Similar experiences - trying to fly to a meeting is rarely quicker, always more expensive and not very reliable; but in the past 4 months I've managed Benson - Shoreham - Benson and Benson - Leeming - Benson on business. The latter particularly frustrating as I was held off the airfield for 15 minutes at Leeming to wait for a 2-minute silence at 12.00 (it was 7/7/06) and then jet traffic.
Tim