Is it time to bring back transatlantic passenger ships

[Sticks]

In light of the fact that the volcanic eruption in Iceland has grounded aircraft across Europe, and they could be grounded for months, going by past experience of Icelandic eruptions, Is it now time to bring back passenger ships going across the Atlantic?

[King Gizzard]

arrrrr yes http://mdeering.com/assets/0000/0103/pirate.png

[Shasown]

How long do you think it takes to build a transatlantic passenger liner?

[InOne]

Hmmmmm, i'll just wait till it clears

[Sticks]

How long do you think it takes to build a transatlantic passenger liner?

For the short term already have cruise liners for pleasure cruises, all you have to do is put them into service for crossing the Atlantic. In the meanwhile this would produce jobs for UK shipyards.

[Shasown]

For the short term already have cruise liners for pleasure cruises, all you have to do is put them into service for crossing the Atlantic. In the meanwhile this would produce jobs for UK shipyards.

Pleasure cruise vessels may not be capable of transatlantic passage. (Fuel Capacity, etc.). Besises there is also the economic viability of transatlantic passage. Would the owners of the cruise liners let you take them off a very profitable task for what may turn out to be a short term and uneconomic use?

Oh I know we could always ask the Royal Navy to drop whatever they are doing and use their frigates, destroyers and submarines to run a shuttle service to the US.

UK shipyards run like a lot of businesses economically, in other words the ones that have work on the order books stay in business, others get closed. Are you naive enough to think they could just open them next week and start building ships.

Vessels have to be designed, contracts agreed, materials ordered and delivered, the work force has to be trained. So yeah if you start the process off now you might have the first liner rolling off the slipway in about 5 years probably more though. Then you can expect it to have to be fitted out and undergo sea worthiness trials, you might see your liner starting to carry passengers in say 8-10 years or so.

[arista]

In light of the fact that the volcanic eruption in Iceland has grounded aircraft across Europe, and they could be grounded for months, going by past experience of Icelandic eruptions, Is it now time to bring back passenger ships going across the Atlantic?


Of course
some clever people contacted Cargo Ship owners
and paid for a bed and a room back to the UK


The sad thing is
Kenya Farmers had loads of Fresh Snap Beans packed
foe Every UK Supermarkets
now gone rotten.
so it time now for us to start growing more.

[arista]

arrrrr yes http://mdeering.com/assets/0000/0103/pirate.png


This is a Good Point
as some Ships get Hijacked.

There was a China Owned ship being attacked by Machine Gun Pirates
so they used a Water cannon
blowing them out of there boats.


So any Ships
should now have a High Powered Water Cannon
rigged up by Remote control.


It will stop the Rotten Pirates who think they can take people and ships.

[arista]

How long do you think it takes to build a transatlantic passenger liner?


China can build one and deliver it in 6weeks.

[Scarlett.]

^ It'd be just the hull, nothing inside like those cheap toy cars you got as a kid

[Shasown]

China can build one and deliver it in 6weeks.

Rubbish!

[Sticks]

Pleasure Cruise ships can be adapted and can make it across the North Atlantic, after all a number of them were retro fitted in 1982 to take part in the armada that went down to the Falklands and that was longer in the South Atlantic.

So in time of national emergency, which is what this is, it can be done and has been done.

[Claymores]

Are you being deliberately obtuse Sticks? Please answer my query in announcements

[Shasown]

Pleasure Cruise ships can be adapted and can make it across the North Atlantic, after all a number of them were retro fitted in 1982 to take part in the armada that went down to the Falklands and that was longer in the South Atlantic.

So in time of national emergency, which is what this is, it can be done and has been done.

Its not really an emergency just yet Sticks, take off the steel helmet and flak jacket, unman the barricade. Turn off the panic siren and stand down COBRA.

Weather conditions are holding the stuff in the air, its true, hwoever wind and temperature changes will cause the ash to move and eventually fall to earth. Probably well before your liner plans are off the drawing board.

