Q3 earnings call
10-11-2025 | 05:22 PM
#92
On Reserve
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 154
Likes: 84
10-11-2025 | 05:40 PM
#93
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Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 240
Likes: 77
I'm sorry I just can't not reply to this. I have to present the idea that a dollar spent on defense is not automatically worth a dollar of return. The defense industry has A LOT of grift. They are always selling us overpriced high tech **** we don't need. That, and it suffers from the old lack of competition program, while there exists a revolving door of corruption. We're spending trillions on the F35 while they are looking to retire the cheap but effective A10. For some reason we need ULTRA expensive manned stealth bombers in a world of UAVs and long range missiles. They are already replacing the B2 with the B21 costing 700 million per unit. Seven hundred million PER JET. That has grift written all over it. Our military budget is 3 times bigger than Chinas, yet their military is bigger than ours. We have a system that's designed to funnel public money into private hands, and it mostly happens through the defense industry. It must be looked at more carefully than " welp, freedom isn't free".
That is every industry though.
Healthcare……. Does a mucosal collection device (tissue) really cost $45 ?
Automotive-. F150 probably has less than 25k in actual costs and they are now like 70k.....
Entertainment........ Fractions of a penny paid an artist for a stream. Crazy amounts of ticket fees and then tickets resold on same platform generating fees again.....
It's all a scam
New runway at LHR must be paved in gold for the billions of pounds they are planning on spending.
Every industry is doing it. So the military industrial complex isnt special
10-11-2025 | 05:53 PM
#94
On Reserve
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 154
Likes: 84
$15 Billion so far in California, with nothing to show for it. Total estimate of $130B, as of now. I'd about guarantee it will skyrocket from there.
What will it take to get ROI for that investment, even if it gets finished? I don't have an answer, but it's a fair question to ask, and I'm highly skeptical it is worth it.
What will it take to get ROI for that investment, even if it gets finished? I don't have an answer, but it's a fair question to ask, and I'm highly skeptical it is worth it.
It's expensive but we have to start somewhere. HSR and rail in general is critical for our future.
1. The roads and cities can only fit so many cars. The geometry just isn't there. You can make a highway 20 lanes wide, but it will still be clogged by the weakest bottleneck. The highway may be wide but the destinations are not. The only cure for traffic is to get cars off the roads.
2. Climate disaster isn't slowing down. We are selling off our future. Even if you "don't believe" in climate change eventually oil will run out. We need the infrastructure in place sooner than later.
3. Long term expense. Private automobiles is by far the most energy inefficient and expensive way to transport people. This is a burden not just on individuals but the their economy. The cost is not just the energy but also the destruction of material and human life, and ultimately pointless industries like auto insurance and litigation. They are leeches on our economy. Rail has a up front cost but pays off over time.
4. I believe as we build more rail cost will come down over time. It's expensive because we don't know how. We haven't done any rail building since... The 40s. We outsource every single little thing and hire consultants for everything. Everyone takes their cut. In other countries they do their work "in house".
5. Our political system is structured to make it difficult to build things. There are too many legal challenges, years of studies, and general nimbyism that may be too politically powerful. This can be changed with enough political will and consensus.
6. America doesn't view rail as actual infrastructure. We see rail as a toy or luxury, like it's a Disney ride or something to splurge on. We don't see it as actual critical infrastructure the way we look at highways. No one is worried about continually expanding highways because of course it's critical infrastructure. But somehow, rail is not. Same thing with airports. We've just built our world centered so heavily on the car for so long that our brains cannot comprehend anything else. We got to start somewhere and the time is now.
7. Related to #3, but rail is BY FAR the most energy efficient to move anything long distance. It is by far the most frictionless method of propulsion known to man. We should be moving as much as we can on it for the long term economics. It creates wealth like all useful infrastructure.
