Mod parent up - it's well documented that flying was an activity limited to those of high society back in the day. Like most all technologies, what is cost-prohibitive at one era generally becomes affordable the next. Cars were once a privilege, rather than a right that most Americans look at them today. Once they became cheap however, that's when congestion started and road rage emerged. This isn't a post to defend the airlines industry or the regulators, far from it, but it weakens the author's legitimate arguments when he uses an invalid comparison.