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Tagged With "737 MAX 200"

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Re: December 12, 2016: Percheron Horses, Alberta

GarryRF ·
Wonderful work horses with a positive future. Known for their cool temperament and strength these animals are used by police in cities where heavy traffic doesn't distress them.. For over 200 years breeders have a kept stud records and kept the breed pure. As you say they were a war horse too. A million were left in France by allied troops after WW1. And unfortunately France has a "taste" for horse meat
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Re: Belgium and Sweden see night-train link

Paul Heymont ·
I haven't found a definitive answer to that; the nearest I have come is speculation that DB is concerned about competition with existing conventional trains along the route; DB is the major carrier on the route, but they are clearly not doing much of a job of it as the schedule I've linked here shows. The minimum number of train changes is 2, with some itineraries requiring 8! And the ones with only 2 or 3 changes sell for nearly $200, compared to $70 with 8 changes. I'd think a direct...
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Re: 12 Countries ask vouchers instead of refunds

Paul Heymont ·
In a conversation with Travel Rob last week, I set out my minimum conditions before a bailout or other relief can be discussed: 1) All boarding to be by efficiency, no priority for anyone except physical need 2) minimum one free checked bag for all flights over 250 miles (under 250, you should drive or take a train, anyway) 3) elimination of most nuisance fees 4) minimum 32" pitch with no more than 2" recline 5) 20-year cap on exec salaries...CEO to earn max 20x full-time flight attendant...
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Re: Crowded Sky: Boeing finds more room overhead

DrFumblefinger ·
I was aware that Boeing was working on this idea and it sounds like a real winner. A carry-on bag is almost a necessity for people who fly. Boeing deserves full credit and thanks from consumers for this innovation.
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Re: Crowded Sky: Boeing finds more room overhead

Travel Rob ·
The Dreamliner has a lot of overhead space compared to the planes I'v flown, so this will even be better!
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Re: Belfast: An Uneasy City

Paul Heymont ·
I think I have to disagree on comparing human societies to plate tectonics; over the latter we have no control, but I would hate to ever think we've exhausted the possibility of dealing with the former. Examining mass religious conflicts generally reveals other issues beneath. That's certainly true of the long and tortured history between the two islands and the two Irelands. While James was a Catholic and William a Protestant, the real issues behind the conflict that set Ireland's future...
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Re: Newgrange; Ireland’s ancient Passage Tomb

Paul Heymont ·
It's interesting how we perceive age. In the U.S., we have few buildings over 200 years old, while in other places buildings older than that are part of the housing stock. And here we have a building of intricate design and decoration old enough that we hardly know any of the history of its builders. A reminder to us how much there is to see and know that is beyond our daily lives. Thank you for the tour!
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Re: AA Plans to Squeeeeeze More Seats into 737s and MD80s

Former Member ·
Everyone was right the other day when they suspected that BA was charging for the seat in the restroom. BA finds new Revenue Stream ?
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Re: AAA Premier a Good Idea for Budget Travelers

Former Member ·
AAA seems to choose their contracted towing services very well. I have always had good luck with them. I used the coverage when I had a break down with a rental car in a small town. The rental car company suggested that I call AAA for towing to their office in a nearby larger town to exchange the car. The rental car company had a contract with the same towing company that was under contract to AAA in that area. So that was very easy. If the tow goes over the 200 miles, they charge something...
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Re: AAA Premier a Good Idea for Budget Travelers

Travel Rob ·
One note on why the other AAA coverages just doesn't compare to the Premier Membership.The Classic Membership only allows towing of 5 miles.The Plus allows the 100 mile, but if you use just one 200 mile tow,you will see the value.
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Re: The search for the right-sized airplane

DrFumblefinger ·
I believe that's the best summary of modern jet development I've ever read. Interesting and fun, thanks!
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Re: French Designer: Get rid of airplane windows

DrFumblefinger ·
The thought of flying in a small solid metal tube with 200 strangers pressed against me makes me feel very claustrophobic and definitely like staying home. Add a few windows to the mix and it becomes bearable.
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Re: Portland Bill Revisited: Pictures from a small island

Mac ·
PortMoresby is very right DrF, Chesil Beach is a 'shingle' beach is 29 kilometres (18 mi) long, 200 metres (660 ft) wide and 15 metres (50 ft) high - and pretty steep too!! The 'shingle' (large round pebbles) varies from pea-sized at the north-west end (by West Bay) to orange-sized at the south-east end (by Portland). It is said that smugglers who landed on the beach in the middle of the night could judge "exactly where they were" by the size of the shingle. The beach has been the scene of...
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Re: Budget airlines pushing seat squeeze on new planes

