Drew, 18:25 for the absolute money shot. 

 

 

Twelve minute mark, T-1 in color!

T-1 at 30 minutes. 

Good morning:

"Presidential material?!?"

LOL

What I was really going to post ...

This is more of a QUESTION than it is a random post.

Have any of you flown on the lesser known airlines like Frontier, Allegiant, etc.?

- - - - -

I flew on Spirit only once and surprisingly got a good fare from Pensacola to South Florida (Lauderdale, in this case).  It was about $105 with the bag underneath and a window seat.  I got lucky that time.  It was cheaper than driving and less tiring.

What about Frontier and Allegiant?  They initially display a favorable price with zero add-ons.  But, by the time you add a rollaboard and a bag underneath, does it come out to about what the legacy carriers might charge?  I always get turned off when I check out Frontier or Spirit, only to find that it's not as cheap as it looks and I don't get miles credited to a significant account.

As for Southwest, they're just like the other carriers now ... you pay for bags, good seats, etc.

Help needed with the "other" cheapies ... especially Frontier.  Thanks.

5 hours ago, trinacriabob said:

Good morning:

"Presidential material?!?"

LOL

Only if you're a rapist or Pedo! Those seem to be a requirement with the current administration of Idiot47.

5 hours ago, trinacriabob said:

What I was really going to post ...

This is more of a QUESTION than it is a random post.

Have any of you flown on the lesser known airlines like Frontier, Allegiant, etc.?

- - - - -

I flew on Spirit only once and surprisingly got a good fare from Pensacola to South Florida (Lauderdale, in this case).  It was about $105 with the bag underneath and a window seat.  I got lucky that time.  It was cheaper than driving and less tiring.

What about Frontier and Allegiant?  They initially display a favorable price with zero add-ons.  But, by the time you add a rollaboard and a bag underneath, does it come out to about what the legacy carriers might charge?  I always get turned off when I check out Frontier or Spirit, only to find that it's not as cheap as it looks and I don't get miles credited to a significant account.

As for Southwest, they're just like the other carriers now ... you pay for bags, good seats, etc.

Help needed with the "other" cheapies ... especially Frontier.  Thanks.

Never flew on them, I not really heard much good from folks except if your just focused on price.

The Stupidity of Idiot47 is unbelievable. The waste of U.S. Tax dollars on a war no one wanted when he could have done the right thing in shoring up the SS benefit millions have paid into and deserve which is more important than the 1% Defense companies that are taking in billions or the Oil Companies that will profit while stupid politicians continue to give billions out as subsidies to the Oil Companies.

Energy markets will force Trump to end his reckless war very soon

Seems Many in the investment market feel Taco will chicken out again.

Get ready for Trump to chicken out on Iran as markets fall and gas prices rise

Continued Stupidity in that they FAIL to service American that were already there when Idiot47 decided to start his war to try and divert attention away from his crimes with Jeffery Epstein. 

True chaos exposed as Trump abandons thousands in war zone

It is interesting how Americans and people outside the U.S. have started the #sendbarron social media tag.

Americans rally behind #SendBarron, urge Trump’s son to enlist after U.S. strikes on Iran - Pattaya Mail

I feel that they should also start the #BarronLoserTrump media tag since he is already using his height as an excuse to avoid military service when others have already done what he should do!

Have to say that I have been thinking about what I want to replace the Escalade ESV with and of course at the top of my list is the Genesis GV90. Yet with Incompetence in DC, Genesis, Hyundai, Kia have delayed indefinitely all their new EVs while releasing them into the world globally where they are a huge success.

The Genesis GV90 is delayed again for the world as they are now talking about early 2027 for production.  

I have also thought that maybe a Scout would be nice, but until recently they have not confirmed if they are just using Rivian 400V system or truly going 800V. Today I checked and saw that three weeks ago they updated to confirm 800V system.

Sadly they have been mum on if they will support AA / CP which Genesis will support.

Figure I might just be in my Escalade another couple of years. Good thing it is in such good shape.

This cracks me up that Pennsylvania never checked if their software would have a problem reading the new plates. How Funny!!!

New license plate design has toll cameras malfunctioning across this state

Such a sad state of the Auto Industry as the rest of the world is getting new models, from EVs to Hybrids to discuss. America is now a Dictatorship Fascist state that we have just about nothing new. So Sad!!!  

Interesting, what do others think about Canada starting to allow in Chinese EVs?
Canada Hands Out First China EV Permits, But Not Everyone Is Getting A Turn | Carscoops

Have to say I really like the BYD SUV in the story above.

The start of the end for Stellantis
After Burning $26 Billion On EVs, Stellantis Might Turn To China For EVs | Carscoops

Figured out the BYD SUV in the story about Canada. It is the Great Tang top of the line SUV.

BYD’s Flagship SUV Leaks as a 784-HP, Ultra-Luxury Land Cruiser Rival - Autoblog

Things getting more nuts. 

