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While only tangential to Amtrak affairs, please allow me the liberty to post this material here.
At this time, who knows if the reported "Fidel sightings' are in fact "the man" or if they are simply a 'double'. If he's gone, sooner or later the Cuban government will have to own up, lest they be 'exposed" to the world on You Tube or Twitter. The "Cuba libre' South Florida constituency is dying off......their children, and especially grandchildren, are all comfortably assimilated into American society; if they even know Spanish, they have learned it as a second language.
Now there are reports that President Obama, after having relaxed both currency and travel controls imposed by the Bush administration, clearly wants to open doors with Cuban government - that they are "Communist' is notwithstanding. After all, Rush, Glen, Sean, and now again Sarah, all need something about which to rant.
Prediction; if Obama is re-elected to a second term, there will be normal trade and diplomatic relations with Cuba before he leaves office.
If one wants an excellently prepared, well photographed, article on contemporary Cuban railroading, be sure to dig out your copy of Volume 66 Number 3 NRHS National Railway Bulletin issued during 2003. The author went on a then-legal rail study tour. With a 700 mile line haul from Havana to Santiago and a paucity of other transportation available, such represents likely the only place in the Western Hemisphere in which Long Distance rail travel provides a meaningful transportation resource. To say the least a rail travel experience there sounds 'gritty', but to the adventuresome, I'm sure a "bumper to bumper' journey in hand me down French or Mexican Coaches (no Sleepers or Diners anymore; too bourgeois) would be quite "sport'. Local services, according to the article, are provided in Coaches made from scrapped bus bodies mounted atop Flat Cars.
However, when US investment again is made in the Cuban economy, what will happen to the railroads? Will a dictum of no passenger trains be handed down such as was by the KCS and UP in Mexico, or will there be a "Cubatrak', in recognition that it will be many, many years before domestic air transport is available to the average Cuban.
When would a system of controlled access highways (Interstates) be built? Possibly never, as someone in the Central Government, freely elected or otherwise, may look at the emerging Eastern European and Asian economies and say "we don't need this".
Maybe, just maybe, I'll set foot on Cuban soil in this lifetime.
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Here's a link t what I think is a wonderful Irving Berlin song, which is also done (much better than this version) by the Austin Lounge Lizards.
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I can recall during secondary school years (a Connecticut boarding "prep" school in my case) circe 1958, a classmate was a Cuban fellow whose Father was "quite high up" in the Battista regime.
I can recall asking Gustavo about trains in Cuba. "Oh we have many; steam engines, Pullmans, Diners that run the length of the island."
Funny how Gustavo did not return to School for the 1959-60 session. Trust his family salted enough away in a Swiss bank, let alone get "outta there' alive.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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GBN, I hope your prediction comes true. Cuban cigars, food, and music are tops with me; maybe we can "democratize" them without an invasion (or maybe some of their socialized medicine will rub off on us).
Posts: 1530 | From: Ocala, FL | Registered: Dec 2006
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quote:Originally posted by Ocala Mike: GBN, I hope your prediction comes true. Cuban cigars, food, and music are tops with me; maybe we can "democratize" them without an invasion (or maybe some of their socialized medicine will rub off on us).
I'm not a cigar smoker, but from what I've heard from friends who are, the Cuban cigars are very good, however, there are cigars that are just as good (and some are better) that are legally available for purchase elsewhere. I would not want to do business with mass murderers, which is exactly what the Castro brothers are. They are murderous dictators, with political prisons, torture, and lots of human suffering which is totally unnecessary. It turned my stomach to see members of the Congressional Black Caucus make their trip to Cuba last week and praise Castro and his ilk.
As far as Cuban food and music, we have access to that right now. Ocala Mike, you live in Florida, so I don't know if you've been down in the Southern part of your state, but there is plenty of that to be found. And yes, the food and music are outstanding.
I assume you're being serious about bringing some of their socialized medicine to the USA. You've been believing too much of that idiot Michael Moore and the junk in his alleged "documentaries". His film on Cuban health care is full of provable, unsubstantiated lies. If I'm not mistaken (and I could be), I think with Castro's recent illnesses, he brought in outside doctors (from the USA) to treat his condition. There is a reason why people flee Cuba to get to the most incredible place in the world to live---the USA. It boggles my mind when people don't understand these simple truths.
