AA Flight MIA-MDE last night was Empty First Time I have seen that......

RAAAY says on Feb 8, 2008, 06:44:

...' It's the economy stupid "................at least that's what everybody here in Florida are saying................thankfully I'm leaving to go back to Medellin today. So many people here are depressed and feeling the pinch.

Today's U.S Today...

." January retail sales were dismal across the board, and the International Council of Shopping Centers said it was the worst January showing since at least 1970 "


People are cutting back on non-essential spending..........restaurants are dying.......car hire companies have loads of cars.......hotels are charging off-season prices............Everybody I've talked to here are filled with negativity........It's no surprise that foreign travel will be affected............


.

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

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Catfish35 says on Feb 8, 2008, 06:45:

The economy is the tank man! When was the last time you heard UPS moaning? Until things get better you see a lot more weird stuff. Generally speaking peeps are scared to death right now.
All my friends including myself are down in the restaurant hospitality industry. Our vendors are down!
This is both warm and cold climates.
Checked your credit card interest lately? People aren't paying their bills. My restaurants are damn near a 70/30 Credit card to cash ratio for the first time ever!
But Exxon, Halliburton, and the like have done pretty good on US soldier death money.
But hey, once we get that $300 back from the new tax plan thats gonna save the day!
Be patient and don't give up before the miracle happens!

"So many guns, and so few brains". sam spade

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nine inch nails says on Feb 8, 2008, 08:07:

People finally starting to tighten their belts out of need. Visited my local Irish Pub here last night (Rooney's) and was 1st time I saw so few people in there plus waitresses seemed disappointed with amount of tips.

In Supertarget always see people upset looking because they have to spend some money on essentials. I clipped an article in 2001 entitled "Wretched Excess" so true about our consumer society.

Hope the very greedy feel the brunt the most.

get down, get down. are you afraid of the boogie monster?

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El Piloto says on Feb 8, 2008, 08:50:

AA's capacity on MIA-MDE is double what it was last year (2 737s a day instead of just 1) so it's not surprising to see a load factor around 40% during an off-peak time of year like now.

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donmia says on Feb 8, 2008, 09:00:

i think it's mixed on the economy, but one thing i can say for certain is that for the last 5 years i have never been able to get around Miami so quickly. Living in South Beach, the traffic just isn't that bad - which means tourists aren't visiting, but neither are the snowbirds.

i'd say it's down 30% (just a guess). We're not out completely, but it is definitely down. Even from two months ago.

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Catfish35 says on Feb 8, 2008, 09:10:

I was being sarcastic about the $300...did everyone else get that? Sorry.
Its "off" season in South America El Piloto? Hmmm.

"So many guns, and so few brains". sam spade

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tomtom33 says on Feb 8, 2008, 09:30:

It is off season in Cartagena from now until Semana Santa.

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Catfish35 says on Feb 8, 2008, 10:00:

I guess so...Just figured it followed the snow birds, fishing season, and weather, when compared to the good ole' US of A. BUTT, hey whadda I know, I'm just a wino!

"So many guns, and so few brains". sam spade

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RAAAY says on Feb 8, 2008, 10:13:

Domino...........I spent last night in South Beach..........half-empty restaurants........no crazy traffic like before........sidewalks were sparse with foot traffic.........$250 for the hotel which cost me $450 the last time I stayed there..........even the restaurant I ate at seemed cheaper..............Florida is seriously hurting.........A friend told me of three seperate incidents of people jumping off those highway bridges............which I took with a grain of salt............another person told me the same story.........so.......I don't know........seems like it might be true.............despite my difficulty in believing it.

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

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El Piloto says on Feb 8, 2008, 10:24:

This is an off-peak time of year for the airline industry. There will be some leisure-oriented routes (i.e. domestic travel to South Florida) that see spikes in demand over Presidents Day weekend and then in March for spring break. But, yes, overall, late January/early Feb. is off-peak as far as air travel demand is concerned.

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Catfish35 says on Feb 8, 2008, 10:33:

Cool, I'll take it and stand corrected!

Just talked to some people up in Costa Rica...The prepagos are screaming for the gringo's say they never have seen it this bad! Whats the other term? Fufarufa's or something like that?

"So many guns, and so few brains". sam spade

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Waterdawg says on Feb 8, 2008, 11:12:

Just came back from a Chicago trade show .. " SLOW " to say the least . Peso at 1928 is not good when you have to compete in the Inter National Market place ! .. The jump from Houston to Bogota had about 40 folks on a 737 ..

