Originally Posted by FliesWay2Much

I agree. There are way too many variables for any meaningful conclusions about anything. As a result, the statistics can be manipulated anyway you want them to turn out. A few general thoughts before trying out some specifics:

• On a macro level, many of us made decisions about reducing or completely stopping flying a LONG time ago.
• Many of us significantly increased our drive/fly perimeter. From Washington DC, I have driven to places such as Huntsville, Ottawa, Atlanta, and New Orleans on business trips. Until the TSA came out of the swamp, I would have flown to all those destinations without hesitation.
• The Pre Check extortion has simply stopped the bleeding.
• I personally do not believe that aviation accidents over the past 15 years have made a bit of difference.

OK, here is my short list of the variables I would like to see held constant, one at a time:

• If security was the same as it was on Sept 10, 2001, would the number of passengers be more or less than they are now?
• How much does the reduction in aircraft size and services affect a person's decision to fly or not to fly?
• Have government and corporate travel budgets increased or decreased over the past 15 years?
• If the budgets described above are fixed and only adjusted for inflation, are companies and agencies able to afford more or less trips per year?
• How does the cost of gasoline affect a person's decision to fly?
• What is the effect from companies who reduced or eliminated their corporate travel and invested in video-teleconferencing or permanently assigning staff to a remote location?
• What is the effect from companies who expanded or went offshore and now must travel?
• If technology improvements were not considered, how would the numbers change?
• If companies that outsourced were held constant, how would this affect the numbers?
• How has the availability of airline seats per person in the population increased or decreased?