bmattock
Mentor
I guess if living on your knees is your idea of being free. I *can* do something about it. I don't fly anymore. If enough people refuse to support this nonsense, it will change.
dmr
Registered Abuser
As another data point here, for a quick out-in trip earlier this week, OMA-MDW, it seemed just the same as prior to the activity in late December. Just the usual ID check with the black light, strip-tease and throw everything in the bins, walk through the metal detector, then on to the gate. No major lines at either OMA or MDW.
As for photo gear, for this trip all I was carrying was the little P&S with a loaded roll of W/F 200, so I just let it go through the machine.
As for photo gear, for this trip all I was carrying was the little P&S with a loaded roll of W/F 200, so I just let it go through the machine.
robert blu
quiet photographer
@ roger christian: sorry for question, but english is not my native language and I'm just curious to understand what a CPAP is !
About the main subject for sure if we want/need to travel by plane the exercise is learn to travel light, maybe time for one camera, one/two lens and not too many films.
Times for a 2-3 srl cameras, lenses from 20mm to a 80/200 zoom, flash, 20 slides film + 20 B&W and some IR are gone...
I'm meantime getting old and the attempt to travel light is now tempting me...
robert
About the main subject for sure if we want/need to travel by plane the exercise is learn to travel light, maybe time for one camera, one/two lens and not too many films.
Times for a 2-3 srl cameras, lenses from 20mm to a 80/200 zoom, flash, 20 slides film + 20 B&W and some IR are gone...
I'm meantime getting old and the attempt to travel light is now tempting me...
robert
wgerrard
Mentor
I don't really understand that, Bill. You've given up the freedom to fly in exchange for the freedom to avoid a security line? Each to our own, but that's a trade I wouldn't make.
I see the security lines as a hassle, not a deprivation of liberty.
jl-lb.ms
John A. Lever
Well, that and a box of Maduro Churchills pretty much covers it.
bmattock
Mentor
I do not go voluntarily into places where I believe my civil liberties are being abused. The statement made was "nothing you can do about it anyway" and I noted that there is something you can do about it, you can avoid putting yourself in that situation. I don't go into bad neighborhoods either, and for the same reason; I don't like what might happen to me there.
Everyone must make their own choices. If I find myself in a situation where flying is the only option I have, I will grit my teeth and do it; as rogerchristian suggested, with a stupid vapid grin pasted across my face and a smile in my heart, every question answered with a cheery "Yes sir," the better to get through the torture chamber.
However, I exercise my right to choose less convenient methods of personal travel in all other circumstances. In the common parlance, screw 'em. If enough people drive or take the train instead of flying, the message will be sent. Continuing to bow down before oppressors on the basis that there is no choice is, to me, not worthy of free people.
I see the security lines as theater, designed to calm sheep, and a serious violation of the Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution. I realize the courts do not agree with me, so this is my own personal opinion. I have the courage of my convictions - I stay away from such places, since I lack the authority to make them stop it.
I am only sorry so many Americans are so willing to lick the hand that holds their chains.
“If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen!” - Samuel Adams
Beemermark
Mentor
Ditto, I have to travel a lot on business so sometimes I am forced to fly. Tried to get Amtrak from Syracuse to NYC last Monday and it was sold out. I've never had that happen on any Amtrak. Guess more people are discovering the joys of rail.
Al Patterson
Ferroequinologist
Rail works great for short trip, like 300 to 400 miles, but for long hauls one might need to fly.
Last year, I went to California to visit relatives. I took 3 1/2 days each way on Amtrak. Now, if you only had a week of vacation time the round trip alone would consume all of one's vacation time. Fortunately, I had the time. But, I'm like Bill Mattack in that I'll check Amtrak first before considering subjecting myself to the "Security Theater" in the airports.
Last year, I went to California to visit relatives. I took 3 1/2 days each way on Amtrak. Now, if you only had a week of vacation time the round trip alone would consume all of one's vacation time. Fortunately, I had the time. But, I'm like Bill Mattack in that I'll check Amtrak first before considering subjecting myself to the "Security Theater" in the airports.
wgerrard
Mentor
Fair enough, Bill. I just don't see it in that kind of framework. It's annoying, unpleasant, time consuming, and of dubious effect. But, frankly, it's only one part of what has become the miserable experience of flying. For me, the flight is worse than the security checks.
