Thanks, America!

Last thing Jay (who equates all federal spending with general taxpayer
subsidies that benefit a small minority): Norm Minetta gets it!!!

My regards, Dashing Dasher, who cannot win a debate and declares
himself "a hot stunt pilot." LOL.

Heeeere's Norm:


Remote towns may need to aid in airline subsidy
HEARING: Funds help keep prices down for 34 Alaska communities.

By RICHARD RICHTMYER
Anchorage Daily News

Published: July 6th, 2005
Last Modified: July 6th, 2005 at 02:34 AM


A 27-year-old federal subsidy for airlines that fly to remote
communities needs to be overhauled to catch up with changes in the
aviation industry, U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta said
Tuesday. The overhaul could include paring back the number of
communities eligible and making them bear some of the cost.


The Essential Air Service program, established in 1978, was one of
several topics discussed during a U.S. Senate Commerce Committee
hearing in Anchorage. Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, the committee chairman,
was the only senator at the hearing, which lasted just over an hour and
half and included testimony from Mineta, FAA Administrator Marion
Blakey as well as local aviation officials and experts.

The subsidy, established when the airline industry was deregulated in
1978, used federal money to lower air-travel costs to 34 Alaska
communities and 92 elsewhere in the country. Funding totals $102
million for this budget year. That's down from $113 million in 2003.

The program's aim is to provide a safety-net level of air service to
the smallest and most isolated communities. Given that air service
remains the only way in or out of many Alaska villages, the
Transportation Department regards them as a high priority, Mineta
said.

But the program hasn't kept pace with airport improvements and changes
in the way airlines fly, which calls for much-needed structural
changes, Mineta said.

Changes the Transportation Department is proposing include requiring
communities to kick in at least 10 percent of the subsidy.

"I am well aware that the proposed requirement of a local contribution
has not been well received by many," Mineta said. "But this is one of
the few federal programs that does not have any local contribution."

Under the Transportation Department's proposal, the amount local
communities would have to contribute toward the program would vary,
based on their proximity to the national transportation system.

Communities more than 210 miles from the nearest large or medium hub
airport would have to provide 10 percent. Those between 100 and 210
miles from a large or medium hub airport would have to provide 25
percent.


--
skylunelives
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted via OziPilots Online [ http://www.OziPilotsOnline.com.au ]
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Last thing Jay (who equates all federal spending with general taxpayer
subsidies that benefit a small minority)

Are you saying Medicare doesn't benefit a minority of Americans?

My regards, Dashing Dasher, who cannot win a debate and declares
himself "a hot stunt pilot." LOL.

???

Heeeere's Norm:

What's Mineta's statements against subsidizing airlines got to do with what
we're talking about?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
news:lc2ze.142890$nG6.115534@attbi_s22...
Last thing Jay (who equates all federal spending with general taxpayer
subsidies that benefit a small minority)

Are you saying Medicare doesn't benefit a minority of Americans?

My regards, Dashing Dasher, who cannot win a debate and declares
himself "a hot stunt pilot." LOL.

???

Jay, don't reply to this person anymore. I'm putting him in my killfile and
so should you.

When you wrestle with a pig, you get very dirty. Problem is, the pig enjoys
it.

-Trent
PP-ASEL

Ping. And bye for now....