Irked by High Air Fares? Take Freeway to S.F.

The Feb. 13 story, “Firms looking for Alternatives on L.A.-S.F. Run,” missed the most obvious alternative, Interstate 5.

I started flying regularly to Southern California in 1985 when the air fares dropped to $29 between San Jose and LAX because of a promotion started by Continental Airlines. But since every major airline matched Continental’s fare and consumers showed Continental no preference, Continental was unable to maintain the volume needed to sustain such a low fare.

As fares to LAX gradually rose, I started driving to Los Angeles more frequently. When the speed limit was 55 miles per hour, this drive was tedious, but since the 65 m.p.h. limit was established, it is tolerable. Catering trucks at rest stops offer refreshment and snacks to break the monotony. A trip from my home in Fremont to Wilshire and La Brea usually takes 5 1/2 hours. Counting airport time and car rentals, flying takes only one hour less!

If our state government in Sacramento is concerned about high intrastate air fares harming commerce within California, it should consider raising the speed limit on I-5 to the limit that highway was initially designed for. Business travelers using I-5 will reduce demand for air travel and fares will drop correspondingly.

JIM SWINT

Fremont