AAA: Memorial Day to spark rebound in travel
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The Business Review
AAA predicts Memorial Day travel will rebound this year.
Far lower gas prices coupled with deeply discounted hotel rates, should lead 32.4 million Americans to travel at least 50 miles from home over the holiday weekend, AAA said. That would be an increase of 1.5 percent from last year.
“The good news is sharply lower gasoline prices and plentiful travel bargains have Americans feeling better about taking a road trip this summer,” said Robert Darbelnet, AAA president and chief executive.
According to AAA, retail gas prices average $2.26 a gallon nationwide, down from a high of $4.11 in July 2008.
AAA said it does not expect the national price of gas to go above $2.50 per gallon this summer.
The number of Americans planning to travel by car is expected to hit 27 million, accounting for 83 percent of those taking trips. Airline travel is expected to fall 1 percent despite a projected 4 percent decline in airfares.
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Filed under: 360° Radar • Memorial Day • Travel |
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I am a retired MSGT from the USAF. I retired in June of 2007 after 20.5 years of service. I served two tours in Iraq but have multiple campaign accomplishments of which Im proud of.
Aproximately 30 days after retirement I learned the VA had lost my medical records after transfer from active duty. Today I live in NJ and my current Primary Care Manager changes every time I seek medical care.
After serving so long in the service I felt a bomb shell after leaving active duty. I found empolyment for half the pay which I earned previously but must do it to survive.
I know vetererans who face many difficulties such as PTSD, unemployment, housing deficiencies, while they return to civilian life. Statistics of these numbers should be even higher but I believe skills learned after many years in service motivates a person to keep going or not seek help.
Its a travesty in which myself and fellow vets ordeal but talk to a vet and majority will not give up and as a senior enlisted retired member who understands that after the Memorial day holiday, vets issues will be back on the, "back burner."
To my fellow vets, never give up.
Rudolph Gunther
(R)MSGT
"Oil Companies and Press in Bed Together?"
This article is another example of misdirection. When gas was $4.00 a gallon a 42 gallon refinery barrel was $140.00. I heard a representitive for an oil institute say the drop to around $2 a gallon was unprecedented. Then a reporter on CNN shows todays gas quote with last years $3.42 a gallon price gushing about what a reduction it was. Last year when gas was $3.42 a gallon oil per barrel had passed the $100 per barrel price. A year previous (2007) oil per barrel was $57 and gas was 93 cents a gallon. Which for those who don't know is where the price per barrel of oil is today. When per barrel prices for oil were at the level they were several months ago of $37 per barrel the last time we were paying 73 cents a gallon for gas. Keeping in mind that the oil companies haven't built a new refinery in 30 years. And what about all the oil that was parked off the coast on tankers because the oil companies said they didn't have refinery capacity? That wasn't bought at the higher price.
Why is the press (print and on air) not up in arms instead of blindly following the lead of the oil companies, all the data is on file for open research. I thought the press was supposed to be the watchdog of the country. I the dog napping or just being fed better by another master.
Well, compared to last year at $5.96 a gallon Canadian or $5.63 U.S. gallon (3.78 litres) now here at $3.66 (U.S. gallon) which I find a bargain here, I will be travelling for sure. Especially in Vermont, NH, and a few other New England states for our summer vacations. At an average of $2.50 US or $2.87 CDN a (US gallon) there........its gonna be a bargain basement vacation.
Complaining with the increases here, but there.....wow with little $0.10 a gallon hikes a week, its a steal.
AAA is trying to paint a pretty picture here. I don't see it. Oil corp. and spectulators are at it again. How many "billions" is enough?
I work at a restaurant and rising gas prices are cutting into business. With so many people worried about the economy, I don't expect a lot of people to travel. I'm already trying to drive less,
I hadn't planned on going anywhere for Memorial Day – gas prices may be lower still than last summer but they are still high enough to be a deterrent to me. If the gas had stayed at 1.60 a gallon (the low it got to here) then I might have considered a short vacation but not now with it over 2.00 again.
Gas companies are just ripping us off and the government wants to add more taxes! Aren't we taxed ENOUGH?????
No traveling for me...gas prices jumped up almost $.10 within the last week to the price of $2.65/gallon. I put in $24 worth yesterday when before I could fill it up for around $18.