DrFumblefinger ·
I flew on Spanish budget carrier, Vueling, this past spring. It was a pleasant enough flight, but the aircraft had the tightest pitch of any airline I've ever been on. The pocket in the seat in front of you, where magazines and the air sickness bag are stored, was removed to allow for crowding of rows and even my knees were wedged in tightly to the seat back in front of me (seats couldn't be reclined, for obvious reason). I'm not sure how a seriously tall person could ever fit in.
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Re: Budget airlines pushing seat squeeze on new planes

GarryRF ·
I'm flying on an Airbus 330 next month. 4,414 miles non-stop on each leg. So I've booked extra legroom near the exit. Wise investment for 9 hours 21mins. If only I could get those aerobics fans to stop tripping over my feet when I'm asleep.
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Re: Budget airlines pushing seat squeeze on new planes

Paul Heymont ·
Which airline, Garry? I'll be interested to compare in a couple of months; in July we'll be on AirBerlin's A330 NYC to Berlin...and I'm hoping for comfort. My wife's cousin, who's logged more passenger miles than most pilots have flight miles, has advised us to give up our window preference for aisle-and-aisle, across from each other...
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Re: Budget airlines pushing seat squeeze on new planes

GarryRF ·
Thomas Cook charter flight Paul. I think they give 31" per seat. (Says on my ticket) So I've gone for the extra space.
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Re: Budget airlines pushing seat squeeze on new planes

Paul Heymont ·
Was just reading in the Telegraph this week that Thomas Cook is the most-complained-about airline in the UK...hope they give YOU no reason!
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Re: Budget airlines pushing seat squeeze on new planes

GarryRF ·
Thomas Cook do charter flights - they sell you a complete vacation. Hotel, food, car rental, adventure tours from your hotel and flights. Probably find something in there that's not up to scratch. But complain ? No... not I. I'm looking forward to your report from Berlin. Maybe we'll do a long weekend from Liverpool to Schoenefeld (nr. Berlin) Easy Jet do it for £25 - £45 each way. And for that price I'll sit on the wing for 2 hours !! Would TravelGumbo sponsor you to write a report on this...
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Re: Budget airlines pushing seat squeeze on new planes

Travel Rob ·
Originally Posted by PHeymont: Was just reading in the Telegraph this week that Thomas Cook is the most-complained-about airline in the UK...hope they give YOU no reason! What struck me when I saw that article is that Ryanair was the least complained about airline of the 37 listed.
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Re: Budget airlines pushing seat squeeze on new planes

Paul Heymont ·
Perhaps it has to do with expectations. There has been so much negative buzz about Ryanair for years that perhaps passengers simply know they won't be happy about anything but the price and getting there!
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Re: Budget airlines pushing seat squeeze on new planes

Travel Rob ·
Besides being happy with the low price I got, I thought their service was good the last time I flew them. And, as they let you know about, they have a great on time rate.
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Re: Budget airlines pushing seat squeeze on new planes

DrFumblefinger ·
Ryanair has also been using a "softer" sell which seems to be working. An article recently in the Guardian points out a 28% growth rate (comparing March 2015 to 2014), a truly impressive gain! I've never flown Ryanair and before I would I would need to talk with someone like Rob and Garry to make sure some of the perceptions I've got about them aren't fact-based anymore.
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Re: The Old Stone Mill - Where Gumbo Was #124

Paul Heymont ·
Just to add a little more...the mill, also known as the Snuff Mill, is the oldest industrial building in New York City...but most of the others in the 20 oldest list predate it by 150 to 200 years. Most are houses in Brooklyn and Queens (one is still a private house after 350 years!) but one is in the Bronx: the 1748 Van Cortlandt Mansion--where George Washington really did sleep. For a link to the fascinating list, click HERE
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Re: Ferry Service to Cuba Approved by US

Paul Heymont ·
I'm thinking that maybe $300 doesn't compare too badly with round-trip airfare...especially if you really are carrying 200 pounds of baggage... In the long run, I've always thought, Florida to the Caribbean seems like a natural for a high-speed catamaran service...
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Re: Ferry Service to Cuba Approved by US

GarryRF ·
The Ferry from Liverpool. UK to Ireland takes 8 hours. That will cost $300. For a car and 2 passengers. Only $60 (£40) for a foot passenger. And that's return too. No baggage charges. The high speed catamaran often gets stuck in port when the weather turns stormy. The Catamaran may be stuck in Havana for a few days with 200 passengers on board. Expensive. SEACAT arriving in Liverpool.
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Re: Visiting Cuba.

