MEMBERS'
FORUM
Skull Retouch
When Glenna Wilcox opened her Highroads
magazine in September, she was surprised to see a
familiar face peering out at her, that of the giant
white skull on Date Creek Road (See It, page 20).
She was especially pleased because just over two
years ago, she had taken it upon herself — with the
help of her husband and two grandchildren — to touch
up the skull’s faded paint job.
“I’m a native and I guess I hadn’t seen the skull
for 50 years. I just had to spruce it up. It had
been neglected for many years.”
Glenna J. Wilcox, Mesa
Mileage Misers
I want to comment on the article Lousy Mileage
in the September/October issue of Highroads.
We have a 2007 Lexus RX350 and previously owned
an RX300. The article quotes mileage figures
using the onboard computer. I calculate my mileage
by counting the miles driven between fill-ups
and dividing it by the number of gallons I put
in the tank to fill it. The article would have
been more meaningful if actual fuel economy had
been used.
L.McKinzie, via e-mail
My 2007 Honda Pilot claims an estimated 24 highway
miles per gallon. In reality, given my personal
driving habits, a round trip from Phoenix to Albuquerque
yields 20 mpg. Last week, however, I tried something
different. As I left Phoenix, I set the cruise
control for 65 mph and left it there for the entire
trip. Despite being passed by every semi, pick-up
and school bus on the highway, I resisted the temptation
to “punch it.” The result of my unscientific
test was that my gas mileage went from 20 to 26.5,
an increase of over 30 percent! From a numbers
standpoint, I saved 11 gallons of gas or approximately
$41, but lengthened the round trip by about 2 hours.
For me, using less fossil fuel was worth the extra
time.
L. Steffes, Glendale
Flight Fees
Your article regarding airline fees at Sky Harbor
(September/October, page 21) was very informative.
One thing I would have liked to have seen in
the chart is the cost to switch to another flight.
I think Southwest does not charge to change flights
but I suspect most others do.
G. Smith, via e-mail
Editor’s Reply… Confirmed flight change fees break
down as follows, according to representatives from
the following airlines: AirTran, $75; Alaska Airlines,
$100 ($75 online); American Airlines, $35; Continental,
$50 to $150 (depending on the flight); Frontier,
difference in fares; Southwest, difference in fares;
United, $75; US Airways, $50. Some airlines may
charge the difference in fares in addition to the
change fee, depending on the flight; prices are
for domestic flights. Information was accurate
at press time, but call the airline to confirm.
(Note: Where available, the above information reflects a lower "same day" fee, restricted to flight changes made the day of travel.)
