Morgans wrote:
"Ron Natalie" wrote

I used to be based at Dulles (and Margy actually learned to fly
there), but it's much busier now both for the airlines and all the
bizjet traffic that was effectively kicked out of National.

Do you think they will ever open National back up to the smaller guy again?

I personally doubt it. Government rarely cedes control that it has
taken. Although it does happen occasionally. I was amazed when PA
repealed its helmet law a few years ago*. I still can't believe that
happened, but it does show that if enough people lobby long enough they
can occasionally make a difference. Maybe the same cam be true with
National. I'm just glad I made one flight in prior to 9/11. I had to
fly in at night as I couldn't get an IFR reservation until after 7 PM in
the winter, but it was a neat flight. I got to hold over the city for a
few minutes waiting for a break in the airline conga line. I could see
several of the monuments and buildings and it was very cool.

* Just for the record, I'm a big believer in wearing a helmet while
motorcycling and bicycling and never ride without one, but I'm not a fan
of helmet laws for adults. I think adults should make that decision for
themselves. I am in favor of insurance companies charging higher
premiums for people who ride without a helmet, or smoke, etc., but I
much prefer to let the market deal with such things rather than
government. If someone is willing to pay the cost of taking a higher
level of risk, I say more power to them.

Matt