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<p>[quote user="oltmannd"]</p> <p> </p> <blockquote> <div><img src="/TRCCS/Themes/trc/images/icon-quote.gif" /> <strong>Sam1:</strong></div> <div> <p> </p> <p>Irrespective of the opaqueness of the transactions, all legitimate accounting entries, including legitimate cash transfers, can be traced eventually.  This is true for all modes of transport.  Thus, the amount of support for the airlines, as well as Amtrak, can be found if one knows where to look and has the tools to dig it out.  There is no evidence that the nation's airports and airlines have been the beneficiaries of fraudulent government transactions.      </p> <p>Getting the information can be a daunting challenge.  It took me months to understand how federal dollars are shifted from the general fund to the Highway Trust Fund, the Airport and Airways Trust Fund, Amtrak, etc.  I have a pretty good idea of how these dollars flow into and out of these funds.  Moreover, I have looked closely at the financials for Love Field in Dallas, although to get a crystal picture of them I had to ask a couple of friends in the city for clarification on several items.  </p> <p>To know the total cash flows to all of the airports and airlines, as well as Amtrak, one would have to look at the financials and accounting records for every airport and train station in America.  This would be a daunting task.  It would take a small army of auditors to flush out all the information.  But it could be done.  Accordingly, although the so-called subsidies may be unknown to the public, they are not hidden from people who know where to look for them.    </p> <div style="clear:both;"></div> <p> </p> </div> </blockquote> <p> </p> <p>That would cover the direct cost side.  Then you'd have one more huge task before you could make any rational judgement.  What are the benefits?  There are the direct revenues, but then, are there any benefits that wind up other places, like public health, surrounding land valuation, industrial development opportunities, etc.  </p> <p>Once done, you can accurately assess what you're getting for the subsidy.  [/quote]</p> <p>Your correct.  The costs can be traced.  The benefits, however, are usually a function of estimates based on a variety of inputs.  Many of them are difficult to quantify.  Or just downright impossible!  And many of them are difficult to relate to a specific cause or effect.  </p>
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