And in the original post, it says it is a 700 mile rail trip from Havana to Santiago. 700 miles?? Does anyone know if this is correct? That seems a bit long to me.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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I'm with you with a preference for winning them over with our trade and robust approach to life rather than strangulation. Cuban cigars can be had anywhere else in the world but here, and they're very expensive. You get a better bang for the buck with Dominicans.
Smitty, I pulled out my atlas, and a quick check shows the straight line between the 2 cities is closer to 600 miles, but maybe the line isn't straight? It's a big place!
Posts: 518 | From: Maynard, MA, USA | Registered: Sep 2000
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Gents, let's talk trains as that was my sole intent when originating this material.
There is an awful lot we can talk about here regarding passenger rail. How about with the potential for Cuba emerging from a third-world society into maybe a second, result in the society spurning rail passenger service, or will passenger service remain an integeral part of the society's passenger transportation resources and used by choice and not by default?
Just a thought.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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OK, strictly trains. With the Cubans' penchant for keeping 50 and 60 year old cars running in mind, I'm thinking maybe their passenger rail system could use old "heritage" equipment and primitive diesel locos to run across that island. They could probably keep that stuff running forever.
Posts: 1530 | From: Ocala, FL | Registered: Dec 2006
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When I was in Key West and saw the old terminal used for the ferry to Cuba, with all the old posters etc etc, I was very sad . . . sad because I could not catch that ferry any more! I would like to be able to take the train to FL (ideally all the way to Key West, like before the Big Ole Hurricane!) and then a boat to Cuba. I would like to do it all while eating guava rolls and cubano sandwiches and platanos and maybe, if I don't get heartburn, drinking delicious Cuban coffee too . . . though I would NOT like to do it while smoking or smelling a stinky cigar, they can have a cigar area on the ferry; I'll just stay out of it!
It's irritating I have to take a cruise to get to the Caribbean; a ferry would be better--if not to Cuba than to someplace else.
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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According to a 1945 Official Guide, it was 535 miles from Havana to Santiago. At that time there were a number of short run trains between various points and only one through train. "Trains 1 and 2 between Havana and Santiag De Cuba carry thru sleepers, buffet and dining cars, via Alto Cedro." End to end time, 21 hours.
There appears to have ben more than one railroad company and top management either British or American, as one gives a London address for the the top dogs and another a New York address.
Posts: 2808 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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Possibly it was a misread on my part, but the NRHS article noted 700 miles. Maybe such applies to Pinar Del Rio-Guantanamo.
Mr. Harris, the article notes that there was the British owned United Railways of Havana and the US owned Consolidated Railroads of Cuba. Additionally there was an electrified US owned freight and passenger road named the Hershey Cuban. Such was featured in a January 1959 TRAINS article. While DPM noted "be sure to check on the hostilities before heading off....' (as I recall, my Mother and Father had some friends who innocently went with their kids to a beach resort near Havana for Xmas 1958; they were 'detained' for a while but unharmed), I guess this was one more TRAINS jinx, even if the issue was in the hands of subscribers before Xmas 1958.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Interesting re: the mileage. For some reason when I think of trains and Cuba, any figure in the hundreds of miles seems off. But Cuba, of course, is indeed that large. But since I've never been there, it really didn't register in my mind.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Since I will be 90 miles from there next weekend at my son's wedding, I would love the chance to board a steamer for Cuba.
In 1931, Mr. Flager's Havanna Special from New York arrived at Key West at 11:15 am with five sleepers, coaches, diner, and Observation car. The Peninsular and Occidental Steamship Co (aka P&O) connection departed at Noon and arrived Havanna at 6:00 pm.
But I'm afraid, at least in my lifetime, the automobiles and trains there will continue to be held together with bailing wire and ingenuity. Change will come slowly as long as there is a Castro and their brethren running the show.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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As a Canadian, a trip to Cuba for me during March Break is no different than heading off to the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, or any other warm destination. But one thing a Cuban trip allows me is a chance to get some railfanning in while the rest of the family is just laying around on the beach. Sure the equipment is a bit old but it runs and some of it is quite exotic and its also been interesting to see MLW and some xVIA RDCs in different surroundings. Steam is just about gone but last year we located a steam excursion near an old sugar plantation that was no different than riding a steam excursion back home.
