In order to commute to offshore oil rigs via helicopter you need to do a training course to learn how to escape a helicopter should it need to be ditched in the water. A large reason for this is that if its ditched it will likely invert as they are top heavy, which makes escape disorienting.<p>This is one certification:
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helicopter_Underwater_Escape_Training" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helicopter_Underwater_Escape_T...</a><p>I've always wondered if folks commuting by helicopter like this have to undergo any sort of training. Given the nature of non-redundant systems in a helicopter it seems like having an emergency plan is prudent. I've never been on a helicopter except to go to an offshore platform though.
Tl;Dr - helicopters are noisy and expensive to operate, but hopefully electric 'quad copter' like vehicles won't be.<p>The caveats being that batteries, air traffic control, and regulations have to change so in short, "I've your 25 today, perhaps your grand children will see a benefit here." :-(. Somehow I think even the hyperloop is nearer term than this technology, and its still out there.
Just a curiosity, in Brazil some executives are using ambulances for commuting[0].<p>[0] <a href="https://www.metrojornal.com.br/foco/2017/08/29/empresa-aluga-ambulancias-por-r-200-para-escapar-transito-em-sao-paulo.html" rel="nofollow">https://www.metrojornal.com.br/foco/2017/08/29/empresa-aluga...</a> (article in portuguese)
They could just extend the NJ PATH by 3 miles and make it a $3 ride to the airport.<p>The distance to any of the 3 major airports from Manhattan is quite short. The idea that we need helicopters to make good time is crazy. It doesn't scale.