Serious disruption to air travel

Post by **adam2** » 20 Dec 2010, 08:54

As widely reported in the MSM air transport is badly disrupted by the snow.
Whilst I am sorry to hear of peoples holiday plans being spoiled, perhaps this might put people of flying, which would be good news.
Think of the fuel saved by all those cancelled flights.

Delays of a day or two at Heathrow should perhaps be accepted as the norm at holiday times.
Better to stay at home, or to visit nearby friends and relatives, rather than risk the hassle factor of air travel.

Although the present weather is unusual by present day standards, it may become more common , after all it is less than a year since the last snow induced disruption.

And apart from bad weather, remember that industrial disputes affecting air travel are tradditional at peak holiday times. Presumably any strikes planned for Christmas have been postponned until the weather improves, expect more disruption in the months to come !

Air transport is not going to vanish overnight, but I hope that we are seeing the begining of a decline.
The Icelandic ash disruption, industrial disputes, increaseingly strict security requirements, and a run of bad weather, together with rapidly increaseing fuel costs are not going to encourage air travell.

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » 20 Dec 2010, 10:04

At the moment all the discussion seems to be about what the airlines and airport operators are going to do to continue BAU whatever the weather. I wonder when someone will be brave enough to suggest that we can't always beat nature into submission.

Post by **clv101** » 20 Dec 2010, 10:11

The volcano didn't seem to put people off... now the winter disruption. Reading my Facebook statuses, it's amazing how many people are (trying to) flying at the moment. They also seem happy to talk about flying the the outrage caused.

Flying is not close to becoming socially unacceptable, nor do people seem to be put off be the possibility of disruption.

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 20 Dec 2010, 10:16

True, true; it seems as though people have become conditioned to expect everything - exactly when they want it - and to carry on with their normal day-to-day habits, whatever the circumstances.

Minority worlders have become seriously divorced from their environment and getting back to its vagaries, with the chaos of climate change thrown in, is going to be very tough.

Cabrone · Post by **Cabrone** » 20 Dec 2010, 10:43

I don't think this will make much of a change to people's mindsets, it's going to take something on a different level to make them even start considering alternatives.

Most people don't like change and will put up any number of reasons in their heads as to why they really really need to fly.

contadino · Post by **contadino** » 20 Dec 2010, 10:57

There is only one thing that will make people sit up and think carefully about their need to fly, and that is when the same tax is applied to aviation fuel as for road fuel.

Of course, it'll decimate the UK aviation industry, negate the need for another runway at Heathrow, eliminate the need for austerity, improve air quality, and reduce noise pollution. But who on earth would want any of those things?

biffvernon · Post by **biffvernon** » 20 Dec 2010, 11:08

clv101 wrote: Flying is not close to becoming socially unacceptable,

Very true. I know lots of people who have changed their light-bulbs, buy organic carrots, drink fairtade coffee, and are generally nice folk but then think nothing about taking a flight or three.

biffvernon · Post by **biffvernon** » 20 Dec 2010, 11:13

This was taken by someone we know trying to get from London to Edinburgh yesterday. And a station person told him off for taking a photo!

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 20 Dec 2010, 11:50

biffvernon wrote: And a station person told him off for taking a photo!

Wha'?

PS_RalphW · Post by **PS_RalphW** » 20 Dec 2010, 12:05

Obviously a terrorist.

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 20 Dec 2010, 12:10

Have things really descended so low in England?

That board is on public display. What on earth is wrong with taking a photo of it?

DominicJ · Post by **DominicJ** » 20 Dec 2010, 12:19

How many airports and roads would be closed if the money spent on "Climate Research" and energy subsidy had instead been spent on weather research and snow clearance?

There will probably be a backlash, its more likely to be against you than for you.

Post by **adam2** » 20 Dec 2010, 14:25

emordnilap wrote:Have things really descended so low in England? That board is on public display. What on earth is wrong with taking a photo of it?

Rail enthuisiats are frequently threatened with arrest for photographing trains from areas of railway property that are open to the public, such as stations.
I saw someone threatened with arrest at Taunton station for taking a photograph not only of a train but with a child in view as well, clearly a terrorist AND a child molester !

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 20 Dec 2010, 15:04

Crazeee.

DominicJ · Post by **DominicJ** » 20 Dec 2010, 15:13

I'd say, Terrorists Take Photos of Trains, therefore all photos of trains are taken by terrorists, however I dont even believe the first part is true...