Ok, I realize it was somewhat late to book a flight for the holiday season, but I had no choice but to wait until now. From Tampa to St. Louis round trip $500.xx. Then another $80 each way to fly to/from the regional airport near my mom's place. Honestly, how many times have we, the taxpayers, bailed out the airlines? So after taxes and fees, $700.00. (Yes I changed my travel plans to find the lowest fares.) Fuel prices have taken a nose dive, and they're still charging us for checked bags, weight, even fucking pillows! Call me a commie if you want, but I think after the millions (Perhaps billions, I don't recall.) that we have dumped in tax dollars to the airlines, they owe us some free travel vouchers every year.

You have now seen why I am against government bailouts of private corporations. The problems still exist even though we throw tons of money at them because we aren't solving the problem that is there.

What happened to flying the friendly skies?

Did you try using Priceline?

Yes, I did, but that's neither here nor there. I tried travelocity and expedia, etc... They're all bullshit. Southwest was cheaper. It makes it difficult, because the regional airport I have to fly in to only have 2 flights out a day. 0900 and 1700. So, trying to get anything to connect without waiting in the terminal for 5-6 hours can be a real PITA.

Try living in North Dakota and flying anywhere. It's usually about $300 higher than anywhere else in the country. 1 way flight just to Minneapolis when I bought by truck was $385. It's a 35 minute freakin flight.

i priced out flying to houston next year around april and from indy for two people it was gonna be 600 and change round trip. now that doesn't sound too bad since it is all the way across the country, but sheesh it should be like 400 and change. you can fly to vegas for dirt cheap, why not a little closer. :(

Phoenix > Houston (c. April) Continental $227 pp rt.

Benefits to living in the larger, crime and filth-ridden megalopoli of the country, my friends.

Bailout, schmailout. These companies need to burn. The failing airlines, our pathetic automakers, kings of badge engineering fail, and the credit companies. Let them all burn so we can start the fuck over. This trying to defeat natural selection by pouring cash on the funeral pires of domestic industry is bullshit. All we're doing is pushing back the inevitable.

Credit is going back to being hard to get (which it should be). Some people aren't going to be able to afford plane tickets. Some people aren't going to be able to afford a new car. Some people aren't going to be able to have a McMansion on the hill. Just because this is America doesn't mean everyone gets a fucking trophy.

I've started flying exclusively with Southwest for two reasons: everything's free that should be free, and their DING! application. You tell it what airports you use, and a couple times a day it pops up with a 50-70% discounted offer. If the dates and destinations work for you, you book them, usually about a month in advance. If your plans change and need to cancel, they give you a full credit for use later. Also helps to be on their frequent flier program.

Originally posted by Fallen4ng31
the millions (Perhaps billions, I don't recall.) that we have dumped in tax dollars to the airlines, they owe us some free travel vouchers every year.

Herein you see the problem of allowing government interference in private enterprise. The taxpayers have only paid the price for poor management, and encouraged the weak companies to continue running inefficiently, bleeding money more than ever since their existence is guaranteed. By doing so, you've entitled yourself to nothing but worse service. Plus you're paying for everyone else to fly on a crappy airline all year, every paycheck.

Someone might argue that removing government subsidies/bailouts from airlines would cause so many airlines to go out of business that the prices would skyrocket and it would cost $10,000 to fly. Maybe so, but if that's the true cost of flying, maybe only those with a desperate need to fly, or the financial ability should be able to do so. In that case the poor wouldn't be paying for the rich to fly everyday like they do under government support.

Look at Russia and Aeroflot's story. Communism doesn't pay.

Call/Write your Representatives, Senators, and State Governor and tell them you don't support the bailouts of the American automakers either. They make shitty cars. Make it stop. Do you really want to pay for all those poor Escalades and Hummers sitting in dealer inventory? If you say nothing, demand no accountability from your government, your frustration here makes no difference, and they're free to do what they want with your money and give you nothing in return.

Originally posted by thedawg
Call/Write your Representatives, Senators, and State Governor and tell them you don't support the bailouts

I've been doing just that. IMO, this does more to influence things than your one vote does in a major election.

Unless, you are writing to California senators. They seem to support every stupid financial decision that can be made. I get hopeless responses from them. Responses from Representatives fair much better.

Thanksgiving week, round trip from El Paso, TX to Charlotte, NC: $0.00

I love living on the company dime!

Get in car. Buckle Up. Drive to gas station. Fill up tank. Drive to where ever you need to go. Its cheaper. :)

Originally posted by eclipse982nrRST
Get in car. Buckle Up. Drive to gas station. Fill up tank. Drive to where ever you need to go. Its cheaper. :)

The Durango gets 10-12 MPG. My house to my mom's place is 1300 Miles. (We'll use 11 as a happy medium) 1300/11= 118.1818... 118.2g*$2.10=$247.80 $247.8*2=$495.60 for gas alone. Figure in $50 for food, smokes, drinks on the way there... $545.60 I'd have to leave directly after work on Monday, so That's waking up at 0600 to go to work until 1700, So I'm in rush hour traffic on my way out. That's going to mean I'll need a motel room, figure in an additional $50 there, and we're up to 590.60. Plus I might need another motel on the way back so figure in another $50 there plus $50 for food, smokes, etc... and We're at 690.60.

No, Mike, as much as it pains me to say this, it isn't cheaper.

Originally posted by Fallen4ng31

Originally posted by eclipse982nrRST Get in car. Buckle Up. Drive to gas station. Fill up tank. Drive to where ever you need to go. Its cheaper. :)

The Durango gets 10-12 MPG. My house to my mom's place is 1300 Miles. (We'll use 11 as a happy medium) 1300/11= 118.1818... 118.2g*$2.10=$247.80 $247.8*2=$495.60 for gas alone. Figure in $50 for food, smokes, drinks on the way there... $545.60 I'd have to leave directly after work on Monday, so That's waking up at 0600 to go to work until 1700, So I'm in rush hour traffic on my way out. That's going to mean I'll need a motel room, figure in an additional $50 there, and we're up to 590.60. Plus I might need another motel on the way back so figure in another $50 there plus $50 for food, smokes, etc... and We're at 690.60. No, Mike, as much as it pains me to say this, it isn't cheaper.

Okay your right Paul.

Originally posted by Fallen4ng31
So after taxes and fees, $700.00.

Originally posted by Fallen4ng31
and We're at 690.60.

It's $10 cheaper, actually. Make some sammiches and pack 'em in the cooler before you leave. Bring along some drinks as well. Make sure the tires are inflated properly. Keep your right foot light and smooth. I bet you could make the drive for a good $100 less than that.

(But what is the cost, in terms of time?) :shrug

Actually it was $680 something for the tickets. Cruise control is my friend. But we're splitting hairs here.