Previous Bravo Blog...

The airlines. They're killing themselves. And it's playing right into our hands as general aviation pilots and users. Allow me a little comparison, please...

It started with the food. Wait. No free food on flights? The announcement sent the mainstream media into a tizzy.

After years of complaining about how bad airline food was, suddenly we were upset it wouldn't be handed over to us free of charge on each flight! As far as I can tell, we've either learned to live without "chicken or pasta."

Last time I checked... those homemade sandwiches were just perfect for a long cross-country in a 182. So was the $100 burger.

Then it was the headsets. $5, please. For what? A soundtrack that's barely audible, and a view of a tiny screen partially obscured by a businessman's bald spot in row 17, seat C.

Last time I checked... most new general aviation headsets had iPod adaptors, and those wonderful portable DVD players keep the kids plenty busy during that flight to grandma's house.

Talking fees. How dare you call a real person and ask them to book you a flight. That's not allowed.

In fact, it will cost you $15 these days to pick up the phone and make an airline reservation with someone who barely speaks English, is located thousands of miles away, and doesn't care if your flight was just cancelled or that you don't fit in the bulkhead seat.

Last time I checked... most flight schools answered the phone free of charge to book your favorite Skyhawk. Some even offer block rate discounts! And even 1-800-WX-BRIEF is still free (and even the "hold" times are getting better).

3-1-1. Pop quiz. What exactly does that mean? Sure, the rule was put into place to deter terrorists, and make it difficult to pack lots of liquids in our carry-ons. But it also leads to longer lines at security check-points.

Last time I checked... I could walk out to my rented Piper Arrow with my shoes on, and water bottle in my hand.

Fuel surcharges. $60 roundtrip? Ouch. That's a bunch of extra money on a ticket price that's already rising to record levels.

Last time I checked... my flight school also had a fuel surcharge. But it wasn't nearly that much. I'd have to fly for at least 12 hours in my rented Cessna to run-up a $60 fuel surcharge tab.

Bag fees. First is was the weight. Over 50 pounds, count on an extra $50. Ok, that makes sense. That's a heavy piece of luggage, takes up room, is hard to handle, and eats into fuel burn.

Then it was the second bag fee. $25, please.

And now, what could be the final blow. $15 to check a bag. Any bag. Small, large, tiny, or massive. Are you kidding? American Airlines is doing it. Who's next?

Last time I checked... (no pun intended) if my weight and balance was within the flight envelope, no one at the local airport or FBO was charging me for my luggage.

So why not always fly general aviation? Because, you say, you just can't get there as fast, and it's more expensive.

Did you see this week's news ? Congress now says airline delays cost us $12 billion dollars in... LOST TIME in 2007.

And don't forget to add the time it takes you to get to the airport, park, take the shuttle, check-in, wait in security, wait at the gate, and sit on the ramp waiting for push-back. Then do it all over again when you land.

Last time I checked... the price points are quickly converging.

Now it's up to us to use general aviation more than ever. Go fly. Fight dumb user fees. And smile, when the next big airline announces it's going to start charging you... to use the bathroom.

Article by Chris Archer; Send him an email