GarryRF ·
Hi HistoryDigger. We always get the leader of the Animation Team - he organises the shows and dancing inside the hotel. He knows all the local places of interest. Obviously It depends on which region you'll be visiting. He'll organise a 12 seat Hyundai van for the day 8 - 4pm. Including gas and driver it costs us around $200 equivalent. (Divide that by 10 in the group) Lunch in a restaurant another $15 each. Nice tip for the driver when you start off and he'll be your friend for ever ! The...
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Re: Max Gate - home of British author Thomas Hardy

Mac ·
Max Gate seemed to me to be very much more about 'Hardy, the man and his life' whereas his cottage, whilst small and pretty, was I suppose, just his early days. Max Gate was interesting to see. PS I am very impressed that you walked to his cottage from Dorchester!
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Re: Possible second Viking site found in Newfoundland

DrFumblefinger ·
I wouldn't be surprised if they made their way up the St. Lawrence River some, and down the coast past New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and to the Northeastern state regions of the USA. It seems their earlier explorations were at a time of warmer weather and that what might have limited their travels and caused them to pull back was the beginning of a spell of cold weathers, perhaps even a mini-ice age. Iceland used to be a forested country, but it didn't take but 200 years or so until the Vikings...
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Re: Boeing ramps up 737, cuts back 747, 777

DrFumblefinger ·
I presume the reduced 777 and 747 production at the Everett plant will be taken up with new 787 production.
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Re: American to drop seatback entertainment

Paul Heymont ·
DrF, not everyone has their own streaming service, but the theory is that nearly everyone has a screen, usually better resolution than the seatback. American is, in essence, providing a streaming service for those who don't have it. As for being small: those seatback screens go for north of $10,000 each because of all the issues involved in aircraft safety, etc. Not to mention the systems they are attached to. About $3 million average per plane saved this way, and American's order for the...
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Re: Georgia on my Mind

Wilbur's Travels ·
Hi Dr Fumblefinger, I hope all is well - any trips planned? I have started a new blog focusing on train travel overseas. This is mainly about my 200+ overseas journeys but also will feature other train related topical posts. I would like to pen an article for Travel Gumbo and thought about doing it on one of my Eastern European tours such as Budapest - Bucharest - Chisinau - Odessa - Sevastopol - Lviv - Kiev or Zagreb - Split - Sarajevo - Belgrade - Sofia - Veliko Tărnovo. What do you think?
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Re: Check Your Statement! A Big Hotel Credit Card Breach...

Paul Heymont ·
It's been a long path. For a long time, observers thought it was because they were committed to contactless (RFID) technology as the next step...but that hasn't advances as fast as some predicted, and it has big security issues, too. Now that MC and Visa have set down a "you must comply or you will be responsible for fraudulent charges" rule for next year, we're seeing motion. BUT...so far most issuers have been sticking to chip-and-signature, not and-PIN, which guts the whole process.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, November 11, 2014: Hotel Tadoussac, Quebec

GarryRF ·
What a charming and colourful Hotel DrF ! Reminds me - again - of some of the vast distances you travel in Canada. My Canadian cousin drives 200 miles for a night at the Theatre ! And 200 back ! Did you venture into the hotel for a few photos ? And definitely worth a few snaps in the snow. 200 miles in most directions and I'd be swimming around the UK.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, November 1, 2014: Marsaxlokk

GarryRF ·
Malta is less than 200 miles from the coast of Africa. It has a winter climate that is absolutely perfect. Its summer climate can be extremely hot. Christmas in Malta is amazing. The locals wearing their furs and heavy coats. And its still between 70 and 80f !
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Re: Tuktoyaktuk: A village on the Arctic Coast of Canada

My Thatched Hut ·
Originally Posted by DrFumblefinger: Thanks for this post, Tom, and I also appreciate your involvement with TravelGumbo. A few questions. The town seems too small for even basic tourist services. Did you just camp, or was there someplace you could stay? Also, a question about waste water. With permafrost, how is this drained from the homes so that it doesn't freeze in the pipes? The town has a few places for accommodations including bed & breakfast places and two grocery stores but...
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Re: Tuktoyaktuk: A village on the Arctic Coast of Canada

