.

this you can also provide in a car.

total time (door to door) within a smaller radius from home brings a car
ahead in time (and comfort, too: no loading, preflight, security checks
- if any, weather, ...). When there are no more or less direct roads
between you and your destination then flying might still be a good
alternative.

#m