OK... Per Google:
The Greater Toronto Area is a metropolitan area in Canada. At the 2011 census, it had a population of 6,054,191, and the census metropolitan area had a population of 5,583,064.
And area: 7,124 km² (Or 2,750.6mi2, ballpark say 200 kms around the perimeters for contingencies?
Stolen from... somewhere:
Say 2x 8hr crews (Skipper plus co-pilot plus... one steward(ess aka "flight attendants") per 40 passengers? Yes, more or less, per Air Canada:
http://gofar.aircanada.com/go-far-answers/question/fa-required-per-flight/
Sooo... Say 100 miles per trip, carrying <50 persons. Average 30 miles per trip plus 1/2 hour to unload/load each trip... over said time.
Say an average in flight time of... 3hrs and 30 minutes.
3.5 hrs flight time + .5hrs change passengers and crew. So two trips per shift, 8hrs per shift, times two shifts = 16hrs/day.
3.5 hrs flight time... Hmmm... I guess today air travellers often spend longer just for one trip, but paying typical ticket prices for that whole "experience" for traveling from A to B, often "round trip" vs. "once around" tourism (aka A to A)
Still haven't considered "mooring masts" (a structure designed to allow for the docking of an airship outside of an airship hangar or similar structure). Definition per Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mooring_mast
And again per Wikipedia, "The R100 at the mooring mast in MONTREAL, CANADA, 1930": r100
Can't forget about the Goodyear "Blimp"!
Turns out the "Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company just unveiled an all-new, state-of-the-art version of its world-famous icon, the Goodyear Blimp. The new airship is larger, faster, and more maneuverable and builds on the company’s legacy as the world’s leading builder and operator of airships.":
http://www.goodyear.com/cfmx/web/corporate/media/news/story.cfm?a_id=1003
And an "an unparalleled passenger experience."
Their newest *helium* airship "246 feet long, more than 50 feet longer than the previous blimps and just 18 yards shorter than an American football field."
Possible problem "The gondola delivers an unparalleled passenger experience with seating for up to 12 passengers and with improved viewing through larger, wrap-around windows, providing sweeping panoramic views. In addition, a new interior and seating will add to the ride’s comfort."
Interesting maybe:
In addition, the new airship has a top speed of 73 miles per hour, compared to the current maximum of approximately 50 miles per hour giving the blimp greater range to cover more events.
Very interesting:
This will be only the second blimp in history to get its name from a consumer naming contest. The first contest was held in 2006 and featured more than 20,000 unique names. The winning name, Spirit of Innovation, was given to the airship that now operates from Pompano Beach, Fla.
Reviews about the Pompano Beach airship ("home base of the "Spirit of Innovation" Goodyear Blimp, one of 3 blimps across the USA and one in China".):
http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attractio...oodyear_Blimp_Tour-Pompano_Beach_Florida.html
“Spectacular Experience!”
“Amazing to see up close.”
“FANTASTIC!”
etc., etc. from over one year ago (quiet since.)
And here:
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/iconic-goodyear-blimp-retires-after-daytona-500-2014-02-24
"DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Feb. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- After 14 years of filling the skies, the "Spirit of Goodyear" airship retired after the Daytona 500."
... 14 years useful life at the longest I guess?
And from that same PR release:
About The Goodyear Airship Fleet
Goodyear's blimps have adorned the skies since 1925 and are among the most recognizable brand icons, representing the largest tire company in North America. Today, the fleet consists of three North American airships – "Spirit of America" in Carson, Calif.; "Spirit of Goodyear" in Akron, Ohio; and "Spirit of Innovation" in Pompano Beach, Fla.
And:
Goodyear Blimp History
During its long operational history, Goodyear has built more than 300 lighter-than-air vehicles, including two large rigid airships – the U.S.S. Macon and U.S.S. Akron.
U.S.S. Macon:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Macon_(ZRS-5)
In part:
USS Macon (ZRS-5) was a rigid airship built and operated by the United States Navy for scouting and served as a "flying aircraft carrier", designed to carry biplane parasite aircraft, five single-seat Curtiss F9C Sparrowhawk for scouting or two-seat Fleet N2Y-1 for training. In service for less than two years, in 1935 Macon was damaged in a storm and lost off California's Big Sur coast, though most of the crew were saved.
And the USS Akron:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Akron_(ZRS-4)
USS Akron (ZRS-4) was a helium-filled rigid airship of the U.S. Navy that was destroyed in a thunderstorm off the coast of New Jersey on the morning of 4 April 1933, killing 73 of her 76 crewmen and passengers. This accident was the largest loss of life for any known airship crash. During her accident-prone 18-month term of service, the Akron also served as a flying aircraft carrier for launching and recovering F9C Sparrowhawk fighter planes.
Seems like lots of troubles "wind related" and "severe weather", and a much larger number of passengers (crew), so much larger vehicles than contemplated here, and perhaps "overbuilt" to carry many airplanes (and etc?) as well, as opposed to "in tourism service" vehicles perhaps.
And here:
http://www.airships.net/us-navy-rigid-airships/uss-akron-macon
The United States Navy airships U.S.S. Akron (ZRS-4) and U.S.S. Macon (ZRS-5) were designed for long-range scouting in support of fleet operations. Often referred to as flying aircraft carriers, each ship carried F9C-2 Curtiss Sparrowhawk biplanes which could be launched and recovered in flight, greatly extending the range over which the Akron and Macon could scout the open ocean for enemy vessels.
Great website about the history and design of airships BTW.
About Goodyear
Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. It employs approximately 69,000 people and manufactures its products in 52 facilities in 22 countries around the world.
"Approximately 69k folks..."By contrast, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) is a trade union that represents about 120,000 employees in the broader public service currently.
And:
http://opseugtac.com/what-gtac-is-what-gtac-does/
In OPSEU Region 5 (Toronto), approximately 35 locals are currently affiliated with the Greater Toronto Area Council (GTAC).
Can't figure out off hand how many union employees and politicians are in the GTA, but given the 6+ million population... probably waay larger that the Goodyear Tire co. number of employees. Plus the Goodyear vessels are primarily concerned with sporting events it seems.