Originally Posted by
Ultralight
I personally think its about time some of these essential air service routes were put under the microscope. I remember flying to a small airport where we were the only air carrier that served it. 8 TSA employees, 6 ground crew and the local government had to provide fire and rescue on the airport to meet the regulations.
Most flights had 3 or 4 passengers, sometimes none all day. Add all of this up then the operating cost of the aircraft itself and you have one hell of a government subsidy.
Sure it creates jobs but it phony economics.
I would agree with you in principle, but if you look at the overall national budget, the money spent on EAS is extremely small. Inefficient? Yes, but the sequester and EAS money with it is just politics. If you want to discuss economics alone, this conversation can be expanded to include Social Security, WIC, unemployment benefits, etc.