# t>oT - &st-^«> 5 ' /^" f S

5

7 9 WoodClif

f Drive Plattsburgh , N

Y 1290 1

Denni s J . DeVany , Essential Ai

r Servic e Division , X- 3 Offic e o f Aviation-Analysi s U.S . Dep t o f Transportatio n 120 0 Ne w Jerse y Ave . S

E Washington , D.C. 2059 0 February? , 201 0 Dea r Mr. DeVany , I a maresiden t

of Clinto nCounty , Ne

w York , writin g t o as k

you no t t o follow th e recommendatio no

f ou r loca l Legislature i

nth e awardin g o

f th e ne w EA

S contrac t fo r th e area . Th e Legislature' s selectio no f Colga nAi r i s highly controversial , doe s no t represen t anythin g approachin g aconsensus , i s no t inth e bes t

interest s o

f th e communit y o r it s long-termeconomi c development , an di s asignificant wast e o f taxpaye r dollars . For

al l thes e reason s I woul durg e you t o awar dth e ne w contrac t t o Cape Air, whichinit s prio r ter mha s triple dtraffic onth e Plattsburg h- Boston route . Cape Air' s excellent service , reliability an dcos t effectivenes s positio ni t strongl y t o continu e t o gro w traffi c a t Plattsburg hInternational Airport inth e future . I believ e I hav e auseful perspectiv e onthi s matte r havin g owne dan doperate d Schonbek Worldwid e Lighting , on e o f th e area' s larges t

employers , fo

r over thirt y years . I nthi s capacity 1 gaine danappreciatio no f ai r trave l requirement s o

f businesse s i nth e Nort

hCount y an dhadconsiderabl e direc t experienc e wit

hall o f Cape Air' s predecessor s ove r dia t tim e period . Thi s experienc e als o provide s me wit hanunderstandin g of

th e vital rol e o

f effective ai r

servic e i neconomi c developmen t

an dth e growtho

f th e communit

y inth e future . Apart fh) msafety , th e mos t

importan t

ai r servic e requirement s fo

r anare asuc ha s thi s on e ar e frequency , connectivity , reliability , an dprice . Size o f aircraf t (th e factor o nwhic hth e Legislature' s fault y decisio nwa s based ) i s als o aconsideration , bu t no t i f i t result s inamajo r

compromisin g o

f th e othe r key factors . The competin g proposal s o f Cape Ai r an dColga nar e base donver

y different busines s models . Significantly , deployin g alarg e an dnimbl e fleet o f smal l aircraf

t in market s suc ha s thi s on e i s th e very essenc e o f Cape Air' s valu e proposition .

### Whatever th e volume o

f traffic , thi s approac hallow s th e airlin e t o fly a t ahighe r loa dfactor thanwoul dotherwis e b e th e case . A t th e sam e time , a s traffi c increases , Cape Ai r caneasil y schedul e mor e frequen t flights, thereb y improvin g connectivity . The fleet

flexibility inheren t

inthi s mode l als o result s insuperio r servic e t o wha t might otherwis e b e achieved . For example , incertai nsituation s Cape Ai r ha s assigne dmultipl e aircraf

t t o asingl e flight

t o accommodate temporar y loadsurges . Furthermore, reliability an do ntime performanc e ar e enhance db y th e ability t o quickly brin g areplacemen t aircraf t ont o aparticular

rout e t o deal wit

hmechanica

l problem s o r

compensat e fo

r upstrea msyste mdelays . Finally , th e relativel y lower uni t cos t pe r flight an dhighe r

loa dfactor result s inbette r

cos t effectivenes s than coul dotherwis e b e achieved . Non e of thes e advantage s i s associate dwit hth e more conventional busines s model base do nlarge r

aircraf t espouse db y Colga

nAir . A t an y givenlevel o

f traffi c Colga

n will likely hav e fewer

flights, resultin g inpoore r connectivity tha nCape Air . Servic e i s als o likely t o suffer , a s th e airlin e will hav e anincentiv e t o cance l empty flights, an dwill no t

hav e th e flexibility t o wor k aroun dmechanica

l o r syste mtraffi c delays . An dobviously , large r

plane s wit

hlarge r crew s (includin g anunnecessary flight attendant ) cos t

more , translatin g int o higher ticke t prices . Al l o f thes e disparitie s ar e eviden t i nth e competin g proposal s pu t fort hb y Cape Ai

r an dColgan . Significantly , Cape Air' s propose dschedul e i s fo r thre e flights pe r

day , every day , withfou

r durin g th e summe r

season . Outside o

f atria l "stimulu s period " tha t include s thre e dail y weekday flights, Colga npropose s tw o flights pe r day , an d only on e o nweekends . Thi s severel y limit s connectio noption s i nLoga nan di s sur e t o resul t inamajor

decreas e intrafRc . O nth e matte r

o f cost , Cape Ai

r ha s guarantee daone-wa

y ticke t pric e o f $ 65 , whil e th e bes t tha t Colga ncoul dd o i s commi t

t o a"targe t

range " o f $ 7 5 - $ 125 , wit

hn o guarante e tha t

thi s will no t

b e exceede di

nth e future . I

npractice , Colga

nha s atrac k recor dof aggressivel y increasin g price s inothe r market s inwhic hthe y hav e bee n awarde dEA