8. Rail is undisputably the most convenient and comfortable method of travel for distances around 300-1000 miles. I would argue for longer distances if trains are fast and cheap enough. They can be located in the center of a city, do not require security, can be boarded and debated in less than a minute, they have 20+ doors instead of 1, they have more space, bigger windows, they don't have to worry about weather, atc delays, turbulence, or traffic, and they can have lounge and dining cars. Nothing can hold a candle to good HSR, especially when it has a expansive network or low speed rail to connect it to more areas.
Anyways, thanks for listening. Rail is the future. It was a mistake to over build for cars. It was a mistake to rip up 90% of our old rail lines. Thanks for listening to my nerdy rant. Peace
10-11-2025 | 06:04 PM
#95
Leaves Biscoff crumbs
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,265
Likes: 941
From: Blue Juice Taste Tester
10-11-2025 | 06:24 PM
#96
Line Holder
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,401
Likes: 473
I'm sorry again. I'm a big casual rail nerd. I gotta speak up here too.
It's expensive but we have to start somewhere. HSR and rail in general is critical for our future.
1. The roads and cities can only fit so many cars. The geometry just isn't there. You can make a highway 20 lanes wide, but it will still be clogged by the weakest bottleneck. The highway may be wide but the destinations are not. The only cure for traffic is to get cars off the roads.
2. Climate disaster isn't slowing down. We are selling off our future. Even if you "don't believe" in climate change eventually oil will run out. We need the infrastructure in place sooner than later.
3. Long term expense. Private automobiles is by far the most energy inefficient and expensive way to transport people. This is a burden not just on individuals but the their economy. The cost is not just the energy but also the destruction of material and human life, and ultimately pointless industries like auto insurance and litigation. They are leeches on our economy. Rail has a up front cost but pays off over time.
4. I believe as we build more rail cost will come down over time. It's expensive because we don't know how. We haven't done any rail building since... The 40s. We outsource every single little thing and hire consultants for everything. Everyone takes their cut. In other countries they do their work "in house".
5. Our political system is structured to make it difficult to build things. There are too many legal challenges, years of studies, and general nimbyism that may be too politically powerful. This can be changed with enough political will and consensus.
6. America doesn't view rail as actual infrastructure. We see rail as a toy or luxury, like it's a Disney ride or something to splurge on. We don't see it as actual critical infrastructure the way we look at highways. No one is worried about continually expanding highways because of course it's critical infrastructure. But somehow, rail is not. Same thing with airports. We've just built our world centered so heavily on the car for so long that our brains cannot comprehend anything else. We got to start somewhere and the time is now.
7. Related to #3, but rail is BY FAR the most energy efficient to move anything long distance. It is by far the most frictionless method of propulsion known to man. We should be moving as much as we can on it for the long term economics. It creates wealth like all useful infrastructure.
8. Rail is undisputably the most convenient and comfortable method of travel for distances around 300-1000 miles. I would argue for longer distances if trains are fast and cheap enough. They can be located in the center of a city, do not require security, can be boarded and debated in less than a minute, they have 20+ doors instead of 1, they have more space, bigger windows, they don't have to worry about weather, atc delays, turbulence, or traffic, and they can have lounge and dining cars. Nothing can hold a candle to good HSR, especially when it has a expansive network or low speed rail to connect it to more areas.
Anyways, thanks for listening. Rail is the future. It was a mistake to over build for cars. It was a mistake to rip up 90% of our old rail lines. Thanks for listening to my nerdy rant. Peace
It's expensive but we have to start somewhere. HSR and rail in general is critical for our future.
1. The roads and cities can only fit so many cars. The geometry just isn't there. You can make a highway 20 lanes wide, but it will still be clogged by the weakest bottleneck. The highway may be wide but the destinations are not. The only cure for traffic is to get cars off the roads.
2. Climate disaster isn't slowing down. We are selling off our future. Even if you "don't believe" in climate change eventually oil will run out. We need the infrastructure in place sooner than later.