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rocinante says on Feb 8, 2008, 11:28:

I think the peso will hit a low of 1400 by November and recover to 2000 by end of 2009. I'm the new GIB.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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podborski says on Feb 8, 2008, 12:53:

1400????!!!! What??!!! .....maybe you were right.....once in your ......life......but I doubt it...........did you get dropped.....on your head......as a baby?..............

I'm the new RAAAY. : )

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Costa Rica Jones says on Feb 8, 2008, 14:11:

Holy chit!

The kids might have to go without cable and Dad might have to sell the boat !!!

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Waterdawg says on Feb 8, 2008, 14:15:

I will tell you this : If the Peso drops to 1400 , I will close my doors and put a whole bunch of really great Colombian workers on the street . Signed Waterdawg !

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gringoloid says on Feb 8, 2008, 14:37:

I'm the new Miguel_Clavo and you're all fulla chit.

..........just my opinion.

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manINred says on Feb 8, 2008, 15:07:

h

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panthdave says on Feb 8, 2008, 19:09:

Well I flew Copa MIA=-Panama-Medellin two weeks ago was jammed packed..and remember last year February and March the plane was packed.....So just was commenting what I noticed Thursday evening..from MIA-MDE on American Famous Happy Hour 923...

panthdave Miami

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manINred says on Feb 8, 2008, 19:25:

trying to understand the airline industry is impossible at times. Let's just hope that the empty seats will translate into lower prices.

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nine inch nails says on Feb 8, 2008, 20:45:

CF35,

Are you serious about the pre-pagos hurtin in CR? That's hilarious.

They've been wantin too much dinero lately, now I guess supply and demand catching up to them.

get down, get down. are you afraid of the boogie monster?

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rocinante says on Feb 9, 2008, 07:59:

I stand by my prediction. Podborski you are a riot. I wish I had read more of the fued but I do limit my reading here to posts that are interesting, amusing or contian substance.

Anyone want to bet on the next US president?

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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RAAAY says on Feb 9, 2008, 08:02:

$1 on Obama............alough I hope it's Clinton

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

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rocinante says on Feb 9, 2008, 08:06:

Ray - You've got action!

I said it before, US president really doesn't matter.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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podborski says on Feb 9, 2008, 08:08:

I'll put a bottle of wine on Mcain. Not sure I even like the guy, I just think he's the 'safe' choice for the average person. I think his being liberal (apparently) will help him win a lot of democrat votes.

I put the odds at about 50 50 though.

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RAAAY says on Feb 9, 2008, 08:25:

So.......$1 from Roc.......and a bottle of wine with Pod..........can I choose the wine...??

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

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podborski says on Feb 9, 2008, 09:37:

you can choose the wine from the following 2 RAAAY: and you have to choose now, not after the election!

2006 Altos Las Hormigas Malbec Reserva (if you don't feel soooo confident)(90 points-Wine Advocate, cheap)

2004 Achaval-Ferrer Finca Bella Vista Malbec (single vineyard) (if you really feel like you're going to win) (97 pts Wine Advocate, expensive)

But what do I get if I win the bet? You'll have to come up with a similar wine available in colombia. It'll be a lot more expensive there...

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slguy says on Feb 9, 2008, 09:47:

I'd be VERY surprised if a Dem occupies the White House next.

Obama? charismatic, bright, seemingly a a good guy - but wet the behind the ears on the global stage. also, he's black. I think NH showed us that this country will talk a good game, but when it comes down to it, I don't see a black man elected yet- Obama, I think, needs a little more seasoning before he's a keeper.

Hillary? Too many negatives. I don't think she's electable, against McCain, anyway. Against a loopier Republican (Huckabee or Ron Paul) maybe - but not against a mainstream, credible, centrist candidate. BUT- Hillary isn't good at taking no for an answer...so maybe this gets VERY interesting at the convention.....

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

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robi666 says on Feb 9, 2008, 09:48:

Pod... you don't know where you are throwing yourself into...

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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MitchAlvarez says on Feb 9, 2008, 09:51:

if mcain the flip flopping 80 year old who wants to keep us in iraq for 100 more years is the safe choice then we have issues.

"Ingrid callate la jeta!! Stay in France"

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tomtom33 says on Feb 9, 2008, 09:53:

"...US president really doesn't matter." Unless you are a bitter Democrat. Then all the evils of the world fall at the feet of George W. Bush.

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RAAAY says on Feb 9, 2008, 10:04:

Pod

I'll go with the Malbec Reserva................For you.......in the highly unlikely event that I would ever be wrong about anything.............might I suggest a 1999 Beaune Du Chateau Premier Cru..............You'll be very happy with this and even happier with a Dem President.


