How about BB-61?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Iowa_(BB-61)

The previously-mentioned mishap was 19APR89.

 

Yep, killed 47 sailors.

 

I think it's time for the ATA and ALPA to question train security and safety and start demanding tsa at every stop. And Amtrak has to flip the bill.

 

The US and the UK are poised to give monopoly power to AMR and BA on some routes via the one world alliance. The article below poses an interesting case where AMR and BA fought for exclusivity and regulatory thuggery and "won", while Virgin fought the good fight and "lost".

I'm afraid Washington is increasingly very much in AMR's camp. Here's to hoping DAL can learn to fight the political game, which seems to be one of the most important aspects to world flying and successful international alliances.

On a lighter note: This article suggests Virgin may need to seek a merger. They're 49% owned by Singapore Airlines, which is a leading member of the Sky Team Alliance. I playfully submit that we should soon expect to hear rumors of a Virgin/DAL merger . . .

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Virgin Wants Tougher Demands for Rivals' Alliance - WSJ.com

Virgin Wants Tougher Demands for Rivals' Alliance

LONDON -- Virgin Atlantic Monday called on the European Commission to force British Airways PLC and AMR Corp.'s American Airlines to give up far more than U.S. regulators have demanded in return for being allowed to expand their trans-Atlantic alliance.

Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson over the weekend warned that support for a deal between British Airways and American Airlines is "a kick in the teeth" for passengers, after U.S. regulators gave tentative approval to an expansion of the alliance as long as the airlines give up four daily pairs of slots at London's Heathrow airport.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's ruling, if finalized, would allow the two giant carriers and their partners in the Oneworld alliance to cooperate in ways normally forbidden under antitrust laws as collusion, such as coordinating fares and schedules.

Virgin Atlantic CEO, Steve Ridgway, shares his views on DOT's decision to tentatively approve antitrust immunity to British Airways and American Airlines and what Virgin's game plan is going forward.

"It's down to Europe now," said Virgin chief Steve Ridgway in an interview with Dow Jones Newswires, adding that authorities in Brussels are more concerned that the proposed deepening of the alliance could raise issues for consumers.

The U.K.'s Virgin Atlantic has been the most vocal critic of the proposed link-up, arguing that granting immunity would provide Oneworld with an anticompetitive advantage on trans-Atlantic routes from the U.K.

However, most other big U.S. and EU airlines voiced far less opposition than they had to the pair's previous applications because potentially critical competitors are now themselves in alliances with similar immunity. BA and American have been trying to get antitrust immunity for their alliance for a decade but have previously failed because they found more onerous demands to give up slots at Heathrow unacceptable. When they last applied for immunity in 2002, they were told to give up 16 daily slot pairs and so dropped the application.

The U.S. Department of Transportation said it believed granting antitrust immunity to Oneworld would lead to "lower fares on more routes, increased services, better schedules and reduced travel and connection times" and enhance competition with Star and SkyTeam alliances which already has ATI status.

The decision was welcomed by the markets, and at 1027 GMT, BA shares were trading up 4.3%, or 8 pence, at 204 pence, the biggest percentage increase on the FTSE 100.

If American and BA link up, Virgin will be isolated as the only major carrier based at London's crowded Heathrow airport that isn't in a global alliance.

Theoretically, the U.S. Department of Transportation could change its mind before giving a final ruling, but preliminary rulings are rarely overturned.

However, Mr. Ridgway said Virgin Atlantic will now talk to the U.S. Department of Justice, which is responsible for consumer interests, and make further efforts in Europe. "It's not over yet," he said.

The Virgin Atlantic CEO said his issue is that BA already has the most slots at Heathrow, and the "best slots," and even after meeting the Department of Transportation's requirements, BA and its partners would still control about 50% of Heathrow's slots.

He also complained that BA and American would also be allowed to lease the slots they must give up, rather than being forced to sell them. Mr. Ridgway said it was ridiculous that BA and American's competitors are being asked to "pay for the damage that's being done to consumers."

The recession is "bad and painful and we've all had to do reshaping of our businesses" but it's no reason for regulators to roll over and make it harder for airlines like Virgin Atlantic to compete, he said.

Some industry officials say permission for American and BA to tighten their relations could prompt Virgin to join an alliance or seek a merger. Virgin is 49% owned by Singapore Airlines, a leading member of Star Alliance.

"We aren't against alliances at all and who knows, one day we may well join one," said Mr. Ridgway, who ruled out ever joining the Oneworld alliance.

 

What!!
Virgin America will do all of the domestic and Virgin Atlantic and AF all of the Atlantic, Korean and ??? all of the Pacific. I guess that leaves Latin America and Africa to us!

I keed I keed.

 

Singapore is a member of Star, not Skyteam. Just a minor point, but somewhat important in this context.

 

Heh. I'm just waiting for the first truly outrageous APC rumor to show up in a newspaper like USA Today in a full blown story quoting "unnamed sources". . .

(and I hope I have a hand in starting it)

 

Oops. Thanks.

So, to review:

• Skyteam: "Precious Metals" (Gold, silver, platinum, etc.)
• OneWorld: "Pretty Rocks" (Sapphire, Ruby, emeralds, etc.)
• Star: "????" (Oh wait, Gold and Silver only, apparently. How unoriginal).

 

• Two of these four slot pairs are tied to Boston service. Which I why I post this on Delta's "Latest and Greatest." Who else would be interested in BOS-LHR? Can Delta make BOS-LHR work twice a day? My guess is no, but maybe once a day could keep a 767 busy

I remember way back in late '00 or early '01 we started BOS-LGW. Anticipation for the new Leo Memorial Terminal, anyway, we filled every flight while it ran. After 9/11 it was pulled down. I think we could do both flights no problem out of BOS. Imagine 2 BOS-LHR, 1 BOS-AMS, 1 BOS-NRT (my addition) and our BDA. Add some DR and Mexico and we would be THE international airline out of BOS.

Burn Notice

 

BOS-AMS runs twice a day in the summer.
BOS-NRT was a planned route for the 787.
More is better for sure.