Originally Posted by
dn_wisconsin
It has nothing to do with the government thinking everyone should fly. Those routes are supplemented because without that money no airline would fly into those cities. If no airlines goes there people can't travel and things can't get to and from those cities very easily. The biggest problem is getting things to these cities in winter. Have you ever driven in Upper Michigan when its -15 and a blinding snow storm? When I flew the Beech we would take everything from live fish to baby chicks just so they wouldn't die in the long drive in the back of a semi. So this money has nothing to do with wanting people to fly it has to do with keeping communities going and giving them a way to get out!!!! Again have you ever been to some of these cities? There is a reason why you probably haven't. Just take apart EAS......Essential Air Service. It's essential for these communities to have the flights.
Don't take this personally, but there's so much wrong with your argument, it's no funny!
First and foremost, if people can't afford to pay to fly from a particular city then they shouldn't be flying!!!!
Second, most of the EAS routes aren't in Michigan and don't face blinding snow storms. Why would you want to fly in a blinding snow storm anyway?
Third, I don't know about baby chicks (and why do they have to come from Michigan?), but I have shipped live fish and if you package them right they can survive 72 hours in below zero temperatures. Trucks can make it coast to coast in 72 hours...
Finally, I have been to several EAS cities and most of them are within 2-3 hours driving distance of a major airport and have an interstate within a few miles. Exactly why is it essential that they have air service when it's just as easy to drive?
The only valid argument for EAS to certain communities
might be to provide access for military bases and personnel who might not otherwise have air service.