Exumans bless the arrival of the Eagle. (George Town, Exuma, Cayman Islands; American Eagle Inc.) (International Weekly)

MOSS TOWN -- Under a low gray sky the citizens of George Town, Exuma, bowed their heads and thanked God that the American Eagle had landed. And they prayed it would continue to visit this remote island each day, hopefully forever.

The Eagle is for the citizens of this Bahamian out island, a symbol of freedom from the vicissitudes of the Nassau government and a symbol of prosperity which they hope will flow from each of the 19 seats on American Eagle Flight 5630 nonstop from Miami.

From the perspective of South Florida, where 30,000 passengers passed through Hollywood/Fort Lauderdale International Airport at the peak of the holiday season, it is difficult to imagine the impact 19 passengers-a-day can have on George Town.

But the impact is quite similar, on a much smaller scale.

A full plane means 19, twenty dollar bills to 19 of the 30 cab drivers who wait outside, playing checkers at Exuma International Airport. And it means …