S contracts . Ver y importantly , t o delive r

thi s lower

level o f service , Colga

ni s askin g U

S taxpayer s fo r asubsidy 5 9 % highe r

thantha t bein g requeste dby Cape Air . A s th e governmen t struggle s wit

hth e effects of

unprecedente ddeficits , on e woul dthink tha t thi s factor , inan do f itself , woul db e decisive . Apparently , th e Legislature wa s swaye di nit s decisio nb y asurve y prepare dby th e loca l Chamber o f Commerce , whichindicate dtha t Montrea l resident s woul db e mor e likely t o trave l t aPlattsburg ht o make us e o f th e airpor t

i f i t wer e service db y large r aircraf t Having grow nu p i

nMontrea l I canno t imagin e tha t

thi s i s th e case , giventha t th e resul t o f large r plane s will b e les s connectio noption s a t Logan . Certainly , i

f th e questio nexplicitly recognize dthi s trad e off , a s well a s tha t associate dwithth e highe r cost s o f th e large r aircraft , th e respons e woul dhav e bee n very differen t

### I

nan y case , however , eve ni f thi s wer e no t

th e case , i t

i s m y understandin g tha t th e EA S progra mi s no t

designe da s amean s for U S taxpayer s t o subsidiz e th e trave l of foreig nnationals . Therefore , an y argumen t o nth e theor y o f

traffi c increase s base d o nnon-residen t

ridershi p ough t

t o b e disqualified . Severa l o f

th e Legislator s hi dbehin dth e fig leaf of publi c safet y insuggestin g tha t th e lac k o f acopilo t o nCap e Ai r

flights wa s inherentl y unsafe . I nmakin g thi s baseles s argument , the y chos e t o ignor e Cap e Air' s impeccabl e safet y record , a s wel l a s th e controvers y surroundin g th e Colga nflight 340 7 acciden t

A s yo u ma y b e aware , a nupcomin g PB S documentar y make s th e poin t tha t economi c issue s associate dwit hth e Colganbusines s mode l create dincentive s t o cu t corner s an d tak e risks tha t

ultimatel y contribute dt o thi s tragedy . Fo r all thes e reason s th e Plattsburg hcommunit y i s u p i narm s ove r th e misguide d recommendatio nof

it s electe dofficials . No t

onl y i s thi s no t

consensu s - i t

i s th e antithesi s o f

i t I'v e attache da s Exhibi t 1 comment s poste do nth e websit e o f th e local newspaper , th e Pres s Republican , relativ e t o recentl y publishe darticle s o nthi s matter . Thos e supportin g Cap e Ai r ar e highlighte di nyellow . Whil e obviousl y thi s i s no t ascientifi c survey , a s yo u ca nsee , a noverwhelmin g majorit y of thes e comment s ar e i nsuppor t

o f Cap e Air' s renewa l a s Clinto nCounty' s EA S provider . I urg e yo u t o tak e all of

thi s int o account , an dt o no t follo w th e Legislature' s recommendatio ninthi s matter . Sincerely , Andre w Schonbe k

### Exhibi t 1 - Posting s o nPres s Republica nWebsit e I though t thi s Essentia l Ai rService(EAS ) wa s earmarlte d fo rLOCA L SERVICE . PB S Frontlin e ha s uncovere d som e veryscar yan d seriou s pilo t trainin g problems , unsaf e practices , an d managemen t manipulatio n o f pilo t hours tha t shoul d make al l o fu s thin k twic e abou t wh o i s reall yflyin g thes e plane s an d th e risk s wit h ou rlive s tha t the yar e willin g t o take ! Cap e Ai r shoul d hav e receive d ou rloyaltylik e Mr . Hein s said . I applaud e hi s grea t character ) an d h e als o i s righ t tha t Colga n wil l no t guarante e th e rates!...humm , wonde rwhy??O h yes , an d how abou t th e extr a $ 1 millio n the ynee d t o com e her . Not smart i n tim e o feconomi cdepression . Wit h tw o Wyet h facilitie s closin g an d everyon e cuttin g back,(ev8 n WPTZ) , Sam' s Club , etc , increase d price s wil l onl yhurt ou rarea . Goo d Luc k Plattsburgh , w e ar e goin g t o nee d it!!! !

Febnjar y4 , 2010 , 4;-1 4 FM I agre e wholeheartedl ywit h th e abov e writer . I hav e flow n Cap e Ai rsevera l time s an d th e servic e ha s l)ee n fine . I hav e relative s i n l\flontrea l an d yes , the ymaydriv e dow n t o fl yt o Ft . Lauderdal e bu t woul d NEVE R driv e dow n t o fl yt o Boston . Thi s competin g airlin e i s a divisio n o f USAIR , whic h ha s t o b e th e wors t airlin e i n th e historyo fth e Unite d State s whe n i t come s t o custome rsen/ice . Th e onl ythin g USAI ri s skille d a t i s losin g you rluggage . An d mos t o f m y CAPEAI R flights hav e no t bee n full , wh ywoul d a bigge rplan e b e full ? A s th e sayin g goes , 'i fI t ain t broke , wh yfi xit? ' Frbrusrv'4 , 2010 , 5:0 0 A H Aiionymoii-' . I believ e thi s i s a goo d move anybod yhere o f th e sayin g 'I f yo u buil d i t the ywil l come' ? FelH'u.ii y4 , 2010 , 1 :S 7 A M However , cos t i s als o a n importan t componen t o fdeman d an d i t wa s negligen t o fth e boar d t o no t pus h th e ne wairlin e fo ra commitmen t o n pricing . I fthei rpric e poin t i s to o high , deman d wil l shift t o substitut e optio n fo rth e give n passengers . Februar y4 , 20:10 , 12:3 0 A