As for the boats pressed into service for the Falklands, the Canberra and the QE 2, they werent retro fitted, they were ocean going cruise liners. However that was for the transport of troops, for use in a conflict, it doesnt have the same urgency, requisitioning non ocean going liners to take people to Disneyland etc, does it? Why should one group of holiday makers have priority over another.

Its not really necessary to fly to the states for business after all with the use of internet conferences, video conferences and highly reliable telecommunication links.

[pinkmichk]

how is it a national emergency ahh diddums some people cant get on holiday

[InOne]

how is it a national emergency ahh diddums some people cant get on holiday

What about if a relative was dying abroad?

[Sticks]

Are you being deliberately obtuse Sticks? Please answer my query in announcements

Which query? Where?

I have looked for it and can not find it.

['Conor]

i can see it already.... "Titanic 2.0"

[Callum]

After Titanic, I think many people would be afraid to step on board a transatlantic ship.

[Shasown]

Which query? Where?

I have looked for it and can not find it.

Try the thread on duplicate accounts

http://www.thisisbigbrother.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3167261#post3167261

Claymores asked you about hiding Ip's etc


What about if a relative was dying abroad?

Hardly a national emergency, but pretty much the same thing if all airports were closed because of severe weather.

[Mrluvaluva]

After Titanic, I think many people would be afraid to step on board a transatlantic ship.

Lol. And you never hear of plane crashes do you? The Titanic sank well before your time.

[Shasown]

Lol. And you never hear of plane crashes do you? The Titanic sank well before your time.

Nope aint ever heard of a plane crashing into an Iceberg, have you?

[Mrluvaluva]

Nope aint ever heard of a plane crashing into an Iceberg, have you?

That is very true. Ain't ever heard of a boat losing use of it's engines at 10,000 ft in the air either.

[Harry!]

I refuse to board a big bot the size of a cruse ship. Not because I am scared it may have a fault on board its because I am afraid I might fall overboard!

[Shasown]

That is very true. Ain't ever heard of a boat losing use of it's engines at 10,000 ft in the air either.

Have to admit, thats also very true. Nor do boats depressurise rapidly.

Saying that though taking into account the millions of miles travelled, air travel is still the safest means of transportation. But to be doubly sure, get the seat over the black box near the rear of the aircraft. (planes dont back into mountains)

[Callum]

Lol. And you never hear of plane crashes do you? The Titanic sank well before your time.

Yes but personally I know it's shallow but I would fully refuse to board a transatlantic ship just because of what happened with the Titanic. I hate ships, ever since watching Titanic I've always imagined sinking on a ship.

[Claymores]

Which query? Where?

I have looked for it and can not find it.

Should have gone to specsavers - it's the thread at the top of the pile about duplicate accounts with last post by Claymores.

[Shasown]

Should have gone to specsavers - it's the thread at the top of the pile about duplicate accounts with last post by Claymores.

PMSL. Nice subtle answer there.

[Sticks]

I already said in that thread, some of the tricks of the trade we do not divulge as mods so those we ban do not find a work around, now please do not hijack this thread.

[arista]

how is it a national emergency ahh diddums some people cant get on holiday


No its the folks trying to return to the UK
to go to work that matters.
And the Megga Costs.


And all the Fresh Food now going Rotten as it has not
had Planes to Fly it fast to the UK.

[pinkmichk]

but if someone was dying a boat is hardly gonna be the quickest route there is it?
oh and it is personally affecting me cos i have family stuck in cyprus my uncle had to track down emergency medication as cos he staying longer he run out so obviously i want them home but i'd rather they be safe and stuck there for however long than be on a plane that crashes
lots of people are complaining purely about not getting on holiday not about getting back to work etc

[arista]

Of Course a Boat is Slower
but at least you can get on the move and sleep on the Journey.


