Random Thoughts Thread

[trinacriabob]

4 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

Allegiant is a U.S. airline? Never seen or heard them here on the west coast.

One Reason I love Alaska, never had a bad baggage issue with them and they have their out to you in the baggage area in 20 min or less promise or a bunch of free air miles. United is an airline I avoid like the plague. 

Allegiant is out of Las Vegas as a headquarters.  They have a weird route system that is good for people who can use those point to point routes.  They also use secondary airports, like Clearwater-St. Pete instead of Tampa.  I've never flown on them nor on Frontier.  I flew on Spirit once and it was fine.

My Big 3 rankings are:

1 United

2 Delta - American (tie)

American has been coming up with decent domestic one-way fare numbers, so they're up from 3.  I was on MIA-LAX on their big 777-300.  It was a good flight and full.  The cabin crew was all middle-aged guys.  I've never seen that before, especially on a big plane. They gave out those delicious Biscoff cookies.  One of the attendants was a super sassy Black guy.  I later asked him for some more of those cookies.  He told me they didn't have anymore.  Later, I went to the back galley and another Miami-based flight attendant - he seemed like a Cuban guy - looked in a few bins and gave me a couple of those cookies.  The Black guy was showy and hilarious, but obviously not the best he should be for that job.  Whenever I have asked for an extra snack pack or two on ANY airline, they always give them to me!

[Robert Hall]

I remember Allegiant used to fly in and out of Mesa Gateway Airport instead of Sky Harbor in the Phoenix area.   Never flown them.  I flew Frontier a lot when I lived in Colorado (they were Denver based 20 years ago), flew Southwest a lot then and when I lived in Arizona.  I've flown very little since moving back to Ohio in 2017, doing more road trips than flying.  I like Delta and American.   

[trinacriabob]

14 hours ago, Robert Hall said:

I remember Allegiant used to fly in and out of Mesa Gateway Airport instead of Sky Harbor in the Phoenix area.   Never flown them.  I flew Frontier a lot when I lived in Colorado (they were Denver based 20 years ago), flew Southwest a lot then and when I lived in Arizona.  I've flown very little since moving back to Ohio in 2017, doing more road trips than flying.  I like Delta and American.   

As long as they bundle bags, seating, etc., it's fine.  Frontier is still prominently seen at Denver, with big hangars and stuff like that.  They and Spirit have these "clubs" you belong to to access lower fares and add-ons ... more clutter than I want for my inbox and my mind.

[trinacriabob]

I can't believe I'm writing this.

I'm purging random paper stuff I find in my luggage and I found a Subaru Legacy brochure from when I walked into a dealership right before Christmas.  This was in another area where I was visiting a childhood friend, but I didn't say I was from out of town.  Of course, the salesman wants to get my information and all that, and I declined, saying I'm just looking.

The Chevy Malibu is now gone.  The Legacy is supposed to wind things down  I don't like Kia, Hyundai, Nissan and Mazda ICE products much.  I think they could have done a nicer job with the new Camry, but, the plus is that Camrys will now only be hybrids.  As much as I dislike and make fun of Subaru wagons,  a Legacy (Limited) sedan in dark metallic blue with a tan cloth interior would be a nice little sedan to putt around in that doesn't make any sociopolitical statements.  Yes, it is the ONLY one of their products I like and it is ending production fairly soon.

This is sort of what, in marketing parlance, would be called "market push" instead of "market pull," even though I don't think this fits those definitions neatly.  They want to "push" what they offer onto consumers instead of having consumers "pulled" in by what attracts them to vehicles.  My 2 cents.  I'm scratching my head.

[G. David Felt]

3 hours ago, trinacriabob said:

I can't believe I'm writing this.

I'm purging random paper stuff I find in my luggage and I found a Subaru Legacy brochure from when I walked into a dealership right before Christmas.  This was in another area where I was visiting a childhood friend, but I didn't say I was from out of town.  Of course, the salesman wants to get my information and all that, and I declined, saying I'm just looking.

