Between the Einstein zoom, which was great fun, and the fundraising this afternoon, I didn’t have much time to check out the news today. So here’s some good news I found after the zoom.
Okay, I knew the Senate rejected the articles, but I loved the framing of this – Republicans trying to look solemn as they put on their farcical impeachment show. And then, bam, Schumer tossed them in the (virtual) garbage where they belonged.
The Senate rejected the articles of impeachment in less time than it took to walk them over to their chambers.
— Jack E. Smith ⚖️ (@7Veritas4) April 17, 2024
.
Just submitted an amendment to Bill drafting appointing MTG as Putin’s Special Envoy to the United States Congress. https://t.co/Gn8Dd3lZwj
— Jared Moskowitz (@JaredEMoskowitz) April 18, 2024
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I am very happy about Secretary Yellen’s strong support, and that the House is planning to vote on my bipartisan REPO bill to seize those assets.https://t.co/ABuyNLDb8f
— Sheldon Whitehouse (@SenWhitehouse) April 17, 2024
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The Senate rightly defeated the baseless Mayorkas impeachment that even conservative legal scholars said was unconstitutional.
Real solutions are on the table. Republicans should stop wasting time on political stunts, while killing bipartisan border reforms.
Full WH statement: pic.twitter.com/Do4iZTBSSW
— Ian Sams (@IanSams46) April 17, 2024
Janet Yellen’s Ukraine mission (Politico)
The Biden administration is making a new push this week to rally reluctant allies behind the idea that billions in immobilized Russian assets should be tapped to support Ukraine.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will spend the coming days laying the groundwork as fellow finance ministers gather in Washington for the IMF-World Bank spring meetings. It’s expected to be an agenda item at Wednesday afternoon’s meeting of G7 finance leaders and in other discussions on the sidelines.
“Our goal is to try to get it done as soon as possible,” said a Treasury official granted anonymity. “And if that is this summer, that’s as soon as possible.”
The challenge for Yellen is two-fold. The idea is bipartisan but political resistance is emerging at home from a key ally of former President Donald Trump. The U.S. is also facing unease in Europe, where most of the assets are located. The U.S. Congress has struggled for months to agree on fresh aid to support Ukraine more than two years after Russia launched a full-scale invasion.Officials are considering a menu of options. They include seizing Russia’s sovereign assets outright as well as structuring a loan backed by windfall profits from the assets. The goal is to advance discussions so top G7 leaders can make a decision when they gather in June.
I am guessing that this isn’t literally true, but I suppose it is possible, seeng as it is Marge, after all.
MTG demands sharks with frickin laser beams on their heads to patrol the rio grande
— Angry Staffer 🌻 (@Angry_Staffer) April 18, 2024
Open thread.
VFX Lurker
Open thread post:
I’m puzzling over how best to get from Glendale to the Burbank airport for an early-morning flight in mid-May. In the past, I used SuperShuttle. That’s gone. Now it’s Lyft, Uber, taxi, town car services, and parking at the airport. It’s me, my husband, two carry-ons and up to two checked bags.
How do jackals get to the airport these days? Most of my co-workers are advising me to take Uber/Lyft.
Martin
@VFX Lurker: Metrolink goes from Glendale to the airport, and the airport offers a free shuttle from the station. Not sure how close you are to the Glendale station, or if taxi/uber there would work. Would be a lot cheaper.
SpaceUnit
Seize those Russian assets and give the money to Ukraine. But keep the fucking IMF out of it.
Martin
@SpaceUnit: The IMF wouldn’t be involved. The US can only unlock some of the assets – those in the US. She’s trying to get other countries that have assets seized to do the same. The IMF is simply the meeting where they’re all present.
SpaceUnit
@Martin:
Okay. Good.
NotMax
@Martin
Ancillary music?
:)
VFX Lurker
Thanks! That is good to know.
I’m about three miles from the Glendale station, but the trains don’t start until 6:23AM. My weekday flight leaves around 7AM, but the earliest Metrolink arrives at BUR at 6:36AM.
I’ll keep Metrolink in mind as an option for future flights that take place later in the day.
