3 ms·
Because past 3 hours the time/cost savings compared to air starts to look really unfavorable. Air travel has a high "fixed cost" (getting to the airport, going
by adevine 11y ago
Because past 3 hours the time/cost savings compared to air starts to look really unfavorable. Air travel has a high "fixed cost" (getting to the airport, going through security, picking up any checked luggage) but a low "variable cost" (it's much faster than a train), while the reverse is true for trains. Anything longer than 3-4 hours and the lower variable cost of air travel overcomes its higher fixed cost.
- jacquesm 11y agoA critical factor here is how far away you live from an airport that services your destination. That can work out to be quite unfavourable, to the point where even a 6 hour car trip is preferable over a 3 hour plane ride.
- ticksoft 11y agoTrains have the advantage of being in city centres too where light rail and buses are concentrated.
- avn2109 11y agoFor me, the general PITA and loud departure/security announcements of airports is a huuuge fixed cost. Train stations just feel much more civilized.
- Symbiote 11y agoThe one that annoys me most is: "This is a safety announcement. Due to today's inclement weather, please take extra care whilst on the station. Surfaces may be slippery." http://www.soundsurvey.org.uk/index.php/survey/soundacts_of1/official1/122/ http://www.soundsurvey.org.uk/index.php/survey/soundacts_of1... Falling down the stairs is a leading cause of death or injury on Britain's railways (no-one has died on a train since 2007), but I'd like to see some proof that the announcement makes any difference to people's behaviour. They play it pretty much any time it rains!
- JoeAltmaier 11y agoIts like an elderly aunt reminding you to take your umbrella. What does she take you for, a child? Especially annoying if you've forgotten your umbrella.