Originally Posted by AAaLot
Did you know the autobahn [i.e. no speed limit] has one of the safest records of any roadway. People left to their own accord will use common sense and are mindful and respecful of others [for example all of our bags, except one fit under the seat in front of ours]
Actually, this is no longer true, which is why increasing numbers of German autobahns are now subject to speed limits and there is an ongoing debate about extending speed limits to all autobahns.
The reason that they used to be very safe roads despite the absence of speed limits was because the people who drove on them at high speed also
strictly obeyed the rules which applied on those roads. Chief amongst them were the complete maintenance of situational awareness, both ahead and behind; the absolute adherence to lane discipline; and slowing down to a safe speed and keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front as a higher priority than trying to maintain one's desired speed.
The accident rate rocketed on reunification, when millions of drivers who had never been subject to these rules, were sometimes ignorant of them, and who didn't understand the critical importance of obeying the rules, were let loose on the German autobahns.
Result: Speed limits.
No, people left to their own devices do not always use common sense, nor are they always mindful or respectful of others. There are many who will do dangerous things simply because it suits them; "I want" rules their lives.
Originally Posted by AAaLot
It seems from my few flights with Qantas that they run a quality operation. But then so do AA, Delta, etc. I really don't know the answer to this questions: does Qantas get any sort of government help?
To each their own, and I normally fly in the back of the aircraft. But I would gladly pay dozens if not hundreds of dollars extra to fly on Qantas rather than AA, let alone Delta, because Qantas is a much higher quality operation than the others. Qantas does this standing on its own two commercial feet, with no direct financial assistance from its government. There are few major "Western" airlines outside the US which have received substantial amounts of direct asssitance in recent years.
Originally Posted by AAaLot
Why not be even safer by eliminating all carry on bags? In the name of saftey of security we should.
This would be the ideal. But there are some things that do have to be carried on, and so a small amount of necessary cabin baggage is catered for. Like others here, I'm glad that I can board last (my preferred boarding time) and still have ample space in the overhead lockers for my bag. "Priority boarding for elites"? Totally unnecessary.
Originally Posted by AAaLot
I guess it matters on what you are used to (or maybe my empty rolling suit case is heavy), but 7 kilos seems extremely small.
In the USA I can pack items for several 'business' days + a laptop and remain within guidelines. Furthermore, I have never had a problem finding bin space.
I don't see how you can travel on business with only 7 Kilos without checking in bags.
I think that what you are used to is the key to this. But even so, nobody is suggesting that even if you insist on travelling with cabin baggage only that you are limited to 7 kg. You have an allowance of 14 kg; you simply need to organise yourself to spread that across two bags.
I don't travel for business myself, but 14 kg will do me for a two-week cruise on a conventional cruise line (with formal nights, beachwear etc.). I really fail to understand the difficulty.