What Sticks has pointed out is these Volcanic Ash clouds
could increase so much thatr having Ships ,as well, is wise.


On many Radio Stations and News stations
people have stated they are due to Work tomorrow.
Its not just Holiday people

[arista]

If this Volcanic Ash grounds Air Transport for Months
the UK will run out of Food.

We do not produce enough food to support
60million.

[Scarlett.]

I actually agree with this now, the kjujsjjjhfhhthdbbbbsiithghjgioghhjhjsiifhguiiiiifh ghgiifi volcano could apparently be erupting for a few months

[arista]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/04/18/article-1266852-092BE3BE000005DC-562_634x417.jpg

[Scarlett.]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/04/18/article-1266852-092BE3BE000005DC-562_634x417.jpg

I saw that picture, ****ing amazing

[Crimson Dynamo]

i am on the volcano's side in this war

God's volcano

[Vicky.]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/04/18/article-1266852-092BE3BE000005DC-562_634x417.jpg

I know its a disaster and that...but you cant deny that looks amazingly gorgeous

[Shasown]

Of Course a Boat is Slower
but at least you can get on the move and sleep on the Journey.


What Sticks has pointed out is these Volcanic Ash clouds
could increase so much thatr having Ships ,as well, is wise.


On many Radio Stations and News stations
people have stated they are due to Work tomorrow.
Its not just Holiday people

Edited insults out...

Most of the food we receive comes in by ship anyway, its only fast depreciating food stuffs that come in by air, and not a lot of that because its so expensive. I would suggest a little research on the panic merchants behalf to find out which desperately needed foodstuff we require to live off that will be affected.

**** me sideways and the answer is NONE because its only bloody luxuries, Gee you dont think thats why the Government isnt really too concerned, that and the fact that self righteous idiots are the ones who start panics, including panic buying when there really is no need?

However did we survive before the advent of the aeroplane, oh thats right we didnt, we all starved and died till someone invented it.

[Shasown]

If this Volcanic Ash grounds Air Transport for Months
the UK will run out of Food.

We do not produce enough food to support
60million.

I dub thee Sir Arista panic merchant extraordinaire and court fool of the highest order.

Before shouting fire its best to see what smoke there really is. Methinks Sir Sticks has been blowing it out of his arse

[pinkmichk]

i believe the food stuff affected is not a lot and just things like bananas and snap peas? hardly a urgent need and if as a country we can survive through things like foot and mouth which surely had a bigger effect on food industry than a dust cloud

[arista]

"and not a lot of that because its so expensive."


Utter Rubbish you Speak
I pay 50p for Fresh Snap Kenya Beans in AsdaWalmart
they come by Air.


Get Your Facts in order.

[pinkmichk]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/04/18/article-1266852-092BE3BE000005DC-562_634x417.jpg

oh and this picure is truly stunning mother nature at her best

[arista]

"I dub thee Sir Arista panic merchant extraordinaire"


No need to Panic today
but soon You will.


Feel The Force.

[Shasown]

"and not a lot of that because its so expensive."


Utter Rubbish you Speak
I pay 50p for Fresh Snap Kenya Beans in AsdaWalmart
they come by Air.


Get Your Facts in order.

What is AsdaWalmart?

What are Fresh Snap Kenya Beans?


Obviously so important for life I have never used either, Oh my I must be dead. Tuckfard.

Ever tried getting off your automated ass and growing something yourself? No too easy an answer but oh so many problems with it eh, it doesnt come ready wrapped in disposable wrappings.

Self Reliance is the way forward. See you at Armageddon tard.

[arista]

AsdaWalmart
is the best Value Store in the UK.

[arista]

"What are Fresh Snap Kenya Beans"


http://img.21food.com/userimages/enyamengl/enyamengl$104111422.gif

[Shasown]

AsdaWalmart
is the best Value Store in the UK.

Ignore the rest of the post then.

