

Photo of passengers boarding a JetBlue flight at Long Beach by Moto@Club4AG via Flickr

One way to get around the traffic mess of Carmageddon: FLY. No, not with your two arms flapping, some pixie dust, and happy thoughts. Try on an airplane. JetBlue has announced they're offering two special nonstop flights #OverThe405, between Long Beach Airport and Bob Hope Airport in Burbank this Saturday during Carmageddon. The flights will be—and this is kind of insane—$4 each way.

Is this a sign of the ultimate "pussification" or sheer genius?

Mark Rogers, JetBlue’s L.A. marketing manager explains the rationale for these "planepools" (their word):

“We’re helping Angelenos get over the gridlock altogether and enjoy the Valley or the beach, their favorite soccer match or a food festival, without having to brave the traffic jams to get there. Plus, you’ll receive some of the best customer service in the industry, you can check a bag free, have the benefit of ample legroom while you tune to one of more than 100 live channels of free TV or radio stations, and snack freely, all while having a birds-eye view of the road congestion you’ve given up.”

Flights leave Burbank at 12:20 p.m. (arrive in Long Beach at 1:05) and 6:35 p.m. (arrive in Long Beach at 7:10 p.m.) and leave Long Beach at 1:50 p.m. (arrive in Burbank at 2:34 p.m.) and at 7:55 p.m. (arrive in Burbank at 8:30 p.m.). If you want to do a roundtrip, you'll need to leave on the first flight from either end, and take the later one home (no joyrides, we tried booking a there-and-back to no avail).

On a more serious note, while carpooling is a recognized way to tread a little more lightly on Mother Earth, and the suggested "beat Carmageddon" alternatives are to stay in your 'hood or try public transit (a lot of it will be free), "planepooling" from one regional airport to another seems like it would do a serious number on your carbon footprint.