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ORLANDO B. HANSELMAN iuJ 

PO BOX 337 

JOHNSTOWN, PA. 15907-0337 ~ 

PHONE: 814-255-2179 

FAX: 814-255-2179 

E-MAIL: orlandoh@floodcity.net 

Mr. Michael F. Martin 

US Department of Transportation 

Aprils, 2010 

RE: Air Service to John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport, Johnstown, PA. 

Dear Mr. Martin, 

I have been a frequent business traveler customer of the Johnstown Airport since 1987. 

Since 2004,1 have been traveling extensively domestically and internationally for 

business—each of my approximate 24-36 annual flights originate from this convenient 

and cost effective airport. 

Several years ago Dulles Airport was properly chosen as the connecting hub for all 

Johnstown flights. THIS REMAINS AN EXCELLENT DECISION. Dulles is a modern 

airport, easily navigated, with an abundance of connecting flights and destination cities, 

domestic and international. Customer carrier choice, as well as total flight pricing offered 

by the Dulles connection, is outstanding. Returning to Pittsburgh or the use of Cleveland 

as a new hub would represent a significant decline in both service and connection 

choice, as well as likely increasing the total flight cost for most connections. I URGE 

DOT TO ONLY CONSIDER CARRIER OPTIONS CONNECTING THROUGH DULLES. 

The Colgan Air/United carrier currently servicing Johnstown has been the best 

relationship in my experience with the Johnstown Airport. The quality of the personnel 

and equipment is exemplary. The number of seats on each plane is appropriate for the 

market. When making schedule changes, Colgan Air has responsively listened to their 

customers as evidenced by their soon to be reinstitution of an early morning and late 

evening flight. The United partnership serves us exceedingly well related to connection 

choice, equipment quality, on time arrival rates, expert baggage handling and convenient 

gate access at Dulles. I STRONLY RECOMMEND THAT DOT CONTINUE THE 

COLGAN AIR/UNITED SERVICE. 

The requested subsidy cannot and must not be the only criterion for this economically 

vital decision. Total seats serving the market must be considered; Colgan air proposes 

90 seats, the most of all proposals. The connecting airport must be considered, with 

both Cleveland and Pittsburgh being limited shells compared with Dulles. Carrier 

experience must be a factor; we cannot rely on untested and unproven charter carriers 

such as Sovereign Air and Charter Air for our economic lifeblood service. Affiliation with 

a respected international and domestic leading airline such as United is an imperative. 

The absence of in-place, tested and proven ticketing and baggage inter-carrier 
arrangements is a non-starter for business travelers such as myself; the newcomers, 

Charter and Sovereign, acknowledge the challenges they face related to their lack of 

such arrangements and their promises "to work on them" is little comfort. Finally too 

ticket cost from Johnstown to the hub is only one consideration and must be 

overshadowed by the total in cost including connections, a factor favoring carriers 

affiliated with a major airline such as United. 

Based upon my extensive travel experience and significant usage of the Johnstown 

Airport, I am convinced that COLGAN AIR is THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR OUR 

COMMUNITY. Our region, which lacks quality roads in and out of Johnstown as well as 

user friendly rail service, is dependent upon convenient and sensible air service for its 

economic vitality. Local jobs depend upon it. Our ability to attract new residents into our 

community relies upon it. It is not an exaggeration to state that lacking dependable air 

service will result in geographic isolation and economic stagnation for our community. 

Now is not the time to be "penny wise and pound foolish" nor to "experiment recklessly" 

with unproven newcomers. 

I am available and eager to discuss as necessary. Please call freely upon me at 

anytime. 

I thank you for your time in reading and considering my unsolicited input as you 

deliberate on this critical community decision. 

With my appreciation and thanks. 

/s/ Orlando B. Hanselman 

CC: Mr. Scott Voelker, Airport Operations Director