M sur e t o se e you rridershi p decrease. . Februar y4 , 2010 , 12:3 0 A

M Th e newfacilit yan d respectiv e marketin g effort s represen t th e majo rreaso n fo rth e increas e i n passengers , no t th e airline . T o continu e marke t growth , ther e need s t o b e a n airlin e servic e tha t ca n provid e increase d capacit yan d a product tha t peopl e want . Thi s ne wchoic e wil l mee t bot h capacityneed s an d customer , i.e . large raircraft . I t i s quit e obviou s tha t legislator s ha d thei rey e o n th e large raircraf t fo rquit e a lon g time . Thi s ha s bee n eviden t fo rsom e tim e now . Wha t d o the ythin k - a large raircraf t wil l mak e thei r airport loo k

better ? It' s tim e t o grow , the ysay , but. , ar e w e sur e tha t th e county' s ready ? Th e count ydroppe d th e bal l thi s time , an d clios e a compan ytha t wa s jus t yesterda yprofile d o n th e NB C Nightl yNew s fo rtha t ill-fate d tri p t o Buffal o tha t happene d becaus e the ywer e usin g a cre wtha t di d no t properl ykno who wt o operat e i n a professiona l manner , an d als o ho wt o operat e i n a seriou s situation . I hop e th e count yenjoy s th e sigh t o f th e large rplane s leavin g Plattsburgh , an d use s tha t Imag e o n promotiona l brochures , becaus e the ysur e can' t us e th e nam e o f th e alrtlne , no rca n the yus e th e imag e o fa ftjil plan e wit h wha t ha s bee n goin g o n wit h thi s company . No rca n the yus e th e fdc t tha t fare s t o Boston , M Aar e goin g up.. . an d tha t th e compan ywh o ha s no wwo n thi s righ t t o fl you t o f Plattsbiiiig h ha s n o ide a ho wmuc h th e fare s ar e goin g t o b e righ t now . Gongratutations , Clinto n County , i hop e yo u al l hav e you rferr y trip s t o g o t o BuHingto n Internationa l Airport read ywhe n th e airlin e ha s somethin g goin g wfbng , an d yo u nee d t o answe rP.R.-relate d questions .WOW ! Ho wdum b ar e thes e loca l legislators ? Oh , du h gues s it' s no t jus t o n th e loca l level !

Nowle t m e ge t thi s correct , Cap e Ai rha s bee n servin g thi s are a fo rth e pas t fe wyear s no w whe n other s hav e no t wante d to , an d servin g i t wel l a t tha t - eve n wit h th e minima l amoun t o f fliers pe rtrip . I'v

e go t a brigh t idea....let s ge t someon e wit h bigge rplane s s o ther e ca n b e mor e ope n seat s o n th e rout e an d w e ca n wast e mor e fuel . Wait , isn' t tha t th e mai n reaso n th e other s go t ou t o f here - no t enoug h fliers an d wastin g mone yo n fuel? ? Also , th e nic e peopl e a t Cap e Ai rar e goin g t o se t thei rpric e a t $6 5 on e way , bu t w e wil l g o wit h Colgan , caus e the y sai d the yar e goin g t o tryan d hav e thei rpric e somewher e betwee n $7 5 - $12 5 on e way . Make s Tota l Sens e T o Mel!! ! I'l l se e everyon e o n th e roa d a s w e ai l driv e bac k an d fort h fro m Bosto n again ! Februar y3 , 2010 , 1.0:2. 1 P H Whe n ar e the ygoin g t o hav e a flight t o an d fro m Burlington ? i't'bui..>i y 3 , yii.iO , .M,i : U ; <''" ' Anonymou s I hop e everyon e know s tha t Colga n spelle d Plattsburg h WRON G i n thei rpresentatio n the y reall ycar e abou t yo u guy s .. . FebruBH ' 3 , 2010 , 9:4 9 P M Arionymou s enjo yth e increase d fare s an d les s flghts a daypb g Februarys , 2010 , 9:4 8 P M Anonymou s Th e Legislator s shoul d hav e mad e sur e o f Colgan, s pric e t o Boston . Ther e i s quit e a differenc e betwee n $7 5 an d $125
. rebruar/ 3 , 2010 , 9:4 0 P

M Awesome ! r-bruds y S , ,'UiO , ': i '- M P M I t wa s embarrassin g t o witnes s ho wth e Legislatur e conducte d itsel fi n ignorin g th e simpl e economi cfact s a s wel l a s th e overwhelmin g interest s o f it s constituents . Thi s decisio n I s abou t o n a pa rwit h locatin g th e sewag e treatmen t facilit yo n prim e rea l estat e a t th e mout h o f th e Sarana cRiver . Februar y3 , 2010 , 9:33 P

