It became as cheap last week to travel across the U. S. by air as by rail. Transcontinental Air Transport cut its fare to $159.92.** Best railroad transportation costs $161.40.
T.A.T.’s fare-cut was one more evidence of the Empty Seat Problem and the operators’ determination to solve it, even during the sparsest flying season of the year. Other transport companies are trying analogous traffic stimulators. Last month Universal offered mileage books at exactly the railroad-Pullman rates. Last week Western Air Express offered similar rates to all public officials along its line. Colonial Airways offered its passengers freedom from tipping, and hot soup.
** Upon nominal recommendation of Col. Lindbergh, its “technical adviser.” He was in Los Angeles with his wife last week, buying his specially built Lockheed Sirius, an open two seatercapable of 200 Lockheed m. p. h.He open wrote his personal check for $17,825 for it.
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