Ive also encountered no problem at all with any photography in Cuba both line-side and in yards. (Something I cant say about my recent Amtrak trip to the west coast where I was stopped a couple of times just videoing my train pulling into the station as I was waiting to board!) Ive actually had a Cuban engineer offer to move a loco into the sun so I could get a better shot!
Cuba is a popular destination for Canadians. Just look at the departure screen at any airport during the winter months and you will find numerous wide-bodies from several airlines going to a range of destinations in Cuba and some departing within minutes of each other. We even flew on a Cubana (Russian) Il-96 from Toronto a couple of years ago (and yes, we overflew US airspace to/from Cuba) Resorts are new and modern with full amenitiesand not former Hilton or Sheraton properties left in a timewarp from the 50s that some Americans think are the only accommodations available.
I certainly hope you get to enjoy some of the exotic railfanning Ive been able to do over the past several years. And with your new enlightened administration it looks like you just might get to sooner than later!
Posts: 239 | Registered: Feb 2004
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6060, I am happy to see your report. It looks as if Cuba is a "hidden treasure" for us rail fans.
Posts: 144 | Registered: Sep 2005
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We just returned from my son's wedding in Key West and I urge everyone to find a reason to go. The trip on the 'Overseas Railroad' is spectacular. Much of the original right of way is visible. The engineering of the 7 mile bridge must have been a real feat in that era.
Our hotel, the Casa Marina, was originally built by the FEC founder, Henry Flagler, as a destination for his passengers who did not continue on to Havanna. A bust of a thoughtful Mr. Flagler sits in the lobby.
The hotel has been recently renovated and is now part of the Hilton chain. It is truly a destination resort with lots things to do. However it is hard to leave the bar by the pools and the beach with its turquoise waters. It is a long, but quite interesting, walk down Duval street to the more touristy spots including Mallory Square for the required sunset spectacular. Sojourner has posted in the past her usual comprehensive list of things to do. The locals told us April and November are the best months to visit. Way too hot and muggy in the summer - although I guess Humphrey Bogart would not have minded.
For those that don't want to drive (or take a limo or Greyhound), a ferry (passengers only) operates from Ft. Myers to Key West. Also we saw several cruise ships that dock there for the day (but leave before sunset so that the view from the square is not blocked).
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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Mr. Palmland, I'm pleased to learn that Casa Marina has been renovated since my 2001 stay when it was under Wyndham management - and, like any other Wyndham property at which I have had the dubious pleasure to stay, on the "tacky" side (I will say however their Rewards Points program offers nice "Goodie Bags' upon check in).
However, well at least for one who simply does not eat seafood, I note from a website review the main restaurant there has now become a fish place; it was a steak house when I was there.
Of course in common with any resort property, Casa Marina came, and likely still comes, with all the usual "rip-offs" associated with such. First is the whopper surcharge for "Ocean View" over "City View' (in my case, they were sold out of the former, I settled for the latter which was best described as "dumpster view'), then there is the required non-refundable deposit of a night's stay (maybe in this buyers market such is waived), and the king of rip offs - as good as "undisclosed' may I say - the "resort amenity fee". Apparently the hotel room rate stops with the back door; step outside, whether you actually do or not, and you have added a 10% surcharge to your room rate. If you decide "enough's enough" before the end of your scheduled stay, you are confronted with "early check out fee" - usually half your room rate.
If you like resorts, or have occasion to be at one such as the case with Mr. and Mrs. Palmland, that's one thing, but somehow I think that 99% of the membership here is "not into that scene' unless maybe that place in La Plata MO. In short, if any national brand property gives any hint that it is a resort, "caveat emptor".
Wow, should I submit this to Trip Advisor? I guess this would all fall right in line with those reports Mr. Andy Smith located trashing the perfectly adequate Holiday Inn in Boca at which both my Sister and I stayed during February - and be assured my Sister is a "mite bit" more discerning in this life than I.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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So true, GBN, about the fees and high prices. But in this case, well worth it. As they say, you get what you pay for.
