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Originally Posted by CcrlR737pilot
Depends on where and if there are alternaives. If Amtrak could be used there or another rail service then no EAS. I can't see how some airlines can use the Cessna 208 Grand Caravan for less than 5 people. What about other countries that use the Grand Caravan and other small aircraft for short haul.
Air Taxi could be another better alternative but we don't know if that will work than the EAS.
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As you know, Amtrak has had its own set of problems in attracting more ridership. Ongoing hurdles continue to trip them up like the lack of "passenger only" tracks, funding, labor, etc.
Even though Amtrak's passenger traffic has increased by 6% to 25 million over the previous year, they will continue to depend on subsidies until their problems are settled.
And funding can be tough to receive. In 2003, former Amtrak president, David Gunn was questioned by Senator John McCain before a congressional hearing. McCain, a leading Amtrak critic, made a point that he wanted to eliminate all Amtrak subsidies. Gunn replied by asking the Senator if he would support the elimination of funding for Essential Air Service in his state of Arizona. McCain couldn't even reply to that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Prestwick Pioneer
Wouldnt routes liek these be better served by PC12s and things like that? Fewer engines fewer seats etc. I think in the context of Alaska as you previously mentioned, The Scottish Highlands and Islands, The Irish Aran Islands, places like Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Columbia etc where places are a damn sight more inaccesible then subsidised air services should form a part. There are probably a few more a/c types that could do the route better than that Be1900D. Its just not worth it for 1 passenger though, is it? Dont they have anything that could be airfreighted out of Pueblo to fill the hold and drive the route towards break-even. Is there a road to this community, or is it cut off and needs an air service?
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I know next to nothing about the airlines that fly the Essential Air routes. One would think that these routes could generate passengers to fill at least half of those 19 seats. As far as airfreight goes, maybe the airlines are satisfied with the subsidies alone.