3. Long term expense. Private automobiles is by far the most energy inefficient and expensive way to transport people. This is a burden not just on individuals but the their economy. The cost is not just the energy but also the destruction of material and human life, and ultimately pointless industries like auto insurance and litigation. They are leeches on our economy. Rail has a up front cost but pays off over time.
4. I believe as we build more rail cost will come down over time. It's expensive because we don't know how. We haven't done any rail building since... The 40s. We outsource every single little thing and hire consultants for everything. Everyone takes their cut. In other countries they do their work "in house".
5. Our political system is structured to make it difficult to build things. There are too many legal challenges, years of studies, and general nimbyism that may be too politically powerful. This can be changed with enough political will and consensus.
6. America doesn't view rail as actual infrastructure. We see rail as a toy or luxury, like it's a Disney ride or something to splurge on. We don't see it as actual critical infrastructure the way we look at highways. No one is worried about continually expanding highways because of course it's critical infrastructure. But somehow, rail is not. Same thing with airports. We've just built our world centered so heavily on the car for so long that our brains cannot comprehend anything else. We got to start somewhere and the time is now.
7. Related to #3, but rail is BY FAR the most energy efficient to move anything long distance. It is by far the most frictionless method of propulsion known to man. We should be moving as much as we can on it for the long term economics. It creates wealth like all useful infrastructure.
8. Rail is undisputably the most convenient and comfortable method of travel for distances around 300-1000 miles. I would argue for longer distances if trains are fast and cheap enough. They can be located in the center of a city, do not require security, can be boarded and debated in less than a minute, they have 20+ doors instead of 1, they have more space, bigger windows, they don't have to worry about weather, atc delays, turbulence, or traffic, and they can have lounge and dining cars. Nothing can hold a candle to good HSR, especially when it has a expansive network or low speed rail to connect it to more areas.
Anyways, thanks for listening. Rail is the future. It was a mistake to over build for cars. It was a mistake to rip up 90% of our old rail lines. Thanks for listening to my nerdy rant. Peace
10-11-2025 | 06:50 PM
#97
Line Holder
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 61
I'm sorry again. I'm a big casual rail nerd. I gotta speak up here too.
It's expensive but we have to start somewhere. HSR and rail in general is critical for our future.
1. The roads and cities can only fit so many cars. The geometry just isn't there. You can make a highway 20 lanes wide, but it will still be clogged by the weakest bottleneck. The highway may be wide but the destinations are not. The only cure for traffic is to get cars off the roads.
2. Climate disaster isn't slowing down. We are selling off our future. Even if you "don't believe" in climate change eventually oil will run out. We need the infrastructure in place sooner than later.
3. Long term expense. Private automobiles is by far the most energy inefficient and expensive way to transport people. This is a burden not just on individuals but the their economy. The cost is not just the energy but also the destruction of material and human life, and ultimately pointless industries like auto insurance and litigation. They are leeches on our economy. Rail has a up front cost but pays off over time.
4. I believe as we build more rail cost will come down over time. It's expensive because we don't know how. We haven't done any rail building since... The 40s. We outsource every single little thing and hire consultants for everything. Everyone takes their cut. In other countries they do their work "in house".
5. Our political system is structured to make it difficult to build things. There are too many legal challenges, years of studies, and general nimbyism that may be too politically powerful. This can be changed with enough political will and consensus.
6. America doesn't view rail as actual infrastructure. We see rail as a toy or luxury, like it's a Disney ride or something to splurge on. We don't see it as actual critical infrastructure the way we look at highways. No one is worried about continually expanding highways because of course it's critical infrastructure. But somehow, rail is not. Same thing with airports. We've just built our world centered so heavily on the car for so long that our brains cannot comprehend anything else. We got to start somewhere and the time is now.
7. Related to #3, but rail is BY FAR the most energy efficient to move anything long distance. It is by far the most frictionless method of propulsion known to man. We should be moving as much as we can on it for the long term economics. It creates wealth like all useful infrastructure.