7 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

Interesting, what do others think about Canada starting to allow in Chinese EVs?
Canada Hands Out First China EV Permits, But Not Everyone Is Getting A Turn | Carscoops

Have to say I really like the BYD SUV in the story above.

The start of the end for Stellantis
After Burning $26 Billion On EVs, Stellantis Might Turn To China For EVs | Carscoops

I would rather buy Chinese than American, the Chinese are not bombing elementary schools and hospitals. 

8 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

Such a sad state of the Auto Industry as the rest of the world is getting new models, from EVs to Hybrids to discuss. America is now a Dictatorship Fascist state that we have just about nothing new. So Sad!!!  

I look for GM and Ford to become niche players, if they exist at all in 15-20 years is in question. 

9 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

The Stupidity of Idiot47 is unbelievable. The waste of U.S. Tax dollars on a war no one wanted when he could have done the right thing in shoring up the SS benefit millions have paid into and deserve which is more important than the 1% Defense companies that are taking in billions or the Oil Companies that will profit while stupid politicians continue to give billions out as subsidies to the Oil Companies.

Energy markets will force Trump to end his reckless war very soon

Seems Many in the investment market feel Taco will chicken out again.

Get ready for Trump to chicken out on Iran as markets fall and gas prices rise

Continued Stupidity in that they FAIL to service American that were already there when Idiot47 decided to start his war to try and divert attention away from his crimes with Jeffery Epstein. 

True chaos exposed as Trump abandons thousands in war zone

I doubt any rational lever exists to stop the stupidity. 

 

2 hours ago, A Horse With No Name said:

 

I know that some might find it a thing of beauty but WOW, that front end is just UGLY to me.

14 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

I know that some might find it a thing of beauty but WOW, that front end is just UGLY to me.

Its so ugly that its pretty. 

 

We did wind up buying the 2026 Camry Hybrid, so I am now a Hybrid owner. Happy so far. 

 

 

Looks good, love the review. 

 

 

Not going to end how we hoped it would end...

I love Bart Ehrman

I always loved these as a kid. 

Thoughtful. 

 

 

 

 

 

The absence of meaning is not a problem to be solved. It is the precondition for honesty.

Not Surprised by this as Ford becomes a Chinese company underneath. 

Ford is no longer American: Ford just became a landlord for Geely to hide its own tech bankruptcy

Dodge, Ram, Jeep, Chrysler all foreign companies now.

Ford could be the next company to become Chinese owned as they FAIL to keep up in the competition for Software, Hardware, technology needed to sell products consumers want.

Ford in its happier days!

AI generated Image, even Chat GPT knows that it isn't Ford any more, It can't spell Ford right on the hood. 

 

Just now, A Horse With No Name said:

Ford in its happier days!

I could so see this as a Future EV product like the following:

Canadians now see the U.S. as the biggest threat replacing China.

Eight charts show ‘rupture’ with Canada under Trump’s tariffs

Interesting idea

PHEVs are legal fraud: Why Detroit is using fake batteries to launder their V8 sins

1 hour ago, G. David Felt said:

I could so see this as a Future EV product like the following:

All of those look cool!

33 minutes ago, G. David Felt said:

Canadians now see the U.S. as the biggest threat replacing China.

Eight charts show ‘rupture’ with Canada under Trump’s tariffs

Interesting idea

PHEVs are legal fraud: Why Detroit is using fake batteries to launder their V8 sins

Detroit is facing more and more of an existential crisis. I am convinced ICE auto's will go the way of the Steam Locomotive and the Dodo bird. Detroit will be in big trouble. I don't think all three of what's left of the big three survive the next 20 years, much less the next fifty. 

 

 

How Muncie died...

This makes American tech look so old/ancient. 

10 to 97% charged in 10 minutes for 626 miles of range.

https://insideevs.com/news/789094/byd-second-generation-blade-battery/

14 hours ago, A Horse With No Name said:

We did wind up buying the 2026 Camry Hybrid, so I am now a Hybrid owner. Happy so far. 

Congratulations, excited for you and your wife. 

Look forward to hearing your reviews on it, pictures of the new car. Welcome to the Hybrid life.

Ranked No. 1 in California, BYD Energy Storage Offers High Reliability to Central California Energy Storage Project - Technological Innovations for a Better Life | BYD USA

BYD breaks down final barriers to electrification with Blade Battery 2.0 and FLASH Charging

World's most advanced power battery works with world's fastest mass-produced EV charger to make recharging as easy as refueling 

1,500kW of charging power achieves a 10%-97% refill in just nine minutes – and even in -30deg C, 20%-97% takes only 12 minutes

Energy-station integration opens locations to FLASH Charger Stations

Plans for 20,000 chargers in China by end of 2026, plus overseas rollout

 

BYD breaks down final barriers to electrification with Blade Battery 2.0 and FLASH Charging - BYD

Interesting read from a AI Learning Engineer who now is out of work.

