MRs and Global Warming (wasting gas)
Filed under: xn--cnq77f.com
While overall it can be said that flying on airplanes gets better gas mileage than driving, we travel great distances on airplanes and therefore burn a lot of gas per person. For example (and I'm approximating values here), a 5,000 mile MR might use 50 mpg per person, so one person might burn up about 100 gallons of gas doing this.
While it can be argued that these planes will fly anyway, we are helping to increase loads and keep emptier flights fuller which may in some ways keep an otherwise unprofitible flight from being cancelled in the future.
My personal impact this year (using the above 50mpg/person, and not all MRs) is probably about 2,000 gallons of gasoline and literally tons of carbon dioxide which is one of the primary contributors to global climate change.
Food for thought.
What do you think?
:confused:
spgaston, I think you are missing the point of what is being said, which is discussing CPM, MPG, or anything else you want, is fine... but it is not the point of this Mileage Run Forum. This could go to OMNI, Travelbuzz, or any other forum where discussion of the environmental impact would be appropriate.
I write this knowing that the point of the MR Forum is to help in making a Mileage Run, and I don't believe there is anything constructive at this point discussing with you the difference of placing this in the appropriate forum.
If you want to draw attention to yourself for getting in the last word, that's fine.
You're probably right.
Your take that MR's directly relate to global warming is fine, but just not in this particular forum. Everyone should have an opportunity to discuss it in the right forum.
I half agree, but what then about questions regarding turnaround times and what the wife thinks of the MRs?
While it may or may not have anything to do with mileage runs, I will contend (as I always have) that the average mileage run has, at the margin, an insignificant impact on the emissions of the plane as a whole.
Mike
My wife is escstatic that come Monday she will hit Plat after a couple runs to FRA (22K miles total), and I'm going along to keep her company on this next one. :p
Carbon dioxide is good for the plants. :cool:
For those that agree with the science behind climate change, it might make them think twice.
So what. :rolleyes: They shouldn't be here and neither should this. Case closed. Let's send this to Travelbuzz...
While overall it can be said that flying on airplanes gets better gas mileage than driving, we travel great distances on airplanes and therefore burn a lot of gas per person. For example (and I'm approximating values here), a 5,000 mile MR might use 50 mpg per person, so one person might burn up about 100 gallons of gas doing this.
While it can be argued that these planes will fly anyway, we are helping to increase loads and keep emptier flights fuller which may in some ways keep an otherwise unprofitible flight from being cancelled in the future.
My personal impact this year (using the above 50mpg/person, and not all MRs) is probably about 2,000 gallons of gasoline and literally tons of carbon dioxide which is one of the primary contributors to global climate change.
Food for thought.
What do you think?
I remember another thread with this same exact topic. Can't do the search right now. I guess it ended up being closed by a moderator.
We are all aware of how many cpm we are getting out of our MRs, why not MPG too?
Mileage Runs are Ecologically Irresponsible (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=500046)
Couldn't have said it better myself, Tom...
In light of that, I'm closing this thread...
bhatnasx
Mileage Run Moderator
Yup! Here we go again...
However, the question is what else are you doing in your life to reduce your CO2 output?
Have you swapped out all of your incandescent light bulbs at home for the newer Compact Florescent ones (or better yet, LED bulbs)? Doing so will save tons of CO2 emissions over your lifetime. Do you remember to turn off your computer monitor when you go to bed? Better yet, do you switch off the power to your system as well as all other non-essential appliances in your home when they are not in use. Did you know that even in the off position most appliances are in a stand-by mode drawing current 24/7??? Unplug them or attach them to a power strip that you can switch off when you go to bed or off to work.
For the long run, do you look for new appliances with the highest energy efficiency ratings? Take a look at http://www.energystar.gov/ for reference.
Now, how about that car you're driving. Is it a high MPG one? No?!? Well then what are you waiting for?! Trade that CO2 belching behemoth in on a newer fuel efficient model. While you're at it you should also consider car-pooling to further reduce your carbon footprint. Better yet, how's mass transportation in your neck of the woods? Don't forget, instead of driving to the corner store you can always walk there instead (your body will appreciate the exercise as well). Speaking of walking you can also reduce CO2 emissions by walking up or down a flight or two of stairs instead of taking the elevator. Plus, it's good for your health as well due to the exercise.
Other small but meaninful steps you can take include reducing your purchases of material goods. This serves many purposes. First, it reduces the packaging that costs CO2 to produce and dispose of. Second, it reduces the CO2 emissions involved in manufacturing and transporting those goods. Plus, if it is made overseas you can help reduce the foreign trade deficit as well.
