BillWhiteInsurance
writes:

I think its more expensive to fly your own personal plane than it is to
fly commercial, solely based on fuel.

This has been true since the 1980s: Arab oil embargoes increased fuel
costs, and airline deregulation decreased airline travel costs.

I also think less and less people
have the money required to for upkeep and annual maintenance.

True; less and less people have the money to be middle-class, period. Or
maybe you haven't heard of Occupy Wall Street, etc?

The decline is a lot more than money. When I was growing up (1960s),
flight and space exploration were the exciting things in the news. Now,
it's some drug-addled Hollywood or rap celebrity. Kids now are brought
up shuttled from one team or supervised activity to another, never
developing their own independence, and piloting is a solitary activity.

The one area of GA that is thriving is Experimental aircraft. Several
active forums online, lots of new products at reasonable prices (because
little is TSO'd), fine-performing aircraft at affordable prices.

--
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength; loving someone
deeply gives you courage.
~ Lao tzu