Getting there

When a Texas A&M department head and his two associate directors traveled from College
Station to El Paso for a meeting in 2008, they used a school plane, at a cost of $1,895 per
person. A recent survey of fares online suggests the three could have traveled for as little as
$230 per person.

$2,000.00
$1,800.00
$1,600.00
$1,400.00 Roundtrip
cost, per
$1,200.00
person
$1,000.00
$800.00
$600.00
$400.00
$200.00
$0.00
A&M plane Commercial fare Commercial fare
booked same day booked two weeks in
advance

Former A&M President Elsa Murano used a school plane to get from College Station to Austin,
a 106-mile trip. Here are some of the other options she could have chosen.
$1,200.00
$1,000.00
$800.00
$600.00
$400.00 Roundtrip
$200.00 cost, per
$0.00 person
A&M plane Commercial fare Luxury car rental
booked one day in
advance

*** Figures meant as rough comparison. Does not adjust for fluctuations in pricing or inflation. Cost for luxury car
rental does not include fuel.
SOURCES: A&M invoices, online fare sites
Research by MARK LISHERON, graphic by LEE ANN O’NEAL