Mooney enters DC airspace

[John Pleisse]

I would come home from Norfolk late on weeknights VFR.....all you had to to was dial up DC approach and ask for the tour. They'd bring you straight up the north shore of the Potomac, over SE and NW DC, literally in plain view of all the monuments and the White House. Not anymore...

2001 doesn't seem that long ago.

 

I am also tired of not being able to walk from the ticket counter, straight to my gate. There is a one hour infringement of liberty known as TSA, which at BWI, is the worst I have ever seen. I openly ask them how their dinner break was. Last time we (family of 5) took a flight, I asked for the manager. His response was, "I am the manager". I said...."Can't you do better than 1 hour on the Thurs before Memorial Day"? He responded...."No". I said "Really"? He said, "This is what you get and you don't get upset".

[flyboy0681]

I would come home from Norfolk late on weeknights VFR.....all you had to to was dial up DC approach and ask for the tour. They'd bring you straight up the north shore of the Potomac, over SE and NW DC, literally in plain view of all the monuments and the White House. 2001 doesn't seem that long ago.

 

I am also tired of not being able to walk from the ticket counter, straight to my gate. There is a one hour infringement of liberty know as TSA, which at BWI, is the worst I have ever seen. I openly ask them how their dinner break was. Last time we (family of 5) took a flight, I asked for the manager. His response was, "I am the manager". I said...."Can't you do better than 1 hour on the Thurs before Memorial Day"? He responded...."No". I said "Really"? He said, "This is what you get and you don't get upset".

 

I had flown from my base in New Jersey to DCA many times in the 80's and never had a problem getting in, so I know exactly what you are talking about. As a matter of fact, one of my trips there was the day before the Air Florida 737 went down in the Potomac.

 

But on the subject of airport security, it has been around since 1972 when hijackers were demanding to be flown to Cuba (of all places). I travelled heavily during the 80's and 90's and remember the lines at San Francisco and Los Angeles, so that's nothing new. What is new is taking your shoes off. Things also changed around 1994 when there was a perceived threat by the UNABOMBER and airlines were on heightened alert. It was then that only passengers were allowed beyond the security area and positive ID was required when checking in for a flight. Also, once a ticket was issued, it was not transferable.

 

Now to see how things were in the good old days, pay careful attention to the Steve McQueen film Bullitt, which was shot at SFO in 1968. He's filmed going from the curb, to the Pan Am ticket counter to the gate - sans any security whatsoever.

[NotarPilot]

"I am also tired of not being able to walk from the ticket counter, straight to my gate. There is a one hour infringement of liberty known as TSA, which at BWI, is the worst I have ever seen. I openly ask them how their dinner break was. Last time we (family of 5) took a flight, I asked for the manager. His response was, "I am the manager". I said...."Can't you do better than 1 hour on the Thurs before Memorial Day"? He responded...."No". I said "Really"? He said, "This is what you get and you don't get upset"."

But isn't the service you get from government just the best?

[flyboy0681]

"I am also tired of not being able to walk from the ticket counter, straight to my gate. There is a one hour infringement of liberty known as TSA, which at BWI, is the worst I have ever seen. I openly ask them how their dinner break was. Last time we (family of 5) took a flight, I asked for the manager. His response was, "I am the manager". I said...."Can't you do better than 1 hour on the Thurs before Memorial Day"? He responded...."No". I said "Really"? He said, "This is what you get and you don't get upset"."

But isn't the service you get from government just the best?

 

I'm obviously the dissenter here. I've flown out of my home airport in Fort Lauderdale four times in the last six weeks and during mid-morning was on the other side within 12 minutes. These trips were to San Francisco and Los Angeles and the experience at those airports (some during the week, some weekends) were just about the same. 

 

I have a friend that never travels and I asked him why. He said because security is such a hassle. I said "you won't take a two week vacation overseas because you may have to wait on a security line for a half hour?" He replied, "absolutely".

[Guest]

I feel sorry for you guys and all the TFR b/s. Two weeks ago I flew within a few miles of the busiest airport in the nation, flew over the down town of the largest city in the nation, around the CN tower, over the Ontario legislative buildings, continued on over a nuclear power station, landed and had breakfast. All with no concerns about loosing my ticket.

Clarence

[aviatoreb]

I'm obviously the dissenter here. I've flown out of my home airport in Fort Lauderdale four times in the last six weeks and during mid-morning was on the other side within 12 minutes. These trips were to San Francisco and Los Angeles and the experience at those airports (some during the week, some weekends) were just about the same. 

 

I have a friend that never travels and I asked him why. He said because security is such a hassle. I said "you won't take a two week vacation overseas because you may have to wait on a security line for a half hour?" He replied, "absolutely".

 

That's how I feel....

 

I travel for work - I manage some of my work travel in my Mooney but ...heck I won't fly the Mooney to Germany, or New Zealand (wish...) and California.  So the last thing I want to do on vacation is hassle through the airline system, and the security lines are just part of it.  The cramped seats.  The connections and so forth.  We vacation within minvan or Mooney range.