M Goo d Luck , i t wil l b e needed . S o ho wman ypeopl e ar e gonn a boo k a flight o n Colgan ? Februar y3 , 2010 , 9:0 5 P

M Choosin g Colga n Ai ri s a n irresponsible , sel fservin g wast e o f federa l subsid ymone yby Clinto n Countylegislators . Th e trut h o f th e matte ri s tha t thi s ai rservic e ha s bee n availabl e fo r a numbe ro fyear s ou t o f Plattsburgh . Firs t a t th e ol d Clinto n CountyAirport wit h hometow n alriin e CommutAir . Afte rCommutAi rlef t Plattsburg h altogethe r{an d manage d t o attai n more profitabl e route s elsewhere) , th e Countybrough t i n Bi g Sk yAirline s v«^ic h wa s a Bi g Disaster . Bot h CommutAi ran d Bi g Disaste roperate d large rturt)opro p aircraft . The n Cap e Ai rcam e i n an d filled th e gap . Durin g al l thes e year s thes e flights operatin g ou t o f Plattsburg h t o Boston , o n an yo f th e 3 mentione d airline s flyaroun d wit h 1 o r2 passenger s o rEMPTY , Thi s smal l marke t I s exactl yth e nich e marke t tha t Cap e Ai ri s mor e tha n capabl e o f handling . Th e notio n tha t i f yo u ge t a bigge rairplan e peopl e wil l come , i s ridiculous . Plattsburg h ha s ha d servic e o n bigge rregiona l aircraf t i n th e no t S o distan t past , an d i t wa s prove n the n a s i t i s ever yda ynow tha t th e airplane s won t b e futt o reve n close . Thi s i s a wast e o f clos e t o a millio n dollar s o f federa l subsid ymone yt e make a fe wpolitica l ego s here happ yan d fly1 o r2 peopl e ever y waektoBOS .AiiOiiyrrioLi s

Goo d luc k

pb g enjo yth e crumm yservice ! Thi s wil l b e th e en d o fcustume rservic e i n pb g an d th e th e loca l custumer s wil l b e th e one s to o suffer . rcDiuar yi , ?CH s i 'd'AS P M At las t they'v e mad e a n intelligen t decision ! Wa s dinne ran d drinks , served ? '•• l-ni.nr y; , 'fj.!.: : K. . 1 : P M FebiMdi V 3 , 2010 , 8:3 6 P M

Anonymou s *shake s head * Februar y3 , 2010 , 8:3 4 Pi ^ Progres s mean s movin g forwar d an d th e Legislatur e ha s certainl ydon e s o thi s evening . Th e nex t ste p i s t o wor k

wit h Colga n t o provid e flights t o destination s t o th e West , suc h a s Syracuse , Rocheste rand/o rBuffalo , whic h woul d allo wPI At o serv e resident s o fth e Nort h Country , no t jus t th e Canadians . Fi-bru.K y3 , 201 0 2:2[- ; T

M Anonymou s Goo d luc k

you'r e gonn a nee d it . Februarys , 2010 , 8 ; 1 6 P M On e ca n hop e tha t Colga n Ai rserve s th e peopl e o f tiie Nort h Countr yi n a saf e manner . Colga n wa s th e operato ro f th e plan e tha t aashe d i n Buffal o a yea rago . Rea d th e paper s today , i t wa s foun d tha t Colga n wa s th e reaso n fo rth e crash . PLEAS E b e sur e yo u kno wwha t you'r e askin g for . Februar y.3 , 2010 , 8:1 3 P

M Ancu'ivPiOif : YAY!!! ! r-uihivU y.] . 20.i:} , LbO O P; M You'r e righ t suff happens ! Howeve rth e poin t agains t Colga n i s tha t tha t acciden t coul d hav e bee n easil yprevented . Colga n treat s thie rpilot s poorty , the ydon t paythem , the ydon t trai n the m an d i t i s clea rindustr ywid e tha t Colga n ha s cu t conners . Wh ywoul d ou rlegislator s wan t t o condon e thi s sort o f behavio respeciall ywhe n i t conie s dow n t o th e safet yo f ou r families? Howdar e th e Legislator s sa ythe yar e fo r'growt h an d expansion ' whe n the yrefijs e t o loo k a t th e facts , ignor e th e peopl e tha t hav e experienc e i n th e industr yan d th e peopl e tha t actull yus e th e service , an d ignor e al l evidenc e an d researc h tha t say s reliabillity , fl-equencey, an d affordabillit yar e th e thing s tha t gro wa n ai rservice . Howdar e the ytak e th e wor d o f th e sel f sen/in g Gar

yDougla s tha t ha s wante d Colga n her e fo ryears . Howca n 'marke t research ' an d survey s b e scientifi can d no n biase d wh e they'r e create d b ysomeon e tha t i s promotin g a particula rparty ? Howdar e th e Legislator s insul t th e peopl e o fthi s communityb ysayin g the y don t understan d o rrecogniz e growth . Ho wdar e th e Legislator s saytha t w e can t thin k wit h ou r 'emotions' , i don t kno wwhat s mor e persona l o remotiona l tha n a fathe rbein g abl e t o affordabl yan d retiabil yhi s so n t o an d from Bosto n fo rcollege , o rsomeon e bein g abl e t o g o t o Bosto n fo rmedica l appointments . ACap e Ai rpilo t gav e m e thei rpersona l cel l phon e number , jus t i n cas e m yappoltmen t wen t t o long , s o tha t sh e coul d wai t fo rm e an d I wouldn t hav e t o sta yth e nigh t i n Boton . O n a ba d weathe rda yI've witnesse d Cap e Ai rca b peopl e t o Bosto n s o the ywouldn t ge t stuck ! The ydon t hav e t o provid e servic e lik e tha t an d Colga n deflnatle ywon't . EA S wa s create d t o allo wpeopl e i n certai n communitie s bette roption s fo r

