I travel by train in Europe often. Whether you are reducing carbon footprint or not, for many routes the train is just easier and faster. Munich to Berlin or Vienna is a little over an hour flight but add on the journey to and from the airport plus getting there 90 minutes early it is the same as the 4 hour train ride in time. It just is more convenient for certain distances to go by train if you have the infrastructure for high speed rail. I am not sure a mandate will be successful.

(Written on 2021年 04月 13日)(Permalink)

Wow Thats quite a cornucopia of aircraft! Thinking back of other jet aircraft, I remember flying on TWA Convair 880s from Phoenix as a kid. Very fast but could not compete with Boeing.

(Written on 2021年 04月 07日)(Permalink)

If not mistaken a Southwest flight landed at wrong airport in Branson Missouri

(Written on 2021年 04月 05日)(Permalink)

I should have been more specific by saying immunization. While Jenner used cowpox, prior to this small amounts of smallpox from active pustules was used for immunization. If folks who are leery about vaccination then I would anticipate that the acceptance of injecting smallpox for immunization would probably be a no go as well

(Written on 2021年 04月 03日)(Permalink)

From early data comparing 2019 to 2020 it looks like a 16 percent increase in the number of US deaths. There is generally some increase year to year but this is more excessive than expected.

(Written on 2021年 04月 02日)(Permalink)

An interesting tidbit about smallpox. George Washington ordered the vaccination of all his soldiers to prevent illness and potentially wiping out his Army

(Written on 2021年 04月 02日)(Permalink)

I don't think it is the airlines decision to require proof of vaccination, but the countries they fly to. Most of what is talked about is international travel not domestic in my opinion. My wife is going to Germany in 2 weeks and the country (Germany) is requiring a negative Covid test prior to entry so United is requiring passengers to have proof of the test prior to boarding. I would hope a vaccination card would stop the need for testing before boarding.

(Written on 2021年 04月 02日)(Permalink)

HIPPA law isn’t what most people think it is. Plenty of others can access records including your insurance company. Cancer registries can get that information and if you have certain communicable diseases like syphilis your information is sent without your permission

(Written on 2021年 04月 02日)(Permalink)

Covid 19 infection is different than other illnesses mentioned since it is airborne transmitted. We have never had a real pandemic since 1918 influenza when only ship travel was in existence. The problem for me is that anyone can forge a vaccination card. There will be difficulty confirming actual vaccinations which are probably collected in each state in some databank. Since this "passport" is all being done after starting vaccination and not thought out beforehand, I think showing your vaccination card is OK and that anyone who is discovered presenting a phony vax card should be fined and banned from flying.

(Written on 2021年 04月 01日)(Permalink)

I also liked the A-340. From SFO to CPH on SAS and Lufthansa flights to Munich were the routes I traveled. 2-4-2 set up was the best other than the United 767 2-3-2. Otherwise the seat is basically the same as on any other aircraft without having to step across 2 people. Toilets through the swinging doors down the stairs was interesting especially with a little turbulence.

(Written on 2021年 03月 27日)(Permalink)