June 29, 1977

Deregulation Lowers Transatlantic Air Fares

President Jimmy Carter's first steps toward de-regulation of business and industry make it easier for Americans to get out of the country.

The Civil Aeronautics Board has decided to let the privately-owned Laker Airways of Great Britain land in the United States starting Sept.  26 - thus providing low-cost transatlantic flights in competition with Pan American, TWA, and the government subsidized British Overseas Airline.

The American airlines screamed but finally were forced to lower their transatlantic fares a hundred dollars or more.  It is ironic that the capitalist giants dread a free-market - but more of this in a future column.

Laker sells a no-frill, first-come flight at a price no one understands.  Perhaps it will not be able to book capacity flights continuously; and, in the end, will succumb to over optimism.  Until then, American and British travelers will be able to visit abroad at hardly more than a cross-country local tour.

It is a special bargain for U.S. tourists because the British pound was devalued last winter to $1.70 - the lowest exchange in history.  Comparable goods and services in England now are nearly half the U. S. rate.

I heartily recommend a trip to Great Britain as the first or only venture overseas.  It is a delightful, civilized foreign country without a language handicap for Americans.

Much of present day United States has its roots in Great Britain - political and social customs in addition to language.  Thus there is a heritage for Americans regardless of family origin.

This heritage has so many ties with the United States that the English Tourist Board, 4 Grosvenor Gardens, London SWIWODU, has printed a map of the American Heritage Trail.

As I discussed in a recent column, the British ties to American history are so numerous, and in so many out-of-the-way places, that only a self-drive auto tour can take them in.

For those of you who have asked for additional information about auto touring in the British Isles, following are the costs incurred by me and my wife last month.

Our round trip fare from Cleveland for 90-day reservation tourist class was $794, including trip insurance.  Now you can reduce this expense by about $200 for a couple.

We rented a Ford Escort car from Swan National of Great Britain in advance through the air line.  This gave us the advantage of the lower exchange rate and, also, unlimited mileage.  Our total cost for car rental, including collision and liability insurance, was $205 for 17 days during which time we drove 3,400 miles.  Gas and oil expense was $105.  During a week in London we used the subways and buses.

Driving in Great Britain is unnerving the first day.  The steering wheel is on the right side of the car, and traffic proceeds in the left lane.  Making a right turn unhinges all driving instincts.  After a couple of near misses, however, you pay attention and manage satisfactorily.

We drove a four-cylinder stick-shift car because they are the cheapest and I wanted to gain some experience with compact, high-mileage cars.  I averaged.30 miles per U.S. gallon, but the pick-up was so sluggish it constituted a danger in passing.

Mrs. Williams found that shifting and clutching on the left, in addition to the unfamiliar "backward" traffic patterns, was uncomfortable.  She recommends a six-cylinder, automatic transmission, and hang the cost.  She also cautions that drivers should have "zebras" and "round abouts" explained before venturing onto the highways.  The most detailed road maps are sold for 25 cents at Shell gas stations.

To tour Britain extensively, you will have to deal with "bed-and-breakfast" accommodations - something like our old tourist homes with a hefty morning meal.

The American and British automobile associations have directories of hotels and inns, and their listings are trustworthy.

B&B, however, is much more interesting even though you occasionally have to settle for something squeamish.  On the whole our experience was fun - once you got the knack of sharing a single bathroom with the host and other guest families.  The small town and farm B & Bs were the best.  The hosts were more friendly and furnished little touches such as fresh flowers in your room, tea and cookies in late evening while you watched television, hot-water bottles tucked into your bed on cold nights and help with your luggage.  Many pubs offer over night lodging and friendly fellowship.

We averaged $12.65 per night.  This included a huge breakfast in the morning invariably consisting of canned orange juice, corn flakes, English bacon (including the tenderloin), sausage, eggs, either grilled tomato or baked beans, toast, butter, marmalade, and tea.  If you can eat the whole breakfast you can snack the rest of the day.  Make sure you ask that the bacon be fired crisp else you will get it half raw, English style.

For our lunch and dinner, we liked to buy food from the supermarkets, bakeries and delicatessens.  Local cheese, meat patties, bread, cakes, fruit and Cadbury chocolate - washed down with wine - is gourmet eating at hamburger prices.

English restaurants are just as bad as American eating places - stay out of them as much possible.  Harrad's department store in London serves the best meals at reasonable prices.  Our total cost for food and drink, including those times we did eat out, was $385 for 23 days.

Our miscellaneous expenses were $101 for a round-trip ferry to Ireland; $87 for admissions, including a stage show in London; $22 for miscellaneous transportation; and $53 for slide film and developing.

In all we would have spent $1,858 at the lower air fare for 24 days in England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland.  We also spent several hundred dollars on gifts because crystal, china, silver and wool are almost half price.  This expense, of course, varies with individual travelers.  Mailing is reliable and saves the value-added tax.

May and September are the best travel times - in my opinion - simply because there are no crowds and the weather is good.

De-regulation of air fares and the undervalued British pound may be short-lived.  So take advantage of them this Fall, if you can.  Carter may have second thoughts.

Author: Lindsey Williams