Excerpt: "The more time short-hop air trips take, many business travelers
say, the more attractive driving, teleconferencing, Webcasting and Amtrak
become."

==========================
USA Today

Wheels win over wings on short trips

Fewer flight choices, security hassles prompt some to drive on trips of
under 400 miles

By Barbara De Lollis

Business traveler Ron Goltsch takes fewer short airline flights than he did
before Sept. 11, 2001. Now, he drives to avoid airport security hassles.

''I'm driving and enjoying the freedom,'' says Goltsch, a computer engineer
from Fairfield, N.J.

He's not alone. More than two years after the terror attacks, more travelers
are choosing the highway -- or other options -- over the skyway for trips of
less than 400 miles. That distance represents flights of about 90-minutes
gate-to-gate, but total travel times drag out much longer because of the
aftereffects of Sept. 11.

A USA TODAY analysis of schedule data provided by Back Aviation Solutions
finds airlines offer fewer flights of less than 400 miles compared with four
years ago. Over the period, airlines have increased the number of longer
flights. Post-Sept. 11 security hassles explain a big part of the decline in
short hops. But other factors, including introduction of longer-range
regional jets, are at work, too.

Overall, the analysis shows, the number of flights in the continental USA is
down 8% this month, compared with March 2000. Flights of less than 400 miles
are down 24%. Flights longer than 400 miles are up 11%.

Viewing the phenomenon differently: Flights of less than 400 miles now
comprise 45% of the total, down from 54% four years ago.

The decline means passengers have fewer options for short hops. On some
short routes, flights have disappeared. With fewer to choose from, travelers
are finding they have long layovers -- sometimes three hours or more -- or
their connections timed too closely for comfort. Some air travelers are
extending trips to overnight when day trips were once possible. The more
time short-hop air trips take, many business travelers say, the more
attractive driving, teleconferencing, Webcasting and Amtrak become.

Before Sept. 11, some travelers would arrive as late as 20 minutes before
departure -- helpful especially on pre-dawn flights. But now, even if
they're in the air for just 30 minutes, they must arrive an hour or more
before departure to allow for security checkpoint lines, shoe removal and
possible baggage inspections.

A recent survey of corporate travel managers by the National Business Travel
Association shows nearly 70% of respondents cited inconsistencies in airport
security at major airports. That uncertainty is one reason business
travelers are reluctant to fly short hops, NBTA's Eugene Laney says.

Software manager Fred Wendorf says he's had terrible experiences in recent
years with short hops flying from his home in suburban Milwaukee to visit
clients throughout Illinois. Now, he drives. It takes about the same amount
of time -- three to four hours. ''I'm in total control of my schedule, and I
always arrive at my destination on time,'' he says.

For Greg Elmore, a non-profit fundraiser who lives in Springfield, Mo., the
hassle of flying has increased since American Airlines began cutting flights
out of its hub in St. Louis, where he used to catch eastbound connections.

Fed up, Elmore recently rented a sport-utility vehicle and drove to the East
Coast for a two-week business trip. Total mileage: 3,200, including a stop
to visit family in Ohio.

Elmore, 26 and single, plugged in his cellphone to stay productive, and
planned meetings only after he'd had enough time to rest. He packed his
cooler with food and kept his CDs cranking for much of the trip.

Elmore calls the experience ''a very pleasant way to get away from all the
headaches of air travel.''

But many travelers say driving isn't an option.

Computer consultant Chris Dixon of Chicago flies almost daily, and doesn't
own a car. ''I never drive, even if the city is close,'' he says.

Consultant Terri Kelly, based in Tampa, says she gets sleepy on drives of
more than two hours.

Business development executive Bill Hall says he likes to feel fresh, not ha
ggard from a long drive, at meetings with customers.

Driving can also be a logistical nightmare. Consultant Denis Wolowiecki
twice tried renting a van to drive five travelers from Cleveland to Corning,
N.Y. The result, he says, was ''cumbersome and inefficient'' and in the end,
saved little time and money.

And sometimes, people simply like to fly. ''Driving for four or five hours
is tiring and boring,'' says Patrick Plewes, who lives near Dallas. He drove
to Houston and Austin shortly after Sept. 11, but started flying again when
security lines shortened.

Experts such as Laney of the NBTA predict more travelers will avoid short
hops this summer, when airports swell with families and vacationers.

==========

** NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is
distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in
receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. **