TwinPioneer From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2004, 52 posts, RR: 0 Posted (9 years 3 months 2 weeks ago) and read 1077 times:
Why is it that we need to fly from A to B in such a rush? Why do we need to cram 300, 400 + pax into an aircraft. Economics? I can see that is a 'modern' necessity. But is it what the average holiday flyer wants?
When I sail to France, that is part of the trip and is enjoyed at it's leisurely pace. A few beers and relaxation is a good start to 'my' holiday.
The other side of the coin is arriving at an airport. Queues, security (needed)
checks, re-checks and now finger printing. We may now be weighed. (Don't make jokes about guns, knives etc)
I've flown with the RAF (Beverley, Hastings, Brittannias, Andovers, VC10 etc)
The most pleasure I found was in the Beverley. Flying to Malta it seemed to take 3 years. Stopping at Istres in France on the way. We flew at 9000' in this unpressurised beauty. Being allowed into the cockpit I was amazed to see the pilot eating a Mars bar. Hands off flying. Unforgettable. Fly out and follow the oil slick back
The point of my post is, why do we need to increase capacity/speed? I would rather fly at 9000' in an aircraft doing 250 - 300 MPH with a maximum of say 70-100 pax than be stuck in some 'modern' sweat box with a load of raucious pax celebrating the fact that they're 'off the ground' and they can drink onboard and, spend the next blur weeks doing the same.
Sorry for the long post. If I'm in the wrong group (I don't think I am) again, my apologies.
FLYtoEGCC From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2004, 947 posts, RR: 3 Reply 1, posted (9 years 3 months 1 week 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 1025 times:
When you sail to France, you're on a cross-channel "superferry" as they call them now. You can move around on that, go to the bar, stand on deck, generally have a relax.
An average holiday flyer will probably be in economy class on a charter aircraft with 28"-30" seat pitch, and has to sit in that one cramped place with not a lot to do for a period of time - you can't go and have a beer at the bar, put your kids in the creche, go and stand on deck etc. For the average flyer and non-aviation-lover, it's not relaxing. People get on a plane to get to their holiday destination so they can relax there, and most want to get there as fast as possible. Hence the need for speed.
TwinPioneer From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2004, 52 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (9 years 3 months 1 week 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 1000 times:
Thanks for the input FlytoEGCC. I can understand what your saying but, is it neccessary to cram 'blur' amount of people into a plane (hateful word) when, years ago, they put the selected amount of passengers on the flight they were booked with. As for a 'creche' on ferries (again I understand) but, when people flew in the 'good old days' did children not go? Sit down, be quiet seemed to suffice. Also, I believe, when children flew the golden days of aviation they were so in awe of 'flying' they weren't a problem and didn't need 'special' priviliges(sp) Personally, I would rather travel country roads than 'bomb' up a motorway. But his is just my opinion
PA110 From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 1952 posts, RR: 26 Reply 4, posted (9 years 3 months 1 week 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 961 times:
I, like most aviation geeks on a.net once loved the journey almost more than destination, but frankly after 20+ years in the industry, there just isn't much to hold my excitement anymore between take-off and landing. Airline service in virtually all classes has become lackluster and homogenized. And that trip to the airport, which used to be so exciting, is now met with more of a sense of forboding, having to tackle the endless queues and searches. I say find a way to speed up the portion of the flight in between takeoff and landing, get me through the airports more efficiently, and allow me to maximize my time at my destination, which these days has become more the point of travel, than just the journey itself.
DfwRevolution From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (9 years 3 months 1 week 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 916 times:
I haven’t noticed a huge increase in the speed of aircraft. With the exception of the Concorde, everything for the last 40 years has cruised between Mach .80 and .85. Capacity has stayed the same for roughly 30 years. The 747 was the biggest airliner in 1970 and is the largest in 2004.
Spaceman From United States of America, joined Jul 2000, 534 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (9 years 3 months 1 week 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 899 times:
Hey, if you are rich, you can have your own fleet of planes for different purposes and enjoy them all by yourself. You can also be president of US then you can have airforce one and not share with alot of people. My point is most of us have to make do with the next best thing that is fly witht he public. I actually think flying with alot more people in a big jet is not so bad. Plus airlines always buy new exciting equipment you can try.
Bobb From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 246 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (9 years 3 months 1 week 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 868 times:
Either u are retired, 60+, or 18-. People in between don't have the time to spare to be staring out the clouds for hours on end.
Usatoeze From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 358 posts, RR: 2 Reply 9, posted (9 years 3 months 1 week 6 days 8 hours ago) and read 845 times:
Because time is money.
Exactly! Although it is nice once in awhile to take a leisure trip, it wouldn't fit most of the people on earth more than just a few times in a lifetime. Would anyone want to take a 3000m trip to see their in-laws if it took 12 hours instead of 6? I don't think so.
LHcapt2007 From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 235 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (9 years 3 months 1 week 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 800 times:
So lets all fly under FL180, imagine how crazy traffic would get. Thats like making a 4 lane highway into one lane.
Lets go slow too, and imagine a highway full of grandmas driving, what happens when you need to be somewhere important soon? nothing!
How about bad weather you cant fly over or more fuel to burn because you have to still take the same number of people in 15 small planes rather than in one big one.
The big boys should do their thing, and you should fly commuters eveywhere!
But still I respect your point, i want to take my time and smell the roses too..
Long live the giants of the air, faster, higher further!
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