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[aaronjb]

Yet, we still have pilots and train drivers.

We only have the latter when they're not on strike for the third time in January..

[Kevin Wood]

Yet, we still have pilots and train drivers.

We only have the latter when they're not on strike for the third time in January..

All the more reason to make them obsolete, surely? Never met a computer that's joined a union. That's not to say they can't be as belligerent and awkward, mind...

[aaronjb]

Yet, we still have pilots and train drivers.

We only have the latter when they're not on strike for the third time in January..

All the more reason to make them obsolete, surely? Never met a computer that's joined a union. That's not to say they can't be as belligerent and awkward, mind...

I'd have replied earlier but our internet connection at work was being belligerent and awkward, as if to make a point! But yes.. so surely if it was so easy to automate them (and, considering they're easier than cars..) it would have been done already (which, I realise, was your point )

[Bigron]

Aaron, I suspect it is easy to do, bit the objections from the unions would make it near-impossible to implement - and we all would have to pay for all the drivers who went straight on benefits as a result! 

Ron.

[minifreek]

Have to remember - it is Wigan... LOL

Got a pier and everything

It has and its gt a road to it too..... Sadly the 'Pier' is just a little bit of wood sticking out nowadays.... George Orwell did Wigan proud once upon a time, so did George Formby come to think of it....

[TheBoy]

Aaron, I suspect it is easy to do, bit the objections from the unions would make it near-impossible to implement - and we all would have to pay for all the drivers who went straight on benefits as a result! 

Ron.

DLR seems to work OK

[aaronjb]

Aaron, I suspect it is easy to do, bit the objections from the unions would make it near-impossible to implement - and we all would have to pay for all the drivers who went straight on benefits as a result! 

Ron.

DLR seems to work OK

But the DLR was built from the outset to be automated, wasn't it?

I presume the rest of the network would need significant upgrades in signalling at least in order to support automated trains? Which is probably a bigger sticking point than those pesky fleshy human driver things..

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

No, it won't be here sooner than I think, anymore than the robots I used to see on tomorrow's world.

Where I think it will happen first is HGV's, no driver's salary to pay, no paid legal rest periods, trucks that can drive absolutely optimally to conserve fuel based on load weight, incline, traffic conditions etc. There must be a fortune to be made/saved in Europe's road based economy. I think we'll end up only using humans to do the few miles between localised depots and shops/delivery addresses.

Ultimately I think that personal car ownership will fade away for the masses, but changing mindsets will take at least a generation or two I think. I reckon that the millennials will probably be the last generation for which personal car ownership is the norm.

Please god let you be right. No more lorries overtaking each other on dual carriageways. Heaven.

They don't overtake. They just run along side each other for 20 miles.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Car sellers seem to have much the same attitude to their customers whatever car they sell,

It could be a £159 'clonker' parked on a run down piece of waste land or a £30000 luxury model. The salesman will still have the same sneering 'fu*k you attitude.

[STEMO]

Car salesmen lose interest in me very quickly. As soon as they appear, I say "I won't be needing the car supaguarded and I won't be needing gap insurance. It will be a cash sale, no finance".
There goes their kids Christmas presents. 

[Doctor Gollum]

Car salesmen lose interest in me very quickly. As soon as they appear, I say "I won't be needing the car supaguarded and I won't be needing gap insurance. It will be a cash sale, no finance".
There goes their kids Christmas presents. 

You're all heart

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Car salesmen lose interest in me very quickly. As soon as they appear, I say "I won't be needing the car supaguarded and I won't be needing gap insurance. It will be a cash sale, no finance".
There goes their kids Christmas presents. 

Yes...same here.

Finance/PCP deals is what they like best.

[X30XE]

How about alloy wheel cover sir?
Key cover sir?
Tyre cover sir?
Insurance cover for loss of self confidence as a result of your wife assuming you're dead and running of with the butcher because you've been so long buying this bastard car because "we have to tell you about these products because the FSA told us...  BULL FNARKING SPIT! They did not INSIST you try up-sell me; HORSERADISH!

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Car salesmen lose interest in me very quickly. As soon as they appear, I say "I won't be needing the car supaguarded and I won't be needing gap insurance. It will be a cash sale, no finance".
There goes their kids Christmas presents. 

When I bought my car they added this and about £4000 of other useless crap to the invoice. Perhaps they thought I wouldn't notice.

[Rods2]

Car salesmen lose interest in me very quickly. As soon as they appear, I say "I won't be needing the car supaguarded and I won't be needing gap insurance. It will be a cash sale, no finance".
There goes their kids Christmas presents. 

When I bought my car they added this and about £4000 of other useless crap to the invoice. Perhaps they thought I wouldn't notice.

I expect you paid it M'lud where it was not worth your time arguing over pennies.