There's much we can do as individuals to reduce carbon emissions aside from dispensing with Mileage runs. If you do take other steps to reduce your carbon emissions, then perhaps the occasional MR to top off a frequent flyer account is forgivable.
I think last year's lengthy thread in Travel Buzz is a lot better place to discuss this than Mileage Run. With 277 posts in that thread, a lot of the same material is already covered there, and there's been posts in that thread as recently as 3 months ago.
Mileage Runs are Ecologically Irresponsible (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=500046)
Seems as if it was already welcomed with closed arms before so I'm not really going to pursue it, though I will say that I think it has everything to do with mileage runs.
Right behind you... the earths climate HAS changed radically of the past few million years, it just take a few tree huggers to believe we are causing the climate change to create an alarmist attitude amongst the ignorant.
Jim
I think turnaround times are important part of the MR discussion, since it helps everyone that may need to get a better idea of whether they can or cannot make a specific MR in time.
As for the Mrs. or Mr. and what they think of MR's... I agree it's not necessarily in the spirit of the MR forum. I will note however, that there was a very helpful thread discussing how to approach/explain/justify the MR's so that those in that situation can apply it to their own discussion with their significant other. That, I believe, was more appropriate since it may have allowed some people to make a "justified" MR (but still, it's questionable).
The global warming discussion doesn't appear to directly impact MR'ers; unless the discussion will somehow dissuade or persuade someone to do one.
Are you saying I'm robbing _____ Airlines because I just booked a BOS-ORD-LAX-HNL-BOS MR run for under $400? It must cost the airline way more than $400 in gas money... :D
By the way, there's no such thing as global warming or greenhouse effect. (but then again, I still believe in Santa Clause) I have to take that position, because I recently bought a gas-guzzling, midlife-crisis sports coupe that gets only 12mpg hwy / 15mpg city..... :( Sorry....
While overall it can be said that flying on airplanes gets better gas mileage than driving, we travel great distances on airplanes and therefore burn a lot of gas per person. For example (and I'm approximating values here), a 5,000 mile MR might use 50 mpg per person, so one person might burn up about 100 gallons of gas doing this.
While it can be argued that these planes will fly anyway, we are helping to increase loads and keep emptier flights fuller which may in some ways keep an otherwise unprofitible flight from being cancelled in the future.
My personal impact this year (using the above 50mpg/person, and not all MRs) is probably about 2,000 gallons of gasoline and literally tons of carbon dioxide which is one of the primary contributors to global climate change.
Food for thought.
What do you think?
ok......MR and global warming...that's a good one:) I wonder if Al walks?
While it may be controversial I don't mean it to be.
Just because you don't like a topic doesn't mean it should be locked.
Jim
Please don't insult those of us who agree that climate change is at least partially human induced. I won't insult you because you think otherwise.
My point is whether addressing this issue is appropriate in the MR forum; you are certainly entitled to believe it is 100% (or 1% for others) related to MR's... I'm noting the purpose of the MR forum:
"expect the Mileage Run forum to be a wonderful place to discuss fares and routing possibilities. It’s a place where you can learn a lot about flying and fare structures and how to maximize your frequent flier experience regardless of program. Here in the Mileage Run forum, you may be able to experience some great fares, such as 51.00 trips to Fiji, or 61.00 trips to Iceland. Occasionally, you may even come across 1 cent hotel rooms in Charlotte. You never know what you’ll find here as it changes daily, sometimes hourly, however – the main focus of this forum is earning mileage by taking flights whose sole purpose is earning the miles."
Your take that MR's directly relate to global warming is fine, but just not in this particular forum. Everyone should have an opportunity to discuss it in the right forum.
I second that. ^
I'd gladly pay the greenhouse tax in lieu of the lunacy tax.
At least there is a scientific basis for global warming... I can't say the same thing about global stupidity and the liquid carnival. :td:
Oh, and since I don't own a car, I guess I make up for it in the air... :)
Now if only Muni gave out $100 Customer Service vouchers!
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=555869&highlight=global+warming
Though I might say that a second thread is hardly "here we go again".
As to the position of man-made carbon dioxide in the pantheon of things that may or may not be causing global (or local) warming, that is another topic all together. :-)
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=500046 (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=500046)
Does that really belong to the MR forum, where the primary purpose is to ENCOURAGE mileage runs?
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