A "Taxing" Flight Delay

I often wonder how  residents of  say  Missouri  and Oklahoma  would  react if their respective state governments implemented an income tax of roughly 9 percent  as a reward for funneling more of their paychecks to the state coffers, were rewarded with pothole-laden roads and crumbling bridges long overdue for repair, both of which brazenly commanded  $6.50 tolls.

Can anyone spell R-I-O-T?

I say welcome to life in New York.

Despite taxes that would have sparked an anarchical revolution in years past, residents of the Empire State (including yours truly) have endured all the above for more years than anyone would like to admit and yet have long paid one of the higher state and city tax rates in the nation.

But wait, it gets better!

Despite New York City (which has a tax rate of over 12 percent) serving as the global hub for millions of tourists, foreign dignitaries, tycoons of industry and more celebrities than could ever grace the cover of People Magazine, the Big Apple earned the dubious distinction of having the two of the worst airports in the country as judged by Travel and Leisure, which surveyed 22 major air hubs in the U.S.

Talk about the importance of first impressions.

But wait, it gets even better!

Not only were LaGuardia and its larger sibling, John F. Kennedy International, rated among the worst in the U.S., but they ranked FIRST and fourth, respectively in the poll.

LaGuardia, the smallest and less busy of the three major airports in the NYC area (the third being Newark, N.J, which ranked just one slot ahead of JFK in the thumbs-down  category) came in dead last with regard to baggage handling, cleanliness and  Wi-Fi availability.

With the fourth-worst score, JFK was cited for long waits at check-in, security, and baggage.  Those I can personally attest to, having spent an hour waiting for both on a number of occasions. On a return trip from Las Vegas, I was once told the baggage would arrive when the handlers returned from their break. Seriously.

In addition, T&L said the staff at Kennedy was not helpful (again, no argument from me) and they suggested you probably would need a GPS device in order to locate Wi-Fi.

By contrast Minneapolis, Charlotte and Detroit (yes Detroit) finished first, second and third among the country’s best airports and without Googling their respective tax rates, I think I would be safe in assuming Minnesota and North Carolina’s rates are less than New York.

And I’ll bet their roads have a few less potholes too.

Now if I can just figure out how to find a cheap flight out of Minnesota….