The Chevy Malibu is now gone.  The Legacy is supposed to wind things down  I don't like Kia, Hyundai, Nissan and Mazda ICE products much.  I think they could have done a nicer job with the new Camry, but, the plus is that Camrys will now only be hybrids.  As much as I dislike and make fun of Subaru wagons,  a Legacy (Limited) sedan in dark metallic blue with a tan cloth interior would be a nice little sedan to putt around in that doesn't make any sociopolitical statements.  Yes, it is the ONLY one of their products I like and it is ending production fairly soon.

This is sort of what, in marketing parlance, would be called "market push" instead of "market pull," even though I don't think this fits those definitions neatly.  They want to "push" what they offer onto consumers instead of having consumers "pulled" in by what attracts them to vehicles.  My 2 cents.  I'm scratching my head.

Buy a Subaru and you make the statement of I am an ECO Warrior is one of the two statements that is how they are seen here in the PNW. LOL

[A Horse With No Name]

1 hour ago, G. David Felt said:

Buy a Subaru and you make the statement of I am an ECO Warrior is one of the two statements that is how they are seen here in the PNW. LOL

They are one of the only brands I would consider now. 

[A Horse With No Name]

Sadly....(not really sad about this...)

[trinacriabob]

2 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

Buy a Subaru and you make the statement of I am an ECO Warrior is one of the two statements that is how they are seen here in the PNW. LOL

I know.  Their presence in the PNW almost borders on conformity.

I've got a great flip-off story between Bellingham and Burlington on I-5.  I was with a friend coming back from VanCity.  I wouldn't relay here it without the visuals and enough detail.  We laughed our asses off.  This was the late '90s.  That was a good decade.

[A Horse With No Name]

[G. David Felt]

On 3/21/2025 at 11:37 AM, A Horse With No Name said:

I have a friend and everytime he hears of people paying money like that for a Colon Cleanse, he always reminds me that he has it naturally built in, just drink a glass of buttermilk and he is flowing for the next 24hrs, cheaper than the Taco Bell Deal in his mind.

[trinacriabob]

10 minutes ago, G. David Felt said:

I have a friend and everytime he hears of people paying money like that for a Colon Cleanse, he always reminds me that he has it naturally built in, just drink a glass of buttermilk and he is flowing for the next 24hrs, cheaper than the Taco Bell Deal in his mind.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/colon-cleansing/faq-20058435

I had to look this up.  Got it.  What you do before medical procedures.  Not recommended at other times.

Otherwise, lots of water and good fruits and vegetables (berries, citrus, different beans, cabbage, spinach, etc.)

- - - - -

Someone likes their Taco Bell at $1.99 instead of $4.99!

https://www.tmz.com/watch/0-c6cbtqbv/

If I didn't know otherwise and saw her, I'd think she'd be the classic Orange County (CA) "Karen:"  "I need to speak to the manager!"

[Drew Dowdell]

On 3/21/2025 at 2:37 PM, A Horse With No Name said:

I must be in the minority, but Taco Bell never had this effect on me. I can just eat it.

[Drew Dowdell]

Was searching for an oil filter for my motorcycle and checking the fitment list, it also fits the BMW i3.

Both of these share parts.

[G. David Felt]

Hyundai has announced a 21 billion dollar investment in the U.S. from 2025 to 2028 improving its production to 1.2 million ICE/EVs per year for Kia/Hyundai/Genesis products.

https://www.hyundainews.com/en-us/releases/4404

Hyundai Motor Group Commits to U.S. Growth with USD 21 Billion Investment

 

• The Group to invest a total of USD 21 billion in the U.S. from 2025 to 2028
• USD 9 billion to expand U.S. automobile production to 1.2 million units annually
• USD 6 billion to enhance parts, logistics and steel business, increasing the localization of auto parts and strengthening supply chains
• USD 6 billion to expand future industries and strengthen external partnerships and energy infrastructure, including EV charging
• Investment is expected to create more than 100,000 direct and indirect job opportunities by 2028, including 14,000 direct full-time jobs

SEOUL, March 24, 2025 – Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) is announcing a significant investment of USD 21 billion in the United States from 2025 to 2028.