But I presume you, mean Asda-Walmart do you arseta

[Shasown]

"What are Fresh Snap Kenya Beans"


http://img.21food.com/userimages/enyamengl/enyamengl$104111422.gif

Oh green beans then why didnt you say that, they can and are produced in the uk only tight supermarket chains wont actually pay the going rate to UK farmers for them so buy them and ship them to the UK coz its cheaper,

[arista]

No these Kenya brand are Sweet
we can no produce them in the UK

[Crimson Dynamo]

No these Kenya brand are Sweet
we can no produce them in the UK

buy British produce ffs


beans from kenya?

l
o
f
l

[Shasown]

No these Kenya brand are Sweet
we can no produce them in the UK

No so you would rather pay Asda Walmart for them to buy them from Kenya, without knowing anything about production ethics costs or values.


Nice you got to love that, all so you get a sweet out of season vegetable. Hell yes lets ship em in, just so Arista can have them scattered about his living unit as a green carpet.

[arista]

Yes they are Cheaper than any UK one
that is why they Fly them in.


Welcome to The Real World

[arista]

"about production ethics costs or value"


I know for Fact that those Afican Farmers are
now in big trouble as they can not transport the Stock
it is going off.


When you go to AsdaWalmart
you can get better than M&S Quality
and less price.

Ethics
do not come into this

[Harry!]

Tesco Fresh Snap Kenya Beans are the best x

[Shasown]

"about production ethics costs or value"


I know for Fact that those Afican Farmers are
now in big trouble as they can not transport the Stock
it is going off.


When you go to AsdaWalmart
you can get better than M&S Quality
and less price.

Ethics
do not come into this

Of course ethics come into it, want to know why its cheaper to grow and ship from Kenya? M&S actually source all their products and as far as possible ensure its producers at least meet FairTrade standards, Asda and Tescos definately dont in fact the opposite, they dont care so long as the product is cheap enough and of decent quality.

heres a little clue in order to reduce spoillage the product is sprayed with chemicals the people doing the spraying have no protective equipment.

In order to make a quicker ripening crop some companies use prohibited chemicals, after the beans have been harvested they burn the crop as opposed to cutting it, this in turn produces a chemical smog that drifts for miles.
The producers do not give contracts to its workers ( they employ only temporay workers )
to avoid cases of compensation caused by chemicals in the beans they tend and pick, and in turn avoid social responsibility payment of health and pension funds.

So fine arista you go for your asda sweet beans just dont worry about the exploitation of overseas workers to ensure you get a really cheap product( oh and the supermarket getting a really big profit). Life in the Fast Lane eh?

[arista]

"the exploitation of overseas workers to ensure you get a really cheap product"


Without us buying the African Products
they will be more poor.
They have Jobs
that is what matters in Africa.



And 50p for Kenya Sweet Snap beans (Brought in fast by Air - making them Uttra Fresh)
is better than Tesco prices or any other Supermarket
AsdaWalmart are the UK best Value Store.



Sign Of The Times.

[Crimson Dynamo]

"the exploitation of overseas workers to ensure you get a really cheap product"


Without us buying the African Products
they will be more poor.
They have Jobs
that is what matters in Africa.



And 50p for Kenya Sweet Snap beans (Brought in fast by Air - making them Uttra Fresh)
is better than Tesco prices or any other Supermarket
AsdaWalmart are the UK best Value Store.



Sign Of The Times.



http://www.newscientist.com/blog/environment/2007/01/freds-footprint-green-beans-and-old.html

[Shasown]

"the exploitation of overseas workers to ensure you get a really cheap product"


Without us buying the African Products
they will be more poor.
They have Jobs
that is what matters in Africa.



And 50p for Kenya Sweet Snap beans (Brought in fast by Air - making them Uttra Fresh)
is better than Tesco prices or any other Supermarket
AsdaWalmart are the UK best Value Store.



Sign Of The Times.

Ah the logic of a child, Asda Walmart are a US owned store, tescos and M&S are UK owned.

