[Craziaskowboi]

Does it seem kind of ridiculous to anybody else that you can drive I-20 from Birmingham all the way to its western terminus at I-10 in the west Texas desert without crossing into a different time zone? Does it also seem a bit odd that Phenix City is in a different time zone than Columbus, GA right across the river? Or how about being able to change time zones in southern Indiana by driving north or south?

Every time zone is supposed to be approximately 15° of longitude (360/24 = 15), and the closest line of longitude that's a multiple of 15 is 90°W, which passes well to the west of the Alabama/Georgia line. In fact, it passes west of the Alabama/Mississippi line as well, which illustrates just how absurd the current time zone boundary setup is.

Since 90°W passes directly through the urbanized areas of Memphis and New Orleans, it's not wise to place the time zone boundary there, so the best place for it would be the Alabama/Mississippi state line since there are no urban areas along it, and it's not too far to the east. For continuity's sake, this would also require all of Indiana to go Eastern, as well as Kentucky and Tennessee east of the Tennessee River.

Good idea, huh?

[ttownfeen]

I agree, Alabama and Middle Tennessee are on the same longtitude as the part of the Midwest that is part of the Eastern time zone. but for some reason the line veers east in Kentucky.

[Newsboy]

Would you believe most of Georgia used to be in Central Time?

File:Time zone map of the United States 1913.tif - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Also, per your question about Phenix City, several Alabama cities and counties that border Georgia observe Eastern, not Central, Time. These include Phenix City and eastern Russell County; Valley, Lannet and eastern Chambers County; and Smiths Station and eastern Lee County. Also, though unofficial, many people in Cleburne County (on I-20 at the state line) also observe Georgia time.

[Weichert]

I don't care. Use whatever.

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by Gnutella

Does it seem kind of ridiculous to anybody else that you can drive I-20 from Birmingham all the way to its western terminus at I-10 in the west Texas desert without crossing into a different time zone? Does it also seem a bit odd that Phenix City is in a different time zone than Columbus, GA right across the river? Or how about being able to change time zones in southern Indiana by driving north or south?

Every time zone is supposed to be approximately 15° of longitude (360/24 = 15), and the closest line of longitude that's a multiple of 15 is 90°W, which passes well to the west of the Alabama/Georgia line. In fact, it passes west of the Alabama/Mississippi line as well, which illustrates just how absurd the current time zone boundary setup is.

Since 90°W passes directly through the urbanized areas of Memphis and New Orleans, it's not wise to place the time zone boundary there, so the best place for it would be the Alabama/Mississippi state line since there are no urban areas along it, and it's not too far to the east. For continuity's sake, this would also require all of Indiana to go Eastern, as well as Kentucky and Tennessee east of the Tennessee River.

Good idea, huh?

No, not a good idea. Why would the counties in the NW part of the state considered part of the Chicago metro area want to be on a different time zone than Chicago? Makes no sense just to have continuity.

[Dude111]

Originally Posted by ttownfeen

I agree, Alabama and Middle Tennessee are on the same longtitude as the part of the Midwest that is part of the Eastern time zone. but for some reason the line veers east in Kentucky.

Yes it IS strange isnt it??


Technically BAMA should be EASTERN TIME!! (@ least some of the state)

[sleepless in Bham]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

Would you believe most of Georgia used to be in Central Time?

File:Time zone map of the United States 1913.tif - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Also, per your question about Phenix City, several Alabama cities and counties that border Georgia observe Eastern, not Central, Time. These include Phenix City and eastern Russell County; Valley, Lannet and eastern Chambers County; and Smiths Station and eastern Lee County. Also, though unofficial, many people in Cleburne County (on I-20 at the state line) also observe Georgia time.

I didnt know that about GA..interesting.

Those East Alabama counties you mention are also included in Georgia TV markets.

Russell, Chambers, Lee and Barbour counties are in the Columbus, GA market.

TRUCK ADS® | Columbus (GA) TV Designated Media Market Area Map | Mobile Billboards | Truck Side Advertising

Cleburne and Randolph counties are in the Atlanta TV market.

TRUCK ADS® | Atlanta TV Designated Media Market Area Map | Mobile Billboards | Truck Side Advertising

Those TV stations are of course run programming on an eastern time schedule.

[beenhereandthere]

The boundaries have to be drawn somewhere. There really isn't anywhere in Alabama, besides maybe Phenix City, that justify a need to do that.

[cpg35223]

Let's see. This morning I had to wake up in darkness at 6 a.m. It was barely dawn at 7 a.m. when I took my son to school. Why on earth would I want to wake up two hours before dawn instead of one? That makes zero sense.

[sleepless in Bham]

Originally Posted by cpg35223

Let's see. This morning I had to wake up in darkness at 6 a.m. It was barely dawn at 7 a.m. when I took my son to school. Why on earth would I want to wake up two hours before dawn instead of one? That makes zero sense.

I think its not that complicated. Like right now it would be 7:25 if Alabama were on eastern time. So sunset would be closer to 8pm. The only thing that would change for most of us is just moving clocks an one hr forward.

Television programming would change slightly with morning shows like "The Today Show", "Good Morning America", and "CBS Morning News" being aired live, instead of tape delay. Prime time shows would start at 8p, the late news would be at 11p.