Statistics Without Common Sense

[secritcrush]

I think I've finally realized why I can't stand fivethirtyeight.com. I was reading an an analysis which purports to tell you how to fly between places the fastest.Except they ignore the critical component in fast flights - is your flight direct or is there a connection. Direct flights are faster. Connecting in some airports is better than others. (

Comments

[barbarienne]

The same principles that recently prompted an op-ed in the NYTimes suggesting LaGuardia be closed down.

The comments on that one ran about 3:1 in favor of "You're an idiot."

[secritcrush]

Wow, that is a ridiculous suggestion.

[barbarienne]

His argument was concern for all the noise over Queens. My comment was "Why don't you ask north Queens residents what they think."

He seemed to think that JFK and Newark could absorb the additional passengers just fine. He's apparently unaware that a fully-loaded plane leaves LGA every 45 seconds (I know because I used to time them while I waited for my train in the morning.)

[rimrunner]

I had the one real honest-to-god anxiety attack of my life in Heathrow Airport. (Fortunately my husband, who used to be prone to them, was with me and recognized what was happening. I'll give Heathrow this, those lounge chairs in quiet areas are perfect when you need to freak out in peace.)

I've reached the point in my life (and, luckily, the financial wherewithal) to go direct as much as possible. For the MFA program I completed last year there were no direct flights from Seattle to Maine and almost every single trip involved a clusterfuck (one of which necessitated driving from Newark to Portland in the middle of the night, about six hours if you drive like I do, seven or eight if you're a sane person).

I think what I'm trying to say here is I hate transfers with a blinding passion and avoid them whenever possible.

[bedfull_o_books]

Heathrow is enough to give anyone anxiety attacks. Worst airport I've been through (and I've flown into Atlanta).

[secritcrush]

Yeah, it is quite awful. Especially landing after an too short to sleep overnight flight from the East Coast. It's been a while since I spent several hours queuing for immigration, but you never forget.

[secritcrush]

Woof - that would definitely put me off connections forever too.