Pilots banned from acting like Uber drivers in the sky

Just like the entrenched taxi monopolies that are fighting tooth and nail against Uber, the certificated air carriers are rebelling against the ease of communications brought about by the internet. It is one thing for the FAA to have a second-rate lawyer stretch 800 year old common law to stifle modern communications as that would be laughed at by a right thinking judge, but what is missing from the AirPooler scheme is commonality of purpose. If a Piper full of Passengers was headed to the same convention at the Las Vegas Sands, I think that would meet the test, and be acceptable under the current rules.

I was always uncomfortable with the 3 x 5" cards that said "Flying to San Diego Saturday, seeking one to share expenses," but not with those that said "Going Antiquing in Phoenix. If you'd like to join me, lets split the costs."

The solution lies in legislation because the FAA has proved hidebound and unable to even name control towers in an expeditious manner. My representative in Congress is a real mover and shaker, she managed to get three (count 'em 3) Post Offices named during this session.

A simple solution to the problem: instead of advertising flights on airtaxi.com, take the website down and request that potential passengers send an email to whatever@airtaxi.com - auto reply to passenger would include a list of available flights. Result - no advertising since the passenger is directly requesting a schedule. Done.

I was thinking of flying to Vegas this weekend - but only if I have a few "friends"
who want to share the "time" together - Thinking of leaving tommorow at 8 am planning on
returning in 2 days. Call me if you "think" youd like to ride along. 909-123-4567 :)

why is this something the government should make decisions about? Surely I choose the risk I want to take?

My question for everyone is... how is this any different that advertising for ride sharing for college students driving home? You don't know if the person driving is a drug addict, kidnapper, a drunk or just a terrible driver that gets in an accident once a month? Why are pilots being treated so differently than everyone else? We at least have to go through a medical and a biannual.

With the high cost of fuel and landing fees, parking etc. The G.A. pilot can't afford to fly like he or she used to. Less traffic due to gougers in the fuel area. We have a FBO at my home airport which feels that they need to make a huge profit so their fuel is over the top, an airport a few miles away is almost $2 cheaper per gallon and they are making a profit. So if someone can have a person ride along to lower the prices that helps us G.A. folks keep our airplanes in the sky. We many of us got a pilot's license to avoid the airports that was before 9/11 now afterwards it is three times as much trouble going to a commercial airport. What is the difference between putting up a notice on a bulletin board at your home airport vs. a website????

Here in Brazil it's forbidden to charge for a plane ride. The reason is that the air taxi companies are subject to more strict regulations than the private owners. So, they are theoretically safer to fly than in a plane and a pilot you don't know.

BIG government at its best.

.. It would also sound like, I can't go find someone to take me up for a photo shoot of various airports either .... What a bunch of crap .. Lets see now ? A privately owned plane, their money, my money, my camera .. Nope, no GOVERNMENT involvement ... Let them try to STOP me.

So let me get this straight, the old fashioned bulletin board time sharing method is now illegal? I always thought as long as you paid your fair share of the operating expenses (and nothing more) that move was perfectly legal. The regs are there for a reason but how are we ever going to contain the rising cost of flying without becoming more creative in the ways we attract more people to aviation?