Caps aren't the answer

0 Comments | USA TODAY, September, 2007 | by Robert Sturgell

Nearly 40 years ago, the federal government limited hourly operations at five "high density" airports in New York, Washington and Chicago to address growing air traffic congestion and traveler frustration. At a time when commercial aviation was still heavily regulated, and the cost of air travel was still relatively expensive, it made sense for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to implement what became known as the high-density rule to help manage demand in those three markets.

Today, record aviation delays are costing the U.S. economy $15.3 billion a year. Serving the financial capital of the world, New York area's three airports are suffering the most. Some are suggesting that we take the same heavy-handed, government-mandate approach today that we took in...