In the not too distant future when parafin is ultra expensive how will you get the produce form africa to asda fruit and veg aisle? Enjoy it while you can.

The kenyans may have a job currently, but that job has no long term viability as long as greedy selfish consumers like yourself insist that cost is their foremost consideration when selecting a product from overseas.

[arista]

Asda Walmart are a US owned


Yes So what.
Every Electrics in you home are from China.

[Shasown]

Asda Walmart are a US owned


Yes So what.
Every Electrics in you home are from China.

Dont be silly.

(Make up your mind, because if US ownership is good in this thread dont be slagging old GB for allowing more of it it another thread.)

US companies are mostly profit driven and not particularly either driven by ethics or environmantal concerns, so continue to buy from them.

However in a few months time when A-W are shown to be exploiting some Nigerian milkman or Mongolian cameldung collectors, it will be pointless blaming the government or the people in charge of asda walmart.

Blame yourself for buying from them and contributing to their exploitation of overseas workers, when there are no more high street shops left to compete with them, blame yourself because you wouldnt buy British. When there are no British farms producing British produce, blame yourself for buying cheaper overseas products and not seasonal British produce.

[arista]

"US companies are mostly profit driven"


Sure

So are British Evil Tesco.

[Shasown]

"US companies are mostly profit driven"


Sure

So are British Evil Tesco.

Didnt say they werent, however they are more ethical, same as M&S and The Co-op.

You should buy british though if you want the best for britain, Boycott the US imperialist foodchain asdawalmart. Buy from Good old British Co op M&S and Tesco, to truly make Britain great again.

[arista]

No
Tesco are Evil Land Grabbers.

[Shasown]

No
Tesco are Evil Land Grabbers.

PMSL

You do amuse me Arista. Come on then how are Tesco land grabbers? Enlighten us why they alone should be singled out for this honour from you as opposed to their rivals?

[arista]

"Enlighten us "


Whats all this "Us"
just you stuck in bad ethics.

[Shasown]

"Enlighten us "


Whats all this "Us"
just you stuck in bad ethics.

Okay then enlighten me! (But there are two of us sharing this computer chair at the moment).

Incidentally, you are the one saying that we are in an emergency because of airplanes being grounded, you wont be able to get your cheap green beans from asda. Hardly a great emergency, as I stated earlier the only industry losing money within the uk to any great extent is tourist and travel. You stated incorrectly we would soon be starving. I pointed out the vast majority of our food imports comes in by container ship. So where is this crisis or emergency?

[arista]

So where is this crisis or emergency?


That comes a days move on.

[arista]

"You stated incorrectly we would soon be starving"


Stop changing Wording
As time goes on
we "could" run out of Food.

[Shasown]

"You stated incorrectly we would soon be starving"


Stop changing Wording
As time goes on
we "could" run out of Food.

And the end result of running out of food would be stavation would it not?

However that isnt going to happen, its only highly perishable foodstuffs that are shipped in by air, less than 1% of the UK's total food imports.

If the airlines stay grounded indefinately all that happens is we loose some of the choice of non uk seasonal vegetables, no great loss, it would reduce the carbon emmissions caused by air freight. Air freight creates 177 times more CO2 than shipping simialr weights. So its swings and roundabouts isnt it?

Be a bit like living in the 70's what with all the strikes preventing foodstuffs being imported or delivered to your local store. A sharp dose of reality for a lot of people too reliant on modern day conveniences.

In other words the green beans you get at your beloved ASDA may not always be available however you will be able to buy European and UK grown green beans over a slightly shorter period.

[arista]

"less than 1%"


No thats wrong.

[arista]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/04/17/article-0-092C7596000005DC-997_634x417.jpg

[arista]

buy British produce ffs


beans from kenya?

l
o
f
l


I buy British Veg & Fruit
but some Veg & Fruit
needs Hotter Sunshine
like South African Grapes.

