You are now free to not move about the country

Here's another sign that the planet is running out of oil (to go along with runaway fuel prices and a war fought for control of a dwindling resource): American Airlines has started canceling flights.

American Airlines, the No. 1 U.S. air carrier, on Friday said it decided to temporarily cancel 15 daily round-trip domestic flights from its two largest hub airports because of the skyrocketing price of jet fuel.

The airline, owned by AMR Corp., said the cancellations would take effect October 5 and last at least through October 29. After that, they could be restarted depending on what happens with fuel prices, AMR said in a statement.

In addition to the cancellations to U.S. airports that will still be served by other American Airlines flights, AMR said it plans to discontinue service between Chicago's O'Hare airport and Nagoya, Japan, at the end of October, also because of jet fuel prices.

If you think this is a result of damage to refineries caused by Katrina and a temporary situation, think back and remember how high fuel prices were before Katrina hit. Most of these flights probably never will be restored.

Expect other airlines to follow suit. And when there are fewer flights, you know what will happen to the price of an airline ticket. It's an airline executive's fantasy come true: Lower overhead (since all those pilots, baggage handlers and flight attendants won't be needed anymore) and higher prices per ticket.

Right before our eyes, air travel is becoming the domain of the wealthy.