Now back to reality, which for us is a Marriott Fairfield or even our trusty tent.
I will say, though, that it is good from time to time to break out of the norm and go for something special. Fortunately many of these have a railroad connection - such as the Nashville station hotel, the Greenbrier, Hotel Roanoke, or La Posada in AZ, as I've noted before. Our 'to do' list includes El Tovar in Grand Canyon - a short walk from the Grand Canyon RR; Glacier Park Lodge and/or Issac Walton, and maybe even the Breakers.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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Last stay in Nashville during March 07 was at Courtyard West End Ave (obviously my favorite Marriott brand) near Vanderbilt. This was selected in that I was hooking up with a party for a dinner at a restaurant (Amerigo) opposite that property.
At the Union Station property, Wyndham BTW (again, nice "goodie bag" if you are in their travel rewards plan), I'd be concerned about loosing sleep.
My Mother (1913-78) once noted to me she had stayed at Hotel Roanoke.
During 2004, my Brother-in-Law and Niece stayed at Issac Walton; suffice to say, their train riding is confined to MNR Riverside to GCT. They were driving about the area and needed a place to stay - "no room at the Inn" inside the Park. The trains were simply of no consequence and likely an annoyance.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Here are three videos at You Tube that give a good "feel" of rail travel in Cuba. Sleepers and Diners appear non-existent. It appears that shown is by way of Mexico; one of the cars has the lettering of FCM underneath the FC stencils:
I guess riding the rails down there does not belong to one who on Amtrak has little if any reason to walk beyond the Diner.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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It just does not take a long time to go east to west in Cuba. No need for food or sleepers.
Posts: 1418 | From: Houston, Republic of Texas | Registered: Jan 2001
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It's funny seeing these old threads pop up out of nowhere. Over two years old on this one.
I watched the first video of the three listed above. My impression is that they must not have HEP or HVAC. Every car looked dark, had windows open, and I did not see lights on the stairs or anything. So they must be just running these things without any power and it's "just a coach" and nothing more. Weird.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Smitty, I realize that "Fox and Friends" consider this event of normal relations with Cuba to be one more travesty committed by that President who holds office in violation of the "natural born" provisions within the US Constitution, but to some US Citizens here, the possibility of seeing this island first hand is closer than it has been in a "long long time".
To the rails, I think some of those cars were US built; some also appear to be the Canadian built cars that CN ordered during the '60's for their "last Hurrah" passenger initiative. To trace the lineage of US cars sold to Mexico is problematic as most were sold through brokers and to avoid any potential liability flowing back to their one-time owners, any records of their prior owners were "expunged". From having been there during my railfan days, occasionally the US lettering could be visible under the Mexican livery. Somebody must have wondered what are those crazy Gringos doing feeling the sides of those cars?"
Finally, here is what you can expect to see when arriving MUHA(except Ms. Sojourner, who will be waiting for the boat):
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Yes, Gil: When in Key West, I took a boat ride already to the Dry Tortugas, and I visited the old ferry building in Key West and saw the old posters with much longing in my heart, so as soon as any ferry runs again from there to Cuba, I'll be there!
But I'm not holding my breath. Obama cannot lift the embargo; Congress has to do that. And without the embargo lifted, regular travel to Cuba will still not be an option. Of course, if I flew, I could go to Canada or the Bahamas and do it from there. But, as you know, I don't!
I also wish there were ferries from Florida places to other Caribbean islands. I don't even think there's a ferry to the Bahamas!
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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quote:Originally posted by sojourner: if I flew, I could go to Canada or the Bahamas and do it from there. But, as you know, I don't!
I also wish there were ferries from Florida places to other Caribbean islands. I don't even think there's a ferry to the Bahamas!
It seems that interisland ferries have generally gone from the western world. They are still there in the Philippines and other parts of Asia, at least so far as I know. Even in Hawaii there are no scheduled interisland boats, even though the times would not be that long. It is either fly or find your own boat. Nothing scheduled.
I worked with a Cuban guy quite a few years ago. He had been a teenager when Castro came up in power. He said his family's thought was, "Why not Castro, we could not do worse than Batista." Apparently that was a fairly common attitude. His comment on that was, "But we found out we could do worse, and a lot worse." They were amongst those who bailed out for Florida. Given that their technological clock seems to have stopped in 1959 in many areas, that may still be true.