transporation . An d tha t i s wha t Cap e Ai rha s don e (the yincreas e thie row n enplanment s 22 % ever ymonth , wit h ou t th e hel p o fth e Chamber) , an d that s wha t they'l l continu e t o d o i f allowe d t o stay . Yo u ar e PATHETIC ! an d i fyo u thin k thi s plac e an d th e peopl e ar e s o terrible , yo u shoul d leave ! Februar yS , ZO.i.O, 8:0 3 Ai^'

^ ArujiK-ni ' h.r_

, Yo u peopl e ar e hilarious . A n airlin e ha s a plan e cras h tha t yo u al l hea rabou t i n Buffal o an d tha t airlin e i s condemne d fo ral l eternity . Di d yo u al l vo wt o neve rflyo n America n Airline s whe n a n Airbu s A31 9 crashe d i n Fa rRockawayNewYor k becaus e th e pilo t wasn' t traine d t o us e th e rudders properl yan d th e tai l rudde rfel l offth e plane ? Di d yo u al l eve n knowabou t that ? Plane s crash . Cars Crash . Peopl e wal k int o poles . Th e worl d isn' t a 100 % saf e plac e t o be . Howdar e Clinto n Countr yventur e int o th e forsake n worl d o fgrowt h an d expansion ! Sham e o n you ! Kee p thes e sheltere d peopl e happ ywit h thei r8 passenge rairlines . Decreas e th e spee d limit s o n th e road s - w e al l knowthe ydriv e 1 0 mile s pe rhou rslowe rtha n the m anyway . D o no t tak e awaythei rpreciou s Cap e Air . Whic h I' m sur e the yal l complaine d abou t th e da yi t arrive d i n Plattsburgh , muc h like th e revelatio n o fth e automobile , a s a poste r mentione d below . Clinto n Countyi s doin g yo u al l a favo ran d yo u don' t eve n knowit . An d t o thin k al l o f th e peopl e wh o don' t eve n knowthes e comment s ar e gettin g poste d becaus e the y don' t knowcomputers exis t i n th e world...thi s plac e i s prettypathetic . Febfii.n y4 , M'K.U , \ \ J ? Fb l Friend s it' s tim e t o d o somethin g abou t th e 7 Legislator s tha t vot e i n favo ro fthi s airline . W e ca n recal l the m o rvot e the m ou t o f offic e i n November . W e nee d a Massaschusett s styl e electio n an d sho wou rlegislator s wh o i s incharge . Febiuar y4 , 2010 , 9:5 7 P

M Th e decisio n o f th e countyi s astoundingl yincompeten t an d Irresponsible . Th e choic e o f Colga n i n th e sam e wee k tha t th e shodd ypractice s an d cultur e o ftha t compan yar e o n displa ya t th e PA

Ai s jus t Ja

wdropping . Th e Board look s lik e a bunc h o fhicks wh o hav e jus t bee n sol d a bil l o f good s b yth e travelin g salesman . Ther e come s a tim e whe n responsibility forpubli csafetyha s t o b e pu t ahea d o fth e fantasytha t busines s wil l b e draw n here , o rtha t tha t peopl e wil l com e i n drove s t o flyou t o fPlatteburg h wit h Colgan . Gree d i s a deadl ysin . Th e OHjnt

yfathers canno t eve n delive ro n tha t ephemera l goa l i n thi s deal . Th e posters belo war e correct . Anyon e wh o ha s followe d th e Clarenc e cras h cause d b yincompetentl y traine d an d supervise d Colga n pilot s know s tha t thi s compan ycanno t b e truste d wit h th e live s o f one' s love d ones . Apparentl yincompetenc e o n th e part o fth e CountyBoar d need s t o snuggl e u p t o an yothe rincompetenc e the yca n find. Th e decisio n i s jus t s o irresponsibl e - th e highes t obligatio n o fgovernmen t i s suppose d t o b e maintenanc e publi csafety . Make s on e wis h fo ra rea l tw o part ysyste m i n thi s county . On e more lin k o n th e pile , http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/03/nyregion/03colgan.htm l Februar y4 , 2010 , 6:5 4 P

M Anonymou s Congrat s t o fo rTh e tow n o fHarrietstow n unhitchin g fro m P'burg h befor e the yrolle d ovia rth e cliff . Th e spli t bi d wil l probabl yincreas e subsid yprice , bu t P'burg h i s faking th e wron g roa d an d th e res t o f N YI s wis e t o stic k wit h Cap e Air . No wfiysaf e an d watc h an d laug h a s th e Plattsburgh/Colga n dram a unfold s (i t appear s t o hav e alread ybegu n unravelin g a t las t night s meeting) . Pertiap s Clinto n wil l wis e u p soone rrathertha n late ran d th e ide a fo radditiona l Cap e Ai rflights connectin g upsfat e airports , Boston , an d Alban yca n b e revived . Meanwhile , thanks fo rapplyin g prope rreasonin g t o kee p essentia l ai rservic e i n thi s underserve d market . Cap e Ai rha s bee n a n asse t an d a goo d membe ro f ou rcommunities . Februar y4 , 2010 , 6:3 3 P

