We were going to fly next spring to Charlotte

[DainBramaged]

$254 round-trip each, two hours each way. We're going to drive instead. 615 miles one way, 13 hours with stops. Maybe 5 tanks of gas round trip (300 miles a tank).

It isn't worth the x rays or the groping to fly. Sorry TSA, TWO less people on file.

[MadMaddie]

1. You have identified the one way this is going to change

the airlines will start losing $$$$$.

[DainBramaged]

2. Why do the airlines matter?

corporatists, hiding in plain sight.

:eyes:

[MadMaddie]

16. Remember the airlines operating model is based on the middle

class flying. Yes, there are many businesses that use air travel but that number is dwarfed by folks on personal travel.

Businesses are still cutting back so they are limiting air travel too.
The U.S airline industry is based on you and I traveling. I have to fly from the Seattle area to visit my family in GA. I just paid $600.00 for a ticket.

If I had a way for example (If we had high speed train, I would do it in a heart beat). Of course that would be another security issue that many folks don't even think about. That's another discussion.

[DainBramaged]

20. Let me ask a simple question

The airlines charge for everything short of using the bathrooms. They were BAILED OUT in 2002 WITHOUT repaying a dime.


WHY THE HELL can't I choose my own mode of transportation without SOMEWONE telling me choice is wrong.

Jesus, go peddle the sob story for the airlines to someone else.

[MadMaddie]

21. Perhaps you have misunderstood what I am saying

I am not peddling for the airline industry so jump off of your anger box. If you want to drive, catch Trailways or Amtrack that is up to you.

My point is "When" not "If" the airlines start losing money they will get this TSA law or whatever it is changed. They are not going to be willing to lose money over this. No sympathy here. It is after all all about money to them.

The TSA is 50 years behind Israel on airport security it's a damn embarrassment.

[TexasObserver]

31. There is nothing in your posts to suggest you were "peddling" airlines.

To the contrary, you explained accurately and clearly why the airlines and their response to reduced fliers will likely garner more results from TSA than anything else.

You did a nice job of explaining it. Not sure why it was taken as being a peddler for airlines.

[HipChick]

5. Infrequent travellers aren't supporting the airline industry

Biz frequent travellers are..

[MineralMan]

3. OK, enjoy your trip.

[sarcasmo]

4. Call the airline you were going to fly with and let them know why you are not flying.

[MissDeeds]

6. My husband and I are opting to drive as well

I love flying, and would much, much prefer to drive from the midwest to New England, but this TSA BS is the last straw. I will not give up my dignity and be violated to appease a government that cannot keep us 'safe' any other way.

WTH???

[taught_me_patience]

7. So you're willing to spend an additional 22 hours traveling

spend more money (gas and car depreciation)
risk health (much more likely to die driving on the hwy then flying)

...in order to avoid a "potential" pat-down? I was just in Los Angeles and Seattle airports and didn't see a single person get patted down.

Whatever floats your boat.

[DainBramaged]

13. What did my OP say, I'm joining the circus?

:eyes:

[taught_me_patience]

14. What are you trying to say?

[DainBramaged]

15. Nothing that would EVER make you happy.

:puke:

[LisaL]

18. You have to realize that even if pat down is implemented on

the selected few, once you are there, you can't even decline the pat down and decide to leave the airport because you are going to be facing an 11,000 $ fine.

[taught_me_patience]

22. So waste 20 hours of your life in order to avoid the slim possibility of a 10 sec. patdown?

Interesting choices the OP makes.

ed: spelling

[Fleshdancer]

24. kind of an ironic response considering your username

:rofl:

[noamnety]

23. I would do the same to avoid it.

Likewise I don't go walking alone at night in high crime areas, I wouldn't hang out at a bar alone and leave my drink unattended.

Risk avoidance is a smart thing if the risk isn't something you're willing to accept.

[taught_me_patience]

25. What is the risk in a pat-down?

There is more risk in driving 600 miles on a highway then flying.

[noamnety]

30. The risk is being selected to have a stranger grope your genitals.

I prefer driving.

Sorry if that preference makes you angry for some reason. (Does it make you mad that people won't allow the government genital inspection?)

