Genghis,
You've hit the nail on the head!
Flying is a lifestyle choice that you choose. It is a hobby that you are fortunate enough to be able to afford (though maybe not as much as you'd like given the level of charges!).
You can hire an aircraft, pay fuel and charges for the same price as sitting in a train (if you can get a seat) besides all manner of people.
When you put it like that, I can't see how anyone can fail to think that flying is actually a bargain.
We'd all like things to be cheaper, but I think that when you put it into perspective it is decent value. Unfortunately some people want more for less, or for nothing at all!
I suspect that SoaringHigh650 would moan about having to pay for a ticket just to provide the train driver with a wage and to allow the train company to invest in new equipment etc. Heaven forbid if the train company even think about making a profit or paying dividends to it's shareholders! Surely the public transport system should be paid for by HMG and provided free
