Should smaller airports be subsidized?

[Crabtownboy]

Currently the government is unable to collect millions of dollars in taxes because parts of the FAA are currently unfunded. The argument is over whether smaller subsidized airports should continue to be subsidized. If the subsidies are removed many will have to close. People in those areas will have no air service other than if they drive to the nearest airport still open for business. In some cases that will be quite a long drive. For instance if the airport at Wolf Point, Montana is closed folks will have quite a drive to the nearest airport still providing services.

So, should the subsidies continue?

Here is a link to a list of such airports:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essential_Air_Service#Areas_excluding_Alaska

 

[Arbo]

There's a difference between discontinuing scheduled airline service and closing an airport altogether. Ending airline service does not necessarily mean the death of an airport. Charter is an option.

 

[exscentric]

No, there are cars, busses, trains and feet

We have a number of them in OR and some of the flights run 2-3 passengers costing tax payers thousands.

Wyoming, in the old days, required county size to be only big enough where you could ride to the court house in one day from anywhere in the county.

Air service is often needed by city officials wanting to big city folks with an airport rather than a real need.

 

[Tom Butler]

I am for cutting the unnecessary subsidy for your small airport.

But I am for maintaining the absolutely necessary subsidy for my vitally-needed small airport.

 

[billwald]

Without knowing the total annual passengers the data is insufficient to judge.

 

[mandym]

What is the real reason they want to continue subsidizing this?

 

[Bro. Curtis]

The folks who live near Wolf Point have eight other airports within 150 miles. And which airport in Wolf Point are you talking about ?

Are you just trying to manufacture a crisis ?

 

[targus]

Are you just trying to manufacture a crisis ?

Isn't that what Democrats/Liberals do best?

Besides taxing, borrowing and spending that is.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

And being judgemental. And pretending Obama is a good president, or even an improvement on the last one. You left those out.

 

[freeatlast]

Currently the government is unable to collect millions of dollars in taxes because parts of the FAA are currently unfunded. The argument is over whether smaller subsidized airports should continue to be subsidized. If the subsidies are removed many will have to close. People in those areas will have no air service other than if they drive to the nearest airport still open for business. In some cases that will be quite a long drive. For instance if the airport at Wolf Point, Montana is closed folks will have quite a drive to the nearest airport still providing services.

So, should the subsidies continue?

Here is a link to a list of such airports:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essential_Air_Service#Areas_excluding_Alaska

At this point I am for stopping all government subsidies across the board unless someone can show me one that cannot be eliminated except it positively would cost lives. This includes all deductions on our tax forms. If a business cannot support itself close it.

 

[Crabtownboy]

The folks who live near Wolf Point have eight other airports within 150 miles. And which airport in Wolf Point are you talking about ?

Congress avoided this problem by voting to continue the subsidies.

By the way, what are the 8 airports ... and which one or ones are not on the list of subsidized airports? I thought of Miles City, but it is 172 miles away. I was simply giving Wolf Point as an example. In the area I grew up in in VA if the local airport lost air services the closest airport is over 70 miles away.

And you did not answer the OP question.

 

[targus]

Congress avoided this problem by voting to continue the subsidies.

By the way, what are the 8 airports ... and which one or ones are not on the list of subsidized airports? I thought of Miles City, but it is 172 miles away. I was simply giving Wolf Point as an example. In the area I grew up in in VA if the local airport lost air services the closest airport is over 70 miles away.

And you did not answer the OP question.

So Crabby's OP is based on made up "facts" and when he is called on it his default response is to assign homework.

Some things never change. :laugh:

 

[Bro. Curtis]

Yup. Make up a problem. Throw it out there, trhen tell someone they don't know enough about the subject.

Hey Crabby, stick to helping out the welfare crowd. The people in Wolf Point don't want your "help".

 

[Crabtownboy]

Yup. Make up a problem. Throw it out there, trhen tell someone they don't know enough about the subject.

What are the 8 airports that do not receive subsidies that are within 150 miles of Wolf Point?

Hey Crabby, stick to helping out the welfare crowd. The people in Wolf Point don't want your "help".

Do you speak for the citizens of Wolf Point.

You still have not answered the question in the OP.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

What are the 8 airports that do not receive subsidies that are within 150 miles of Wolf Point?

Look them up yourself. I would think a free-lance book indexer would be less afraid of his own research as you are. And you never answered which Wolf Point airport was closing. And you are dishonestly putting words in my mouth. There can be no debate with a person who will use untruths with the casual nature you do.

Do you speak for the citizens of Wolf Point.

Why don't you ask them ? Also, it is easier for me to realize your statement is a question if you use a question mark (?) after it. Aren't you the one who said conservatives have a hard time reading ? Help us out.

You still have not answered the question in the OP.

Actually, I denied there was a problem. There are two airports in Wolf Point. You must have missed that.

 

[InTheLight]

For instance if the airport at Wolf Point, Montana is closed folks will have quite a drive to the nearest airport still providing services.

The folks who live near Wolf Point have eight other airports within 150 miles.

LOL. Bro. Curtis, perhaps for you living in Montana, 150 miles "isn't quite a drive" but for the rest of us folks, yes it is.

 

[exscentric]

Crabtown said the subsidies were continued. I've read and heard on the news that they were not continued, but that the affected airports could ask for a waver for a period of time.

One report said there were only 13 airports under consideration - not all. I'd guess we have 13 or more in OR alone so do not know the criteria.

As to the fairness, life isn't fair. I would like to have a bus route at my door, but I don't so I need to live with it or move. Likewise people without an air port - too bad, so sad, move to be closer to one.

When did the US decide that everyone should have equal access to everything they desire??????????????????????

 

[Magnetic Poles]

Airports are transportation infrastructure as much as highways, and are equally important to our economy. I say, subsidize while looking for trimming any redundancies.

 

[targus]

Airports are transportation infrastructure as much as highways, and are equally important to our economy. I say, subsidize while looking for trimming any redundancies.

So to libs, corporate jets are bad but subsidizing airports that accomodate jets is good?

 

[Arbo]

So to libs, corporate jets are bad but subsidizing airports that accomodate jets is good?

:thumbsup:You beat me to it!:thumbsup:

What seems to be forgotten is the number of people who are employed as a result of the corporate aircraft industry. Beginning with the pilots, there are support staff, mechanics, FBOs (essentially airport service centers), not to mention the aircraft manufacturers, and so on.