[DainBramaged]

39. Does it make you mad that people won't allow the government genital inspection?

That was my thought too.....

[taught_me_patience]

40. No

I just want to know the logic of wasting 20 hours and extra money to avoid a "potential" 10 second pat-down.

[DainBramaged]

41. It's none of your goddamn business, go bother someone else

Jesus christ get off my ass.

Join my extensive ignore list.

[hobbit709]

35. I refer you to Ben Franklin's quote about giving up essential liberty.

I am not now nor have I ever been a "good German"

[lildreamer316]

8. Train?

How about a train trip?

[sufrommich]

11. Trains are unbelievably expensive for long trips. We looked

into taking one from Detroit to Myrtle beach last winter just because it's been years since I've been on a train trip.The train would leave Detroit, go to Chicago, then New york,on to Charleston. It was costly (much more than a plane ticket) and long.

[CoffeeCat]

9. I'm not planning a trip to Disney World either...

...we usually go in the winter, but we'll go in the summer. We'll drive down there. It's a two-day
drive, so that's quite a big decision for us.

I won't put my kids through all of that. No way. I have two young girls.

[Blue State Blues]

12. Call Disney

and tell them.

[msanthrope]

34. The auto train is pretty good. I'm booked for the Spring.

Taking it to Disney is definitely a cost-effective option for me.

[Swamp Rat]

10. I'd rather ride a bicycle 1000 miles than go through a TSA 'screening'

[LisaL]

17. Good for you.

Unfortunately, it's not going to be an option for those who have to travel on business or simply have to get somewhere in a shortest amount of time, or don't want to drive anymore such as elderly or disabled.

[B Calm]

19. I drive 575 miles everyday 5 days a week, but

I'm a truck driver on a scheduled route and very use to it. I would never think about flying anywhere for just 615 miles. 508 dollars for two people is a lot of money. . .

[SoCalDem]

26. And you''ll be able to plan ahead now & take an extra day off on both ends

, have a leisurely drive to and from..stop to eat a real meal when you want...stretch your legs..listen to whatever you like on your radio...and save money too..

The flight may be 2 hours, but you still have to drive to the airport..park..stand in lines..arrive extra early.."disrobe"...be picked at & probed..and then crammed into baby seats like sardines...only to have to hang around waiting for luggage and the drive to wherever your final destination..

You have to add that time to the 2 hour flight..

Driving seems more "fun" to me these days :)

and the best part?

when you get there, you have YOUR car..in case you want to go somewhere for a few hours....and you can pack whatever you want without having strangers pawing through it..

[Jamastiene]

27. As far as family time goes, you won't regret it.

Nothing beats a long drive in the car for talking to each other and enjoying each others' company. Have a happy, safe trip!

[Obamanaut]

28. When one considers the amount of time added to a flight by having to

check in early, baggage handling before and after the flight, aggravation, etc., the drive isn't that much more of a time/emotion factor. A two hour flight is actually a much greater time investment than the two hours of flying.

[redirish28]

29. Good for you :)

[TexasObserver]

32. Good choice. Denying the airports business is wise.

[NNN0LHI]

33. Drive safe

And have a nice trip.

Don

[WolverineDG]

36. You could take the bus & save on gas

Let someone else handle the traffic & the driving while you read, take a nap, do a crossword, whatever. :)

dg

[KharmaTrain]

37. Two Hours Excluding Sitting At The Airport...

We figured about the time and money of a 400 mile trip to visit my son at school. While the plane air time is about an hour, that doesn't take into account the hour to fight the traffic and get to the airport, the hour checking in and going through security, the hour waiting to board and take off, the hour after landing to get the luggage and get a rental car for the final hour of our trip. Doing the math, there's not much time savings. Also the plane tickets are about $250 and that doesn't include the extra baggage charges, parking and/or $25 or more to take a cab or charter bus to the airport and overpriced food and drinks while inside the "secure" area. My car gets 350 a tank on the open road...at $3 a gallon I think the savings there are obvious. And most important, we can enjoy the scenary...stop along the way and once again have fun travelling.

Travel safe...and enjoy.

Cheers...

[DainBramaged]

38. We did the same time analysis, and come up with the obvious choice to drive rather than fly

:hi: