This story from the LA Times really gets the average air taxi guy or gal thinking like a scientist. It seems like more of the usual airline banter, but if you read what the "experts" say, you can really follow the process as to how & why new ideas regularly get trounced by those who claim to know more than you or I.

The story requires a free login, which is a pain, but worth it once you read below. The crux of the story is that smaller aircraft, operating to more and smaller aiports (you know..the 5000 we all use) very well may be the new frontier and a new trend. In fact, unknowingly the author has touched on a key system analyst's axiom, which is that large decentralized systems (the potential alliance of air taxi firms nationwide) are more efficient than large centralized systems (like the airlines.)

But what is really interesting are comments at the end of the article. Michael E. Levine, a former top executive at three airlines who teaches law at Yale University, doubts whether a 100 seat aircraft can be economically viable. The key thing that he seems to forget is that Southwest Airlines has been raking in money for 28 consecutive years with 140 seat (less in some cases) aircraft. So why all the panic of 100 seats?

Stay tuned to this issue, since understanding & knowing how systems work is the easiest way to understand how & why air taxi will flourish in the coming years.