MBet yo u guy s woul d hav e complaine d whe n the ywen t fro m horse s t o cars . Wh yg o t o cars

whe n a hors e carrie s onl y1 wher e i t coul d carr y2 . Loo k a t ho wpeopl e woul d b e kille d ridin g i n cars at thos e hig h speed s an d unsaf e drivers . Muc h safe rt o b e ridin g a horse . Mayb e Clinto n Countyi fthinkin g o f th e futur e an d growth . I C4HUO; V 4 , 20.i0 , 5 . : 3 F M I woul d lik e t o start off sayin g I flight ove r100,00 0 mile s a yea ran d hav e fo rabou t th e las t 7 year s leavin g ft"om BTV . I liv e i n Rouse s Poin t an d Plattsburg h woul d b e muc h bette rwit h th e shorte rdriv e an d n o partyin g fees . Howeve rfo rth e busines s travele rColga n Ai rdoe s no t appea rt o b e a soun d decision . Firs t Colga n Ai ract s a s a regiona l carrie rfo rContential , United , an d U S Ariway s flying onl yint o Loga n i n Boston . Wit h non e o f thes e thre e ariline s havin g a hu b i n Bosto n th e travele rthe n generall ytake s a flight t o on e o fthei rhub s the n o n t o th e final destination . Fo rth e bes t result s th e regiona l carrie rleavin g Plattsburg h shoul d fily directl yt o a hu b o f th e airiine s the ypartne rwit h fo rmor e efficien t traveling . I n additio n t o this , th e safet yrecor d o f Colga n Ai ri s a t th e toweren d o f th e flight industry . Fo rsafet yreason s an d fo rflight schedule s I wil l remai n takin g th e longe rdriv e t o Buriingto n the n tak e a chanc e o n Colga n Ai rou t o f Plattsburgh . T o ba d someon e misse d th e boa t here . Mayb e more informatio n shoul d hav e bee n sough t fro m peopl e wh o actuall yfly for a living ? Februar y4 , 2010 , 5:? S P

M Anonymou' ; Ther e goe s m ybusiness . Goo d jo b Plattsburgh ! Februiiry4 , 2010 , 5:1 8 P M Pinnaci e (owne ro f Colgan ) flies rea l jet s ou t o f Buriingto n (a s Delte/Northwest) . The ystan d t o gai n i f Plattsburg h i s prevente d fro m becomin g a rea l airport (plu s pic k u p a fe wmillio n i n subsidie s i n thei reffort s t o kee p Plattsburg h a backwate r- a win/wi n fo rthem) . To o ba d count yofficial s don' t kno wth e airiin e industry . To o ba d th e Pres s Republica n couldn t expen d som e resource s o n thi s issu e ( a coupl e o f Googl e searche s woul d hav e don e it) . Th e Canadian s wil l b e please d t o kno wtha t Pinnacle' s Buriingto n flights ar e o n Bombardie r Canadai rJet

s (no t obsolet e SAAB s salvage d from som e boneyard) . Februar y4 , 2010 , 4:2. 3 P

M Gla d I liv e i n Sarana cLake . Hopefull ymor e busines s wil l com e ou rwa ybecaus e o f thi s bonehea d decisio n i n Plattsburgh . Februar y4 , 2010 , 4:1 7 P

M Anonymou s I sugges t tha t everyon e sta yawa yfro m Plattsburg h airport whe n the ycom e in . I hav e alread y poste d i t o n m ysit e an d blog.. . Pas s o n th e informatio n mayb e th e countywil l listen.. ! kno w tha t peopl e i n Montrea l ar e falking abou t it . February4 , 2010 , 3:4 7 P M Th e anti-canadia n stuff i s verydisturbing , i don' t thin k Canadian s wil l trave l 7 0 mile s t o boar d a Cessna . I t sound s lik e Colga n i s th e issu e an d thei rreputetion . Kee p th e Cessna' s fo rth e loca l ti'affic, bu t engag e anothe rcarrie rfo rrea l flights i n smal t jet s tha t g o t o Ne wYor k an d Washington . Th e nam e po f th e airport i s Plattsburg h International , no t Clinto n County Aifiport . Canadian s ar e vita l t o it s growt h togethe rwit h ou rAmerica n friends . Februar y4 , 2010 , 3:3 3 P

