where is it unreasonable to fly to?

[spanglechick]

So if I don't have children (which I won't), say the average is 2 kids, can I have their allocation too?

the average person does not have two dependant children - or even one each.

the avaerage number of children born to a couple may be two - but they only have them as dependants for a fraction of their adult life.

 

[Wookey]

So if I don't have children (which I won't), say the average is 2 kids, can I have their allocation too?

It's a good question. One of the main problems I have with changing my lifestyle to help future generations is that I will not be having kids, and yet those people who have kids seem to be the ones who drive 4x4s and go on Disney holidays.

Who am I doing this for, if it's not for their kids??

 

[Kanda]

But they would live a full life and contribute to climate change, I am preventing that

...and I am having a laugh, don't take me seriously (like most of my posts I guess!)

 

[Wookey]

But they would live a full life and contribute to climate change, I am preventing that

...and I am having a laugh, don't take me seriously (like most of my posts I guess!)

 

[Kanda]

I'm flattered Wookster but the reason I don't want kids has nothing to do with my sexuality

 

[Wookey]

I'm flattered Wookster but the reason I don't want kids has nothing to do with my sexuality

You got the wrong end of my stick, it wasn't thinking that at all.

 

[magneze]

I'd say it was unreasonable to fly to anywhere on the mainland - the country isn't that big!

Since the channel tunnel opening there's less reason to fly to lots of europe too.

Anywhere else seems reasonable to me - even Ireland. Maybe we need a tunnel there too!

 

[CyberRose]

I think what this whole argument boils down to is the same argument over cars vs public transport. It's obviously more environmentally friendly to use public transport instead of cars, or trains instead of planes, but public transport/trains are just so expensive that the environment will always come second.

If the government is so concerned about the environment then public transport needs to be made affordable and convenient.

If it were up to me, I'd renationalise it all!

 

[Monkeygrinder's Organ]

I think what this whole argument boils down to is the same argument over cars vs public transport. It's obviously more environmentally friendly to use public transport instead of cars, or trains instead of planes, but public transport/trains are just so expensive that the environment will always come second.

If the government is so concerned about the environment then public transport needs to be made affordable and convenient.

If it were up to me, I'd renationalise it all!

Well not entirely - there's a lot of issues about which journeys are taken as well. I think things like encouraging people to work from home are potentially good ways of saving journeys. In the longer term I'd like to see moves to try and make it easier for people to live near where they work - I'm sure a lot of people would love to be able to cut down a lot on travel time if they could afford it.

I agree about the affordability of public transport though - the government claiming to want to reduce emissions and then allowing train fares to keep rising is ridiculous.

 

[Irenick]

Given the option, I’d plump for train travel over most other forms. Years ago I travelled around Europe on its various rail systems; and, enjoyed the unhurriedness afforded by this mode of transport.

Unfortunately, today I won’t travel by train on any journey that exceeds 1 hour. The reason being that once on the train, as a wheelchair user, I can’t move, and become trapped. The fact that I need to urinate at least once an hour, often more; is not helped by the fact that other passenger insist on blocking me into my space with their luggage; and, clog up doorways and the vestibule area, where toilets are situated, by sitting and lying on the floor with their luggage strewn around.

After encountering this kind of treatment on journeys to Cardiff, Glasgow, Exeter and Norwich; I’ve decided, that until train operators bring in a policy of ‘no seat booked’, no getting on the train; and, the travelling public stop making life extremely difficult for me. It’s the car for journeys under 250 miles; and, flying for anything over.

Unfortunately, this will be my loss in so many different ways.

 

[HAL9000]

What about 15 minutes round an airfield?

 

[editor]

The reason being that once on the train, as a wheelchair user, I can’t move, and become trapped. The fact that I need to urinate at least once an hour, often more; is not helped by the fact that other passenger insist on blocking me into my space with their luggage; and, clog up doorways and the vestibule area, where toilets are situated, by sitting and lying on the floor with their luggage strewn around.

I hope that you've constantly fired off endless complaints because you deserve far better treatment than that.

 

[JTG]

Unfortunately, today I won’t travel by train on any journey that exceeds 1 hour. The reason being that once on the train, as a wheelchair user, I can’t move, and become trapped. The fact that I need to urinate at least once an hour, often more; is not helped by the fact that other passenger insist on blocking me into my space with their luggage; and, clog up doorways and the vestibule area, where toilets are situated, by sitting and lying on the floor with their luggage strewn around.

you make it sound like a crowded train with no room for anyone to sit down is the fault of the passengers left without seats

 

[HAL9000]

Many trains are designed for commuters not for holiday makers with lots of luggage.
Good example is the Basingstoke to London route, during the week its a commuter route, but its also the route to get to Heathrow via the rail air coach link at Woking. So at weekends some passengers have lots of luggage but no where to put it.
On the Sheffield to London trains (which serves Luton airport), four of the seats were taken out of each carriage to increase luggage storage. But then less seats on an already busy train.


I have noticed that South West trains have gone OTT with ticket inspections, combined with electronic ticket barriers it would appear that train guards could be better used for customer care? (but then its clear south west trains doesn't care about it customers)

 

[chico enrico]

Who am I doing this for, if it's not for their kids??

Yourself, of course.
so you can feel superior to everyone else.

 

[Kanda]

You got the wrong end of my stick, it wasn't thinking that at all.

Winding you up fella

 

[Irenick]

I hope that you've constantly fired off endless complaints because you deserve far better treatment than that.

Yes, I have. There’s a stock answer; which goes along the lines that doorways should be kept clear; and, any problems, use the ‘alarm’ bell situated by the wheelchair area to alert the train manager.

