to avoid security shenanigans, I typically take the first flight out in the AM - there is no PAT bus that will get me to the airport at 4:30AM. There isn't even a bus to get me to the airport at 5AM, for the times I decide to sleep in until the second flight out. I passionately hate flying, especially later when there are lines for security, so that rules out getting there by bus.
I have, many times, planned on taking the 28x home and gotten screwed by airlines, touching down exactly 30 seconds too late for us to sprint to the stop (even though we never check bags). We take the shuttle service to one of our parents' places then, it's cheaper than a taxi or going all the way home, and we can bum rides/breakfast in the AM.
Bottom line - PAT is a service. The people controling it (via money or politics or both) have no interest in continuing this service for anybody, thus are killing it as quickly and painfully as they can.
We can only make progress one funeral at a time if they don't kill off the next generation's will to stay and change things first.
yeesh, sorry for the rant.