8. Rail is undisputably the most convenient and comfortable method of travel for distances around 300-1000 miles. I would argue for longer distances if trains are fast and cheap enough. They can be located in the center of a city, do not require security, can be boarded and debated in less than a minute, they have 20+ doors instead of 1, they have more space, bigger windows, they don't have to worry about weather, atc delays, turbulence, or traffic, and they can have lounge and dining cars. Nothing can hold a candle to good HSR, especially when it has a expansive network or low speed rail to connect it to more areas.
Anyways, thanks for listening. Rail is the future. It was a mistake to over build for cars. It was a mistake to rip up 90% of our old rail lines. Thanks for listening to my nerdy rant. Peace
It's expensive but we have to start somewhere. HSR and rail in general is critical for our future.
1. The roads and cities can only fit so many cars. The geometry just isn't there. You can make a highway 20 lanes wide, but it will still be clogged by the weakest bottleneck. The highway may be wide but the destinations are not. The only cure for traffic is to get cars off the roads.
2. Climate disaster isn't slowing down. We are selling off our future. Even if you "don't believe" in climate change eventually oil will run out. We need the infrastructure in place sooner than later.
3. Long term expense. Private automobiles is by far the most energy inefficient and expensive way to transport people. This is a burden not just on individuals but the their economy. The cost is not just the energy but also the destruction of material and human life, and ultimately pointless industries like auto insurance and litigation. They are leeches on our economy. Rail has a up front cost but pays off over time.
4. I believe as we build more rail cost will come down over time. It's expensive because we don't know how. We haven't done any rail building since... The 40s. We outsource every single little thing and hire consultants for everything. Everyone takes their cut. In other countries they do their work "in house".
5. Our political system is structured to make it difficult to build things. There are too many legal challenges, years of studies, and general nimbyism that may be too politically powerful. This can be changed with enough political will and consensus.
6. America doesn't view rail as actual infrastructure. We see rail as a toy or luxury, like it's a Disney ride or something to splurge on. We don't see it as actual critical infrastructure the way we look at highways. No one is worried about continually expanding highways because of course it's critical infrastructure. But somehow, rail is not. Same thing with airports. We've just built our world centered so heavily on the car for so long that our brains cannot comprehend anything else. We got to start somewhere and the time is now.
7. Related to #3, but rail is BY FAR the most energy efficient to move anything long distance. It is by far the most frictionless method of propulsion known to man. We should be moving as much as we can on it for the long term economics. It creates wealth like all useful infrastructure.
8. Rail is undisputably the most convenient and comfortable method of travel for distances around 300-1000 miles. I would argue for longer distances if trains are fast and cheap enough. They can be located in the center of a city, do not require security, can be boarded and debated in less than a minute, they have 20+ doors instead of 1, they have more space, bigger windows, they don't have to worry about weather, atc delays, turbulence, or traffic, and they can have lounge and dining cars. Nothing can hold a candle to good HSR, especially when it has a expansive network or low speed rail to connect it to more areas.
Anyways, thanks for listening. Rail is the future. It was a mistake to over build for cars. It was a mistake to rip up 90% of our old rail lines. Thanks for listening to my nerdy rant. Peace
10-11-2025 | 07:07 PM
#98
Line Holder
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 192
From US Energy Information Agency (EIA)
Countries proven oil reserves by ranking:
#1. Venezuela
#3 Canada
#4 Iran
#5 Iraq.
Russia, USA, China rank 8th, 11th, and 14th respectively.
(It is suspected that Venezuela, Iran and Iraq can partially attribute their large amount of reserves to many years of turmoil, which has limited the amount of oil they could extract and sell.Hence much of their oil is still in the ground)
Did you know that if a tiger has his fur shaved off, the stripes are still visible on his shaved skin?
I suspect the same is true regarding politicians who promise to shave off the "fur" of their evil predecessors.
The stripes that an industrial economy requires will still be present.
10-11-2025 | 07:08 PM
#99
Line Holder
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 192
I'm sorry again. I'm a big casual rail nerd. I gotta speak up here too.
