That Was Fast

Let me put a few pieces of the puzzle together for you. There’s a new sheriff in town -- Barack Obama. His new deputy at the FAA, Randy Babbitt, says the FAA will stop calling airlines “customers” and this story shows up in USA Today.

Feds keep little-used airports in business

”Built using $11 million in federal money, the airport is used only by private airplanes.“

You can read the whole story if you so desire but I can sum it up for you pretty quickly. “Those rich guys flying in those dangerous little airplanes are delaying your airline flight.” Would you care to venture a guess as to who is bringing you this message ? What’s that you say ? The guys that are no longer “customers” ? You guys are fast !

”The result: Commercial travelers subsidize many airports they never use, says the Air Transport Association, the main U.S. airline trade group.

"The passengers who fly on airlines and the airlines are paying for projects at airports where we don't fly," association CEO James May says.“

I’ll give USA Today one “atta boy” for mentioning this:

”(Even so, the USA has 231,000 private airplanes — more than twice as many as every other country in the world combined, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.)“

The brackets (they are in the actual article) let you know that this is just a side issue that should be ignored. You should really listen to what the disgruntled ex-customer is telling you.

Do you doubt my sarcasm ? Really ?

”This year, the small airports are receiving a record $1.2 billion.

The escalating funding came as commercial hubs faced the worst airline delays ever. A multibillion-dollar plan to avert gridlock in the skies has been delayed because the U.S. government has spent too little money building a new system to guide commercial flights, former Federal Aviation administrator Marion Blakey says. “

That’s former FAA Administrator Blakey. USA Today just lost their “atta boy” for failing to mention her current job -- President and Chief Executive Officer of Aerospace Industries Association. By the way, who caused those “worst airline delays ever “ ? Is it just me or does it seem like I’m repeating myself ?

Don Brown
September 18, 2009

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