Sun Country Vs. Skywest: The “Battle” For The MPLS-Eau Claire Route

Alright.  First of all, this is not a time saver.  By the time you get through all the security, TSA, taxi, take off, then landing getting off the plane, then either renting a car, getting ride service, or some other form of "pick up". You could drive from Minneapolis to Eau Claire, Wisconsin for about the same amout of time give or take 15 minutes.

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Plus, depending on your car, it's going to cost less to drive as well.  When I checked Sun Country the rate was $84 for one person round trip.  It's an hour and a half drive from Minneapolis to Eau Claire.

Here is the reaso for the discussion - Sun Country has lost their subsidy for this flight to another airline - Skywest Airlines.  This change is scheduled to happen when Sun Country's contract ends in November. Well, actually they MAY lose their contract. That has been the recommendation from the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport Commission according to Bring Me the News

Sun Country runs four roundtrip flights between the Twin Cities and Eau Claire each week, as well as seasonal flights to Fort Myers, Florida; Orlando, Florida; and Las Vegas. Its proposal for a contract extension reduces service from MSP to three times per week..  

4 times a week!  This seems crazy to me, but since it does run 4 times a week, there is obviously there is a need for it.  And the fact that a new contract, if it stays with Sun Country, drops it down to 3 times a week seems to be an issue does tell me that it's something that is actually needed.  For who?

I realize that there are people who use it as a connection.  I get that, but there are actually that many people in that situation that would warrant 4 times a week, or even 3 times a week?

I feel like these people are WAY richer than I am... because it seems like it's expensive to use this very short flight.  You can't even get a drink service done in that amount of time.  Or at least by the time you get from one end of the plane to the other it's time to collect the garbage.  Drink fast!

Anyway, Sun Country - it's this really a loss?