The major airline executives are the most conservative people you will ever meet.Originally posted by pea_soup
We also need to get high speed rail going through North America to eliminate a lot of these short and highly ineffecient flights.
Why we as of yet don't have high speed rail between Calgary and Edmonton that would cost a fraction of flying is beyond me.
I think the entire system is ready for a major change instead of it being the same old business structures we've had in place for 50+ years.
Every improvement in existing technology is micro-incremental and ultra-carefully measured against share price demands of the holders and the wishes of he general public.
As an example, the new 787 originally had a more fluidic exterior design but airline executives worried that passengers would be concerned about flying in something that didnt look like a regular airplane.
(most passengers think the engines are ALL that keeps the airplane flying)
Sir Richard Branson is the exception.... he'd be the person to watch.
Trains wont work Canada-wide because of our very low population density.
Edmonton-Calgary and Toronto-Ottawa -Montreal are the only real locations for high speed rail in Canada. HIgh speed rail hasnt really panned out here because people are worried about crossing safety (you know, those people who cant figure out that lights and bells mean a train is coming?)