Comments on: Essential Air Service – Thirty Years of Wasting Your Money http://crankyflier.com/2008/01/08/essential-air-service-thirty-years-of-wasting-your-money/ Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:15:10 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: james http://crankyflier.com/2008/01/08/essential-air-service-thirty-years-of-wasting-your-money/comment-page-1/#comment-71799 james Sat, 21 Mar 2009 07:16:28 +0000 http://crankyflier.com/2008/01/08/essential-air-service-thirty-years-of-wasting-your-money/#comment-71799 Consumer preferences...dont wanna fly a "tin can" While I can appreciate the comfort of a jet airplane and what ppl like...I think ppl lack the sense of using the right tool for the right job. Jet airplanes are not fuel efficient when used for flights under about an hour and fifteen minutes. The more fuel you use, the more it costs to operate the airplane. The larger and heavier the airplane the bigger the airport it needs. One day, fuel costs will rise to a point where if ppl REALLY want to fly somewhere, they will have to fly on a a turbo prop. Its a propellor driven by a jet engine. Its very safe, and very fuel efficient and is the proper tool for the short hops as being discussed. No they dont ride as well as the big airplanes. Does a Honda Civic ride as well a a Cadillac STS? No, do most of us reading these articles drive economy cars instead of luxury cars because owning a Caddy isnt cost effective, let alone realisitic?? If you wont pay to drive a Caddy because its unwise to spend so much on a car whats the difference with an airplane? Citing lack of safety isnt a choice either. The safety is proven. The biggest problem in the airline industry, aside from the obvious lack of management, is the consumer. Yes, the consumer. Because the consumer thinks that he/she "deserves" a cheap ticket price, and "deserves" to ride on a jet, they have helped force airline management to make bad decisions and use the wrong equipment for the wrong job. Therefore costing the business WAY too much money, and not charging the consumer enough. One day, and this day will be here sooner than anybody wants..air travel will revert back to the way it was in the early 1900's. Only the rich will fly, because they will be the only ones able to pay for the service. honestly, it should be that way now. Not because I want to see the rich get something nobody else does, but because the consumer needs to pay appropriately for the service being rendered. Accordingly, the airline needs to provide the the service that is being paid for. When everybody begins to pay for air travel for what its truly worth, everybody will be happier...except those that cant afford it as often, or at all. That will just mean a lifestyle change, like not buying an SUV. Aviation is a capital intensive industry, with very thin profit margins, for reasons previously discussed. Most ppl would agree, whether you have a business degree or not, the less capital you invest, and the higher the profit margin, the smarter the business...aviation, in its current form is exactly backwards...a little common sense and logic will explain why so many companies are failing, service is deteriorating, and routes are being cut. The first person to blame for these problems is staring right back at you in the mirror. Consumer preferences…dont wanna fly a “tin can” While I can appreciate the comfort of a jet airplane and what ppl like…I think ppl lack the sense of using the right tool for the right job. Jet airplanes are not fuel efficient when used for flights under about an hour and fifteen minutes. The more fuel you use, the more it costs to operate the airplane. The larger and heavier the airplane the bigger the airport it needs. One day, fuel costs will rise to a point where if ppl REALLY want to fly somewhere, they will have to fly on a a turbo prop. Its a propellor driven by a jet engine. Its very safe, and very fuel efficient and is the proper tool for the short hops as being discussed. No they dont ride as well as the big airplanes. Does a Honda Civic ride as well a a Cadillac STS? No, do most of us reading these articles drive economy cars instead of luxury cars because owning a Caddy isnt cost effective, let alone realisitic?? If you wont pay to drive a Caddy because its unwise to spend so much on a car whats the difference with an airplane? Citing lack of safety isnt a choice either. The safety is proven. The biggest problem in the airline industry, aside from the obvious lack of management, is the consumer. Yes, the consumer. Because the consumer thinks that he/she “deserves” a cheap ticket price, and “deserves” to ride on a jet, they have helped force airline management to make bad decisions and use the wrong equipment for the wrong job. Therefore costing the business WAY too much money, and not charging the consumer enough. One day, and this day will be here sooner than anybody wants..air travel will revert back to the way it was in the early 1900’s. Only the rich will fly, because they will be the only ones able to pay for the service. honestly, it should be that way now. Not because I want to see the rich get something nobody else does, but because the consumer needs to pay appropriately for the service being rendered. Accordingly, the airline needs to provide the the service that is being paid for. When everybody begins to pay for air travel for what its truly worth, everybody will be happier…except those that cant afford it as often, or at all. That will just mean a lifestyle change, like not buying an SUV. Aviation is a capital intensive industry, with very thin profit margins, for reasons previously discussed. Most ppl would agree, whether you have a business degree or not, the less capital you invest, and the higher the profit margin, the smarter the business…aviation, in its current form is exactly backwards…a little common sense and logic will explain why so many companies are failing, service is deteriorating, and routes are being cut. The first person to blame for these problems is staring right back at you in the mirror.