 

[Irenick]

you make it sound like a crowded train with no room for anyone to sit down is the fault of the passengers left without seats

Did I? Wasn't my intention.

However, other passengers insisting on jamming heavy suitcases into the space behind my wheelchair; assuring me that I’ve only to let them know if I need to move; and, they’ll move their luggage. Only to vanish half-way up the carriage; out of sight, out of mind.

Nor, is it my intention to complain about passengers blocking doorways with themselves and luggage; when asked to move in order that I can use the loo; they basically breathe-in; and, look at me as if to say “Will that do?”

Fault? This lies in the first instance with the train operators; for allowing people to travel without booking seats – these companies are subject to the same H&S regulations as the rest of us. The train manager will announce, at least once during a journey, that aisles, corridors, doorways and vestibules are to be kept clear.

However, due to force of numbers; and, an overselling of tickets; by the time the train has made a couple of stops, all H&S regulations go out the window.

Whichever way we cut the cake; shouldn’t passengers without seats have consideration for people moving up and down the train? The fact that someone has decided to board an already crowded train, without the foresight to reserve a seat, carrying the contents of a medium sized block of flats in luggage; doesn’t give him the right to block access to and from carriages.

In these circumstances some good old-fashioned consideration for those who cannot express themselves physically would be nice. Rather than the usual “Oh god, this fucking spastic is going to ask me to move. Can’t he see that I’m wearing headphones; and, haven’t got a clue what he’s saying? Nope, he’s one of those tenacious fuckers. Oh, a cow in a field – as good a distraction as any…”

In the real world, the corporations piss on us. It’d be really nice if, as well as fighting faceless capitalism; disabled people didn’t have a fifth column of ‘ordinary’ people to contend with.

 

[Miss-Shelf]

^ agree that people should offer consideration for each others needs and that this often doesn't happen on trains

feel that to use public transport you need to be fairly determined and it shouldn't be that way

want to point out that sometimes tickets booked through the post don't always reserve seats and its too late to do anything about it once you're at the station

also that sometimes trains become crowded because other trains were taken off and people have journeys to complete

we should be able to get luggage (lots of it) across the uk otherwise we'll all need to use cars and planes to get about

(guilty of taking huge amounts of luggage on holiday on trains)

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

Personally, I can't see a lot of fun in travelling all that way just for one weekend however I got there, but each to their own.

I hear that.

I have never had any desire to spend what little time I have for a holiday stressing about flying somewhere to go to a daft resort.

For starters there are too many things like canal holidays on my list that I would want to do first.

 

[Irenick]

^ agree that people should offer consideration for each others needs and that this often doesn't happen on trains

feel that to use public transport you need to be fairly determined and it shouldn't be that way

want to point out that sometimes tickets booked through the post don't always reserve seats and its too late to do anything about it once you're at the station

also that sometimes trains become crowded because other trains were taken off and people have journeys to complete

we should be able to get luggage (lots of it) across the uk otherwise we'll all need to use cars and planes to get about

(guilty of taking huge amounts of luggage on holiday on trains)

I agree with you on every point.

However, as a wheelchair user with a urinary problem; relying on the consideration of other passengers is not an option.

 

[Zinedine*]

What really annoys me in all this is yet again it's us that have to make sacrifices. I went to visit my parents in south of France and took the train, It was a nightmare. It would have been cheaper and easier to go by plane. So Ive given up my two flights a year, wow big deal. I aint rich or anything. Those that can make the difference and can easily afford it don't bother.

 

[CyberRose]

I hear that.

I have never had any desire to spend what little time I have for a holiday stressing about flying somewhere to go to a daft resort.

For starters there are too many things like canal holidays on my list that I would want to do first.

Define "daft resort"...

 

[jæd]

I hear that.

I have never had any desire to spend what little time I have for a holiday stressing about flying somewhere to go to a daft resort.

For starters there are too many things like canal holidays on my list that I would want to do first.

So you'd rather go on a canal holiday. Does that mean everyone else has to....? And, fyi, I've been on a canal holiday (with parents long-a-go) it was the same as driving a large bus around, with attraction of having to manoeuvre it around locks, etc. Not my idea of a holiday I'd much rather go to a "daft" resort these days..!

But each to their own...

 

[editor]

What really annoys me in all this is yet again it's us that have to make sacrifices.

I'm not sure that missing out on short haul weekend jaunts across Europe or sometimes getting the train instead of the plane adds up to a "sacrifice" in the grand scheme of things.

 

[_angel_]

I'm not sure that missing out on short haul weekend jaunts across Europe or sometimes getting the train instead of the plane adds up to a "sacrifice" in the grand scheme of things.

If I was to get the chance to go abroad I suppose I'd have to fly because my son's respite is only 2-3 days at a time and otherwise I'd spend the entire time on a train. That pretty much happens anyway if I go somewhere in the UK.

 

[editor]

If I was to get the chance to go abroad I suppose I'd have to fly because my son's respite is only 2-3 days at a time and otherwise I'd spend the entire time on a train. That pretty much happens anyway if I go somewhere in the UK.

I wasn't talking about your specific personal circumstances. In fact, I wasn't talking to you at all. My comments were aimed at the poster above and the general holidaying population who like to jaunt off on short haul internal flights and fun-packed weekends in Prague or whatever .

Clearly, things are quite different for people with difficult personal circumstances.

 

[Zinedine*]

I'm not sure that missing out on short haul weekend jaunts across Europe or sometimes getting the train instead of the plane adds up to a "sacrifice" in the grand scheme of things.

I agree to an extent, but my family are abroad. The train is a lot more expensive the than plane and of course, takes longer. I refuse to get the plane not just for environmental reasons but the fact that I hate Ryanair. But if i did take the plane I would be able to visit my parents a lot more.