It's expensive but we have to start somewhere. HSR and rail in general is critical for our future.
1. The roads and cities can only fit so many cars. The geometry just isn't there. You can make a highway 20 lanes wide, but it will still be clogged by the weakest bottleneck. The highway may be wide but the destinations are not. The only cure for traffic is to get cars off the roads.
2. Climate disaster isn't slowing down. We are selling off our future. Even if you "don't believe" in climate change eventually oil will run out. We need the infrastructure in place sooner than later.
3. Long term expense. Private automobiles is by far the most energy inefficient and expensive way to transport people. This is a burden not just on individuals but the their economy. The cost is not just the energy but also the destruction of material and human life, and ultimately pointless industries like auto insurance and litigation. They are leeches on our economy. Rail has a up front cost but pays off over time.
4. I believe as we build more rail cost will come down over time. It's expensive because we don't know how. We haven't done any rail building since... The 40s. We outsource every single little thing and hire consultants for everything. Everyone takes their cut. In other countries they do their work "in house".
5. Our political system is structured to make it difficult to build things. There are too many legal challenges, years of studies, and general nimbyism that may be too politically powerful. This can be changed with enough political will and consensus.
6. America doesn't view rail as actual infrastructure. We see rail as a toy or luxury, like it's a Disney ride or something to splurge on. We don't see it as actual critical infrastructure the way we look at highways. No one is worried about continually expanding highways because of course it's critical infrastructure. But somehow, rail is not. Same thing with airports. We've just built our world centered so heavily on the car for so long that our brains cannot comprehend anything else. We got to start somewhere and the time is now.
7. Related to #3, but rail is BY FAR the most energy efficient to move anything long distance. It is by far the most frictionless method of propulsion known to man. We should be moving as much as we can on it for the long term economics. It creates wealth like all useful infrastructure.
8. Rail is undisputably the most convenient and comfortable method of travel for distances around 300-1000 miles. I would argue for longer distances if trains are fast and cheap enough. They can be located in the center of a city, do not require security, can be boarded and debated in less than a minute, they have 20+ doors instead of 1, they have more space, bigger windows, they don't have to worry about weather, atc delays, turbulence, or traffic, and they can have lounge and dining cars. Nothing can hold a candle to good HSR, especially when it has a expansive network or low speed rail to connect it to more areas.
Anyways, thanks for listening. Rail is the future. It was a mistake to over build for cars. It was a mistake to rip up 90% of our old rail lines. Thanks for listening to my nerdy rant. Peace
It's expensive but we have to start somewhere. HSR and rail in general is critical for our future.
1. The roads and cities can only fit so many cars. The geometry just isn't there. You can make a highway 20 lanes wide, but it will still be clogged by the weakest bottleneck. The highway may be wide but the destinations are not. The only cure for traffic is to get cars off the roads.
2. Climate disaster isn't slowing down. We are selling off our future. Even if you "don't believe" in climate change eventually oil will run out. We need the infrastructure in place sooner than later.
3. Long term expense. Private automobiles is by far the most energy inefficient and expensive way to transport people. This is a burden not just on individuals but the their economy. The cost is not just the energy but also the destruction of material and human life, and ultimately pointless industries like auto insurance and litigation. They are leeches on our economy. Rail has a up front cost but pays off over time.
4. I believe as we build more rail cost will come down over time. It's expensive because we don't know how. We haven't done any rail building since... The 40s. We outsource every single little thing and hire consultants for everything. Everyone takes their cut. In other countries they do their work "in house".
5. Our political system is structured to make it difficult to build things. There are too many legal challenges, years of studies, and general nimbyism that may be too politically powerful. This can be changed with enough political will and consensus.