]]> By: TourPro http://crankyflier.com/2008/01/08/essential-air-service-thirty-years-of-wasting-your-money/comment-page-1/#comment-20928 TourPro Sun, 20 Jan 2008 12:42:59 +0000 http://crankyflier.com/2008/01/08/essential-air-service-thirty-years-of-wasting-your-money/#comment-20928 I see that the issue has reaching a tipping point when PNG's (people not in govt) start talking about it and breaking things down. You are the second person in the world that has associated BTV with PBG and SLK. According to EAS eligibility rules, our nearest airport is in New Hampshire, plus they don't even see Montreal which is right across the border. In my little microcosm, <a href="http://www.adirondackbasecamp.com/" title="Plattsburgh International to Lose Big Sky" rel="nofollow">we lost Big Sky</a>, but got smaller planes and a higher subsidy in return. Huh? Yup, that's right, more money, less plane. We now get the thrill of riding the essential ride on Cessna 9-seaters. Not that there's <a href="http://www.adirondackbasecamp.com/" title="Essential Air Service is Bad" rel="nofollow">anything wrong</a> with that. They are claiming to offer $65 rates to BOS, which is very competitive. But I have my doubts that they can sustain with increasing fuel and operational costs. Add the fact that our airport in Plattsburgh is now marketing nearly exclusively to Canadians going to Florida - a sudden currency fluctuation could turn that in to a loser quick. I see that the issue has reaching a tipping point when PNG’s (people not in govt) start talking about it and breaking things down. You are the second person in the world that has associated BTV with PBG and SLK. According to EAS eligibility rules, our nearest airport is in New Hampshire, plus they don’t even see Montreal which is right across the border.

In my little microcosm, we lost Big Sky, but got smaller planes and a higher subsidy in return. Huh? Yup, that’s right, more money, less plane. We now get the thrill of riding the essential ride on Cessna 9-seaters. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

They are claiming to offer $65 rates to BOS, which is very competitive. But I have my doubts that they can sustain with increasing fuel and operational costs. Add the fact that our airport in Plattsburgh is now marketing nearly exclusively to Canadians going to Florida – a sudden currency fluctuation could turn that in to a loser quick.

]]> By: Essential Air Service is Bad - Adirondack Base Camp - Travel, Tourism, Outdoors, News and Information for the Adirondack Region of New York http://crankyflier.com/2008/01/08/essential-air-service-thirty-years-of-wasting-your-money/comment-page-1/#comment-20927 Essential Air Service is Bad - Adirondack Base Camp - Travel, Tourism, Outdoors, News and Information for the Adirondack Region of New York Sun, 20 Jan 2008 12:33:45 +0000 http://crankyflier.com/2008/01/08/essential-air-service-thirty-years-of-wasting-your-money/#comment-20927 [...] 2: The Cranky Flier now chimes in with his analysis of EAS - check it out, he’s Google Mapped the airports. Now you can see how close you are to your [...] [...] 2: The Cranky Flier now chimes in with his analysis of EAS – check it out, he’s Google Mapped the airports. Now you can see how close you are to your [...]

