TAXES, DEATH...

In my last post, "MUST HAVE HIT A NERVE" Capt. Edward M. Davidson, FRAeS, MIoD; Managing Director of the Skyborne Airline Academy, Inc. in Vero Beach, FL commented: "Small community air service is not like taxes and death - a guaranteed occurrence".

"As an airline pilot training organization, it is clear to our clients that the 1,500-hour rule ain't goin' anywhere - at least not in time to impact likely continuing small community air service reductions. We have to work with what we have. Let's continue to support the creation of vital pilot training academies and an EAS program that makes sense to communities and taxpayers alike".

Thank you, Captain. It is "essential" that we invest in vital training academies and maximize the return on the scarce resources dedicated to the space. Every program should be critiqued.

The 5 Stages of Grief:

DENIAL: There is no small community air service problem. It can't go away. Air service was promised to me 15 years before the interstate system was complete. They would never leave my local airport as my community/market is unique. Nobody warned us that this was even a possibility.

ANGER: What do you mean that airline just filed its Intent to terminate Essential Air Service. Or that the damn airline cut service citing commercial reasons. Dammit, I am going to call my Congressperson. They will force them to serve my market even though the economics are upside down, shortages are everywhere, and the consumer's mindset is different too.

BARGAINING: In discussions, it was learned that even if the community raises $1 million or more to incent replacement service - it is likely no more connectivity or interline and code-sharing attributes like the previous service did. I always hated that hub service. Now I understand better why it was needed.

DEPRESSION: If we lose service, the community will fail to be relevant. It will die an economic death. I will never be able to attract any business. Not true. Just look at where manufacturing is moving in the Southwest U.S.? No air service was there prior to this move. Probably will be though.

ACCEPTANCE: Now I see it happening in numerous communities, my market is not alone. It really is a structural dynamic that is forcing me to think differently. I guess it is time to huddle up with the Economic Development folks, the business community, and other stakeholders to figure out how best re-purpose the airport infrastructure. If we do it right and build a new business platform, commercial service might return.

In 2013 a group of airports tried to draw attention to the pilot supply situation. 80% of airports were in total denial. Now that losses in air service are being announced weekly, folks are getting angry and want to address the 1500-hour rule. Where were you in 2013? You know, just fixing the 1500-hour rule won't fix the entirety of the problem.

3 more stages to go as some are still in DENIAL.

Our new monthly data analysis is attached.

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