By the by, this thread was 4 1/2 years old.
Posts: 2808 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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Can confirm the Philippines (tens per day, if not more, but then we're talking 7000+ islands), Hong Kong-Macau, Virgin Islands, Greece, and New Zealand. I'm sure there must be a few more!
-------------------- Geoff M. Posts: 2426 | From: Apple Valley, CA | Registered: Sep 2000
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quote:Originally posted by Gilbert B Norman: To the rails, I think some of those cars were US built; some also appear to be the Canadian built cars that CN ordered during the '60's.......
Yes, Canadian built by Hawker Siddeley for the NdeM in Mexico but lacked AC and had operable windows Construction was similar to the CN Tempo cars of 1968 that eventually went to VIA and were used on the Toronto<>Chicago International:
.....then to the Denver Ski Train and now on the Algoma Central Railway in Sault Ste Marie.
Cuba acquired their cars from the NdeM....and as I said, they lack AC hence the open windows but I’m sure are fully lighted. I did see an evening train pass through the community where we were staying last year and all lights were on!
And what were we doing out after dark? The towns are very walkable and safe with little or no crime.
I certainly hope you do get to visit Cuba (and get some railfanning in) just as we have for years. A million Canadians visit each year and I assume have similar tastes as Americans in the accommodations and amenities we find at the new and modern resorts.
Sure there’s cars from the ‘50s but the Island is not in some time warp just because Americans have been restricted from going.....it’s not North Korea!
The arrival landing announcement by the Attendant could have been just as easily "have a pleasant stay in Columbus or wherever your final destination may be".
To continue, this one begs the question "Sure we are in Cuba?":
As our discussion moves forth with this landmark event occurring during 2014, let us consider a few reports I have seen in the several newspapers I read (in print sitting in my Ekornes Stressless easy chair).
1) At present, the US, trade embargo notwithstanding, is the fourth largest exporter to Cuba. China, Spain, Brazil in that order exceed the US.
2) American Airlines, the dominant US carrier in the Caribbean, operates 20 some flights to Cuba each week.
Moral: Cuba is not as closed as some might think; it is not North Korea.
There was an anecdote I was recently exposed to; one of the technologists at my ophthalmologist's office is a twentysomething Latina (a 9.75 if I may say). I asked her where she was from? "Cuba , Mr. Norman". Getting ready to hear a story of drifting across the Strait of Florida on a raft, I asked how she got here? "On a plane with my family". "First we took one to Mexico City, then another to Chicago".
While certainly a significant event this year, it's not Nixon reaching the détente with China.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Both Continental and United have a long history of operating charter flights from Miami to La Habana. Gordon Bethune of Continental was a special invited guest of Fidel's. He wanted to know more about Gordo took Continental "From Worst to First".
As for ferries, let's not forget the service from mainland Australia to Tasmania.
In Hawai'i there have been a couple of attempts at reviving inter-island service. One used the Boeing built hydrofoils which had an annoying habit of losing lift. The most recent attempt -- in the last 5-10 years -- involved "Super Ferries" that would have carried cars and trucks and the environmental concerns of transferring disease and pests from island to island shot that one down.
As for the trains in Cuba, I hope to ride them one day soon. I'm very happy that I rode the passenger service coast to coast in Costa Rica when it was still, with a short walk or taxi ride in San José, possible to do that.
Frank in sunny SBA where it was a record breaking 85º yesterday.
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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quote:Originally posted by sbalax: In Hawai'i there have been a couple of attempts at reviving inter-island service. One used the Boeing built hydrofoils which had an annoying habit of losing lift. The most recent attempt -- in the last 5-10 years -- involved "Super Ferries" that would have carried cars and trucks and the environmental concerns of transferring disease and pests from island to island shot that one down.
"transferring diseases and pest from island to island" Huh?? There were interisland boats for years. If it was going to happen I would think it already would have.
