[News] Luton Airport fire

[seagullwedgee]

Arrested in connection with criminal damage, released on bail. If it’s criminal damage but not arson, then it suggests the owner must have known he/she had a potential electrical issue with the vehicle, maybe an MOT failure or an advisory, and had neglected to do anything about it. They have said the fire was either an electrical fire, or a fuel leakage. One would suspect not the latter because diesel is not flammable unless vaporised under pressure, and a drip from a tank onto the ground is not vaporised or under pressure. This all points to a known electrical problem, which the owner should have dealt with, but failed to, not realising the potentially catastrophic implications.

 

[HeaviestTed]

The article I read said he was arrested as a precaution- probably done nothing by don’t want him doing a runner maybe?

If there was 1,200 cars written off, not sure what the average car price is but according to google it is 39k - 1,200 * 39k = 46 million pounds, then add in the building, cancelled flights this has got to cost 100 million.

f***ing nightmare for the insurance company, 3rd party fire and theft hey?

 

[chickens]

One small point.

When people make these comparisons they don't tend to factor in that you don't need to buy the train....

No idea if this is true, because I haven't driven for years. Does the below seem accurate ?

The average cost of running a car is over £3,000 pounds a year.

Add parking and yearly 16% depreciation.

But if you own a car, then the car is a sunk cost. You own it whether you use it or not. My job requires a car, I can’t not have one. I would still rather take the train places if it was cost effective and reliable, no parking faff, can have a beer if I’m not with the kids, and time to read or listen to something (or heaven forbid even converse with any people I’m with)

Public transport has to be cheaper than the isolated journey costs of travelling by car. It isn’t. I’m getting in the car every time.

 

[Horses Arse]

The article I read said he was arrested as a precaution- probably done nothing by don’t want him doing a runner maybe?

If there was 1,200 cars written off, not sure what the average car price is but according to google it is 39k - 1,200 * 39k = 46 million pounds, then add in the building, cancelled flights this has got to cost 100 million.

f***ing nightmare for the insurance company, 3rd party fire and theft hey?

They'll be fine, we'll pay for it all via even larger premiums. I was staggered at how much mine had increased when it renewed on October 11th but couldn't find any cheaper options - circa 50% increase. Just as welll I renewed then, they'll be even higher now

 

[Horses Arse]

But if you own a car, then the car is a sunk cost. You own it whether you use it or not. My job requires a car, I can’t not have one. I would still rather take the train places if it was cost effective and reliable, no parking faff, can have a beer if I’m not with the kids, and time to read or listen to something (or heaven forbid even converse with any people I’m with)

Public transport has to be cheaper than the isolated journey costs of travelling by car. It isn’t. I’m getting in the car every time.

I could avoid having one, don't need it work work, I can walk to the end of my garden. So there's no really need. I feel like I need it to transport the dogs around, go on walks in the country side with them, but I could do that on the train I guess. I need it for holidays, but could hire a car on those occassions. Taking my son to his football matches would be a right pain, involve much more time and planning.

My car costs are around £3k per year including depreciation; £24k 2nd hand car, run for 15 years. Insurance, tax, servicing/tyres probably bring it up to £3k per annum. Two fortnight holidays would be £700 hire care costs a piece and I estimate that the additional circa 13k mileage I do would cost an extra £2k in public transport costs. So I'm slightly out of pocket without a car but increasing repairs as it gets older probably mean its equivalent costs, perhaps a few hundred more to run a car than not.

Time is valuable though, certainly when I work so many hours and commonly over the weekend. Hourly rate charged for my work and the amount of work I have on means it would be ridiculous to get rid of it right now. On retirnement maybe, and by the time this car dies I may be thinking more along those lines. But right now I don't see it. Plus the thought of shelling out £700 for holiday car transport each time would hack me off and not having the convenience of the car in winter would too.

I really am struggling to defend having 2 cars in the houshold though, plain daft. But have them so......

 

[Bob!]

I live a 45 minute drive from Stansted.
We currently take 2 x 45 minute buses from home to the airport.
At £2 a journey, £16 is a bargain compared to parking costs.

 

[chickens]

I live a 45 minute drive from Stansted.
We currently take 2 x 45 minute buses from home to the airport.
At £2 a journey, £16 is a bargain compared to parking costs.

Fantastic to hear of one cost effective public transport solution. Airports may be the exception that proves the rule, given the incredible rise in airport parking costs. That’s the one trip that (ironically, given the inciting incident for this thread) is cost effective via public transport.

However, in past years a frequent reason to be travelling to the airport was that the company travel expenses policy insisted we take the most cost effective method of travel to our destinations, and anything from Manchester onward was cheaper to fly to than take the train. If I’d been in charge of the rail network, I’d have considered that a colossal embarrassment.

 

[clapham_gull]

Interestingly in Central London (before the pandemic) car usage was massively down, but congestion had got worse

Three factors.

Uber (and competitors) who unlike Black Cabs don't have dedicated places to stop, so drive around waiting for the next fare.

Delivery drivers. Both to businesses and personal shopping being delivered to the work place.

Lastly construction. Everywhere you seem to look in London, something is being built. That closes roads and fills the roads with trucks.

You can fully understand the Mayor (and it would be the same for any party whatever they say) need to really limit "personal" car journeys in London.

The place is already full of vehicles doing other stuff.

Other factors. They've widened pavements and put in cycle lanes. It terms of moving people that's apparently very efficient - more people are now moving whether that is in a car or a bicycle.

Unfortunately the most efficient the bus often gets stuck behind a car. Logically personal car journeys may have to banned in the future in London, with only certain exceptions.

 

[HillBarnTillIDie]

very interesting

 

[schmunk]

very interesting

The car which started the Luton Airport fire wasn't an EV.

 

[RandyWanger]

They're using this to hike up the insurance for the rest of us sensible, environmentally conscious people who still drive an ICE car.

 

[LamieRobertson]

Interesting vid….pointing out the possibility of car park fire safety equipment not being up to scratch