[emersonbiggins]

In from the Obvious Department (emphasis mine below):
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', ' ')AP Study: Fuel Makes Many Planes Obsolete
Thurs 20 Mar 10:41 am ET, By Adam Schreck, AP Business Writer
High Fuel Prices Makes Many Smaller Planes "Economically Obsolete," According to New Study:
NEW YORK (AP) -- Surging fuel prices have rendered many of the world's airliners too expensive to operate, making them "economically obsolete," according to a study Thursday by an aviation consulting firm. Most at risk are smaller regional jets, especially those with fewer than 50 seats, that are used by carriers to connect smaller airports to larger hubs, according to the forecast by The Boyd Group in Evergreen, Colo.

More than half of the existing regional jets in service in the U.S. -- over 900 aircraft -- will be retired over the next five years, the report said. "Contrary to other forecasts that predict 'thousands' of new (regional jets), the hard fact is that there are no such next-generation airliners on the drawing board. The (regional jet) era is over," the firm said in a statement. ...

[efarmer]

Airlines have been playing hooky from the grim reaper all of
my adult life it seems EB. This may be a driver for passenger
rail comeback. Climbing into a petroleum powered aluminum
tube and hurtling to Las Vegas to be juiced, seduced, and
then run through the money ringer to be sent home dry is
probably ready to jump into the dumpster as well.

Invest in a stuffed chicken, this way you will have a train
seat empty on either side of you so you can spread out
and be comfy.

[emersonbiggins]

I'm looking forward to it!

The next regional "jet":

[raober]

Man, now I know that I'm getting too deep into all this PO stuff. That train picture is sexier than any pictures of women I've seen lately...

[steam_cannon]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('raober', 'M')an, now I know that I'm getting too deep into all this PO stuff. That
train picture is sexier than any pictures of women I've seen lately...

[vision-master]

[Starvid]

[cube]

Ever heard the joke:

Becoming a millionaire is really easy. What you need to do is start off as a billionaire and then open up your own airline business.

[auscanman]

How is it that these aircraft are still in use if they're economically obsolete? I've heard there's no tax added to fuel used for aviation, so is that the reason? Or are there government subsidies?

There clearly seems to be something wrong and illogical with the price of gas and oil increasing dramatically over the last 4 years, while the cost of flights has pretty much remained unchanged.

[cube]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('emersonbiggins', 'I')'m looking forward to it!

The next regional "jet":

[emersonbiggins]

Cube, quit exposing me to reality!

[Tanada]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('emersonbiggins', 'I')n from the Obvious Department (emphasis mine below):

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', ' ')AP
Report: Fuel Makes Many Planes Obsolete
Thursday March 20, 10:41 am ET
By Adam Schreck, AP Business Writer
High Fuel Prices Makes Many Smaller Planes "Economically Obsolete," According to New Study

NEW YORK (AP) -- Surging fuel prices have rendered many of the world's airliners too expensive to operate, making them "economically obsolete," according to a study Thursday by an aviation consulting firm.

Most at risk are smaller regional jets, especially those with fewer than 50 seats, that are used by carriers to connect smaller airports to larger hubs, according to the forecast by The Boyd Group in Evergreen, Colo.

More than half of the existing regional jets in service in the U.S. -- over 900 aircraft -- will be retired over the next five years, the report said.

"Contrary to other forecasts that predict 'thousands' of new (regional jets), the hard fact is that there are no such next-generation airliners on the drawing board. The (regional jet) era is over," the firm said in a statement.
...

[NTBKtrader]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('emersonbiggins', 'I')n from the Obvious Department

[emersonbiggins]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('NTBKtrader', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('emersonbiggins', 'I')n from the Obvious Department

[TheDude]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('raober', 'M')an, now I know that I'm getting too deep into all this PO stuff. That train picture is sexier than any pictures of women I've seen lately...

[cube]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('TheDude', '[')url=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/267888_seats25.html]Will you stand for less room on flights?[/url]

[steam_cannon]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('cube', 'I') just can't wait to see the cost-cutting ideas they'll come up with once
oil hits $300

[MrBill]

I am certainly looking forward to fly business class again without putting up with crowded airports, connecting flights, hoards of tourists and those flying on cheap tickets. Without daily flights leaving every hour on the hour I might even be able to stay at my destination for few days, get to know my customers better and see where it is that I am visiting. Heaven! ; - )

[TheDude]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('steam_cannon', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('cube', 'I') just can't wait to see the cost-cutting ideas they'll come up with once
oil hits $300

[alokin]

In Europe we have trains, but don't expect them to be comfy. They're expensive (at least in Germany) late and you may stand for two hours. But this is not because trains are bad it's because of the privatisation.
Anyway I am very happy that this short distance flights have an end