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All Aboard Florida gets $1.75 Billion in bonding authority approved by Florida

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All Aboard Florida gets $1.75 Billion in bonding authority approved by Florida
Posted by CMStPnP on Monday, August 17, 2015 12:39 AM

Well looks like funding is in the hat now.    Robert Crandall former CEO of American Airlines is against the project........go figure.

http://realtime.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2015/08/05/all-aboard-florida-bonds-get-vote-today/

 

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Posted by D.Carleton on Monday, August 17, 2015 1:01 PM

 

Thank you for post that. It is hard to keep up with what is going on back home.

I met Mr. Crandall eight years ago in St. Louis at a conference. He spoke at length to us during lunch about the ins and outs of travel. He is very much a defender of the 'status quo' and suggested steps to maintain such. In his mind the legacy air carriers with their legacy obligations should be given preference to gates at the larger airports. The smaller upstart airlines should be relegated primarily to the outlaying airports. “Airlines do not make money.” Their primary role is to support the millions of dollars in jobs that support transportation: car rentals, hotels, restaurants, et. al.

Mr. Crandall is entitled to his opinion and it is considerable. However, I am entitled not to agree.

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Monday, August 17, 2015 3:12 PM

Crandall ?   Anyone know how many shares of American airlines he still holds now ?  It may be AMR corporation now, have lost track how holding companys are set up.  How many flights ORL - MIA / FLL / PBI ( west palm beach )  now operated ?

Shades of South West air DAL - HOU years ago.

 

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Posted by D.Carleton on Monday, August 17, 2015 10:14 PM

Of all the lemmings traveling between Central and South Florida only about one percent travel by commercial airline. These should easily be diverted to All Aboard Florida. Miami International and Orlando International are the 12th and 15th busiest airports in the country, respectively. Losing these few short intrastate hops will not hurt the airports and may slightly help if it opens a gate or two for longer flights. I would be very curious to know what Mr. Crandall has against All Aboard Florida.

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Posted by NorthWest on Monday, August 17, 2015 10:25 PM

Corridor Domino Theory?

Good to see the money approved, especially since there is essentially no risk to the taxpayer. I find it interesting that the opposition screams that it should not be built as it will soon fail. It'll go away if it does... 

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 6:45 AM

blue streak 1

Crandall ?   Anyone know how many shares of American airlines he still holds now ? 

Probably none.  American Airlines just completed re-organization under Chapter 11 about a year ago and is in the final steps of a merger with US Air (formerly Allegheny).

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
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Posted by D.Carleton on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 5:01 PM

NorthWest

Corridor Domino Theory?

The notion that if one corridor is built and succeeds others will follow? Perhaps. Then again, it is corridors such as All Aboard Florida that should compliment the air travel network. Since AAF is to terminate at Orlando International it becomes a feeder. The legacy airlines generally eschew the short hops and historically have welcomed the idea of corridor rail service... so long as they have a stop at the airport.

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Posted by CMStPnP on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 5:18 PM

blue streak 1
Crandall ?   Anyone know how many shares of American airlines he still holds now ? 

He never invested in the airline business and stated several times over and over to employees at American that the airline business was not an investment where to put your money.

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Posted by D.Carleton on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 7:09 PM

CMStPnP
 
blue streak 1
Crandall ?   Anyone know how many shares of American airlines he still holds now ? 

 He never invested in the airline business and stated several times over and over to employees at American that the airline business was not an investment where to put your money.

He related to us in St. Louis the old joke, "If you want to make a small fortune in the airline business... start with a large one."

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Posted by NorthWest on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 10:24 PM

Yep, a new take on the Kennan Doctrine...

Regarding airlines, it is somewhat of a shame that they largely have to depend on diversification or bankruptcy to continue, but I enjoy the lower prices as a passenger...

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Posted by D.Carleton on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 10:32 AM

Since retiring Mr. Crandall has become a traveling sage promoting the airline and travel industries. Here is a small sample of his insights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY9DHY98wGI

Having met him in person I do respect his point of view. This thread is not about Mr. Crandall but I would like to know what he sees as amiss with All Aboard Florida. Is he just another one of my Sunshine State neighbors who doesn't like the idea of more trains breaking the silence or is there some flaw in the plan that we haven't addressed?

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