[PRCo] Re: Gas Prices

[Phillip Clark Campbell]

Mr.Lybarger;


I remember reading a similar discussion here about travel
from the airport to London proper.  It is not 'wrong'
to look for the most inexpensive method as was noted;
you looked at the 'value' provided and didn't mind a
higher price.  A profound statement that has stuck
with me.  Mr.Swindler noted from the beginning that
limitation on travel dates dictated the 'ticket price' 
for Mr.Craig didn't it.

It is not so much that we look for 'cheap' that has
gotten us and a tremendous amount of the world
in trouble today as it is 'get something for nothing;'
that attitude is what strongly contributed to the 
current crisis.  The old adage:  
'if it sounds too good to be true, then it isn't'  
was ignored.  People wanted a house
and accepted mortgages with ever increasing
costs;  much of this was known up front wasn't it.

People with stellar educations offered these
shady mortgages;  transit systems participated
in 'creative' financing which is very if not super
short-term planning;  other entities have done
similarly.  This may have 'started' at the top
and their 'leadership' was copied by the masses.

I personally have an aversion to the word 'cheap'
as it implies inferior;  not everything inexpensive
is inferior.  Paying exorbitant prices doesn't
necessarily guarantee quality does it.


Phil





----- Original Message ----
> From: Edward H. Lybarger <trams2 at comcast.net>
> To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
> Sent: Monday, December 29, 2008 8:19:45 AM
> Subject: [PRCo] Re: Gas Prices
> 
> But you have to travel when you have to travel.  We are going to take a week
> after an April convention in Dallas and go to LA to see my relatives, then
> go to the Grand Canyon and come home out of Las Vegas...and the quote for
> the best flights comes to something a hair north of $700.  Reason?  The
> return is the day before Easter, and the airlines can get it.  Yes, I can do
> it for less on other airlines, but with additional stops and later arrival
> times, and if it were just me, I might do that and add it to the log, but
> Janis has other priorities than the number of airplanes I ride.  And if Beth
> & Co. come along, we have to coordinate the arrival and departure times
> to/from two different cities.
> 
> It's not just about money.  Wanting everything cheap is part of what got us
> into the economic pickle we're in right now.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pittsburgh-railways-bounce at lists.dementia.org
> [mailto:pittsburgh-railways-bounce at lists.dementia.org] On Behalf Of John
> Swindler
> Sent: Monday, December 29, 2008 9:38 AM
> To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org; Bruce Bente; Al Schneider; Philip
> Craig
> Subject: [PRCo] Re: Gas Prices
> 
> 
> 
> I'm disappointed in you, Fred, for quoting a $854 price for round trip to
> west coast.  Trying to scare people away from traveling so you can get a
> better rate?
> Phil's problem was that a specific holiday and specific travel days got in
> the way of finding a good price.  (and these are nice problems to have,
> particularly given Phil's current employment situation - plus visiting
> family)  Delta has a $187.99 price for round trip to San Diego with 14-day
> advance purchase from White Plains airport.   Change in Detroit outbound and
> change in Atlanta inbound.  And it is a real airplane west of the
> Mississippi.  The quote is from Travelocity.
> 
> For a real airport, probably looking at around $300 round trip.
> 
> And as for driving, I'd like to sleep in a comfortable room a few times and
> have a few meals while heading west.  That has to be factored in.  And my
> car would be due another oil change upon return.  Don't forget that cost,
> because maintenance is factored into the airline ticket price.  And I don't
> think the airlines get their planes for free - yet.
> 
> We were in New York over the weekend, and paid $1.45 per gallon for gas in
> New Jersey. The traffic was incredible until we got to Pennsylvania.  Enjoy
> these gas prices while they last, because these rates are not good news for
> those who advocate alternate energy sources.  I would not be surprised if
> government policy will try to raise energy costs during 2009.  Make us feel
> more pain in the wallet.
> 
> And how about those Steelers?  Great games yesterday to sort out the
> playoffs.  Pittsburgh probably has the best backup quarterback in the NFL.
> Scored 24 unanswered points after Ben suffered his concussion.  There are
> some very good 'wild card' teams this year.  (just to struggle for at least
> a Pittsburgh connection)
> 
> Cheers
> John
> 
> 
> > To: bbente at bellsouth.net; pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org; 
> > alschneider2 at juno.com; philgcraig204 at yahoo.com> From: 
> > fwschneider at comcast.net> Subject: [PRCo] Gas Prices> Date: Sun, 28 Dec 
> > 2008 13:40:45 -0500> > Now I'm really getting scared by this 
> > "recession."> > Gasoline in Lancaster is now down to $1.54, the lowest 
> > price, > adjusted for inflation by any means (including the CPI) in my 
> > > lifetime or even my father's lifetime. If we were to adjust the 8 > 
> > gallons for a dollar from the middle of the Depression, today's price 
> > > is still almost 25% under that once adjusted to the Consumer Price > 
> > Index. If adjusted to wholesale prices, the drop since the 1930s is > 
> > far greater.> > Phil Craig was telling me that the best price he could 
> > find to visit > his daughter from Newark airport to San Diego for 
> > Hanukkah holiday > was $854. I figure the cost of gasoline for a round 
> > trip to the > west coast is now an unprecedented low of $300. > >