I give the N&R due credit for reporting Skybus’ difficulties over the holidays. And today’s lead editorial is cautious:
When its own spokesman suggests Skybus might not be for everyone, travelers should pay attention. Some conveniences and services that frequent fliers expect won’t be available.
Then again, inconvenience is a hazard of modern air travel for the best of airlines. Just ask the tens of thousands of United passengers whose flights were canceled over the holidays.
Skybus appeals to other customers on the basis of price. It will draw traffic to PTI, which might make 2008 the airport’s best year in a long time.
Nevertheless, Skybus has to prove itself by delivering on its very simple promises. If passengers don’t reach their destinations when scheduled, they’ll soon look for alternatives or choose to stay home.
My one gripe —you guessed it– is the editorial didn’t mention the generous incentives package PTIA handed to Skybus. Quite a risk only to have passengers “look for alternatives or choose to stay home,” if you ask me.
Yes, I’m saying the same thing a quadrillion-and-one times. People might be tired of it, but it still can’t be said enough. On that note, take a look at our local government. What if the wasn’t a guy like Mike Barber (or before him, Tom Phillips) on the Greensboro City Council or guys like Billy Yow and (a more reserved) Steve Arnold on the Guilford County Board of Commissioners. At every meeting they hammer away, questioning government expenditures, looking for ways to save the taxpayers money. They have to be vigilant; otherwise their respective bodies would continue to pass sending measures with unanimous votes. Many believe they sound like broken records; I personally am glad they’re speaking out. I’ll go out on a limb and say many other local taxpayers are glad, too.
