Another Argument for Amtrak

[Anonymous]

In case you have not been following the news, Big Sky Airlines, an airline designed by the US Governments to provide what is called "Essential Air Service Operations", had ceased operations, affecting air travel throughout the United States.

Ironically, a good number of the cities served by Big Sky are also served by Amtrak.

Here's some background stories for you:

http://www.montanasnewsstation.com/global/story.asp?s=7521701

http://tinyurl.com/yqfw4f

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

Essential Air Service Operations sounds analogous to Designated Operators for railroads.  The imminent collapse of Big Sky Airlines sounds similar to what happened to the original Braniff, Midway Airlines and a host of other operators: rapid expansion which was not supported by passenger counts on those routes, which then brought down the entire operation.

I would hardly consider this situation as an argument for Amtrak.

[Anonymous]

Essential Air Service Operations sounds analogous to Designated Operators for railroads.  The imminent collapse of Big Sky Airlines sounds similar to what happened to the original Braniff, Midway Airlines and a host of other operators: rapid expansion which was not supported by passenger counts on those routes, which then brought down the entire operation.

I would hardly consider this situation as an argument for Amtrak.

In this instance it has nothing to do with deregulation or over-expansion of the airline industry. 

Big Sky Airlines was contracted by the government to provide regularly scheduled air service to more out of the way towns and cities with airports.  If this is removed,  then the alternative transportation choice would be with Amtrak in those cities that are currently served by the system.  Those cities not served by Amtrak would then either have to rely on bus service if they have it, or by private vehicle.

 

[Paul Milenkovic]

The interesting thing is not whether or not the gummit decided to subsidize Big Sky Airways but this question:  How much subsidy would it take to keep Big Sky Airways going?  How much subsidy does it take to run the Empire Builder (for real, not Amtrak's fully-allocated numbers either).  Which is more cost effective?

[cordon]

Well, why limit the question to Big Sky Airways?  The whole airline industry loses billions per year, year after year.  Who pays for that?  Just whose money are they losing?  I have difficulty believing that the people who own billions of dollars are going to let it slip out of their hands.  That doesn't make sense, so I think there is something else going on.  What, I don't know.

 

[Anonymous]

Well, why limit the question to Big Sky Airways?  The whole airline industry loses billions per year, year after year.  Who pays for that?  Just whose money are they losing?  I have difficulty believing that the people who own billions of dollars are going to let it slip out of their hands.  That doesn't make sense, so I think there is something else going on.  What, I don't know.

 

 

Well, the entire reason that I bring it up to begin with is to show how comunities can be left in the lurch for transportation option if there is a shutdown...as in the case of Big Sky Airlines.

It is a big issue in that Big Sky was contracted by the government to provide reliable plane service to smaller cities and towns not normally served by the larger carriers.

Those cities that were served under the "Essential Air Operations" and currently have Amtrak service have at least another transportation option.

 

 

[Anonymous]

Here is a definitive explanation on Essential Air Service:

http://ostpxweb.dot.gov/aviation/rural/easwhat.pdf

 

 

[Anonymous]

Big Sky Airlines to be liquidated.

Here is the story from the Plattsburgh (NY) Press-Republican:

http://www.pressrepublican.com/homepage/local_story_359221529.html?keyword=topstory

 

 

 

[Anonymous]

More on the Big Sky EAS saga as reported by the Plattsburgh (NY) Press-Republican:

http://www.pressrepublican.com/homepage/local_story_363004620.html?keyword=topstory