Your Fares to LOS are going up again.

[jacko 8,815]

The world ruling body, the EU, has decided it must step in and protect the planet, and make some money of course at the same time.

 

Europe's highest court has upheld the right of the European Union to impose a carbon cap-and-trade scheme on international airlines using European airports, rejecting an appeal from U.S. airlines.

 

Apparently it will be obligatory for the airlines using European airports to pay for the carbon they emit. Actually everyone who breathes does so too, where do I drop my coin? A cow breathing in a green Netherlands field does so too, and a fish swimming up the Thames.

 

I see a wider picture here. Europe imposing rules that impact the worlds carriers without due authority. (No taxation without representation as the USA says). The ability to impose any asinine rule or 'law' providing it has green roots!

 

The need to increase taxation due to the inability of European countries to manage their spending.

 

A crazy headlong rush into green alternatives, effectively painting oneself into an energy corner. These darned ugly wind turbines popping up all over the UK... how do we know that impeding the winds does not itself bring about climate change?

 

Rant over, main problem, bloody air tickets are getting too expensive, and European idiots in that silly little place Luxembourg are determined to choke off it's own wealth.

Edited December 22, 2011 by jacko

[tomcat76 327]

I've never gotten over my incredulity at the formation of the EU in the 1st place. The 13 colonies HAD to get together or the revolution would've never gotten off the ground, and even at that it was extraordinarily contentious, but the EU countries just did out of a sense it'd make them a more influential economic/trading block. Centralization of political power always seems to lead to back-breaking (or maybe I should say bank-breaking) abuse.

[joekicker 53]

The world ruling body, the EU, has decided it must step in and protect the planet, and make some money of course at the same time.

 

Isn't that amazing? And of course they are suing Apple, which will settle for bazillions because it's cheaper to give the Yurps bazillions instead of fight them for mega-bazillions, like Microsoft and others. I don't know how anyone can support that organization.

 

.

[chatkeow 28]

I think that part of the "tax" falls under Air Passenger Duty which is going up to 85 pounds in economy.....

[papillon 695]

I've always been anti EU, just don't see the point of it.

 

How has the UK benefited from being a part of it?

 

We are an island nation, we should strive towards self sufficiency first and foremost.

 

As for carbon offsetting, I'm all for it. I don't mind paying taxes as long as the taxes are spent on buying up tracts of Rain Forest, etc. If the taxes are spent on propping up failing economies I am totally against it.

 

BTW... I've been travelling to LOS for ten years and my airfare has gotten cheaper every year. How is that?

[rb 20]

I've always been anti EU, just don't see the point of it.

 

How has the UK benefited from being a part of it?

 

We are an island nation, we should strive towards self sufficiency first and foremost.

 

As for carbon offsetting, I'm all for it. I don't mind paying taxes as long as the taxes are spent on buying up tracts of Rain Forest, etc. If the taxes are spent on propping up failing economies I am totally against it.

 

BTW... I've been travelling to LOS for ten years and my airfare has gotten cheaper every year. How is that?

 

wish I could say the same! Been traveling from MSP-BKK since '98 and fares have consistently went up from US, of course 911, bird flu ect. had a gr8 impact. Usta be able to find sale fares from $8-900 USD and get award tickets easily for 60k FFM's being only silver or gold. Sale fares today are $13-1500 USD w/ non-sale fares around $2k and if your not at least platinum or diamond level FFM's award tickets are 120k.

chers

rb

[jacko 8,815]

Yes, strange. My fares most certainly have gone up over the years too.

I suppose the taxes will keep going up as it is perceived as both 'green' and picking on a select group, those who can afford to travel.

I just don't accept that the EU has the right to enforce and create taxes, particularly on those from outside the zone.

[papillon 695]

I just don't accept that the EU has the right to enforce and create taxes, particularly on those from outside the zone.

 

LOL, why not?

[Zeus 56]

 

 

wish I could say the same! Been traveling from MSP-BKK since '98 and fares have consistently went up from US, of course 911, bird flu ect. had a gr8 impact. Usta be able to find sale fares from $8-900 USD and get award tickets easily for 60k FFM's being only silver or gold. Sale fares today are $13-1500 USD w/ non-sale fares around $2k and if your not at least platinum or diamond level FFM's award tickets are 120k.

chers

rb

 

Hmmmmm.... Looks like you are a Delta/ex-NW flier like myself. I agree that the 60k tickets are gone(I think 80k is now the min for economy), but good deals are out there if you look,are flexible, and have some patience.

 

I just booked RT to the LOS on Delta for 120k FFMs but it was in business class. I have no "elite" status, and I needed to use all my FFMs to get it, but well worth a ticket that prices out around $6000 USD.

 

Zeus

Edited December 27, 2011 by Zeus

[capdagde 1,954]

I've never gotten over my incredulity at the formation of the EU in the 1st place. The 13 colonies HAD to get together or the revolution would've never gotten off the ground, and even at that it was extraordinarily contentious, but the EU countries just did out of a sense it'd make them a more influential economic/trading block. Centralization of political power always seems to lead to back-breaking (or maybe I should say bank-breaking) abuse.

 

Maybe Germany/Prussia and France kicking shit out of each other several times in the previous 200 years and involving everybody else (including the 13 become 48 states the last two times) also has something to do with it..... Just a thought...

 

AC

 

P.S. "Centralisation of power", Royal Bank of Scotland, Fannie and Freddie, let's not go there......it's all very sad

 

P.P.S. Got to book a flight!!!!

Edited December 27, 2011 by capdagde