Sunday Was "Spring Forward" Day. I have to admit, it is one of my least favorite days of the year. I am not a fan of waking up early. I really don't get too excited to watch the sun rise. (Although I LOVE sunsets!) I always seem to feel robbed of my sleep every year when I have to set my clock forward. But today, I was able to get outside and clean up around my yard. I think that I saw, FINALLY, that spring is right around the corner! It has been a long winter. My heart almost skipped a beat when I saw tulip leaves sprouting and my grass turning green! So Sunday may have been "Spring Forward" day, but I'm going to focus more on the "Spring" than the "forward".

(Please see parts I, II, and III below) Right now, the air traveler has two alternatives:  A private jet or steerage in the domestic U.S. airlines (first class isn’t worth paying for, it has become a joke given the level of service versus the prices charged). There has to be a market for something in-between right?   Let's assume that a new airline wanted to start tomorrow that was going to solve all of the attitude problems and service problems and make their customers happy. First of all, the airline passenger would still have to deal with the “security theatre” of the TSA.  I have  previously written  about my proposal for reforming the TSA. Unfortunately, its chances of passage are slim to none because the politicians are scared to death that if something goes wrong, their election opponents would use their vote to dial back the TSA against them. So, the unpleasant experience would still begin the moment you arrive at the airport. The new airline p...

One of my favorite lines from the 1983 classic, Risky Business.   That line came to mind when I saw this video . For three months, we have been posting warnings about rising water and spring flooding. Let's be proactive people!  If you have a Corvette in storage in an area subject to high water, get it out  before the water rises.

(Please see parts I and II below) In part II, I ended by listing what I believe are the factors that have caused airline deregulation to unravel.  Let me deal with two of them in this part of the series. The self-defeating tactics of airline management and unions... A number of years ago, American Airlines wanted to change its work rules.  Unions would not go along.  So, AA management decided to “teach the unions a lesson” and selected five cities (one was Wichita), and convert them to American Eagle propeller service from all-jets. Since AA’s pilot union didn’t fly Eagle jets, it was a warning.  After a year or so of this nonsense, they settled the dispute and the jets returned to Wichita and the other cities.  But, during this period – for the first time as a Wichita resident – I drove to Dallas.  I didn’t like the props, I didn’t like what was then the shabby Eagle terminal, so I drove.  Stupid of management…revenue lost and my 100% habit of fl...

(If you haven’t already, please scroll down to Part I) When the airlines were deregulated during the Carter Presidency, I thought it was a good idea. Two huge new airports, DFW International and Kansas City International, had just been opened.  New types of airplanes, including the 747, L-1011, and DC-10 jumbos, had been introduced to rave reviews.  Delays were rare except in the worst weather. Flight attendants wore white gloves.  The government set airline prices and told the airlines to what cities they could fly. They were practically guaranteed a profit except in economic recessions when traffic fell. People dressed up to fly (coat and tie for men, women in dresses), it was such an elegant and luxurious experience. The theory was, with deregulation, the airlines would be free to improve service, fly where they wanted, and innovate.  At first, it was great. New routes. At first, better service. Frequent flier programs. Airlines like People Express reduced the...

Here is a link to a review of the first book about Climategate. 

“Did I just read that you are in favor of re-regulating the airlines??!!” Rarely do I write something that – literally – causes my phone to ring thirty seconds later. This did. I am a person who believes in the marketplace and that smaller government usually equals more effective government. What could I be thinking?, my friend wondered.  Just this:  The free market cannot work in an economic endeavor for which a free market does not exist which is certainly the case with airlines. I dislike the airlines, the TSA, the whole air travel experience these days. And, given the current regulatory system, I see no hope for improvement given the status quo. It is time to start thinking "outside the box." I am old enough to remember airlines before and after de-regulation (which, for the record, I was in favor of).  I don’t like what I see today. The United States, the nation that invented the airplane, invented air traffic control, and most of what makes modern aviation poss...