As a private pilot, I fly a grand total of about 150 hours per year, in a
plane that cruises approximately 135 miles per hour, covering a grand
total of about 20,000 miles per year.

I write this letter, sitting in the coach cabin of a 757 flight from New
York to Seattle, flying 180 people 2500 miles at 500 miles per hour in
about 5 hours.

Absolutely excellent letter! Packed with clear facts, logical comparisons,
reasonable arguments. Send it to a local paper or two (at each end of your
flight) and help educate some folks directly, too.