]]> By: Upgrades and Downgrades — January 17, 2008 — Crash landings, better booze, and bad ideas that just won’t go away » Upgrade: Travel Better http://crankyflier.com/2008/01/08/essential-air-service-thirty-years-of-wasting-your-money/comment-page-1/#comment-20267 Upgrades and Downgrades — January 17, 2008 — Crash landings, better booze, and bad ideas that just won’t go away » Upgrade: Travel Better Fri, 18 Jan 2008 04:10:22 +0000 http://crankyflier.com/2008/01/08/essential-air-service-thirty-years-of-wasting-your-money/#comment-20267 [...] essential, and it’s doubtful that communities are really benefiting much from this. See both Cranky and Evan Sparks for thoughtful critiques. Evan suggests that, if you’re going to subsidize [...] [...] essential, and it’s doubtful that communities are really benefiting much from this. See both Cranky and Evan Sparks for thoughtful critiques. Evan suggests that, if you’re going to subsidize [...]

]]> By: CF http://crankyflier.com/2008/01/08/essential-air-service-thirty-years-of-wasting-your-money/comment-page-1/#comment-19786 CF Tue, 15 Jan 2008 15:37:44 +0000 http://crankyflier.com/2008/01/08/essential-air-service-thirty-years-of-wasting-your-money/#comment-19786 Nick - They do still run some flights with tags like that in the EAS system, but it's become less and less common. For example, I know they still run Phoenix-Prescott-Kingman. I think the biggest problem is that adding another stop can make it less compelling for someone to fly from there, so they'll drive to the nearest airport instead. It might work out up on some Montana routes, but I don't know. Nick – They do still run some flights with tags like that in the EAS system, but it’s become less and less common. For example, I know they still run Phoenix-Prescott-Kingman. I think the biggest problem is that adding another stop can make it less compelling for someone to fly from there, so they’ll drive to the nearest airport instead. It might work out up on some Montana routes, but I don’t know.

]]> By: Cindy http://crankyflier.com/2008/01/08/essential-air-service-thirty-years-of-wasting-your-money/comment-page-1/#comment-19683 Cindy Tue, 15 Jan 2008 06:12:29 +0000 http://crankyflier.com/2008/01/08/essential-air-service-thirty-years-of-wasting-your-money/#comment-19683 Pacific Wings / New mexico Airlines operate factory new Grand Caravan 208's configured for nine passengers. Roomy, excellent safety record and stillin production. Great little airline. Fly them weekly. Pacific Wings / New mexico Airlines operate factory new Grand Caravan 208’s configured for nine passengers. Roomy, excellent safety record and stillin production. Great little airline. Fly them weekly.

]]> By: Nicholas Barnard http://crankyflier.com/2008/01/08/essential-air-service-thirty-years-of-wasting-your-money/comment-page-1/#comment-19576 Nicholas Barnard Mon, 14 Jan 2008 22:42:48 +0000 http://crankyflier.com/2008/01/08/essential-air-service-thirty-years-of-wasting-your-money/#comment-19576 Hmm.. Puddlehopping. I remember back in the day when I used to fly into BGM there would be three 19 seaters that would leave at the same time from PIT (or maybe it was PHL..) one would go directly PIT-BGM, one would go PIT-ELM-BGM, and a third would go PIT-ITH-BGM. 1/3 or 1/2 of the plane would get off at one of those stops and the rest would continue on. I was listening to the podcast about the situation in Montana and I wonder if this would be a good solution, especially since these flights are flying around mostly empty.. Do airlines still do routings like this? I know I've seen Alaska Airlines, and Southwest do it.. Hmm.. Puddlehopping. I remember back in the day when I used to fly into BGM there would be three 19 seaters that would leave at the same time from PIT (or maybe it was PHL..) one would go directly PIT-BGM, one would go PIT-ELM-BGM, and a third would go PIT-ITH-BGM. 1/3 or 1/2 of the plane would get off at one of those stops and the rest would continue on. I was listening to the podcast about the situation in Montana and I wonder if this would be a good solution, especially since these flights are flying around mostly empty.. Do airlines still do routings like this? I know I’ve seen Alaska Airlines, and Southwest do it..