M Anonymou s I woul d jus t lik e t o sa yafte rattendin g th e meetin g las t night , i t wa s a bi g joke ! Afte rth e legislature s ha d a lon g lis t i n fron t o fthe m o f al l o f Colgan' s negative' s (hig h prides , lac k o f safe^ , constan t delay s an d cancellations , etc.., ) an d the ywen t ahe^ d an d picke d them . On e thin g tha t mad e m e ma d wa s whe n the ykep t sayin g the ywante d t o attrac t Canadians . No t for noticing , las t tim e 1 checked , I pa ym ytaxes ! Th e Canadian s don t pl ythe m fo rme . EA S i ssuppos e t o b e fo rth e community ! No t abou t servicin g a diffren t country!! ! Byth e way , tha t

colga n representiv e coul d hav e bee n o n 'dancin g wit h th e stars ' th e wa yh e dance d aroun d tha t pricin g question . It' s onl ya matte ro f flme befor e thes e price s g o u p wit h colgan ! Also , som e wer e concerne d abou t th e on e pilo t situation . Las t I checked , th e pilot s tha t wer e flying tha t buffal o plan e ha d tw o pilot s an d loo k wha t happened ! An d yo u wan t t o sayflying wit h on e pilo t i s no t safe ! I flyCap e Ai ral l th e tim e becaus e I ca n affor d i t an d it' s SAFE!! ! Neve ronc e hav e I fel t unsafe! ! I wil l no t b e flying colga n ever t Buriingto n jus t go t a ne wcustomer . I wil l trave l th e hou rs o m yfamil yan d I ca n b e safe ! Everyon e shoul d se e thi s link . I fyo u o ryou r famil yar e plannin g t o fiycolgan , yo u ahoul d watc h an d pas s thi s lin k t o lov e one s a s well . PBSa€TM s §€oeFronflinea € i s preparin g a specia l o n regiona l airiin e safety(an d lac k ther e of) . Colga n seem s t o b e th e mai n subject o fthi s piece , du e t o ai rFe b 9 a t QP . I thin k everyon e migh t b e intereste d i n watchin g th e pre-vie wcli p (1 0 minutes) : http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/flyingcheap/ Februar y4 , 2010 , 2:3 0 P

M Ther e i s stil l tim e t o exert som e pressur e fo rColga n damag e control . Th e statement s (no t eve n promises ) mad e a t th e meetin g ar e no t enforceabl e unles s the yar e i n th e contract . Th e pric e promis e didn t eve n las t unti l th e en d o f th e meeting , th e 'Thir d flight' no t Include d i n th e EA S bi d I s wha t airiine s cal l 'collapsabl e schedule. ' they'l l sel l thre e flights bu t onl yflytwo . O n te h 'cancelled ' flight? Ou t o fluck . Connectio n depen d o n th e cancelle d flight time ? Laawan d th e Colga n contract o fcarriag e wil l no t hel p yo u i fthe yaccommodat e yo u o n a flight withi n X hour s o f you rschedule d flight (connection s don' t count) . I fth e cancellatio n i s blame d o n Ai r traffi cContro l ( a dail yoccurrenc e i n Boston ) ther e i s n o responsibilit ya t all . i fyou rconnectio n i s USAi rthe yca n le t yo u o n th e next 'available ' flight bu t n o lodgin g meal s o rcompensatio n fo rlos t tim e eve n i f th e next flight wit h seat s i s th e next da yo reve n later . That' s wh ythi s 'Thir d Flight ' i s no t i n th e EA S bid . Th e EA S bid s ar e nt o final, pus h fo rlanguag e i n ther e tha t protect s u s an d provide s som e recours e whe n Colga n pull s out . Februar y4 , 2010 , 2:2 8 P H Thos e expectin g th e DO Tt o mak e a mor e rationa l decisio n tak e pause : the ycan't , thei rhand s ar e tied . Th e EA S lawwa s writte n year s ag o befor e carrier s lik e Bi g Sk yan d Colga n starte d dumpin g service s an d raisin g prices . I t ha s a minimu m aircraft siz e tha t doesn' t includ e Cap e Ai ro rothe rairiine s tha t ca n affor d mode m fue l prices . Cap e Ai rwa s no t abl e t o bi d thes e route s unti l th e las t coupl e o f year s whe n th e othe rcarrier s abandonmen t o f suc h market s create d a crisi s fo rEA S communties . Cap e Ai rha s picke d u p a lo t o f thes e route s recentl y acros s th e countryan d i s gettin g rav e review s becaus e o f a wavie rproces s tha t need s to b e signe d b yloca l officials , altowin g th e smalle rplanes . Face d wit h smalle rplane s o rnothin g Clinto n Countysigne d thi s wavier , bu t the ycreate d th e recen t debacl e b ythreatenin g t o refus e t o sig n th e wavie ri f Cap e Ai rgo t thi s bid . Thati s wh you rneighbor s i n Sarana chav e abandone d u s t o Colga n (th e bid s use d to b e combine d t o sav e money) , s o the ycoul d sig n thei rwavie ran d kee p Cap e Air . Eithe rCountyofficial s nee d t o b e convince d towithdraw ttieir threa t no t t o sig n th e wavier , o rou rCongressma n nee d t o b e prompte d t o updat e th e lawan d moderniz e it' s referenc e t o minimu m plan e size . Meanwhil e Cap e Ai rwil l likel ymainfai n it' s contract i n othe rupstat e airport s an d Rutlan d VT , an d Buriingto n ha s a t leas t 4 regula rairiine s wit h ful l siz e je t servic e eac h wit h multipl e flights pe rdayt o multipl e destination s wit h convenien t connection s (Colga n flies pro p plane s o n som e o fthos e route s unde rth e Continenfa l Airiine s brand) . Th e chambe rmisrea d i f s surveys , thi s i s wha t th e Canadian s want , rea l airiine s wit h regula rroutes , no t a pro p plan e wit h 2 5 mor e seat s flying onc e o rtwic e a da ywhic h limit s it' s connectio n options . Plattsburg h i s positione d t o hav e a rea l airport , bu t i t looks lik e loca l politic s (fo rwhateve rundisclose d reason ) doe s no t understan d th e trave l industr yenoug h t o ge t u s there . Februar y4 , 2010 , 1:55 P

