Perhaps I am ashamed of my meager DPA-STC trip, perhaps I am still too bitter about aviation in general, perhaps I have become too practical in the 11 years since earning my private, or that I am out of the race to accumulate hours for a flying job…
But... I can depart my home airport on a regional airline, hop to MSP, STL, ORD, or DEN, then hop to practically anywhere else in the continental US/Canada/Alaska within about 8 hours give or take a few hours at a cost of around $250 if planned out in advance.
If I rented from my FBO, I would be able to travel approximately 3.5 hours, or 1.25 hours from my home airport before having to turn around. That far for about $250.00
Now take that $250 and put it into my Ford Focus, and we are talking approximately 3,700 miles round trip as a rough estimate.
Don’t get me wrong, I would love nothing more then to own a 172, and do nothing but fly around the North American continent doing nothing but airport hopping, but I just cannot afford it. I am not knocking you for doing it, I actually envy you….
I just wonder if we have stopped to consider how overpriced flying yourself around can be?
Now, this does not apply if you are filthy rich, your company is paying you to do this, or you have so much money that your time is more important then cash. I would still be willing to bet though, that you could get from Florida to Alaska quicker on an airline then a 172 and at a cheaper price. If you are going for a career in flying, I guess you can justify this mode of transportation. At one time I was bound for the airlines too, but for some reason found it hard to part with my few dollars to make a long out and back trip with no vacation in the middle! Of course this could be why I am not a pilot by profession. J
My argument may also be flawed because many of you consider it a hobby or a lifelong dream to do a long flight in an airplane. Again, I may have been married for too long, but I would much rather spend a week in Xtapa with my wife rather then spend that money to travel from Iowa to California only to turn around right after you get there.
By the way, if it buys me any points, I once drove from Denver, CO to Durham, NC with one passenger nonstop except gas and food. 27 hours straight. That was a neat trip!
