KMEM

Is the glass half empty or half full? Boeing is suggesting it may have answers in about 3 weeks. That remains to be seen. Best regards, KMEM

So, Tom Braniff, Robert Six, Eddie Richenbacker, Bob Crandell, Herb Kelleher and others do not meet with your approval? Aviation has traditionally been more about flying and less about business until somewhat lately much to my chagrin and the loss to the flying public. I am sure you understand this as a FF. If you do not, you are entirely too interested in the bottom line. Best regards, KMEM

Just leave the flying to us and we will get along famously. Best regards, KMEM

First grounding in 39 years? I guess you missed all the others to include AA for gear problems, etc., etc. There are routine situations that either do or will call for grounding if not fixed within a limited amount of time. It is "interesting" that some pay no attention to a long time member of the industry but instead rely upon the "expertise" of frequent flyers who are, after all, just customers of the industry. Amateurs trying to look into a technological world. Other than with disdain, I have no idea why I am wasting my time reading such drivel. I suppose trying to educate such is just a bad habit. Best regards, KMEM

Some years ago most turbine business aircraft came standardly equipped with NiCad batteries. The specifications of this type battery made it an improvement over lead acid batteries in several ways. It produced all of its' amperage at a high voltage until it had no more to give where the lead acid we are all familiar with slowly gives less and less until it has no more. However, various deficiencies were relatively soon discovered. It was expensive to make and therefore buy. It required a lot of maintanance. It developed a memory which means that it would receive a false signal that it was fully charged which required it to be fully discharged and re-charged using special equipment periodically. It also, under certain conditions, would develop thermal runaway which could lead to an exploding battery. I know of one case where a battery exploded and basically blew the tail off a bizjet. Fortunately it was on the ground during this episode. The "fix" was to install a monitor so the pilot would know if the battery was over charging. Also a method to isolate the battery from the charging system was incorporated. However, owners and pilots got tired of all the fuss and bother of having a NiCad battery and virtually all now have reverted to lead acid. A few are still out there and I hope the operators of same are happy with their choice. I use lead acid exclusively. Most of you will have already gotten the point and that is "new technology" batteries and the like are not necessarily all they are hoped to be. However, as mentioned several times earlier in this thread, a fix will be found and the 787 will fly on. Best regards, KMEM

Personally I am a very strong believer in our country. However, I also think that those who are satisfied with the status quo are not standing still but actually backing up. It is not only our right but duty to watch over and evaluate those who are so called public servants. I also happen to believe that we as citizens should take as much responsibility for our own actions as possible and not be happy when personal freedoms are taken away from us. To a large extent flying allows one to have some freedom of action plus if one does not take responsibilty for one's actions, one likely will die. Some errors in judgement and execution in flying are very dangerous. The US has the safest aviation system in the world and I am proud of it. Is it perfect? No. Is the FAA perfect? Far from it. The system is operated more by those in the industry than the FAA. The FAA provides rules and regulations and oversight and Air Traffic Control. However, the nuts and bolts are provided and executed by the industry itself. That may be slowly changing and it is not a positive thing. Best regards, KMEM

Another poster who thinks the government can protect them. Good luck. Best regards, KMEM

How quickly we forget the Pinto et al, but, actually that is an entirely different discussion. Best regards, KMEM

AVG- You are exactly correct in that the FAA cannot ground an aircraft or fleet when it does not exist on a US carrier. The 787 apparently has a vendor problem which I would like to think would be solved by using more or exclusively US vendors but that is apparently not PC and not to be. I also agree the 787 is no Comet. There are no large undiscovered or unmanageable problems on this aircraft but that is not to say Boeing will not suffer some economic problems in dealing with the issue or issues. Ditto the flying public. We all have to decide what is "worth the risk and what is not" in dealing with modern technology. Killing 30,000+ drivers and passengers per year in US autos does not seem a very good deal but we put up with it and think little or nothing about driving to the grocery store or the movie theater. However, we should, especially if we overly worry about getting on a very safe airliner of any and every sort. Flying is not inherently safe but many try very hard to make it as safe as humanly possible. Years and years and thousands of hours make me feel that we can do this. Best regards, KMEM

Ride the 787 or not at your decision. It definitely is having teething problems just like all other airliners. The French aircraft do seem to have a problem with their tails. (Don't we all?) However, that would not prevent me from riding on the 330 or 340 or 380 except in "unusual circumstances". One has to decide and choose for themselves what those circumstances might be. This is true thoughout life and with various "problems". If air travel is a BIG problem then drive or float or whatever is NOT aviation. But, if getting there in a relatively short amount of time is the issue, then FLY, by all means. Best regards, KMEM

LOL. Best regards, KMEM

I certainly remember this rendition by Andy Griffith. I think I had a 45 record of same at one time. Very funny, then and now. Good luck to you on vacation and throughout life. Best regards, KMEM

Amusing. Too bad Ralph didn't hang himself. Best regards, KMEM

I enjoyed George Burns also and wished he had made it to the Paladium at 100. He almost did. Best regards, KMEM

MEM has a chance of being near the lowest. We have river barges (cheap transport) and a local refinery. The local taxes (TN and MEM) have a good deal to do with it. Folks don't often realize (or care) that transporting a gallon of gas increases the cost. The point being the further one is from the refinery or delivery point, the more costly the fuel (usually). Best regards, KMEM