I would have liked to have gotten away with some eye-talian shite wine.........but that would'nt be fair to make you drink their piss................................weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee hello Robi

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

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robi666 says on Feb 9, 2008, 10:28:

Raaay,
I got a power of attorney by Pod in my email. When can I make a visit to your apartment and personally choose the bottle for Pod?

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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robi666 says on Feb 9, 2008, 10:31:

Tomtom,
an hacker stole your password and changed the picture on your profile. No more the fine silhouettes we were used to admire. There is a monster in it right now...

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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tomtom33 says on Feb 9, 2008, 12:56:

Yes, Robi. I thought I'd torture you for awhile with a photo of me and an amiga in the pool yesterday. I will change it soon.

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slguy says on Feb 9, 2008, 13:05:

Mitch, McCain isn't 80- not has he said anything, ever, about staying in Iraq for 100 years- unless he whispered it in your ear...;)

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

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podborski says on Feb 9, 2008, 15:33:

ok you're on RAAAY, although sounds like I am getting odds in my favour : )

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MitchAlvarez says on Feb 9, 2008, 16:42:

he has talked about keeping our troops in iraq for that time yes.

and ok so hes not 80 but he sure looks it.

"Ingrid callate la jeta!! Stay in France"

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RJQuilla says on Feb 9, 2008, 17:45:

I think travel is down. Avianca is sending me emails daily on deals to latin american from florida.

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jonas says on Feb 9, 2008, 18:07:

is it only the return flight being so empty ? ;-)

What I have, I do not want to lose, but Where I am I do not want to stay, but those I love, I do not want to leave, but those I know I no longer want to see, but Where I die, I do not want to go;I want to stay where I have never been

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Robert Jorge says on Feb 10, 2008, 00:06:

My bet would be McCain. No way Hillary - barring something crazy happening.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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RAAAY says on Feb 10, 2008, 08:11:

slguy says on Saturday February 9th, 2008 13:05:

Mitch, McCain isn't 80- not has he said anything, ever, about staying in Iraq for 100 years- unless he whispered it in your ear...;)


.

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

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gringoloid says on Feb 10, 2008, 09:33:

the u.s. will be in iraq forever. you don't blow up the world trade center......move the headquarters of Halliburton to Dubai........just for a temporary war.

Btw, al queda, about ten thousand strong, poorly led, not one airplane, not one naval vessel, and not one armored vehicle. Why is it going to take a hundred years?

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RAAAY says on Feb 10, 2008, 09:43:

Gringoloid.............I'm sure you have seen coverage of the Troubles in Northern Ireland...........30 years of terror............The security forces have stated that they believe there were no more than 150 IRA on active service at any one time.

Iraq is a breeding ground ..........they'll never go away...........The U.S. can look forward to pouring billions upon billions into Iraq for many, many many years to come..............buy Halliburton stock.............it's going nowhere but up


.

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

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MitchAlvarez says on Feb 10, 2008, 09:47:

Biggest mistake i made was voting for bush because i didnt really agree with Kerry.

This time around I certainly cant afford to make the same mistake. No f'in way am i voting for mcain.

"Ingrid callate la jeta!! Stay in France"

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gringoloid says on Feb 10, 2008, 10:00:

I agree.......as for some of my conspiracy theory investor ideas; i'm into 3 major areas.......one third in precious metals in case of a currency recall because of this amero thing, one third in China, India stocks and evil banker, war monger stocks like Halliburton, and just in case of a serious deflation and this is an outside chance but still very possible I cover my ass with zero coupon bonds.

I made money during this market downturn with this portfolio.

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gringoloid says on Feb 10, 2008, 10:08:

My point on Iraq was that al queda is just a 'cover', front man kind of enemy so as to be able to go in for the ocean of oil sitting there very near the surface and easy to get to. Also the London banking cartel wants to move its base from London to Jerusalem and you can't have a guy like Saddam a few hundred miles away threatening the worlds financial system.

These Iraqis have been turned over to one conquerer after another since long before the time of Alexander the Great.

If al queda suddenly retired, i'm sure the CIA would recruit some more so to keep the scam going.

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Mike19 says on Feb 11, 2008, 19:03:

I'm a survivor of 9-11, I worked in tower 2 that morning and I say get out of Iraq and lets concentrate on opening trade with Colombia and Peru. I would have bombed the %$^&% out of afghanistan instead of going into iraq.

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