Originally Posted by
pbarnette
As to the question at hand. If these communities warrant service, then someone will pick it up. If nobody picks it up, then the communities should evaluate how much they value such service. If they value it, then I encourage them to pass the hat and guarantee revenue.
With all due respect, this is just a silly comment. Most of the these communities don't have the resources to "pass the hat and guarantee revenue" as you say. To be sure some do have small businesses that are vibrant, but not in a scale to provide a subsidy. Unfortunately no good alternatives (like rail that they have in Europe) exist.
I'll grant that things have changed in many ways since Delta acquired these markets, not the least of which is high cost of oil, still, Northwest made a go of it in these markets and Delta can't or won't. The issue is partially linked with the demise of the SAABs and Mesaba, a demise that was initiated under NW bankruptcy management and furthered by Delta.