On Thursday, April 17, 2014 4:13:24 PM UTC-4, Califbill wrote:
wrote:

On Wed, 16 Apr 2014 16:19:43 -0400, F*O*A*D wrote:



Every form of motorized travel in this country is subsidized, Bilious.

I don't like commercial airlines. I do fly, but I don't enjoy it.



You can't even start to compare the direct cash infusions into rail

with the user tax supported government programs like the FAA, TSA or

the highway system.. In fact, gasoline taxes meant to support highways

are diverted to the rails.



And the railroads are run really bad. I was talking to a person shipping

200 WW2 tanks from the SF Bay Area to the East Coast. Was cheaper on

trucks in the end. Railroad wanted $4800 a tank, 3 months to get them

there. Plus the safety inspector wanted bribes to allow them loaded.

Otherwise had to move them like 3/8 inch. Plus after 3 months of travel

they had a short time to unload before rent on the railcar kicked in.

Truck was only $6400 and a week delivery.

The railroads in this country are heavily unionized. Paying union wages is expensive, and then the union inspectors are corrupt. Surprise!