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Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Why Do We Allow Gas Companies To Get Away With This?

I wonder if the latest news from the Middle East makes Oil Company Executives smile. I'm sure they are lighting up fresh Cuban cigars with $100 bills as they watch CNN and Fox News. They must be happy as they look to increase the prices of gasoline at the pump. What amazes me is that we, that is the public, allow them to get away with this.

It is a fact that maybe 2% of US oil comes from Libya but that little fact doesn't stop them from raising prices by 10% so far. It amazes me that the expensive gas moves from the oil well to the gas pump in lightning speed yet, when we're told that gas prices are coming down, the speed of the pipeline comes to a crawl. Again, as the general public accepts this as the norm. The government will rattle a few cages as politicians hrmph it up once the public cries out. So, the oil companies ease off he prices, by a touch and everyone goes back to normal until the next excuse comes around why prices are rising again. You know, if it's not unrest in some part of the world, the Summer is either too hot or the Winter is too cold or too many people are driving or just because it's Monday.

Sinclair Gas Station Metal SignThen there is the matter of 9/10 of a cent. With prices reaching $5 a gallon, why do we permit the gas stations to continue this practice of pricing gas to the 10th of a cent? And how often do you ever see that 10th of a cent be any less than 9/10's? I could understand it in the days when gas was pennies a gallon and you could actually buy something for just a penny. But, that was a long time ago. We just wink and accept this practice. People will look at the price on the sign reading $4.99 9/10 and give a sigh of relief that gas hasn't hit $5 yet. Who are they kidding? Let's get the legislation under way to stop this practice!

My last rant about gas stations is the recent return of separate prices for Cash and Credit. Personally, I will avoid any station wanting to charge me more to use my credit card. What I find strange is that in New York State, this practice is already outlawed. Yet, it is never enforced. It is illegal to charge more to a customer who wishes to charge. Although, it is permitted to provide a discount for cash. The stations contend that is what they are doing. Then my question is, why do they advertise the cash price on their big signs? And why does their cash price match the prevailing price for Cash or Credit? If they wish to claim they are providing a discount for cash, then advertise the higher price so unsuspecting motorists don't get suckered in from the road.

In the 1970's New York State passed the law that allowed self-serve pumps. The reasoning they gave was that would help to keep the price of gasoline down. Less manpower needed to run the pumps, less cost for the station owner and the savings would be passed on to the consumer. I'm all for that. I don't mind pumping my own gas and modern stations make it easy, convenient and fast. However, I do question where the savings is. In our neighboring state of New Jersey, they never legalized self-serve gas pumps. It is illegal for a motorist to pump their own gas in New Jersey. Yet, gas prices there are between 20 to 50 cents less a gallon than in New York. Makes you wonder where the savings went.

I truly believe that our economic crisis is tied directly to the rising gas prices. That until these prices are brought back down, the US will not recover. It is draining our pockets and strangling commerce. We need to bring the prices down for the short term and we need to find alternative fuels for the long term. We need to convert our infrastructure from oil based to something that is cleaner and more abundantly available. Whether it be hydrogen or solar or even farm based. We need to be working on it and fast! And not just until the current crisis subsides, we need to work on it until we find a solution!

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Now From Cablevision: Match Game - A Contact Sport?

Many Cablevision Customers awoke last month to find that channel 88, the Game Show Network (GSN) was suddenly blocked on their TV. Many of them assumed, it must be a mistake. Afterall, they have all the basic channels and GSN has been a basic channel since its inception in 1994. So what gives?

Best of Match Game DVD Collection
Frantic calls to Cablevision's customer service number revealed a little note on the previous month's bill indicating that GSN would become part of the separate "IO Sports PAK" (later renamed as "IO Sports and Entertainment Pak"). This didn't make sense. This ala carte package contains all sports channels with the exception of GSN. It contains, hockey, tennis, horse racing, baseball, golf, and even cricket. The only thing that doesn't fit in the line up is GSN, a network primarily made up of old TV game shows and watched primarily by the over-60 crowd. Not the same demographic that is into contact sports.

Let me point out, that we've stood with Cablevision before, in their disputes with the various networks that have ransomed additional fees for the right to watch their shows. And, we have been crushed each time when Cablevision caved in. But, this channel change just doesn't make sense. It appears as an outright attempt to bolster a failing optional service package at the expense of senior citizens on fixed incomes. They really have no need for any of the other channels but are being forced to purchase them in order to see familiar programming.

SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete 1st SeasonTo me this move makes as much sense as if they had moved Nickelodeon to the Adult Movie Package. They really should create a true ala carte pricing system. Let us pay $50 a month and pick the 20 channels we want to watch. If we want more channels, we'll pay more. In this way they are not beholding to the networks that want to hold them up for extortion. If ABC or Scripps think their channels are worth more a month, let the consumer actually decide, It will tame the networks' appetite for fees, and increase the quality of their programming when they have to compete directly for the consumers' dollars.

We can all see that this move was nothing more than a blatant grab for cash and I would urge Cablevision to rethink their position on this and return GSN to a more basic tier or at least offer it as a stand-alone option. If they really want to make a Sports Pak, why not take YES, SNY, MSG, ESPN and all the other true sports channels and add them to the package? Then they can reduce the cost of the basic service to those of who do not watch these channels and let those that want it, pay for it.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Why Should You Arrive Early For Your Flight?

As we enter another travel season, everyone starts gearing up for the inevitable line to check-in at the airport. Sure, we do what we can and check-in on-line these days. However we are still faced with lines to drop off our bags and the to get through security.

Jet Blue Single Plane
Now, I really can't fault the airlines or the TSA for lines during busy times. I understand, there are an infinite number of travelers trying to pass through a finite number of gates and check points. I get it, and I think for the most part they do a pretty good job. What I do object to are the late-comer that arrive with seconds to spare and we watch helplessly as airport personnel escort them to the front of the line.

I mean I read the advisory that prints out with my tickets, and I understand the need for security and will make sure to arrive 2-3 hours before my flight time. I will allow even more during a holiday or a prime time flight. So, I get annoyed and angry when I'm waiting on line and see these people showing up at the last minute and being allowed up front. Why reward these tardy people? It's just not fair and says to everyone else on line, "Suckers!"

Now, I can understand things happen that may make someone late and I offer a solution that I especially think would interest the cash-strapped airlines. Why not institute a late charge? That's right, you arrive late to the airport, we'll escort you to the front of the line... for an extra $50. In this way it helps on three fronts:
  1. It encourages travelers to be on time. One will be less likely to miss the deadline if they know there is a cost involved.
  2. Less congestion in the queues as more people will be arriving with time to spare. And there will be less animosity towards those being ushered to front for a fee. Just like people who pay for the upgrade to first class on a flight.
  3. Another revenue stream for the airline. An optional fee, that nobody can complain about.
Of course there are those that may whine about this new fee. And of course, I would understand waiving the fee if someone is coming from a connecting flight that was late. Although, they should be going through a separate path. But, I say to those who would complain, if you don't like the fee, then show up on time!

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

The Buses Keep Rolling... For Another Month At Least

As an update to my previous post, Big Loss For North Shore Commuters, it appears that there is hope afterall. The following message was recently sent by the good people at Long Island Transit to their riders:

Dear Loyal Patrons of Long Island Transit:
We wanted to let you know that on March 1, 2011, Long Island Transit representatives will be meeting with Edward P. Mangano, the County Executive for Nassau County.  We are hopeful that the concerns raised in yesterday's message can be resolved at that time, if not sooner.  LIT will also be inviting representative members of its ridership to voice any concerns that they may have at that and other meetings.  While nothing has yet been resolved, an open dialogue is a very good first step, and LIT is cautiously optimistic...
It is gratifying to see when government actually works for the people. I applaud the efforts by Mr. Mangano and as well as the other public officials that have been contacted and are working on a long term solution. I hope that today's meeting will be fruitful in saving this much needed service.

I think that recent actions by the MTA proves that additional commuting options are necessary for Long Island to continue to prosper. To be captive to the whims of any monopoly especially those run by the government is not consumer friendly. Take for example the MTA's implementation of a $10 fee for ticket refunds. So, if I want to return a $7.50 ticket, I would have to pay more than the value of the ticket for a refund? Imagine if one of those big box stores tried to implement such a policy, the politicians would be all over themselves to condemn it. Why then does the MTA get a pass on this?

That's why government should continue to encourage the private sector to assist in these areas. Perhaps by relieving the MTA of some of it's burden it can find ways to operate more efficiently. We see it in all other sectors, competition creates innovation. Perhaps when the MTA can longer just write blank checks and needs to compete for riders, maybe then we will see them really begin to become efficient.

In the mean time, I wish the Long Island Transit Company every bit of success. I hope that the actions taken today lead to expansion and profit for them. Hopefully with their success, we will see a real choice in commuter options on Long Island.