Martin
@VFX Lurker: Yeah, 7am flights are tricky to get to. I used to do those all the time from John Wayne to Oakland. Thankfully Ms Martin is a morning person.
Steve in the ATL
@VFX Lurker: I’m typically driven by my security team in a fleet of armored Mercedes G-wagens. Like most people.
frosty
@VFX Lurker: To get to the airport? I drive and pay $8.00 a day at BWI. On arrival or to get there for departure? Rental car.
For the last couple of trips where we didn’t rent a car we used a taxi or Uber. Since I don’t have the Uber app my son managed that one.
frosty
@Steve in the ATL: But of course! As befits a management-side labor lawyer.
Martin
@Steve in the ATL: See, that just makes you look like a target. Our Prius is inconspicuous, designed to draw attention away from us. Ms Martin looks innocuous, but she can kill you with a pencil.
frosty
WaterGirl: No need to apologize for being “late”. It’s early for NotMax LOL.
Thanks for the late-night round up. I’m pleased it’s all relatively good news. I called my R rep to urge him to vote for everything Ukraine asks for. He is apparently what they call a Ukraine Hawk so the staffer who answered the phone sounded kind of chipper.
Yellen is doing good stuff here. Hope it goes somewhere.
ETA other than the sharks, yes, I think what your description of what Marge said is pretty close to the truth. What a country! (Yakov Smirnoff voice) Born in Odesa, Ukraine as it turns out!
Jackie
According to attorneys on tonight’s Lawrence O’Donnell show, first thing that will be addressed by Judge Merchan tomorrow, is TIFG’s attacks on the jury members. Apparently, Merchan is LIVID.
VFX Lurker
Oh, those are fantastic rates at BWI. The Burbank airport rates range from $15/day for third-party vendors to $27/day for valet parking. The $15/day lot is not accepting reservations at the moment, and the online Burbank airport reservation system is offline.
I did use Costco to schedule a rental car at my destination airport.
I will look into Lyft/Uber rideshares with a taxi phone number as backup. Thank you for sharing your travel experiences.
VFX Lurker
LOL. A fleet of G-wagens in the microscopic BUR airport would do about as well as a Ford Excursion in a compact parking space.
wjca
I believe that, rather than sharks, Empty Greene’s proposal is for space lasers. I note that it’s proposed for the Israeli aid bill. Maybe she thinks the Israelis will swap us her notorious “Jewish space lasers” in return for the aid….
frosty
@VFX Lurker: $8.00 is the daily rate for the faraway satellite lot where you take a bus to arrivals. It gets more expensive the closer you get. Especially for the parking garage where it’s under cover and you don’t have to shovel your car out when you take a flight in the winter!
ETA Taxi was in London. Good luck finding one in the USA! Uber was Honolulu.
Ishiyama
I want to see the judge order his bailiff to put handcuffs on Trump, and arrest the Secret Service if they try to interfere. What possible warrant does the Secret Service have to interfere in the process of justice, on behalf of someone whose protection is unrelated to ongoing government functions, being, effectively, ceremonial? Is an ex-President entitled to special privileges, under any and all circumstances?
coin operated
@VFX Lurker:
Lyft recently introduced a feature where you can book a ride in advance…perfect for those early morning flights. A driver will confirm your ride within 5 minutes of booking. We’ve scheduled a few early morning rides to the airport here in Vegas and have never had an issue.
Scout211
What?! What did Trump say? I missed this.
Martin
@Scout211: Trump said the jurors were liberal plants lying to the judge. It’s a blatant violation of the gag order. I think we’re hurtling toward having to jail him because there’s no way fines will impact this behavior.
Chet Murthy
@Scout211: Probably this: https://www.rawstory.com/trump-coming-after-them-jury/
Martin
@Ishiyama: Secret service isn’t going to interfere or even object. Their job is to solve the security problem and they’ll solve it.
Chet Murthy
@Martin:
I read there’s some case (maybe the current one being tried) where he’s committed three different violations of the rules, and the judge is going to fine him a *whopping* $1000 per infraction! Imagine it! I’m sure that’ll learn ‘im, he’ll straighten up and fly right!
