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Good Questions: Eggnog, Glue, & One-Way Plane Tickets

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Every Friday, we tackle a bunch of viewers' burning questions. This week, John Lauritsen explores one-way plane tickets, glue containers and eggnog.

Cliff of Inver Grove Heights wants to know: Why are one-way plane tickets so expensive?

This really depends on when you book a ticket. The closer you book to when your flight leaves, the more expensive it's going to be.

One theory is that airlines prefer you fly round-trip because it helps with scheduling. Travelers who buy one-way tickets with the intent of purchasing another one-way ticket for the return home make it difficult for airlines to figure out staffing. So the idea is that high one-way airfare helps with eliminate scheduling problems.

Another big reason is that it's a way for airlines to recoup the loss in case you buy a one-way ticket back from another airline.

Jared of Wadena wants to know: Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle?

Most glue doesn't stick to the inside of the bottle because it needs air in order to set. If you leave the cap off the bottle, or as the bottle gets close to empty and more air is allowed in, the glue will get stickier inside. In some glues a solvent is added that keeps the molecules in the glue from getting sticky until they are exposed to air.

Chloe of Mound asked: Why do they only make eggnog at Christmastime?

Here's a fast fact: eggnog sales have actually quadrupled over the past 50 years, but it's still only available about two months out of the year. The bottom line is that eggnog just doesn't sell once the holidays are over.

And that goes back to its history. By the 1800s, eggnog was commonly served at winter holiday parties. About 20 percent of yearly sales come during the week leading up to Christmas. After that, demand drops significantly. The next week, there are about half as many sales.

After New Year's Day, producers start getting rid of their unsold eggnog and begin looking forward to next Christmas.

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