[Shasown]

"less than 1%"


No thats wrong.

Of course i am, i just made it up, so did

http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/articles.aspx?page=articles&ID=122920
"Fewer than 1% of food imports in 2006 came by air, though air freight accounted for 15% of carbon emissions from food transport, it added in an update on ...
"
as did the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/food_matters/foodmiles.shtml
"Although air-freighted produce accounts for less than one per cent of total UK food miles, it is responsible for around 11 per cent of the total CO2 emissions from UK food transport."

so did the UK Government

https://statistics.defra.gov.uk/esg/reports/Final%20Africa%20trade.pdf

Whilst air freight accounts for about 22.7% of uk imports and exports, that is goods inbound and outbound, food imports by air are very small.(thats value not quantity)

Top tip for you though Arista, buy as much as you can, blanch (2mins in boiling water) it then freeze it in usable amounts, you could fill up your whole freezer with it and outlast the possible crisis.

[Shasown]

I buy British Veg & Fruit
but some Veg & Fruit
needs Hotter Sunshine
like South African Grapes.

Take it from me most if not all grapes are shipped in refrigerated containers on ships.

[Mrluvaluva]

And the flight ban is extended again until 7pm tomorrow night....

[Vicky.]

I can see this ban going on for a lot longer than people seem to think, since there is a huge chance of the neighbouring volcano going off too...if that happens, we are fretty fecked for at least a few months.

LOL, my father in law is meant to be going to turkey on friday...this is karma, for him not booking for me and gavin too :laugh:

[Sticks]

This is straying from the OP

The ships exist with the capability to be used as transatlantic passenger ships since it is now looking like the complete end of air travel out of Europe for several years

[arista]

This is straying from the OP

The ships exist with the capability to be used as transatlantic passenger ships since it is now looking like the complete end of air travel out of Europe for several years


Yes it shows us Ships are so Important
in times like this.


http://news.sky.com/sky-news/content/StaticFile/jpg/2010/Apr/Week3/15608264.jpg
Although TV presenter Dan Snow
could not take all the people he wanted to
as the French claimed papers were not in order.


A BBC Film crew
will make this into a Docu
at some point

[Shasown]

This is straying from the OP

The ships exist with the capability to be used as transatlantic passenger ships since it is now looking like the complete end of air travel out of Europe for several years

Or a nice little earner for Spain and Portugal.

Love the panic mongering, where did you come up with that "complete end of air travel out of Europe for several years" Let me guess the 15th Quatraine(8th century) of Nostradamus, combined with Saturns rings aligning with Uranus. Plus we have entered into the last 1000 days of the Mayan Long Count.

Sticks, ever thought of sticking in for a job at COBRA(Cabinet Office Briefing Room Alpha) - they are always on the lookout for talented people like yourself who can turn a minor crisis into a national emergency. I have an email address for them if you want it

[Shasown]

Oh well panic over apparently

http://www.thisisbigbrother.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3175315#post3175315

[Sticks]

That may be premature.

[Shasown]

That may be premature.

Thats one thing I never am, premature ask your oops wor lass.

[arista]

That may be premature.



Scotland first
us to follow
may take 24 or 48hours.

But back to normal soon.


Until the Next Ash problem.

[Shasown]

Scotland first
us to follow
may take 24 or 48hours.

But back to normal soon.


Until the Next Ash problem.

Yes indeed, LT will be manning SkyGuard looking for white military Jumbos from O my god its early o'clock tomorrow.

[Sticks]

Thats one thing I never am, premature ask your oops wor lass.

I think you may have been (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8632930.stm)

[Shasown]

I think you may have been (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8632930.stm)

Not half as much as you in calling for liners to be commandeered to take people on holiday.

I will have you know I always ensure the lady's satisfaction.