Fake Irishman
@Steve in the ATL:
With that security, I take it you are bargaining with an SEIU or Teamsters local?
(Signed, an AFT alum)
Martin
@Chet Murthy: It’ll depend on whether the rule says he must apply the fines before jail, or whether he has discretion. We’ll know something about the judge if it’s the latter and he puts forward the fine. One of my work pet-peeves was administrative decisions that pretended they would achieve a goal when *everyone* knew that it wouldn’t achieve that goal. Just be honest – the fine won’t work, go straight to the thing that will
But there was a previous gag order violation they were supposed to talk about I think tomorrow, and then this new one. So I guess the judge could fine him $1000 for the first one and jail him for the 2nd violation.
wjca
@Chet Murthy:
ROTFLOL
EDT Pretty sure you were being sarcastic. But still amused.
Chet Murthy
Via LG&M, this is amazing. Poe’s Law is twue! It’s twue! https://twitter.com/RepMTG/status/1780767303732199917
Jackie
@Scout211: Everyone else beat me in replying, but the jist is TIFG reposted a Faux commentator’s snark re the jurors on his social media as truth. A big No-No.
Here’s more:
Martin
And I can’t imagine a stay in Rikers would be that hard to secure. You throw him in solitary or the protection wing in his own cell, put 2 secret service outside the door. No problem.
NotMax
@Chet Murthy
3 times 1K = KKK. If the shoe fits….
//
NotMax
@frosty
Zoom was too early in the day for me to quaff from a goblet of wine as one participant did.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
;)
eclare
@coin operated:
That’s good to know, about booking in advance, although I don’t think I’ve ever waited more than about five minutes for Lyft.
Chet Murthy
@NotMax: In D/FW 40yr ago there was a radio station whose call letters were KIKK. In advertising, the “I” was lowercase, hence “KiKKer”. Yeah, they went there.
eclare
@Chet Murthy:
Joyce Vance is usually accurate.
Chet Murthy
@eclare: During TFG’s reign of error, Joyce Vance, Barb McQuade, and Jill Wine-Banks were my go-to sources of wisdom.
NotMax
@Chet Murthy
“Radio voted #! by the boys in the hoods.”
//
Chet Murthy
@NotMax: pulls the Mitchell&webb cord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cCiuZanl_4
Jay
@Martin:
There is probably a sticking point that the Secret Service can’t be armed.
eclare
I am watching Kimmel from tonight, of course he is all over that “Truth” that TIFG posted about him, but he also gave airtime to the rumor that TIFG wears diapers!
NotMax
@Chet Murthy
Also too, Vaughn Meader (15:42 – 20:05).
;)
Martin
@Jay: Doubt it. Supremacy clause surely rears its head there.
Jay
@Martin:
Generally, neither Guards, FBI or Police are allowed weapons inside a prison, due to the danger of inmates getting their hands on the weapons. Weapons are checked in on entry and returned on exit. That even goes for visiting rooms.
Tower Guards are armed, and there is usually an armory in the Admin building when Guards need to be armed.
Gemina13
I’ve been hoping that Yellen would move forward on Russian assets. If this goes through, and EU leaders follow her lead, Yellen may help save the day for Ukraine – and yank the rug out from underneath the House GOP.
And Jared Moskowitz is even better at trolling the GOP than Eric Swalwell or Ted Lieu.
HumboldtBlue
@eclare:
As much as I laugh with Jimmy on this because anyone who can fuck with Trump is A-OK, late night comedy TV ain’t what it used to be.
HumboldtBlue
Chet Murthy
@NotMax: Wait for it …. wait for it…. !!
Chet Murthy
@Martin: Two thoughts:
eclare
@HumboldtBlue:
Colbert is definitely not as good as when he was on Report, but I usually catch both his and Kimmel’s monologues. Never watched Fallon, I don’t find him funny.
VFX Lurker
Oh, that’s good to know. Thank you for this tip!
