Jetsetting

Yesterday, Andrea posted this picture and wrote about my trip to Toronto:

Now, when I first heard about this jet a couple years ago I initially thought it was a bit excessive. But, after my trip to Toronto in 2006 on commercial flights, I recognized the value of a private jet to a company that has staff flying on an ongoing basis. On my 2006 return flight, I had to be at Pearson International more than 9 hours before I finally arrived home. The actual flight time was less than 2 hours of that.

Except that we made a detour to the drive thru at a Tim Horton’s for coffee and a muffin, we could have been in the office in Toronto at 8AM. Andrea and I left here at 6:30 (there’s a 1 hour time zone change). To do the same via commercial flight, I would have needed to have a flight that landed at 7AM to allow for walking time, waiting in line time, car rental time, etc. The departure time for said flight would be about 6AM in Fredericton. We are required to be at the airport an hour in advance of the flight. So, I’d have to be there at 5. Realistically, I’d have to leave here around 3AM.

It’s a big difference. And the thing is that people who fly frequently aren’t going to run that type of schedule all the time. Instead, they use a working day to travel. Then if you add the mileage for the return trip to the airport, the parking & other airport fees. It all adds up to be quite expensive. Nor have I found commercial air travel all that enjoyable.