United Airlines wants me to petition the DOT for DC to Beijing flights!

[The Sushi Bandit]

I got this e-mail today. I have a frequent flyer account with United so I guess they think I might want to fly from Washington DC to Beijing!

I guess our reps and lobbyists are tired of having to connect to different flights like all us common folks when we fly to Beijing, or Aspen.

how bout a non-stop from Maui to Tampa. I can support that!!

_________________________________

Here it is:

United is petitioning the Department of Transportation to be allowed to be the first domestic carrier to have a direct route between Washington, D.C. Dulles (IAD) and Beijing, China (PEK). Right now, 28 other world capitals have this route to Beijing; Washington, D.C. deserves to be next!

We are asking our members to please add their name and support to this initiative. It will only take a few moments of your time.

Simply click here to read our petition. http://www.united.com/page/article/1,,51860,00.html Then add your name and address below to the form.

Thank you in advance for your participation.

The Honorable Maria Cino
Acting Secretary
U.S. Department of Transportation
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590

RE: Docket 2006-25275

Dear Madam Secretary:
I am writing to express my solid support for the application by United to initiate the first nonstop capital-to-capital service between Washington, D.C. Dulles (IAD) and Beijing, China (PEK), effective March 25, 2007.

If approved, United's application would create the first capital-to-capital service between the United States and China. This would not only be the most efficient route for the residents of the Washington, D.C. area, but provide an easy connection from cities throughout the eastern half of the United States.

The capital-to-capital route serves to enhance and strengthen the economic and political relationships between our two countries, and opens a welcome, and necessary, door to China. I respectfully ask that the Department grant United's application for the Washington Dulles to Beijing route. Thank you for your attention to their application.

[Warren Stupidity]

1. I got one of those too.

I'll tell I was just so steamed about this issue I almost didn't hit the delete key.

[NOLADEM]

2. Well, our new overlords will need to visit more often

After all, they will need to tend their investment/new purchase.

[SheilaT]

3. I'm sidetracked by wondering

just how long that flight would be? What would it cost? How about in first class?

But unless I were actually in need of such a flight, I can't see bothering to pester the DOT when surely they have more important things to worry about, such as whether or not I can take my contact lens solution on board, or if I can bring a book with me to while away the tedium of flying anywhere.

Back in May I was able to bring my embroidery with me on a trip from Kansas City to Traverse City, Michigan (changing planes in Detroit) and at every point along the way, people stopped to marvel that I was being allowed to bring embroidery scissors and sharp needles on board. Guess I won't be able to that again for several more years.

[The Sushi Bandit]

4. I am thinking that you can only bring money and influence..

with you going to china, but 8 suitcases of merchandise on the return trip!