I talked to one of the laid-off Block employees. He gave me a sobering warning.

9 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

Congratulations, excited for you and your wife. 

Look forward to hearing your reviews on it, pictures of the new car. Welcome to the Hybrid life.

Ranked No. 1 in California, BYD Energy Storage Offers High Reliability to Central California Energy Storage Project - Technological Innovations for a Better Life | BYD USA

I am looking forward to replacing the Ranger in a few years with a full EV. Ocnblu made fun of you for waiting until the right vehicle came along to transition to EV, but when you did...you are not going back to ICE, regardless of how cool your Trailblazer SS was. 

VERY impressed with Hybrid tech, and 49 mpg is nothing to sneeze at. 

 

Colorized this with AI, don't think it would have been blue, but like the photo...

This would be perfect to replace my Ranger in a few years. We will see how things progress. 

As a former Miata owner, I agree. 

 

My mental health program....

Life on two wheels....

 

3 hours ago, A Horse With No Name said:

I am looking forward to replacing the Ranger in a few years with a full EV. Ocnblu made fun of you for waiting until the right vehicle came along to transition to EV, but when you did...you are not going back to ICE, regardless of how cool your Trailblazer SS was. 

VERY impressed with Hybrid tech, and 49 mpg is nothing to sneeze at. 

Yes, one can never sneeze at 49mpg or more when it saves one money.

I am keeping my eye on the Scout as they have already announced that it will be a pure 800V EV / EREV Truck / SUV. The only unanswered question is will they support AA / CP?

The EV Scout Truck / SUV will have a minimum of 300 miles of range on a charge and the EREV will have 500 plus. So many of my coworkers have already placed deposits for the EREV model. Yet with that said, my wife and I are past the point of camping on the ground, in a tent, etc. We love the outdoors, but would rather stay in a hotel or book a house for the family and enjoy the outdoors and come back to a hot shower, house to have dinner in, play games with the kids and enjoy a more relaxing setup. As such, my kids and I now plan yearly outings where we book a house and still enjoy hiking, fishing, etc. but on a more luxury level.

SCOUT Options

Scout Motors

That Scout EV looks hot AF. 

 

A dumb man can be crude by instinct

 

An intelligent man can build a system elegant enough to protect his vanity and call it realism

I think I'm dreaming 

Look at how beautiful this S/R coupe is as he spins it around the parking lot.

Crank windows!  I think the black landau and black interior take away from the rich, dark burgundy exterior.

The price is not stated.  Good luck getting parts. Regardless, we didn't know how good we had it.  This was bicentennial year stuff.

5 minutes ago, trinacriabob said:

I think I'm dreaming 

Look at how beautiful this S/R coupe is as he spins it around the parking lot.

Crank windows!  I think the black landau and black interior take away from the rich, dark burgundy exterior.

The price is not stated.  Good luck getting parts. Regardless, we didn't know how good we had it.  This was bicentennial year stuff.

I miss this era. 

 

Masterful model railroad. 

 

In this case, I think I'm having a bad dream!  Just kidding.

This was the fly inthe ointment in terms of 1976 GM colors and, while it was really cool that they had all the matching different colors for the trim pieces inside, think about how much of a head scratcher that was in terms of penciling out.

Interesting read on these batteries.

Sodium-ion batteries are getting ready for prime time. How can they improve EVs?

Some additional information on the Scout EREV engine placement.

Scout CEO explains why extended-range models have engines at the back

Yup, 2027 is going to be a very ugly year imho.

A top economist predicts a 'very significant' 2027 recession with 2 growth engines in peril

The economy just did this for only the 13th time in the past 85 years; history shows it usually leads to a bear market

On 3/4/2026 at 7:47 AM, G. David Felt said:

Figured out the BYD SUV in the story about Canada. It is the Great Tang top of the line SUV.

Would this be tang of the poon variety?

I couldn't resist that play on words.

Cheers and Bread 8, fellow C&Gers.  LOL.

(I had a big BYD for a week recently. I can't say that I really liked it.)

14 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

Yup, 2027 is going to be a very ugly year imho.

Yes, we haven't had a recession for a while. That doesn't mean much since they are not necessarily scheduled.

However, one way you can tell is that offers and deals by the travel sector have suddenly become more generous.  When things are good, they charge you up the wazzoo (sp.). I have not been shopping for durable goods, so I suppose that that will follow.

On 3/6/2026 at 3:30 PM, A Horse With No Name said:

As a former Miata owner, I agree. 

True.  Let me just hang out with La Crosse, Grand Prix, Impala, and Malibu owners ... or past colonnade owners.

The weird thing is that you tend to have a lot more in common and more similar personalities with people who drive the same sorts of cars that you do, and that's BEFORE even knowing what kind of car they drive.

What I was really going to say:

I've never seen peace in the Middle East and I don't expect to ever see it.  It's very sad.

The wiring is about 180 degrees from that encountered in present day Finland and Sweden.  Just saying.