Climate change has had a dramatic effect on EAA AirVenture (“Oshkosh”). High temperature today was 90 degrees, 12.5% higher (using God’s preferred temperature units) than last year’s 80 degrees.
How about prices? We parked a car at the seaplane base this morning. It’s $25 to park for the day, 67% more than the $15 charged a year ago (the Biden administration says that inflation is 3%).
Speaking of the seaplane base, here’s a Cessna that was previously parked in a tow-away zone:
…and some general photos…
Finally, three cheers for AirCam. With two people on board, the twin came off the water after about 100′ with no apparent transition from plowing to step!
“Gen 3 Aircam” looks like a flying canoe, ironically equipped with twin-engines for safety?
Beginning in late 2021 or early 2022, I noticed that the CPI figures pushed out by BLS don’t reflect prices for what I’m actually buying. Wondering whether the “market basket” they’re using contains a lot of foods & goods that folks no longer buy?? An article in the WSJ pre-COVID profiled one of the price trackers for BLS who shopped in western Pennsylvania, I think. The items she mentioned for CPI calculations were along the lines of Lunchables, Rice-a-Roni and the like — what I would avoid due to taste & nutrition, and what Americans may no longer buy too often. For a more controlled experiment, when a new ALDI arrived in my area in Nov 2021, the price of a 10-lb bag of Russet potatoes was $3.99, and on sale fairly often for $2.99. Over the past 2-3 mos it’s risen to $6.29, after incremental increases from $3.99 since 2022. So that’s up 58% in less than two years, using the regular price, and up over 100% over the frequent sale price over that 20 month period (and it’s been over 6 mos since it was a featured sale item). So I was walking by a famous boardwalk vendor of French fries today (I live in a resort area). Business owner & a Sysco guy were unloading about 15-20 boxes of potatoes (so astonishingly, he uses actual whole potatoes before the frying & the vinegar which is his signature condiment). I asked him how much those boxes have gone up since summer 2021. He thought for a moment before telling me, “I’d say about 40%. Transportation costs are pretty major due to weight.” Business owner clearly knows some basic economics! Janet Yellen told us inflation was “transitory” summer 2021, after Jen Psaki told us how a hot dog (which I don’t think Americans should eat EVER due to nitrates) had only gone up $0.15 since summer 2020. Beef & poultry & pork prices were on a tear at the time — they’ve since moderated considerably, so some things, especially eggs, have not risen much since 2022. Feds like Yellen say what they’re told to say by whoever doesn’t want to admit that food inflation is probably closer to what countries like France & England have been publishing since 2021 –which is in the 15% annual range. Car prices, car repairs, airline tickets, rental cars . . . normally the CPI should include those . . . but dunno
Just had some inflation in the severity of the weather forecast: “EAA AirVenture Oshkosh Weather Alert 7/27/23: The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm WATCH for Oshkosh until 11 pm. The storm is expected to hit our area between 9 and 11 p.m. These storms could bring 1-2″ hail, damaging 70 mph winds, heavy rain, and isolated tornados. Please stay tuned for additional updates and take the proper precautions if you are attending or camping at AirVenture.”
I’m going to guess that 2″ hail won’t interfere with the party at the SOS Brothers beer tent. Let’s hope that the bartenders’ bikini tops can handle a small tornado.
How was the hail? At my place hundreds of miles East to Oshkosh forecast too promised two nights of storms with up to 2 inch hail but it failed to materialize. There were 20 one night of something that looked like wet snow and strong rain, I would not know if I did not catch it on camera.
There were 20 one night of something that looked like wet snow and strong rain = There were 20 minutes of heavy rain / possibly wet snow one night
October last year my A/C unit started having problems. I got a quote of $8500 for 3 ton American Standard, but could not put it in. Last month i called the same company to replace the unit, but they said the price is increased and i paid $11500 for the same unit.
that 35% price hike in just 8-9 mos is pretty steep, but I’m seeing inflation close to that range for car repairs/maintenance, e.g., new tires, brake pads & other parts (especially if they have to be brought from elsewhere — there are transportation costs, including labor for the drivers who run parts up & down the area). Biden hasn’t bought a car since that Corvette, probably, so he has no idea how much the price of a ride has gone up. Anecdotally, neighbors on that “NextDoor” site seem to be in shock at how much more a new heat pump or kitchen appliance is costing them than a few years ago.
haven’t purchased a new vehicle since 2015, but happened upon “5 Ways That Buying a Car Has Drastically Changed” headline in July 29-30, 2023 edition of WSJ. Includes 1. slim pickings 2. stubbornly high prices 3. lower industrywide sales 4. fewer lease deals 5. more expensive used cars. I have been hearing complaints non-stop since late 2021 from tradespeople looking for a pickup & neighbors looking at a sedan or SUV that they have sticker shock when shopping for a new or used vehicle.
Manufacturing deflation snatches another 3% core reading from the 20% housing inflation. The party continues.