I've never seen that statement before. Got a source? I have no desire to attack the statement, but I am involved in transportation cost studies. Is that straight fuel costs? Or are other cost components included? Landing rights, ramp space, crew costs, ground support costs, etc.

If I can go into a cost review meeting and equate aircraft costs in terms of Honda Civics, I'm sure I could wake up the managers who are usually sleeping at these meetings. ;)

This is ironic...weekend before last I flew across the country to go kitesurfing (a "green" sport)...i.e., I would have spent less fuel running my Boston Whaler all weekend. The source would be in an article on fuel costs in the current inflight magazine of either United or Continental...I can't remember which, as I flew one outbound and another carrier return. I think I made the Civic analogy; they used a 51mpg per person fuel factor, if I recall correctly. I believe it was exclusive of ground support costs.

Moving people is w-a-a-a-y more expensive than any fares reflect - take away the post office mail subsidy, airlines will die just like rail passenger service did when the mail subsidy switched to the airlines - buses & commuter service also can't survive without subsidies - in the 70's we went thru that small car+better mileage craze - that basically got alot more people killed (less protection) and people switched to pickups and SUVs because they had more room - so much for economy - not all of us can fit in those little cars - please do not bring up the arguement that gasoline is not as expensive as in Europe - first remove all the taxes , then compare - the use of oil and natural gas to generate electricity is IMHO a complete waste of resources, and better (more economically) supplied by coal, nuclear, water, wind, and geo-thermal - This country needs a good comprehensive energy plan - untill then, it's business as usual - short term bandaids to longterm illness

Those post office subsidies are probably now completely gone because of 9/11. There are many more restrictions on what can fly on jets that also move people. The USPS now subcontracts their mail movements cross country to air cargo carriers instead of commercial carriers.