On Wed, 17 Jan 2007 14:23:45 -0700, "Jay Beckman"
wrote in :

Good, positive press on the usefullness of GA:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/fligh...ots-usat_x.htm

It's about time. Thanks for the heads-up.

Here are some quotes from the story:

The added hassles of business travel from tightened security and
airline cost-cutting since the Sept. 11 terrorism has helped fuel
an increase in the business use of personal aircraft. Encouraged
by a growing economy and a generally favorable business climate,
many business people — particularly those who live far from a
big-city hub — are realizing that piloting their own planes saves
time and, in some cases, money.

...

The Federal Aviation Administration estimates about two-thirds of
the hours flown by private planes are for business reasons.
According to the agency's most recent numbers, hours flown in
private planes for business reasons in 2005 were up 12.5% from
2001. Contributing to the increase: more business trips taken by
individuals or small groups in small, piston-driven airplanes.

...

In September, La Colla and an employee flew on the plane to visit
11 stores in five days. They visited eight cities at a cost of
less than $4,500. If they had taken airline flights, they would
have spent more nights in hotels, rented more cars and eaten in
more restaurants. The bill would have been much higher, La Colla
says.