Ceridwenscauldron

Funny the things that turn up when your lookling for something else.

Just found this story that gives another insight into the woman who could end up as the "Leader of the Free World" should the Republicans be elected and the old fella croak

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article3987891.ece

A bit late with my comment on Call me Dave's conference rhetoric, but I have to take issue with him over this high speed rail network that is going to take away Heathrow's need for a a third runway, by taking out 66,000 domestic flights a year. I make that 181 domestic flights a day which seems a bit high for one airport!

I think this is a bit of a smokescreen to woo London's surburban voters as when you look into it unless you are travelling between say London and Inverness there really isn't a lot of difference in the total time spent travelling when you factor in check in and security and getting to and from an airport. And as the high speed rail links can't possibly be built within the next ten years I can't see Heathrow waiting that long.

Yes a high speed rail network is something that the UK should have, but the real problem with the train v plane arguement is down to the cost of buying a ticket on the railways.

To use London Edinburgh as an example as far as my own experiences go the rail journey is much more pleasant than the flight, no need for a photo ID, can take what I want on the train with no messing about with security and stupid bags for liquid, no hanging around for baggage or the faffing around and expense of getting to and from the airport, plus I can read or enjoy the scenery rather than spend hours in expensive purgatory of the departure lounge and several often unessessay queus.

But with the plane I can book a cheap flight six months in advance for £25. With the railways you have to gamble on getting a reasonably priced ticket with only weeks to spare, otherwise its over £100 for a journey that takes about the same time once all the airport faffing is taken into consideration. Fine if you don't need to plan your time off work, but a real jhaedache if you do.

So the answer is actually here now, Call me Dave and if you are reading Mr Boredom Grown, give the traveller a real choice make the railways operate the same pricing regime as the budget airlines so the cheap tickets can compete for customers