On Wed, 06 Sep 2006 17:27:44 -0500, Emily wrote:

Most of it is traffic.

We've that here too.

I'd be willing to be the nearest uncontrolled
field is 30 miles or so away

That's at least part of the difference. Airports lie N07 and LDJ are
closer than 30 miles to Manhattan.

BTW, one thing to consider is "off hours" flying. One of the members of
the club to which I belonged used to love to fly such that he'd be getting
back home at something like 6 or 7am.

[Road] traffic? Not at that hour (though it is starting to build around
then).

Of course, I know this isn't a serious problem as (at least for now)
you're not in serious need to avoid speaking to ATC.

- Andrew