We are currently sat under what is called a blocking high, high pressure that sits over an area creating one set of weather conditions, this high is starting now to degrade however its doing so slowly, at the moment the prevailing wind is north north westerly, bringing the ash plume down to the UK. When the high breaks down probably by the beginning of next week at the latest the prevailing wind should shift to Westerly and the ash clouds wont bother us.

Its mainly the winds that are causing the problem and as I am sure you are aware they shift. There will be continuous stops and starts with resumption of flights but eventually over the next two to three weeks all air flights will be back to normal.

A lesser problem that hasnt really been taken into account is the fact the ash clouds are caused by ice melting into the eruptions this creates steam which is carrying more ash than usual into the atmosphere, the ice cap will reduce as we progress into summer thereby lessening the amount of ash thrown up.

The eruption may well last months, even then there could be further eruptions further along the fault line, in which case we could see next winter having aircraft grounded for much longer periods.

Overseas holidays and fresh Kenyan Green Beans really come low on life's priorities. You never know when this little problem is over people may actually start appreciating life's little luxuries, that we all take for granted. Ask your gran what it was like in the war to go without stuff.

[Sticks]

The transatlantic routes ore actually of strategic national importance, due to commerce as well as tourism. Plus the idea was to help get people home. I know of one lady and her son who is separated from her husband because she can not return to the US because of the flight restrictions. Hardly sending people to Disney land

[Shasown]

The transatlantic routes ore actually of strategic national importance, due to commerce as well as tourism. Plus the idea was to help get people home. I know of one lady and her son who is separated from her husband because she can not return to the US because of the flight restrictions. Hardly sending people to Disney land

Yes the transatlantic lanes are vitally important, in fact I dont know if you are aware but all shipping lanes are open to the US. Was this lady over visiting relatives or a spot of shopping?

Airline flights will be resumed when the situation clears up. it wont be a long term problem as you seem to think. Not unless all the laws of nature change and suddenly weather just stops as it is forever.

When will people realise nothing except deaths and taxes are guaranteed in this life. My advice if you arent prepared to have to stay somewhere away from home dont leave home - ever. If I go back to the North East of England to visit relatives, my car breaks down and I dont have the money to get it fixed can I now expect the Government to send the Army or the Navy round to fix it for me? Or maybe they pay the AA to get me home. **** happens

[Claymores]

Having giggled long and hard all week with workmates as to why this topic is in 'Serious Debates' instead of stupidly in "Chat & Games" under moronic scientrific concepts.

We have arrived at a solution. UK should build a large fleet of airships which can fly with props under the impending clouds across to New York to pick-up the tourists, then any not fully laden can detour over Africa for some Green Beans for Arista and just have terminals at every Asda's instead of those tricky airport thingys.

[Claymores]

The transatlantic routes ore actually of strategic national importance, due to commerce as well as tourism. Plus the idea was to help get people home. I know of one lady and her son who is separated from her husband because she can not return to the US because of the flight restrictions. Hardly sending people to Disney land

Go open Harland & Wolf, re-educate the local workforce how to do transatlantic liners - build them Titanic II, it'll only take you and the Sticks government 15 years, to do all this. Repatriate your lady on Titanic II and pick up some punters on the way back, park Titanic II in Scapa Flow until needed again. It all makes clear Sticks economic/geopolitical sense (twaddle) to me now.

Alternatively, just tell yer lady to take a flight today and save her 15 years wait, and us into dire straits parking Titanic II to XII in Scapa Flow awaiting next upsurge in transatlantic boatism.

I just love how scientrifics such as OP get out of touch with the real world - SUPER

[Claymores]

I can see this ban going on for a lot longer than people seem to think, since there is a huge chance of the neighbouring volcano going off too...if that happens, we are fretty fecked for at least a few months.

Yes , I'm seiously concerned the Ice caps will melt in the next 5 minutes and I'll have to fly to antartica on a low flying zeppelin for my summer hols - it's sure is a big worry. Can I bring you back Green Beans if we have a stopover in Africa?