Leaving aside patriotism for a second, how do you work out the US has the best aviation system in the world? Define "aviation system". Perish the thought that I'd suggest you were wrong but is it more than just your opinion (as usual)? Grant SYD QF At 06:53 PM 22/11/03, you wrote: >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Alireza Alivandivafa" <DEmocrat2n@xxxxxxx> >To: <AIRLINE@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> >Sent: Monday, October 27, 2003 19:07 >Subject: Re: [AIRLINE] incl taxes > > > > In a message dated 10/27/2003 9:43:18 PM Eastern Standard Time, >damiross2@xxxxxxxxxxx writes: > > > > > Then don't read it. I don't consider what I wrote to be "alarmist > > > anti-government rhetoric." If you haven't noticed, the airline industry >is > > > in bad shape. The government adding taxes to the price of a > > > ticket (and > > > cargo, too) is not helping them. > > > > I think most would agree that I follow the industry. Also, most airlines > > are returning to profits, and some have never left profit. A total of > 20 or > > so dollars for a trip in taxes is not bad at all, especially considering > > that it feeds the best aviation system in the world. These taxes have been > > in place when airlines were doing well too, except the security fee to pay > > for the "take-off your boots" administration. > >Just re-read what you wrote, Alireza. The only tax that has been in >existence for a long time is the percentage tax. The segment tax is fairly >recent - within the past 3 or 4 years. > >I got a great deal on Southwest for OAK/LAX roundtrip - only $53.96! >However, to that low amount must be added nearly 45% taxes ($24.04). How >the hell can you say the taxes are too low? By the way - that's without the >security tax. That has been suspended for the time being. Had that been in >effect, the taxes would have been another $10 or SIXTY THREE PERCENT!!!!! >David R >http://home.attbi.com/~damiross >http://home.attbi.com/~damiross/books.html