A Traveller's Notes
Posted by Heading Out on September 4, 2006 - 11:59pm
From London I rode a packed train (even pre-rush hour) up to Nottingham, and the following morning (before dawn, which still comes early in these parts) was off, by car, up the A1. Even that early the left lane of the highway was filled with lorries (trucks) moving steadily North, though as the sun rose, so the number of cars increased.
We reached the land of the Prince Bishops early and so sat and walked a little on Waldridge Fell , overlooking the original Washington. Looking over the site of the mine - now undetectable -
that used to be there , the sky now has a line of wind turbines to the East as well as the couple to the West overlooking the original Washington. That far away they were not that noticeable, but closer up their presence is very evident. Maybe that is why there were none to be seen further south.
This morning there was a major headline and article in The Independent on the battle over Drax the largest European generator of electricity from coal. Naturally there is a considerable difference between the view of the plant and that of the protestors. As the family gathered I found that one of us, now renamed Winder, works in the renewable energy field, and our personal discussions today, mirrored in some way the row over the power plant. Somehow it seems that the advent of the TV series has created this idea that technology can solve technical problems in two weeks (for a three-part episode). This is completely unrealistic but yet, the protestors seem not to recognize that the 7% of the UK's electricity needs will have to be replaced with some other solution (which might include conservation - but even that will take time). Time to achieve a purpose is an ongoing part of our discussion here at TOD. If you need to drill 300 wells to meet a target, yet have only 100 rigs to do it, rather than the planned 120, you might still drill the wells and achieve the production, but it is going to take significantly longer time than originally planned to reach full production., with only partial production being reached within the anticipated time frame.
Another short break now - as we, her children, take a beloved blacksmith's lassie finally home, across the Roman Road, and up through Dumfries and Castle Douglas to the bend in the valley of the Ken.
(Note - this was written last Thursday and delayed due to lack of Internet facilities).
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So...how long do you give it before someone sneaks a laptop or PDA full of SEMTEX on board a plane?
In reality, X-ray machines aren't terribly good at bombs - they're designed to get the outline of metal handguns and knives - specifically, the outline of the FAA/TSA test handguns + knives. We're wide open to any kind of attack from an inventive terrorist group with access to explosives and a few lives to spare. Making people turn on their computer + such is one shallow measure to alleviate that.
Give them time, and the only way to fly will be naked and baggageless.
I wouldn't worry about it. It's just random. You've got more of a chance getting smoked in a car accident.
They're not trying to kill you. They are trying to make you worry. Once you understand that, you win.
Did you get what I just said? Stop. Take long, smooth breaths. Now read what I wrote again.
Here. I'll give you another piece of advice. If you don't want to get killed by a stingray - don't go playing with crocodiles.
No joke. 1,000 9/11's happen every year in this country and no one hardly blinks an eye.
And I'll go out on a limb here. No productivity would be lost. You'd just have a better world. Or, at least, a better USA.
A note to you travelers:
If TSA pulls you out of line for a full carry-on inspection (as recently happened to me), make the TSA agent put on a new pair of gloves. Tell him: I do not allow you to touch my stuff until you put on clean new gloves.
The TSA agent probably used those same gloves to rub through someone else's toothbrush a few minutes ago and now he/she is going to do the same for your personal items --with the very same gloves. It protects him. Who cares about you? So demand new gloves. It's your right to do so.
It was a bit exciting while you were gone.
HO
Informative and beautifully written article - I felt like I was there. That last part made me cry.
In the airline industry this is called 'yield management'.
Since the price of a first class ticket is more than twice the price of a second class, this means the second class is standing room only, and first class is those on expense accounts or who do not have their own businesses (as a small business owner, I can tell you you don't throw an extra £100 away on a morning train ticket).
By the way if you try to ride in first class with a standard class ticket the conductor is under orders to call British Transit Police, who will arrest you for fare evasion.
This is typical of the 'national rail strategy' forced on us by the Tories, which Labour has not been able or willing to tackle: ie balkanisation into privatised fiefdoms, each of which runs its own little monopoly.
Every time I see Richard Branson's face (founder of Virgin) or hear about another Brian Souter (Chairman of Stagecoach, the co operator of Virgin Trains) campaign against homosexuals I get a very red angry feeling, thinking about fighting for a seat on the morning train to the Midlands.
Forget railways as a solution to Britain's transport problems-- the system is in such shape that it is barely holding together.
Hugs.