Posted on 11/04/2011 7:26:03 AM PDT by thackney
No kiddin !
Like gold competing with stone for ballast on old sailing ships.
“We believe Keystone will go ahead, ultimately, although obviously it’s running into choppy waters here, but we believe it will happen.”
.......in 14 months it will!
A Boeing 747-8 Freighter lifts 154 tons and currently has the lowest ton-mile cost of any cargo aircraft. An airplane gets its maximum fuel economy flying at its best glide speed, although airliners do not fly that speed because of the other costs such as labor. A freighter flown by robots could be built much differently since it doesn't need to fly at 570 mph, doesn't need a pressurized cabin. Flying is the most energy efficient mode of transportation for a given speed. Automation can open new doors such as sky freight trains.
Speed is not necessary.
Compare the cost of air freight to a train.
Pipelines are about half the cost of trains.
What you suggest is a waste of resources and expense.
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