I fly because I don't want to drive and trains are pretty much a nonstarter. I wish we had an alternative. Where are our transporters??!
wgerrard
Mentor
We drive long distances here, too. Lots of people, for example, make the run from the New York area down to Florida in a marathon drive. That's, what, 1200 miles?
Trains are not a practical option for most of us.
The cost of multi-day driving trips is a factor. I can usually find around trip air ticket to the west coast for around $300. The drive would consume 5 days or so. The cost of gas, food, and accommodation make flying much cheaper. (Plus, no way would I spend 5 days in a car. Those days are long gone.)
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Al Patterson
Ferroequinologist
Right behind the flying cars in briefcases.
We're not making progress with travel. We've already lost supersonic flight for the masses. If anything, we're going backwards.
That's for sure. If you look at old timetables, passenger trains ran at a faster average speed in the 1930's than they do today. Of course at that time passenger trains had priority. Today, when Amtrak travels off the Northeast Corridor, freight has the priority.
Al Patterson
Ferroequinologist
And that's if you make it there at all with Slamtrak!
I travel on Amtrak fairly often, and I've always made it to my destination. Now, I'll admit they do have their problems. I once spent 7 hours in New Haven because a Metro North train pulled down the catenary in New Rochelle. Other than that, I've rarely been more than 1 hour late. At least when you are delayed on Amtrak you're not stuck stuck in a metal tube designed for tiny people...
wgerrard
Mentor
Amtrak, I believe, runs on tracks owned by freight lines, This means its trains often pull over onto a siding to allow a freight train to pass.
Many of these freight tracks are not designed or maintained to allow Amtrak trains to run at speeds as high as their capabilities.
Train travel in the northeast corridor of the U.S. and sections of the west coast is a practical option, but infrequently so in much of the rest of the country.
Many of these freight tracks are not designed or maintained to allow Amtrak trains to run at speeds as high as their capabilities.
Train travel in the northeast corridor of the U.S. and sections of the west coast is a practical option, but infrequently so in much of the rest of the country.
Pablito
coco frío
My frequent experiences with Amtrak are quite the opposite. I am often several hours late.
The film / x-ray topic has been beaten to death here in more threads than I'd care to count.
Pablito
coco frío
We never had supersonic flight for the masses. We had supersonic flight for the wealthiest elite.
bmattock
Mentor
I've been delayed several times. On a trip from Albuquerque to Chicago with my wife, we were trapped on the train for about 12 hours due to a train having hit a car on a crossing up ahead. On a trip from Rocky Mount to NYC, I was delayed about seven hours. My mother-in-law frequently takes the train from Rocky Mount to NYC and back, and sometimes it's on time, sometimes not. Could be anything from 30 minutes late to hours late. Amtrak can't always control that, since they can't pull over and pass other trains mostly. So I consider that train travel needs to have some extra time cranked in for good measure. Not the way to go if you have tight connections or are in a hurry to get somewhere.
On the other hand, I take the train from Pontiac to Chicago quite often. It's cheap, it's fast, and it puts me right into downtown Chicago with no driving on my part. Easy and fun.
bmattock
Mentor
What's $10k among friends? One way. Okay, so it wasn't "available" to most, but at least it was out there, it was an option. Now the only way you're going that fast is by enlisting.
Enlisted swine do not travel above Mach 1. That's for officers.
bmattock
Mentor
You got a door on your plane? Luxury! Our planes had no doors or windows, just big gaping holes where they would be, and we went out the 'hell hole' as it was known, on the end of a bit of rope, with frack-all on belay!
Vics
Mentor
I've given up asking for a hand inspection, as they always say, "Sure. After all these other folks go through. Go to the back of the line." That way they can't be accused of refusing my request.
Now I either send it through the Xray or ship it ahead of me. I keep a stock of film at my son's house in LA, and when we fly to Europe, I just mail the film over. Works great!
Vic
bmattock
Mentor
god knows how you blokes put up with this ROTC crap...i saw that first decades ago on the show 'happy days' and thought you blokes were nuts..but go figure , whatever makes you happy
if i was under that stupid pressure every day ....and ...i had the choice to jump or not, with or with out parachute
JK around (i appreciate you dont know any better
I wasn't ROTC, that's for officers. I was enlisted swine, one each, green in color, property of the USMC.