Delta asks federal government for more subsidies or else will withdraw from small town America

[^_^ 5,021]

Delta to Adjust Service to Smaller, Underperforming Markets

Jul 15, 2011

ATLANTA, July 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today will notify the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) of its plans to adjust flying in 24 small markets ... the changes will affect Essential Air Service (EAS) markets.

Flights in these markets on average depart with 52 percent of the seats filled, with some locations as low as 12 percent. This compares to a domestic system load factor of 83 percent for 2010.

...

The notification provides the DOT the opportunity to select a new carrier to begin service in affected EAS communities within a 90-day period. Delta will continue to serve the affected communities through its Delta Connection partners until the DOT selects a replacement carrier ... Delta will continue service in some subsidized and non-subsidized markets, but the subsidy rate must be higher in order for Delta to fly larger regional jets on the routes in question. A complete list of affected communities is available at http://news.delta.com/index.php?s=18&item=156.

The EAS program was created to ensure small communities continue to have access to passenger air service. In some cases, airline service in EAS markets is subsidized by the government.

http://news.delta.com/index.php?s=43&item=1408

List of communities affected.

Thief River Falls, MN

Greenville, MS

Devils Lake, ND

Watertown, SD

Muscle Shoals, AL

Fort Dodge, IA

Hibbing, MN

Alpena, MI

Tupelo, MS

Jamestown, ND

Mason City, IA

Pierre, SD

Iron Mountain, MI

Sioux City, IA

International Falls, MN

Brainerd, MN

Hattiesburg, MS

Escanaba MI

Aberdeen, SD

Pellston MI

Bemidji, MN

Sault Ste Marie MI

Waterloo, IA

Butte, MT

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Who gives a ** if Delta serves these dumps? ** 'em. If there's money to be made flying into these locations, then someone will fly there. If not, then folks will have to get in their car and drive to a place that has an airport. Or move there. ** these subsidies for these dumps that nobody knows or cares about.

[Ban Hammer 13,491]

we'll make a republican outta you yet, bd.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

we'll make a republican outta you yet, bd.

You must have misread my post, Chuck. I wasn't celebrating corporate welfare. That's what it would take to become a good Republican. I can't quite get there.

[Ban Hammer 13,491]

You must have misread my post, Chuck. I wasn't celebrating corporate welfare. That's what it would take to become a good Republican. I can't quite get there.

national welfare, corporate welfare, just a different coat of paint.

[tmma 467]

If I remember correctly- this isn't the first time they've threatened this.

[mawilson 2,133]

Who gives a ** if Delta serves these dumps? ** 'em. If there's money to be made flying into these locations, then someone will fly there. If not, then folks will have to get in their car and drive to a place that has an airport. Or move there. ** these subsidies for these dumps that nobody knows or cares about.

Next you'd want to privatize the interstates!

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Next you'd want to privatize the interstates!

How do you come to that conclusion?

[mawilson 2,133]

How do you come to that conclusion?

Applying the same logic. "Who cares about these dumps? ** 'em. Let them walk."

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Applying the same logic. "Who cares about these dumps? ** 'em. Let them walk."

Well, the Interstate system seems to be built to reach most but certainly not all Americans. For some in sparsely populated areas, reaching an interstate is quite a drive while for others, there may be several interstates within a short distance. That's one of the consequences of selecting a place for one's residence. Why should the Same not be true for airports? I don't see why we need to subsidize airlines to service markets with little demand. Surely there is an airport people can reach same as they can reach an interstate. The more remote you elect to live, the farther your commute to such airport will be.

[^_^ 5,021]

The interstates are used to not only transport people but goods as well. And it's true that a lot of the no-people backwaters do produce stuff we need like food and hookers. So there has to be a means of transporting from there, to here.