[Marauder]

I feel sorry for you guys and all the TFR b/s. Two weeks ago I flew within a few miles of the busiest airport in the nation, flew over the down town of the largest city in the nation, around the CN tower, over the Ontario legislative buildings, continued on over a nuclear power station, landed and had breakfast. All with no concerns about loosing my ticket.

Clarence

That's it! I can't take it anymore. I'm moving to Canada! Clarence -- can you teach me the right way to say "about" and "process"? And if you don't mind throw in the proper annunciation for "Eh!"

On a more serious note. The one thing I do miss about having Canadian employees is the Cuba cigars! Worth the trip to visit them now matter how deep the snow got.

[Marauder]

That's how I feel....

I travel for work - I manage some of my work travel in my Mooney but ...heck I won't fly the Mooney to Germany, or New Zealand (wish...) and California. So the last thing I want to do on vacation is hassle through the airline system, and the security lines are just part of it. The cramped seats. The connections and so forth. We vacation within minvan or Mooney range.

I wish I could travel for work in my Mooney. Instead, my great joy was moving up to Economy Plus. A million miles on an airline gets you NOTHING these days!

[AmigOne]

I'm just a few miles south from the SFRA boundary (and have been since 9/11) so one could say that I should be used to it but I am not. In addition all my VFR trips northbound take more time and more care to avoid the darn thing.  IFR sometimes they might clear me through the Dulles class B but if I want to climb quickly VFR I have to go way over the mountains to the west.  In the most recent case of the Mooney from Massachusetts to North Carolina I'm just wondering what was he doing inside the SFRA.  A more scenic route and less congested would have been to follow the east coast.  Perhaps his concern was the NY airspace which maybe from his starting point could be easier avoided on the west side than over the sea.  But that route southbound, west of Philadelphia, Baltimore, etc will put you dead center into the SFRA.  

[Guest]

That's it! I can't take it anymore. I'm moving to Canada! Clarence -- can you teach me the right way to say "about" and "process"? And if you don't mind throw in the proper annunciation for "Eh!"

On a more serious note. The one thing I do miss about having Canadian employees is the Cuba cigars! Worth the trip to visit them now matter how deep the snow got.

We're always looking for immigrants, please do bring your Mooney. Only one service centre in the east, yours truly!!

Car fuel is $5.00 per gallon, 100LL is $8.00 per gallon, but your dollar buys "aboout" 10% more.

Snow in southern Ontario is not bad. Summers hot and humid.

Oh....and free health care!!

Overall not too bad Eh!

Clarence

[yvesg]

You forgot the cold Clarence, you forgot the cold. I would trade places anytime with someone living near Phoenix, AZ just to avoid these 6 cold months we get here near Ottawa.

Yves

[Guest]

Yves,

Down here in the south winter is much shorter. Almost mild.

Clarence

[yvesg]

You forgot the taxes Clarence, you forgot the taxes. Guys who can afford a Mooney (and service at a Mooney service center thereof) would fall in the 5% top income and would be paying over 50% tax all together, if you account everything.

And it is particularly worst in Quebec where I live.

City taxes (I live in the country so it is low here): $2000 on a $225K house yearly

School taxes: $600 yearly

Sales taxes: 14% on everything except groceries

Fuel price: Virtually double what you have in USA, specifically on aircraft fuel

Car plates: $275 yearly times 2

Driving License: $85 yearly times 2

Mandatory drugs insurance $600 yearly (times 2) and Viagra is not even covered... pilots typically don't take any medication

Insurance rates for 2 cars, aircraft and house I pay around $4K yearly

And I am not listing everything still...

Yves

[flyboy0681]

You forgot the taxes Clarence, you forgot the taxes. Guys who can afford a Mooney (and service at a Mooney service center thereof) would fall in the 5% top income and would be paying over 50% tax all together, if you account everything.

And it is particularly worst in Quebec where I live.

City taxes (I live in the country so it is low here): $2000 on a $225K house yearly

School taxes: $600 yearly

Sales taxes: 14% on everything except groceries

Fuel price: Virtually double what you have in USA, specifically on aircraft fuel

Car plates: $275 yearly times 2

Driving License: $85 yearly times 2

Mandatory drugs insurance $600 yearly (times 2) and Viagra is not even covered... pilots typically don't take any medication

Insurance rates for 2 cars, aircraft and house I pay around $4K yearly

And I am not listing everything still...

Yves

 

Here is what I pay down here in Florida

 

City taxes: $4200 on a $300K house yearly

School taxes: Included in city taxes

Sales taxes: 6% on everything

Fuel price: auto = $3.55, 100LL about $5.00

Car plates: $65 yearly times 4

Driving License: $45 every 8 years

Health Insurance $1,500 a month

Insurance rates per year for 4 cars = $5,500, aircraft = $1,300 and house = $6,500K yearly

 

 

Looks like I could get a huge break on my insurance if I moved up there!