]]> By: CF http://crankyflier.com/2008/01/08/essential-air-service-thirty-years-of-wasting-your-money/comment-page-1/#comment-19228 CF Sun, 13 Jan 2008 16:46:01 +0000 http://crankyflier.com/2008/01/08/essential-air-service-thirty-years-of-wasting-your-money/#comment-19228 They used to have something like this in Hawai'i, but I believe it's changed. A few years back I flew from West Maui to HNL and there was no security. You arrived at the old interisland terminal which was separate from the rest of the terminals. We had to be screened before entering the main terminal. I believe they've done away with this now, and I doubt the government would go for it, but it's not a bad idea. They used to have something like this in Hawai’i, but I believe it’s changed. A few years back I flew from West Maui to HNL and there was no security. You arrived at the old interisland terminal which was separate from the rest of the terminals. We had to be screened before entering the main terminal. I believe they’ve done away with this now, and I doubt the government would go for it, but it’s not a bad idea.

]]> By: Nicholas Barnard http://crankyflier.com/2008/01/08/essential-air-service-thirty-years-of-wasting-your-money/comment-page-1/#comment-19055 Nicholas Barnard Sun, 13 Jan 2008 03:14:36 +0000 http://crankyflier.com/2008/01/08/essential-air-service-thirty-years-of-wasting-your-money/#comment-19055 I wonder if they should move some of these EAS flights outside of the TSA secure area. If we're really looking for cost savings those flights should arrive, then their passengers should be screened before going into the rest of the system. Sure its a bit logistically tricky, but you could set up some "unsecured" gates with not too much difficulty. More al la customs diversions. I wonder if they should move some of these EAS flights outside of the TSA secure area. If we’re really looking for cost savings those flights should arrive, then their passengers should be screened before going into the rest of the system. Sure its a bit logistically tricky, but you could set up some “unsecured” gates with not too much difficulty. More al la customs diversions.

]]> By: Gudrun http://crankyflier.com/2008/01/08/essential-air-service-thirty-years-of-wasting-your-money/comment-page-1/#comment-18032 Gudrun Tue, 08 Jan 2008 20:04:47 +0000 http://crankyflier.com/2008/01/08/essential-air-service-thirty-years-of-wasting-your-money/#comment-18032 interesting article, thank you for the in depth research and information. My in-laws live in Iowa, and have often used Mason and Fort Dodge as airports, not because they don't live closer to Des Moines, but because they can sometimes find cheaper flights. Also, flying out of a smaller airport is less stressful, I imagine. Personally, I like to choose a non-stop without a transfer, so for our annual trip to Park Rapids, MN, I prefer to fly to Minneapolis and drive 3.5 hours, instead of switching flights in Denver. I had no idea before reading this about the subsidies, but I agree that something needs to be done. That is a heck of a lot of money to spend on something that effects a rather small amount of passengers.... interesting article, thank you for the in depth research and information. My in-laws live in Iowa, and have often used Mason and Fort Dodge as airports, not because they don’t live closer to Des Moines, but because they can sometimes find cheaper flights. Also, flying out of a smaller airport is less stressful, I imagine. Personally, I like to choose a non-stop without a transfer, so for our annual trip to Park Rapids, MN, I prefer to fly to Minneapolis and drive 3.5 hours, instead of switching flights in Denver.

I had no idea before reading this about the subsidies, but I agree that something needs to be done. That is a heck of a lot of money to spend on something that effects a rather small amount of passengers….

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