Flying to Florida to become much harder in new year

On Jan. 5, US Airways will cease nonstop service between Pittsburgh and Florida, eliminating 24 daily round-trip flights from Pittsburgh International. Although four other airlines will still fly an average total of 14 nonstop flights each day to several Florida cities, that 63 percent reduction in the number of daily departures will have a profound impact on travelers.

While it's possible that other carriers will add flights to pick up the slack, it's an iffy proposition given the present aviation environment and recent increase in landing fees at Pittsburgh International.

Of course, myriad possibilities are available for itineraries that involve connections in Philadelphia, Charlotte, Atlanta or other airports. The inescapable reality is that even the quickest connecting journey will double or even triple the normal 2 1/2-hour nonstop flight. This also greatly expands the risks of mid-route problems, from weather delays and canceled flights to lost luggage.

What's more, even when seats are available, they're likely to induce a case of sticker shock for anyone who hasn't priced airline tickets lately.

Commercial airplanes are not the only way to travel, although the other public transportation options are limited to say the least.

Amtrak can get you to Florida. The only choice leaves Pittsburgh each morning at 5:45 a.m. on the Capitol Limited to Washington, D.C., to make connections to the Silver Meteor, which is scheduled to arrive the next day in Orlando at 12:55 p.m. and Miami at 6:55 p.m. The 30-plus-hour journeys can cost $222 round-trip.

Another viable Amtrak option is to drive a car to Lorton, Va., near Washington and catch the Auto Train, which departs at 4 p.m. each day and arrives at Sanford, Fla., about 35 minutes northeast of Orlando, at 9:30 the following morning. The round-trip fare is $195.50 per passenger and $429 for a regular-sized car.

Greyhound is the only other common carrier travel option. Several buses depart each day from Pittsburgh's sparkling new bus terminal just across Liberty Avenue from the train station. Trip times vary, but a journey from Pittsburgh to Orlando averages 27 to 30 hours each way, and basic fares run about $300 round-trip, even less with some common discounts. The price for riding the bus to Miami is about the same, even though the ride is four hours longer.

With that in mind, even more Florida-bound travelers are likely to be driving themselves. Although that journey can be accomplished within a day of steady driving, it's better taken at a somewhat more leisurely pace. That's the recommendation of Virginia Linn, PG lifestyle editor, Orlando-area native and veteran of numerous family automobile expeditions to Florida. (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08307/924200-51.stm?cmpid=relatedarticle.)