I think a big part of the equation is you have to "want" to do it.

Many of the planes we fly today were designed, if not built, at a time when
freeways were few and average road speed was probably 35MPH - less in remote
areas. Airplane speeds of 110KT were a huge gain, and 180Kt was just
phenomenal. The speed of powerful piston singles and twins at the time rivaled
that of the day's airliners (DC-3's). People also did shorter pre-flight
preparation and accepted risk differently (sounds strange - some will disagree
- but I believe this to be true). The extra cost was easily justified because
the time savings, even on 100nm trips was prodigious.

Today, you'll find many mission statements that "sort of" work. If you've got
just the right distance, airplane, weather scenario etc, and poor enough
alternative transportation between your destination points you may have an
argument. Southern Calif is a contender for this, because of the traffic
situation, and certainly it is the spot on the planet with the greatest number
of "personal" air commuters.

Few mission statements today can honestly argue cost savings - and not that
many even amount to much time saved. Factor-in the hassle of not having your
car when you get where you're going, plus the fact that weather can ground you
at either end (and every incremental step at overcoming this doubles your
operating cost) and what you come down to is - for those who do it, there's a
whole lot more enjoyment and satisfaction involved in getting somewhere in
your plane than in crawling along studying someone else's bumber stickers for
a few hours.

G Faris