I haven't seen 5hr daily minimums in the Orlando market, but daily minimums have always been an issue when costing out renting a plane for a family trip.
In the old days, there was a mix of planes that were used for training and those that were for traveling. Now, it's hard to find planes other than 172 and warriors. This is the area where I think AOPA is smart to bring up flying clubs.
Originally Posted by
Std Deviation
Many people just vanish after they get their license. It's crazy. They spend all this time and money (and I'm talking recreational not those on a pro track) and then it comes to a halt.
I believe minimums required to keep the A/C overnight are one reason. Want to fly from Dallas to Houston for the weekend? Schools want 5 hours per day on Sat and Sun. Which is 2x the actually flight time.
I get the need for profit but it does discourage rentals.