Chet Murthy
@eclare: @HumboldtBlue: I was gonna ask “when was late night really funny”, b/c I find Colbert pretty funny and Kimmel moderately so, but …. well, you have a point there about The Colbert Report. That was some amazing, amazing, *AMAZING* comedy. I don’t think we’ve seen the likes since.
Though I do love Jordan Klepper’s Cletus safaris.
eclare
@Chet Murthy:
I also loved that Report booked unusual guests, not just movie/TV stars promoting their latest projects. The show booked a lot of authors and artists.
HumboldtBlue
@eclare: @Chet Murthy:
This is pretty good:
Chet Murthy
@HumboldtBlue: That it is! That it is!
eclare
@HumboldtBlue:
That was impressive!
Dangerman
The $15 a day is arrive and hope for the best? This is a problem.
I haven’t flown since … not gonna guess. Could have been Obama 1. Maybe Bush 2. MAYBE Bush 1. It’s been a while.
I have an odd need to fly out of Burbank. Destination? Charles Schulz Airport in Santa Rosa. I seem to recall an option for LAX but that means the 405 through the Pass AND making it to the airport without going bonkers in the car. I didn’t like my chances.
Back to that $15 lot; it typically takes reservations? What is BWI? I best plan this out a bit; again, I’m basically a newbie it’s been so many years. Last flight was Seattle to … shit, I don’t recall. I know it was Seattle though. There was a big ass Mountain in the area. Rainier, I think.
Chet Murthy
@Dangerman: Wouldn’t it be nice if you could do that on a train? It’s 418mi; the Paris->Nice France distance is 580mi, so it’d be easily doable by night train, if only we had such mod cons here in the US of A.
Dangerman
I can ALMOST do it by train. Amtrak has bus service from Martinez up the 101 corridor. I’ve taken it as far as Eureka. I think Arcata is end of the line. I was trying to get to Crescent City once and it’s kinda impossible without driving (so I drove).
Anyway, Coast Starlight gets to Martinez too late for a bus …
… and I can take the San Joaquin but that means Bakersfield or someplace along the way. Hanford was considered.
For some odd reason, Burbank services Santa Rosa. There is Alaska Air and some new airline where I would be counting the engines at the gate. No thanks. At least Alaska I can trust a little bit (not a lot; all airlines have a degree of suckage).
ETA: Final call was car parking. If I’m gonna leave my car someplace, ideally it would be there with the same number of tires when I returned. Burbank was a sure thing. Bakersfield or Hanford was a throw of the dice.
Chet Murthy
@Dangerman: @VFX Lurker: Yeah, even when I had a car, I used to take SuperShuttle: it was (relatively) cheap, and heck, I didn’t care if it wasn’t the fastest, b/c somebody else was driving. And it meant my car stayed where I put it, back home. I’m sad that it’s gone out of business. I’m guessing Uber/Lyft did the deed. Ah, well.
David 🏀Caitlin Clark🏀 Koch
@eclare: They’re both posted nightly on their YouTube channels
Dangerman
Back in the day (I lived in the South Bay), I would Super Shuttle it to LAX fairly often. Convenient.
I didn’t know they were done in; almost surely Uber and Lyft.
David 🏀Caitlin Clark🏀 Koch
@VFX Lurker: You can drive and park at a hotel near an airport and use their shuttle service. Rates are far cheaper than Airport parking. The only catch is, you have to call for the shuttle’s time schedule. Depending on the location, they can run every 20 minutes, every half an hour, every 45 minutes.
The best site I ever found is way.com. here’s a link for the Hotels near the John Wayne airport. (link)
piratedan
@VFX Lurker: depending upon where you’re flying out of, you can also try out parksleepfly.com
spend the night before in the hotel, have them shuttle you over, leave your car, take shuttle back from the airport on return and get your car.
Martin
@Jay: Yeah, generally. But Rikers is _massive_, and SS would be securing one whole building, and I doubt prisoners would even be able to move anywhere near the SS.
VFX Lurker
@David 🏀Caitlin Clark🏀 Koch: That is a GREAT tip for airport parking. I will bookmark Way.com for future flights.
