U.S. probing possible airline collusion to keep fares high - Polidicks

[url]http://globalnews.ca/news/2087117/u-s-probing-possible-airline-collusion-to-keep-fares-high/[/url] [quote=Global/AP]The U.S. government is investigating possible collusion among major airlines to limit available seats, which keeps airfares high, according to a document obtained by The Associated Press. The civil antitrust investigation by the Justice Department appears to focus on whether airlines illegally signaled to each other how quickly they would add new flights, routes and extra seats. A letter received Tuesday by major U.S. carriers demands copies of all communications the airlines had with each other, Wall Street analysts and major shareholders about their plans for passenger-carrying capacity, or “the undesirability of your company or any other airline increasing capacity.”[/quote]

Oh it says "collusion". I thought it said "collision" like the government was going to slam two planes together and that would somehow raise prices. I was really confused.

And they wonder why people hate flying so much.

[QUOTE=Katatonic717;48097696]Oh it says "collusion". I thought it said "collision" like the government was going to slam two planes together and that would somehow raise prices. I was really confused.[/QUOTE] Like the Large Hadron Collider, if you smack planes together fast enough they turn into pure dollar bills for a few short seconds

Looks like we're going to have to revolutionize train and boat travel again then. Fuck off airlines.

[QUOTE=draugur;48097911]Looks like we're going to have to revolutionize train and boat travel again then. Fuck off airlines.[/QUOTE] I'd like to see interdimensional rifts at some point.

Predicted verdict: 75 million dollar fine, and a slap on the wrists for exploiting every citizen who uses air transportation. No jail time whatsoever. Possibly give the CEO's top positions on transportation committees after they retire.

[QUOTE=ccg;48097753]And they wonder why people hate flying so much.[/QUOTE] I'm just not fond of the idea of being crammed inside a metal tube with a bunch of screaming babies and alcoholics with little else besides salted peanuts and a B-movie to distract me from them, personally. I mean I'm all for flying through the air at hundreds of miles per-hour while thousands of feet away from solid ground in a complicated mechanism that may or may not be accomplishing its duties through prayer and duct-tape alone, but seriously, fuck the shit I mentioned in the first sentence.

[QUOTE=Zero-Point;48098633]I'm just not fond of the idea of being crammed inside a metal tube with a bunch of screaming babies and alcoholics with little else besides salted peanuts and a B-movie to distract me from them, personally. I mean I'm all for flying through the air at hundreds of miles per-hour while thousands of feet away from solid ground in a complicated mechanism that may or may not be accomplishing its duties through prayer and duct-tape alone, but seriously, fuck the shit I mentioned in the first sentence.[/QUOTE] What kinds of planes are you flying in?

[QUOTE=Zero-Point;48098633]I'm just not fond of the idea of being crammed inside a metal tube with a bunch of screaming babies and alcoholics with little else besides salted peanuts and a B-movie to distract me from them, personally. I mean I'm all for flying through the air at hundreds of miles per-hour while thousands of feet away from solid ground in a complicated mechanism that may or may not be accomplishing its duties through prayer and duct-tape alone, but seriously, fuck the shit I mentioned in the first sentence.[/QUOTE] i hope you realize flying is the safest method of transportation in the world right

[QUOTE=LMFAO;48098820]i hope you realize flying is the safest method of transportation in the world right[/QUOTE] As far as the passenger knows, sure, its likely to be over completely without accident. But since the operation, maintenance and oversight of the vehicle is completely out of ones hands or knowledge, i think its fairly natural for a person to be skeptical about it.

I love air travel, the experience is exciting to me every time no matter how many countless flights I've been on. Except my wallet hates them, only downside.

It cost me $1600 for a two-way flight with a hotel in Tokyo. It cost me $2200 to fly to Halifax and back. I didn't even get a bag of peanuts, let alone a hotel.

Costs me 1.5K for a ticket, then another 200.00 for a small plane, to go back home and that is economy seating.. If this turns out to be true, this is going to be a big fucking deal. Flights have only increased in price while the overall service that is provided gets worse and worse.

[QUOTE=A B.A. Survivor;48098747]What kinds of planes are you flying in?[/QUOTE] "What is satire?" "Correct!" "Humor for 400, Alex." [QUOTE=LMFAO;48098820]i hope you realize flying is the safest method of transportation in the world right[/QUOTE] Of course I do, it's a joke. But joking aside, they are mechanical devices, and mechanical devices can fail no matter how safely engineered, and in the event of a catastrophic failure waaaay up high in the sky, that oxygen mask and inflatable dingy probably won't do much to protect me from the stampede of panicky peanut-disposals also crammed in with me. And of course it'd be my luck I get on a plane and see this little fucker out the window: [img]http://i.imgur.com/PHr7jQl.png[/img] Don't think I don't know what you're up to, you little shit!

