Audi Says Self Driving Cars Will Eventually Cripple Domestic Airline Flights

Interesting thought.

45 minute drive to airport
90 minute wait for TSA and flight boarding
15 minute wait on runway
40 minute flight
30 disembark with carry on luggage
15 minute rental
30 minute drive from airport to destination

Over 4 hours from DFW to Austin all with at at least one totally disgruntled airline employee or rude flight attendant.


When I can drive in 3 hours in peace and quiet.

If I can drive it in the time I can fly it, I drive.

For anyone who has recently taken a flight on a commercial airlines, I believe the commercial airline industry is doing just fine to inspire people to take alternatives!

I recently flew across country to look at a couple of cars for purchase (a Jensen, a 914-6, and a Type 3 Ghia) and although I had a straight shot from LA to Atlanta, I will say that if the sheer amount of bumbling I saw is indicative of the industry, we're screwed dry. There was a 60 minute delay for boarding with the airline wanting to bump people from the flight to seat people who had previously been bumped. Was there any bonus for giving up a seat? NONE. So, after boarding, we sat on the tarmac another 40 minutes. So, so we get to Atlanta and the luggage had been delayed. How in hell is that possible on a direct flight. Thank goodness for my carry on!

As an Air Traffic Controller, who has a job because of aircraft flights, I also will drive rather than fly if the time is anywhere close. However, from Seattle about the only reasonable destination to drive instead of fly is Portland. Almost anywhere else I travel would take far more time. I just returned from Anchorage on Wednesday, and that drive would have been a killer!

I already take the train for many Northeast Corridor trips. I am not yet ready to change to a car that drives itself - they will have to show me that it is safer than it currently seems to be. And still - I can do things and get amenities on a plane or train that I could not get in a car.

But as a VERY frequent flyer - I note that while there are plenty of horror stories - for the average flight I take - I do not run into the worst scenario.

The advantage for a FAMILY would be significant though - as you could fill the car with people for almost the same price of one.

This is kind of a dumb post. This is an auto discussion group...of course we would all rather drive than fly. The point at which my threshold of enjoyment crosses over to pain is about 7 traffic-free hours in the car.

If I anticipate driving longer than that or if the route traverses heaviliy traffic'd metro areas (ahem Philadelphia-DC corridor), I will fly or take Acela/Amtrak.

Else, just drive - heck it's virtually free since gas is so cheap!

Granted, if I could fly from Bakersfield to Newport Beach, I would miss the joy of the 405...