I just want to make sure that I understand that in 2009 we will have PROP service in Lancaster, not a 3rd world or island nation. Didn't we spend millions lengthening the runway to accommodate bigger jets?

>>>Opp has calculated that a business traveler would save $157 in parking, mileage and other costs by flying Cape Air to BWI rather than driving.>>>

Exactly how does this work? You will have to add $100 for the RT to BWI which means that the average business traveler spends $257 in these "other" costs for a trip now. Google maps puts the distance between LNS and BWI at 94.2 miles or ~190 miles RT. At $0.50/mile, the cost is only $95. At $10 for parking on even a 10 day trip, that's another $100 for a total of $195. Now I am being very, very conservative and most business trips are far shorter than 10 days and I still cannot substantiate that ridiculous statement.

Selling anything else Joyce?

No, the runway was lengthened to increase the safety factor for the private and corporate aircraft that use LNS on a regular basis, some of which are turboprops, others small jets. Before the upgrades, the main runway wasn't long enough to provide an adequate safety factor under less-than-ideal conditions for high performance aircraft. And remember, LNS is the fourth-busiest airport in Pennsylvania by departures and arrivals, even when there is no commercial service at all.

As someone who has flown through LNS dozens of times over the years, I can safely say that the new heavily-subsidized commercial service is most likely a waste of taxpayer dollars. Corporations now insist on the lowest airfare available, when air travel is approved at all - which has become increasingly rare in recent years. I know on the very few occasions that my job requires me to fly that I will be required to depart from MDT (Harrisburg), about 45 minutes from my home in downtown Lancaster, instead of paying the extra $100 or more to fly out of LNS.

BTW, I've flown in small turboprops on many different occasions. When a destination is isolated, like Appleton WI or Manchester NH, flying sure beats driving several hours from the nearest major city.