6. America doesn't view rail as actual infrastructure. We see rail as a toy or luxury, like it's a Disney ride or something to splurge on. We don't see it as actual critical infrastructure the way we look at highways. No one is worried about continually expanding highways because of course it's critical infrastructure. But somehow, rail is not. Same thing with airports. We've just built our world centered so heavily on the car for so long that our brains cannot comprehend anything else. We got to start somewhere and the time is now.
7. Related to #3, but rail is BY FAR the most energy efficient to move anything long distance. It is by far the most frictionless method of propulsion known to man. We should be moving as much as we can on it for the long term economics. It creates wealth like all useful infrastructure.
8. Rail is undisputably the most convenient and comfortable method of travel for distances around 300-1000 miles. I would argue for longer distances if trains are fast and cheap enough. They can be located in the center of a city, do not require security, can be boarded and debated in less than a minute, they have 20+ doors instead of 1, they have more space, bigger windows, they don't have to worry about weather, atc delays, turbulence, or traffic, and they can have lounge and dining cars. Nothing can hold a candle to good HSR, especially when it has a expansive network or low speed rail to connect it to more areas.
Anyways, thanks for listening. Rail is the future. It was a mistake to over build for cars. It was a mistake to rip up 90% of our old rail lines. Thanks for listening to my nerdy rant. Peace
10-11-2025 | 07:29 PM
#100
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 192
You serious, Clark?
Inflation is way down to under 3% from a high of 8%, unemployment is almost down to 4% (which is considered 'full employment'), new investment pledges (yes, only pledges) in the US is in the tens of Trillions, Interest rates are coming down to a more reasonable level (after choking the economy), consumer confidence is strong. Despite some chicken littles around here, Tarrifs have not crashed the economy, nor have we parked airplanes or furloughed anyone here.
As a company, DL currently has over half the industry's profits, was on the high side of forward guidance today, is looking to grow at a solid 3-4%, and Profit Sharing is on par with last year (and in total dollar amount, will almost reach 2019 levels). Ed was very bullish in today's Town Hall.
And yes, equity markets are NOT the economy (nor were they in the last admin), but they are at all time highs right now...
I'm not saying it is nothing but roses, but to sarcastically scoff the economy as not being in sold shape is way off base, or looking through the world through brown colored classes. Or something. Please, point me to some actual data (not doom and gloom predictions) supporting this claim. Because I don't see it.
To others wanting to reply, keep this stuff factual and non partisan.
Inflation is way down to under 3% from a high of 8%, unemployment is almost down to 4% (which is considered 'full employment'), new investment pledges (yes, only pledges) in the US is in the tens of Trillions, Interest rates are coming down to a more reasonable level (after choking the economy), consumer confidence is strong. Despite some chicken littles around here, Tarrifs have not crashed the economy, nor have we parked airplanes or furloughed anyone here.
As a company, DL currently has over half the industry's profits, was on the high side of forward guidance today, is looking to grow at a solid 3-4%, and Profit Sharing is on par with last year (and in total dollar amount, will almost reach 2019 levels). Ed was very bullish in today's Town Hall.
And yes, equity markets are NOT the economy (nor were they in the last admin), but they are at all time highs right now...
I'm not saying it is nothing but roses, but to sarcastically scoff the economy as not being in sold shape is way off base, or looking through the world through brown colored classes. Or something. Please, point me to some actual data (not doom and gloom predictions) supporting this claim. Because I don't see it.
To others wanting to reply, keep this stuff factual and non partisan.
Last 4 months of 2024:
2.4
2.6
2.7
2.9
Last 4 months ending in August.
2.4
2.7
2.7
2.9
Essentially identical.
If AI data center related inputs are removed, GDP growth the first 6 months of 2025 was 0.1%. (on an annualized basis)
From April to July the USA shed over 10,000 manufacturing jobs.
The prelim numbers for August that caused such a stir had a significant item. 148% of the job growth came from Health Care. In other words, the economy is losing jobs, other than health care. Though profoundly important, health care drains money from the rest of the economy. This isn't where a nation wants to spend its money.
The chicken littles are the only ones who have a clue.
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