GarryRF ·
Hi Tom. I live in the UK. We're not lovers of cold weather, but we did have a night 10 months ago when it fell below freezing for a few hours. Some say "Global Warming" but I say the Jet Stream got stuck in its usual "Summer" position and Caribbean winds kept us warm. We don't have a mosquito problem here ( 200 miles north of London) but I'm curious to know. Are there any noticeable changes to your weather ? Longer summers or wetter winters ? I remember studying the shifting Polar Ice Caps...
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Re: Tuktoyaktuk: A village on the Arctic Coast of Canada

My Thatched Hut ·
I don't know much about global warming. I suspect that pollution contributes to it, but these things also happen on their own as we know from ice ages and warming periods in the past. I have noticed long periods of warm weather but then it gets cold again. I have read that the Arctic ice is melting but this coming winter is predicted to be very cold here in Canada. Although I have travelled in the Arctic, I have not spent enough time there to observe any climate changes. There are scientists...
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Re: Delta: Cheap inflight WiFi for Smartphones

DrFumblefinger ·
I do think currently there are some band-width limitations to the wi-fi on planes. For example, there's not enough capability to support 200 people being on their mobile devices at any given time (remember this requires two way connectivity). So the cost may be just a barrier to limit access to the technology. But I like the idea. Costs will come down, technology will improve bandwidth, and offering it free will be a perk that may help people favor one airline over another.
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Thanksgiving Storm: Check with your airline!

Paul Heymont ·
As of Wednesday morning, airlines have cancelled over 200 flights in anticipation of a Noreaster that will hit the New York area and surrounding territory starting Wednesday afternoon. About half the cancellations involve New York Laguardia and Newark...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, February 23, 2015: Skógafoss, Iceland

DrFumblefinger ·
  Iceland is a land of dramatic rugged scenery, especially along its south shore.  There are lots of great sites here, one of my favorites being  Skógafoss .  Located in the pretty little town of Skogar, this...
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AirBerlin Black Friday: $499 to Europe R/T!

Paul Heymont ·
AirBerlin, a OneWorld member, is offering a $499 roundtrip to several European destinations at cut-rate prices from now to Tuesday, with flights from Jan. 12 to Mar. 22. The $499 rate is for Berlin from Chicago, and Stockholm or Copenhagen from NYC....
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Scotland's vote may help ax high flying tax

Paul Heymont ·
The infamous British Air Passenger Duty, which can add as much as $450 to airfare for a family of four flying trans-Atlantic to or from Britain, may have met its match in the Scottish vote against independence earlier this fall.   Seem...
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Ottawa – NOT the coldest Capital in the world!

DrFumblefinger ·
Ottawa is a vibrant and charming small city — so pleasant that it’s hard to believe it’s home to soooo many politicians.  Of the national capitals I've visited, Ottawa seems the most livable to me (ie. if...
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Steamboat Rock, Washington — Wildflowers and Vistas galore!

DrFumblefinger ·
 The large basalt mass of Steamboat Rock is a distinct landmark in Central Washington state.  Steamboat Rock State Park is a dozen miles southwest of the massive Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River. The Park is on a peninsula...
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Washington state's Wild Horses Monument & Gingko Petrified Forest

DrFumblefinger ·
 The Columbia River is one of the most interesting and beautiful geographic features of the Inland Northwest, from its headwaters in British Columbia to the dramatic Gorge just east of Portland, Oregon.    When...
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Air India uses 787's to the Max

DrFumblefinger ·
After a bumpy roll-out, the Boeing 787 is gaining acceptance with some carriers and their passengers.  Air India uses its fleet of 787s more heavily than most carriers because the cost of operating the plane 30% less than the rest of its fleet....
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The Living Desert Wildlife and Botanical Park, Palm Desert

DrFumblefinger ·
Palm Desert's LIVING DESERT offers a place to see several desert ecosystems, as well as an interesting assortment of animals from the Americas and Africa.
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Monterey Bay Aquarium: Oceans Apart

Lestertheinvestor ·
  Located directly on the Monterey Bay just south of Santa Cruz is a sprawling complex of nearly 200 exhibits of more than 550 species in a 2 storey building nearly 30 years old: the Monterey Bay Aquarium (MBA). Started in 1978, and open to the...
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Cold in Canada? Good Fares to Hawaii

Travel Rob ·
Here is a good deal from Calgary to Honolulu round trip  on United.Feb4- Feb11 494.91 Canadian dollars( $ 413.32 US Dollars )If you check the  round trip price from Denver- where the connection is- it's a lot higher. There are other...
 
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