[QUOTE=Zero-Point;48099570]Of course I do, it's a joke. But joking aside, they are mechanical devices, and mechanical devices can fail no matter how safely engineered, and in the event of a catastrophic failure waaaay up high in the sky, that oxygen mask and inflatable dingy probably won't do much to protect me from the stampede of panicky peanut-disposals also crammed in with me. [/QUOTE] The systems and mechanisms in a commercial airliner are loaded to the brim with redundancies, so that even in the unlikely chance that something fails it won't bring the plane down. You can further hedge off risk by flying in aircraft with three or four engines instead of twinjets. Most accidents are caused by human error. It's the pilot(s) and airport personnel you should be worrying about.

[QUOTE=Zero-Point;48098633] I mean I'm all for flying through the air at hundreds of miles per-hour while thousands of feet away from solid ground in a complicated mechanism that may or may not be accomplishing its duties through prayer and duct-tape alone, but seriously, fuck the shit I mentioned in the first sentence.[/QUOTE] [IMG]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/32814946/speed-tape-plane-engine-sticky-240041.jpg[/IMG] [sp]In case you're the average daily mail reader speed tape is commonly used as temporary sealants in planes and racing cars[/sp]

[QUOTE=Zero-Point;48098633]I'm just not fond of the idea of being crammed inside a metal tube with a bunch of screaming babies and alcoholics with little else besides salted peanuts and a B-movie to distract me from them, personally. I mean I'm all for flying through the air at hundreds of miles per-hour while thousands of feet away from solid ground in a complicated mechanism that may or may not be accomplishing its duties through prayer and duct-tape alone, but seriously, fuck the shit I mentioned in the first sentence.[/QUOTE] What, your planes have [I]televisions[/I]? :v:

I want to see a good old fashioned antitrust breakup.

[QUOTE=adam1172;48103034][t]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/32814946/speed-tape-plane-engine-sticky-240041.jpg[/t] [sp]In case you're the average daily mail reader speed tape is commonly used as temporary sealants in planes and racing cars[/sp][/QUOTE] Professional raceteams have duct-tape color-coded to their cars' livery, in case they need to make a quick fix. They didn't have the luxury of color-coded back in the days [t]http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9hHxi5RorIw/VKXUQwL9RCI/AAAAAAADgHg/fk41fo1jLeE/s1600/11706_506883412785165_958840089287499001_n.jpg[/t]

Air travel is the friggen worst. I'm 6'6" (198 cm) tall, and [I]cramming[/I] myself into those seats isn't just uncomfortable, it's painful. It's impossible to sit normally, facing forward with my feet on the ground. Instead, I have to swing my body out sideways so that my legs hang into the aisle. Having to overpay for that? Fuck it, I'll walk. I wish this country had a proper rail network.

[QUOTE=Big Dumb American;48104216]Air travel is the friggen worst. I'm 6'6" (198 cm) tall, and [I]cramming[/I] myself into those seats isn't just uncomfortable, it's painful. It's impossible to sit normally, facing forward with my feet on the ground. Instead, I have to swing my body out sideways so that my legs hang into the aisle. Having to overpay for that? Fuck it, I'll walk. I wish this country had a proper rail network.[/QUOTE] (sc)amtrak exists, and it'll get you there... most of the time. after a few hour delay. then losing power when it's -5 out.

[QUOTE=/dev/sda1;48106084](sc)amtrak exists, and it'll get you there... most of the time. after a few hour delay. then losing power when it's -5 out.[/QUOTE] I don't think I've ever arrived on time with Amtrak. Still, it is relatively inexpensive, and I can actually sit in my seat and get up to stretch my legs whenever I need to. Miles better than flying, even with the lack of reliability. It'd be perfect if they were able to expand and upgrade the rail network, lessen ticket prices, and work in faster trains, but as of right now, comfort is the only real benefit it offers. Driving is still faster, cheaper, more reliable, and more convenient.

And on the other hand you have low-cost companies trying to cram as many people in a plane as possible: [img]http://www.carjet.com/files/Standing%20seats%20on%20planes%20-%20Low-cost%20car%20hire%20from%20CarJet.jpg[/img]

[QUOTE=*Freezorg*;48117553]And on the other hand you have low-cost companies trying to cram as many people in a plane as possible: [img]http://www.carjet.com/files/Standing%20seats%20on%20planes%20-%20Low-cost%20car%20hire%20from%20CarJet.jpg[/img][/QUOTE] Can you fucking imagine Getting off a plane on a 48-hour flight and you'd have cramps for weeks.

[QUOTE=Samiam22;48117779]Can you fucking imagine Getting off a plane on a 48-hour flight and you'd have cramps for weeks.[/QUOTE] Nah man low-cost companies don't do long flights. Like 4 hours at most. All of their fleet is narrow-body. No, no, there is no "disagree". Go look it up.