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Originally Posted by Delta Flyer
American Airlines has received permission to fly without a larger reserve of fuel on bad weather days as a safety precaution. AA says weather radar is done so well it's not necessary. The extra fuel increase costs in it's purchase and the additional weight. . . .
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If airliners only pushed off when they could roll directly to the runway and take off without a delay, I would agree. But empirical data shows they push off and spend 10+ minutes waiting in lines to take off. Worse, I've seen 20 minute holding patterns when bad weather occurs on a flight that has a 35 minute, fair-weather duration. These are NOT confidence inspiring. Yes, bad weather flying and navigation has improved but the obvious scheduling problems of the current system do not inspire confidence. But this raises an optimization question about hybrid-electrics and flying. When does it make more sense for us to drive instead of fly?
I need to go to Kansas City, a 10 hour drive with no chance of getting a discount flight. If I fly from Huntsville, it will be a 40 minute drive to the airport, ~$800 and take at least 3-4 hours with a stop in the middle. If I drive to Nashville, it will be a 2 hour drive, ~$250 and take about 1.5 hours. So the options are:
10 hrs, $30 gas, no rental car
3.5 hrs, $250 airfare, rental car
3-4 hrs, $800 airfare, rental car
Bob Wilson