This commitment reflects the Group’s strategic focus on expanding its manufacturing capabilities, advancing future technologies, and enhancing energy infrastructure in America. This latest U.S. investment builds on the Group’s existing allocation of approximately USD 20.5 billion since entering the U.S. market in 1986.

“Hyundai Motor Group is deepening its partnership with the United States, reinforcing our shared vision for American industrial leadership. The Group’s investment and efforts will further expand our operations in the U.S. and grow our American workforce. Thank you to our American partners, employees, and communities. We’re proud to stand with you, and proud to build the future together.”

Expanding automotive production capacity

To reinforce its production capabilities, the Group will invest a total of USD 9 billion to establish an annual production capacity in the U.S. of 1.2 million vehicles across its automotive brands, Hyundai Motor, Kia, and Genesis.

In addition, the Group plans to invest in improving its production facilities, including Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and Kia Autoland Georgia, to further enhance its customer-centric approach in delivering high-quality automobiles.

Enhancing parts localization and logistics to strengthen supply chain

A total of USD 6 billion will be allocated to increase the localization rate of automotive components – including core parts for electric vehicles (EVs), such as battery packs – to form an auto cluster following expansion of the Group’s production facilities, as well as strengthening Group logistics to ensure robust supply chains and investing in steel production in the U.S.

Hyundai Steel, the Group’s steel affiliate, will construct an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steel mill in the state of Louisiana, capable of producing 2.7 million tons of steel annually. This facility will produce low-carbon steel sheets using the abundant supply of steel scrap in the U.S. with the aim of enhancing the Group’s agility and flexibility in response to external uncertainties.

Strengthening collaboration in future industries and investing in energy infrastructure

The Group will invest USD 6 billion to drive innovation and expand strategic partnerships with U.S. companies in areas including autonomous driving, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced air mobility (AAM).

Key initiatives include:

• Collaborating with Boston Dynamics to expand the U.S. ecosystem for robotics components and establish a mass-production system
• Partnering with NVIDIA to accelerate the development of AI solutions for future mobility, including autonomous driving and robotics
• Advancing R&D with Supernal, the Group’s US affiliate for AAM business, to commercialize an eVTOL vehicle by 2028
• Supplying robotaxis to Waymo as part of its strategic partnership with Hyundai Motor Company, and co-developing autonomous driving services with Aptiv
• Investing potential startups through venture capital and other funding mechanisms to support U.S. startups specializing in mobility, robotics, and AI

As part of its USD 6 billion commitment, the Group will also invest in energy infrastructure projects to secure new business opportunities and contribute to the development of sustainable energy generation, including:

• Strategic cooperation between Hyundai Engineering & Construction Holtec International on Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology
• Establishing infrastructure to bolster use of renewable energy
• Investing in IONNA EV charging alliance to expand infrastructure

Through these investments, the Group anticipates it will create 14,000 new direct full-time jobs in the U.S. by 2028. The overall economic impact is expected to generate more than 100,000 direct and indirect job opportunities across related industries.

The Group plans to hold its Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America Grand Opening celebration in Georgia, U.S., later this week, marking the completion of the largest economic development project in Georgia’s history, just two and a half years after breaking ground.

HMGMA exemplifies HMG’s dedication to driving economic growth, furthering technological advancements, and delivering sustainable solutions to the U.S. market, creating or supporting over 570,000 jobs nationwide.

[trinacriabob]

My Tuesday ... changed planes and had to overnight. 

I have never given this city enough time.  What a stunning city hall.