re: My logic, and a slight amendment
"I'll grant that by 2036 I could see a small market for suborbital transcon flights -- and military applications of course -- but I just don't see it being the preferred method of transport, not by a long shot. "
I think you confusing what I mean by preferred. I would also say that 1st class travel is the preferred way of traveling, but it's not the most common way of travelling.
You should also note that I said this wasn't going to be easy and that the political barriers were going to be steeper than technical.
You seemed think it's mostly a technical barrier.
I also by 2036 China and India might have an interesting dynamic to what happenning in the world.