I rode a hydrofoil, I don't know whose, across Sydney harbor (guess I should say harbour) in 1971. If they had lift loss problems it was certainly something this 20 something GI did not hear about. The regular cross island ferries had big slow revolution diesels that looked like they had cylinders big enough to stand in - yes you could look down in the middle of the boat and see the top of the engine - and the hydrofoil had a diesel that sounded like a four unit diesel revving up.
Posts: 2808 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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I hear you on the "transferring diseases" but it was the argument offered. I believe the concern was with mud on vehicles carrying pests. Vehicles and added congestion on the "Neighbor Islands" was also a concern. I suspect that the reality was more economic. I've paid as little as $9.00 to fly inter-island.
The problem with the hydrofoils was open sea. They seem to do OK in protected waters like Sydney Harbour or the crossing from Hong Kong to Macau which is where I believe the Boeing hydrofoils ended up. I was in Hawai'i when one of them lost lift between Honolulu and Moloka'i. The Coast Guard had to rescue the passengers.
We were in Sydney in October and I don't know that there are any hydrofoils in regular ferry use now. There are, however, the River Cats and other high speed catamarans. We did a nice afternoon trip from Circular Quay to Manly and opted for the slow ferry to be able to enjoy the views and it was only about ten minutes longer and quite a bit cheaper.
Frank in sunny and cool SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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I'm not sure about lack of ferries in the West, Mr Harris. There really are lots in Europe (see links below). I don't understand why there aren't interisland ferries in Hawaii, and a way to get to Hawaii by boat from the US mainland without taking a cruise--Jack London did it! but now you cannot even take a freighter to Hawaii, except maybe from Canada. There also ought to be ferries from the US to the Caribbean. I did find one from Fort Lauderdale to Freeport in the Bahamas, and I guess once you get there, you can get to other islands in the Bahamas by ferry, but not beyond. There are some other ferries in the Caribbean; for instance, it looks like you can go from the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico and then from Puerto Rico the Virgin Islands, both British and US. It also looks like you can go from Guadeloupe to Dominica to Martinique to St Lucia or vice versa. Otherwise most of the ferries are shorter distances within one country.
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Ms.Sojourner, it must be accepted that whatever remains of the US Merchant Marine does so by Fiat, which is a way of saying that an inter-Hawaiian ferry service would be economically unfeasable.The Captain Phillips varietal of the USMM exists only because when the Danish shipping concern A P Moeller Maersk bought out US flagged Sea Land, a provision within the agreement called for so much tonnage be US flagged. Beyond that the USMM had its Last Hurrah with the Marshall Plan legislation that said the commerce arising from the Act would be transported in US hulls.
So if you want to look at the Capitol in Honolulu, best call up United and settle down in a seat on a 777.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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It would most likely be a 737 or 757 on United. There are a few 777's operating to HNL but they are the "Hawaii" AKA "Junk Market" configuration with 2-3-2 seating in First Class.
If you fly United out of LAX to HNL you might get a nice "older" male flight attendant who is just waiting for the company to let him know when his number has come up in the very lucrative "early out" program... Norm goes over tomorrow and returns on Monday on a 757-300. He'll be working the aft galley.
BTW, there is at least one ferry in Costa Rica. It runs from Puntarenas on the west coast across the Gulf of Nicoya to Guanacaste Province. It saves considerable driving time getting to the coastal resorts in what was, in my time in Costa Rica, "The Wild West".
Frank in cool and dark SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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Interesting to earn that a 737-800 has overwater range and certification for KSFO/KLAX-PHNL. I once remember flying one varietal (think a 300) KORD-KLAX; my initial thought was “can it make it?’ Funny how I recall flying KMDW-KLAS during 1995 and an America West 737-200 “couldn’t make it”. They had to make a fuel stop at KICT. I’m sure that the short 6522’ 13C/31C at KMDW, as well as wet weather, had a lot to do with that (never mind that anytime I flew America West, it just seemed like "amateur night").
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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For a little plane over a big pond, try British Airway's A318 business class only service from London City to Newark, albeit with a fuel stop on the outbound only in Ireland. IIRC UK-US transatlantic crossings involve about 5 hours of flying directly over water, albeit within reach of land for some of that.
-------------------- Geoff M. Posts: 2426 | From: Apple Valley, CA | Registered: Sep 2000
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