"steve.t" wrote:

Assume 120KTAS and a Piper of some kind (4 or more seats).
Assume max time in air per leg of 3 hrs and 30 minutes to fuel, potty,
refile, & go.
Note time of departure from house and time of arrival at destination.
Departure from local a/p where you rent/tie down/hanger to Tampa FL
(also assuming you are 300 Miles from Tampa).
Assume you would have to fly out of ATL or connect via ATL.

Which way will get you to the Tampa area and to your hotel in the
shortest time w/o heartburn/migraine, etc.?

Well, for something I've really done, Delta will get me from Newark, NJ to
Knoxville, TN in 4 hours, 36 minutes. Rather than hassle with parking, I would
take a limo, which will show up at my house two hours before the flight. Total
time about 6.5 hours.

The run in my Maule will be approximately 6.5 hours with typical winds and one
30 minute fuel stop. The drive to the airport, preflight, etc. will take about
an hour, so we have a total of about 7.5 hours.

As far as cost goes, the loaded cost of flying my Maule will be higher than two
airline tickets. The fuel cost alone is about 60% of the cost of one coach
ticket.

As far as "heartburn" is concerned, dealing with the airlines is a pain, but
worrying about the weather for that run is worse.

For a run to Tampa, Delta takes 4 hours, 40 minutes through ATL and the Maule
takes 8.5 hours (*not* counting wind) with two fuel stops.

George Patterson
He who marries for money earns every penny of it.