Unfortunately, because I’m less than a month away from flying, all the hotel parking for the Bob Hope Airport is marked “Sold Out.” One lot may be available at $15/day, though I’d have to read more.
This looks like a good option for future trips, though, if I can plan them farther in advance.
Martin
@Chet Murthy: We’re getting close. Metrolink -> Union Station, Coast Starlight to Emeryville, bus to San Rafael then SMART to Santa Rosa.
A lot of the HSR funding is being used to build out connecting rail to the HSR hubs (such as BART down to San Jose, CalTrain upgrades, LA metro expansion, etc.) and that one holdup right now is that the railcar manufacturers in the US are so overwhelmed with orders from around the US that they’re backed up for years. Siemens is building a new factory in North Carolina. Stadler is continuing to expand. Stuff is happening. There were plans to build out BART to connect to SMART in San Rafael, but the Marin folks didn’t want the BART riff-raff in their community. That can still happen.
Jay
@Martin:
As you said, Riker’s is massive, even just a single building.
TFG’s detail s not.
Riker’s is also massively over crowded, so no clearing a wing out and giving him the Epstein suite.
I can see him getting the Epstein Suite with a couple of unarmed SS guys, in the video room at best.
lgerard
They could just keep TFG in a holding cell at the courthouse or one of the nearby precincts. Let him out early enough to go home and change to a new baggy suit and red tie in time to get to court and commence scowling.
I realize that him getting real jail time when he is convicted is an impossible dream, but community service would be nice. I would love to see the fat bastard working up a sweat washing dishes at some senior center.
NotMax
@Jay
Only been a few months since a former NYC jail barge was decommissioned.
Shouldn’t take much effort to temporarily recommission a portion of the facility and transfer staff thereto. Heck, a GoFundMe campaign would probably be fully topped off within days (if not hours).
Jay
@NotMax:
Doesn’t NYC still have garbage barges?
It will only be a day or two, (for now) and he can take his whole SS detail.
Plus, what a view of the skyline,………
NotMax
@Jay
While you’re about, any particular views regarding the new Broadway subway line in Vancouver and proposed subsequent high rise development of the surrounding neighborhood?
sab
My dad died under hospice care last week. I have probably vented about hospice care drugging him. I was wrong. They were right. I hadn’t much experience with loved ones dying. They have a lot of such experience. They were amazing.
ETA He was under hospice care for a year and a half, much longer than the statutory 6 months. They didn’t kill him. They assisted his death when he was finally ready to die.
ETA Also too, they didn’t kill him. They just helped him die in much less pain. Hospice is amazing.
Jay
@NotMax:
Nope, not really.
I have a car, (2000 RAV 4) that has sat n the 3rd floor of the garage for three years with out being driven. I take Skytrain and buses. I have 9 towers and 6 multi story (<6 floors) going up with in 3 blocks of me.
My local strip mall, in 2 years is going to become 3 mixed use 50 story towers and a park.
I live in a 25 story condo/apartment building with everything from a 3 story row house development, to a 50 story condo/apartment building, (with a bunch of other 25 story buildings), all with in a block. 20 years ago, there was nothing taller than 3 stories, (apartment buildings) and most of the space was single family dwellings on 1/4 acre lots.
Then Skytrain came in. Before, you had to have a car, commute could be an hour, if you were lucky. I can make it from here to the airport in 45 min. for $4.75. In good conditions, driving would be 1.5 hours, and then $75 for parking per day.
It’s a different city than it was. I am okay with that.
sab
I will say this for jackals in the next few threads. You guys are sweethearts.
Brachiator
@Martin:
Super busy today and now I am hearing that Trump is badmouthing the jurors and pretty much asking to be held in contempt. He could accumulate fines and jail time.
Now things are getting interesting. I want to see Trump thrown in jail and see what the Secret Service comes up with to deal with this special situation. The public won’t get the details.
But I would think that it is not just about securing and guarding Trump. The SS must be able to move him quickly if necessary. And they must also be able to quickly get him to a medical station should the need arise.
Also, I cannot see the SS giving up their weapons.
