I was bored and started looking for info. on the essential air service program...man does our gov't spend a boat-load on that program. Seems like Great Lakes entire revenue source is from EAS. I feel that our gov't seems to think that airline travel must be available to EVERYONE no matter what. I'm just one person so my voice is only so loud.

 

What is your point? Are you for or against EAS contracts?

 

It has nothing to do with the government thinking everyone should fly. Those routes are supplemented because without that money no airline would fly into those cities. If no airlines goes there people can't travel and things can't get to and from those cities very easily. The biggest problem is getting things to these cities in winter. Have you ever driven in Upper Michigan when its -15 and a blinding snow storm? When I flew the Beech we would take everything from live fish to baby chicks just so they wouldn't die in the long drive in the back of a semi. So this money has nothing to do with wanting people to fly it has to do with keeping communities going and giving them a way to get out!!!! Again have you ever been to some of these cities? There is a reason why you probably haven't. Just take apart EAS......Essential Air Service. It's essential for these communities to have the flights.

 

The problem is, EAS has been perverted a bit. Western cities, sure. MCN is 1 hour on an interstate from the busiest airport in the world, yet it's EAS. That to me is crazy.

 

Don't take this personally, but there's so much wrong with your argument, it's no funny!

First and foremost, if people can't afford to pay to fly from a particular city then they shouldn't be flying!!!!

Second, most of the EAS routes aren't in Michigan and don't face blinding snow storms. Why would you want to fly in a blinding snow storm anyway?

Third, I don't know about baby chicks (and why do they have to come from Michigan?), but I have shipped live fish and if you package them right they can survive 72 hours in below zero temperatures. Trucks can make it coast to coast in 72 hours...

Finally, I have been to several EAS cities and most of them are within 2-3 hours driving distance of a major airport and have an interstate within a few miles. Exactly why is it essential that they have air service when it's just as easy to drive?

The only valid argument for EAS to certain communities might be to provide access for military bases and personnel who might not otherwise have air service.

 

That's a good example of what I was trying to point out. Some cities...sure, they're a long way, 5+, hours from any airport. But if you're only an hour or so some airline service, take a car and drive. Works for me.

Don't forget it's not just the EAS program that our gov't is paying for. When an airport gets airline service, TSA and all the other programs must go to the airport. Now you have a $10 million government run airport so 50 people/wk can save a little bit of drive time.

 

if it wasnt for EAS I wouldn't have a job

Thank you

 

I love it when people come out to the airplane in one of these tiny, stupid towns we fly to and they say "Man, this is the smallest airplane I've ever seen" and are all ****ed off about it. Seriously? You live in a town of like 500 people and are upset that we aren't flying something bigger than a 1900 in there even though you're the only passenger getting on? If these people have something so good going in their town that they feel the need to live there, then they can also pay for their own air service. The federal government has no business paying for air service for any towns. Living in a small town in the middle of nowhere might have its perks, but it also has inconveniences, such as a lack of air service. How is it the responsibility of a taxpayer in denver to pay for air service in Wolf Point, Montana? Just another prime example of how out of control the federal government is.

 

I loved it when people would board our BE-1900 and complain about the size! Good times!

 

I think it is a good program in some cities, but for some it's a total waste of tax dollars. I'm working at an EAS outstation that has one of the highest subsidies in the system, and we have 3 other airports within 45 minutes that have RJ service to connect with just about every major out there. In my opinion our station should be eliminated, even though it would cost me my job. We've only been averaging around 50 pax per month since the new year.