Originally Posted by
Cha-cha-cha
Since deregulation the airlines have been in sort of game of chicken with the public over the question, "How much pain and insult will passengers put up with in exchange for a cheap ticket?" The winner is obvious.
In theory, a free market is supposed to result in people getting the best value for the lowest price. Seems like air travel is exempt from that equation.
I can fly 2000 miles for $200 in 5 hours. The same trip by car would take me 4 days and cost $500 for gas, meals, hotel stays and wear/tear on my car, plus the cost of my time for those 4 days vs. 5 hours which is thousands of dollars of opportunity cost in lost wages.
Flying is not a good value, it is an exceptionally good value. It is just about the best value available to a consumer when considering the alternative modes of transportation.