Trump seems to be incapable of shutting his mouth and staying off of Truth Social. Something has got to give.
Jay
@sab:
(((((sab))))).
We live, we love, we learn.
Neither of my parents died in Hospice care. Mom died in the Hospital, waiting for Extended Care. Dad died in Extended Care.
Grandpa died in a Psych ward, Grandmother died in an Old Age Home.
You loved him, his caretaker loved him, and the Hospice helped in his end days.
(((((sab)))))
sab
@Jay: They also helped me explain my end of his life decisions to my siblings.
Jay
@Brachiator:
Unless a wing can be emptied and secured, (it’s Rikers,, that will never happen, it’s over crowded as it is, 8 people in a 2 man cell), the SS has to give up their weapons.
If he goes to jail, (rather than House Arrest), the best that the gentle NYC Corrections system can offer him is the Epstein Suite in solitary, with shifts of 2 unarmed SS agents watching him on video cameras, (if they are working).
At least he’s not a kid accused for stealing a backpack.
Jay
@sab:
Hospice people are good.
Most don’t last very long. It is a hard job for little pay.
Love can only take you so far.
sab
@sab: There are few creatures on earth more horrible than neglectul children who just lost a parent and want to sue to avenge their guilt.
sab
@sab: Hoping against hope that my RWNJ isn’t one of them
Jay
@sab:
Is that happening?
If it is, more (((((sab))))).
When my Mom died, I got to wash her body. It wasn’t “allowed”, but I was there every day for 2-3 hours, for 6 months, brought her, her favorite foods, (she wasn’t eating much, before and in hospital, but she actually put on weight) with extra for the staff.
She died in the night, but they let me say goodbye in my own way. She died around 1 am. Tracy called me around 2am. I was there at about 2:30.
Jay
@sab:
take it as it comes.
sab
@Jay: You are the child every parent hopes for, those who make parenting worth doing.
Brachiator
@Jay:
Unarmed SS agents is not going to happen.
Trump is really pushing for contempt. I would love to see a breaking news item that he is off to jail. We shall see what happens.
Jay
@sab:
My Mom and Dad were codependent, violent alcoholics. The stories I could tell.
My Mom joined AA. Divorced Dad eventually. Lived with me until the divorce was final.
Dad eventually became a dry drunk.
Dad hooked up with a former co-worker, until her ex’s estate was settled, then she kicked him to the curb. So he bought a house in Maple Ridge, at the time a ways out.
T and I, quite a few years after Mom had passed, were visiting Dad, and after the visit, T said, “he’s not taking care of himself”. Cobwebs every where.
We were living in my brother’s house, (he was in Redmond, working for Microsoft), had finished his reno’s, put in landscaping, etc, but he and his family were moving back, (stocks had vested),
Dad, at the time was coming by, 2-3 times a week, (excuses) to hang, sometimes sleep over.
So, we cut a deal, we would buy his house, and he could live with us.
The day we moved in, he was pissed.
His back had always bothered him, in part, because he was sleeping in the same bed and mattress I had been sleeping on since I was 8.
When we moved in, we also included a brand new mattress, flannel sheets, new comforter, pillows and flannel pillowcases for him.
Boy was he pissed.
For a little while.
We also came with two dogs, (Dad was okay with dogs, as long as they were outside) and two cats, (which Dad had been taught to hate by his Dad).
Well the dogs were sleep on the bed, cuddle on the couch, share popcorn with dogs, and the cats were indoor cuddle monsters.
Boy was Dad grouchy.
Major power outage in West Van, so, I was working there for an Undersea company at the time, came home early at 2pm.
Dad’s on my leather couch, on his side, snoring, Casey, (PitX) is curled up behind his legs sleeping, Digger, (Belgian) is curled up in front of his legs, Popo (black tux) is tucked behind his head, and Capra, (orange love bug) is tucked under his chin with my Dad’s arm around him.
Busted.
Central Planning
@VFX Lurker: Head down to Burbank the day before. Have a leisurely dinner and stroll around town and you are well positioned to get to the airport early without having to get up at a crazy hour.