[ArtVandelay]

Here is what I pay down here in Florida

 

City taxes: $4200 on a $300K house yearly

School taxes: Included in city taxes

Sales taxes: 6% on everything

Fuel price: auto = $3.55, 100LL about $5.00

Car plates: $65 yearly times 4

Driving License: $45 every 8 years

Health Insurance $1,500 a month

Insurance rates per year for 4 cars = $5,500, aircraft = $1,300 and house = $6,500K yearly

 

 

Looks like I could get a huge break on my insurance if I moved up there!

Actually, aviation maintenance is tax free in Florida:

Current exemptions for qualified and fixed-wing aircraft are unchanged. Replacement engines, parts, equipment, and labor used in or for the maintenance or repair of fixed wing aircraft with a maximum certified takeoff weight of more than 2,000 pounds remain exempt.

[NotarPilot]

You forgot the taxes Clarence, you forgot the taxes. Guys who can afford a Mooney (and service at a Mooney service center thereof) would fall in the 5% top income and would be paying over 50% tax all together, if you account everything.

And it is particularly worst in Quebec where I live.

City taxes (I live in the country so it is low here): $2000 on a $225K house yearly

School taxes: $600 yearly

Sales taxes: 14% on everything except groceries

Fuel price: Virtually double what you have in USA, specifically on aircraft fuel

Car plates: $275 yearly times 2

Driving License: $85 yearly times 2

Mandatory drugs insurance $600 yearly (times 2) and Viagra is not even covered... pilots typically don't take any medication

Insurance rates for 2 cars, aircraft and house I pay around $4K yearly

And I am not listing everything still...

Yves

But you guys have that "free" government health care!

[Guest]

You're correct, health care for all, not just those who can afford it or are lucky enough to have their employer pay for it.

Clarence

[flyboy0681]

You're correct, health care for all, not just those who can afford it or are lucky enough to have their employer pay for it.

Clarence

 

Them is fighting words on this site Clarence.

 

But let me relate a story. I was on vacation in Berlin three years ago and I was talking with a local and we got on the subject of social differences between our two countries. He said "I don't understand why who you work for determines whether you could get health care or not". No matter how many times I tried to explain it, he just couldn't grasp the concept.

[Marauder]

Them is fighting words on this site Clarence.

But let me relate a story. I was on vacation in Berlin three years ago and I was talking with a local and we got on the subject of social differences between our two countries. He said "I don't understand why who you work for determines whether you could get health care or not". No matter how many times I tried to explain it, he just couldn't grasp the concept.

They have a Works Council that protects them. The same Council that ensures they get 90% of their salary upon retirement. Not sure if it is applicable to all jobs, but they got their priorities right...

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[NotarPilot]

Nothing is free in this world. Someone is always paying for it no matter what.

[Guest]

Them is fighting words on this site Clarence.

 

But let me relate a story. I was on vacation in Berlin three years ago and I was talking with a local and we got on the subject of social differences between our two countries. He said "I don't understand why who you work for determines whether you could get health care or not". No matter how many times I tried to explain it, he just couldn't grasp the concept.

Please do explain, I don't get it either.

Clarence

[flyboy0681]

Please do explain, I don't get it either.

Clarence

 

Most American's obtain their healthcare coverage from their employer. Up until recently, if you weren't employed, chances are you had no coverage. End of story.

[chrisk]

Please do explain, I don't get it either.

Clarence

Wages were frozen during World War 2.  Companies competed by giving benefits, one of which was health insurance.   It's a non-taxable benefit, so it stuck.   Folks are free to buy their own with after tax dollars, but you take a 30+% hit for taxes and rates  were high.  I have several friends who contract, and have purchased health insurance through associations in the past.

[flyboy0681]

Wages were frozen during World War 2.  Companies competed by giving benefits, one of which was health insurance.   It's a non-taxable benefit, so it stuck.   Folks are free to buy their own with after tax dollars, but you take a 30+% hit for taxes and rates  were high.  I have several friends who contract, and have purchased health insurance through associations in the past.

 

Prior to ACA, I had my own individual policy for me and my family. It cost me $3,000 a month. Now I'm paying $1,200 a month for a policy with better benefits. 

 

Associations do offer coverage, but until recently they only accepted healthy applicants with a pristine health history.

[pinerunner]

Wages were frozen during World War 2.  Companies competed by giving benefits, one of which was health insurance.   It's a non-taxable benefit, so it stuck.   Folks are free to buy their own with after tax dollars, but you take a 30+% hit for taxes and rates  were high.  I have several friends who contract, and have purchased health insurance through associations in the past.

In addition I think its rigged to suit the insurance companies. They'd much rather deal with a few large contracts with large companies than sell small policies to individuals. I've usually had decent health care from the companies I work for but I recall getting jerked around when my employer decided to switch health care plans and I had to get a new primary care provider since mine wasn't on the new list. That got me kind of anti on the current system. Seems like foxs running the chicken coop to me.