Jay
@Brachiator:
Nobody, not CIA, NSA, not FBI, not Police, not Guards, not Men In Black are allowed guns, inside a jail.
Not even in the Visiting room.
The Guys with Guns are outside, on the walls and in the towers,
If needed, guns are in the armory, in the Admin block.
Manyakitty
@VFX Lurker: what? No more SuperShuttle? It’s been a while since I visited LA, but that’s the only way I got to the airport when it was time to come home.
Chief Oshkosh
@coin operated: Yep, I use Lyft’s pre-scheduling feature for all of my early morning or late night flights. The app is not very intuitive for this feature, which is surprising. But, like most clunkiness in various apps, once you know the sequence, it’s OK.
I’ve also found that the car service one up from the normal Lyft service often results in a better outcome and only costs a few bucks more. I don’t think that this is offered in all locales, though.
Eyeroller
@Manyakitty: I used them all the time for business travel. I was shocked to learn they’d gone under. Apparently they’ve been revived, or at least somebody bought the name, but seems that they’re not as widespread as they were. I’m sure Lyft/Uber hurt them, but the website suggests they were seriously damaged by curtailed travel during the pandemic.
LiminalOwl
@VFX Lurker: Long ago (long story on request) I got from Burbank airport to Glendale via public bus: slow, burt cheap. Would it be worth checking to see whether that’s an option?
ETA: never mind, I’m late as usual and you got much better suggestions immediately.
Manyakitty
@Eyeroller: that’s a real loss. Hope they can fight their way back.
Uncle Cosmo
@frosty: How to tell the difference between our side of the aisle and theirs:
On our side, one Moskowitz.
On their side, a gaggle of Moscow’s half-wits. (And that’s being charitable.)
;^p
WaterGirl
@Uncle Cosmo: Good one.
Uncle Cosmo
@frosty: I customarily (& preferably) fly out of Thurgood Marshall BWI. Under normal circumstances I get a lift (pun intentional!) from my brother in Columbia, where I leave my wheels.[1]
I could also take a taxi to the nearest light rail stop and ride it all the way to BWI.[2, 3] Or for that matter, taxi to Penn Station, hop the MARC commuter train to DC, transfer to the Metro and ride it either to National Airport (DCA)[4] or even as far as Dulles (IAD) via the recently opened extension.[5] E-Z-P-Z!
[1] I live in Baltimore City and have no off-street parking. By City law, any vehicle parked on the street for >72 hours without being moved may be towed to the city impound lot, owner liable for exorbitant towing fees. This is rarely invoked in residential neighborhoods until a couple of weeks have passed and the neighbors have complained – but I got burned once to the tune of several hundred smackers when I left the car on the street near my downtown office.
[2] But that leaves the car parked on the street; see note [1].
[3] There is yet another nifty hack for BWI access, but if I told yinz about it it might go away, so… ;^p)
[4] “Ronald Reagan,” my arse!
[5] For years my Prague friends and I wondered whether their city or DC would complete the Metro extension to the airport first. Now we know!
wjca
@VFX Lurker:
One other option to consider:
Fly into SFO. Take BART (the station is in the terminal) to North Concord station. Bus ($2.50) to Martinez. AmTrak up the 101 corridor.
Lots more flight options into SFO
VFX Lurker
SuperShuttle cancelled their shared ride van service in December 2019. I think Uber/Lyft took two-thirds of their customers.
They still offer an Execucar private car service, which I used in December 2019 to get to the airport. However, it’s been over four years since my last airport trip, and current reviews of Execucar in my area made me uncertain of their reliability.
Not a bad idea, since I do have a TAP card. I’ll keep the bus in mind as an option for future BUR trips where I pack light, travel alone and travel later in the day.
In this case, it’s a 7AM flight. Plus, I’m traveling with someone who plans to bring one giant checked bag and one carry-on for a weeklong trip.
Based on what others wrote upthread, I will preschedule a Lyft XL. (The Lyft website recommends Lyft XL for two people with heavy luggage). I will use Uber and a taxi service number as backup.