MWh o exactl yi s Bo b Hein s 'loyal ' to ? Cap e Ai ro rhi s constituents??? ? The ydon' t cal l hi m th e Waffl e fo rnothing ! Ariony-nou b Colga n als o flys ou t o f Buriingto n t o Newar k a s Continenta l Connection . Expres s Je t Airiin e als o flys fro m Buriingto n t o Newar k bu t a s Continenta l Express . I f yo u flythi s rout e mak e sur e yo u as k whic h cannie ryo u ar e actuall yflying. I woul d hat e s o se e peopl e g o t o Buriingto n becaus e the ydon' t wan t t o flyo n colga n an d en d u p o n a Colga n plan e ove rthere . Yo u won' t catc h m e o n a Colga n plane . I wil l g o dow n t o th e Sarana cLak e airport an d continu e t o fly Cap e Air! ! Februar y4 , 20JO , 1:30 FM I wa s no t i n tim e fo rth e publi ccommen t portio n o flas t night' s meetin g a s I wa s returnin g fro m Bosto n o n Cap e Ai r1019 . Followin g th e usua l o n tim e arrival , I cam e directl yt o th e meeting . I t wa s shockin g t o observ e th e ignoran t an d infantil e manne ri n whic h th e Legislatur e conducte d itsel fi n reachin g thi s decision . Th e obviou s lac k o funderstandin g o ftiie issue s involved , ton e deafnes s t o th e interest s o f th e constituents , jokin g abou t th e nee d limi t commen t t o us e th e bathroom , an d ca t an d mous e gam e abou t wh o woul d vot e last , demonstrate d cleari ytha t th e are a i s no t read yfo r'th e bi g time' . Th e Legislatur e shoul d b e ashame d o f itself . I' m goin g t o contac t th e DO Tsuggestin g tha t the yno t follo wth e directio n o f th e Legislatur e i n awardin g th e contract . Thi s i s somethin g tha t the yar e full yentitle d t o consider . M yrecommendatio n i s tha t intelligen t resident s o f Clinto n County , wh o car e abou t th e economi cdevelopmen t o f th e area , d o th e same . Th e e-mail s o f th e responsibl e individual s t o contac t ar e dennis.devany@dot.go van d brian.swanson@dot.gov
. Februar y4 , 2010 , 12:3 2 P

M M yhusban d an d I hav e flown Cap e Ai rfro m Plattsburg h t o Bosto n man ytimes . W e alway s purchase d ou rticket s ahea d o f time an d pai d $54.7 5 eac h wa ype rperson , wha t a bargain . W e drov e th e 1 hou ran d 1 5 minute s t o ge t to frie airport fro m ou rnottfjer n Ne wYor k hom e wes t o f Plattsburgh . Sinc e Colga n i s i n an d Cap e Ai ri s ou t fo rPlattsburg h Internationa l /Vlrport , w e wil l nowtrave l 1 5 minute s les s t o Sarana cLak e t o catc h th e Cap e Ai rflights to Bosto n an d no t us e Colgan . W e ar e ver ydisappointe d wit h th e decisio n mad e las t evening . Februar y4 , 2010 , 9:5 3 A M I n 2 year s o rso , Gar

yDouglas s an d th e legislator s wil l b e regrettin g thi s foolis h decision . Ma y b e Washingto n wil l wis e u p an d rnak e them g o wit h Cap e Ai ran d no t wast e taxpayer s $ o n emptyseat . Hey , Buriingto n - ya'l l hav e mor e ai rtrave l busines s comin g fro m me ! Februar y4 , 2010 , 9:3 d AM Don' t forge t whe n Gallagher' s & Trombley s tem n fo rre-electio n come s u p , don' t vot e forthe m I the yaren' t smart enoug h t o decid e o n thei row n , ho wt o vot e o n anythin g I Februar y4 , 2010 , 9:3 5 AM I jus t wan t t o kno wwh o i s gettin g ther e palm s grease d i n thi s dea l I m sur e th e chambe ri s involve d also . Jus t goe s yo u can t trus t anyon e i n politic s especiall yi n th e riorth countr y February4 , 2010 , 9:1 7 A M Wak e u p Clinto n Count yTAXPAYERS , 7 o f ou rleglslalotr s jus t sol d PLATTSBURG H out , I hop e the ypla n t o flywit h tha t service . February4 , 2010 , 9:0 8 AM Tha t PB S storyi s scary , hopefull yColga n ha s cleane d u p thei ract . I gues s th e questio n i s ha s you rloca l legislator s mad e th e right choice ? The yfee l ther e i s a nee d fo ryo u t o g o t>eyon d Cessna' s an d the ychos e Colgon . I t woul d appea rt o m e tha t you rairport i s a succes s story , ari d wha t eve rserve d yoO i n th e pas t wa s i n anottie rtim e an d anothe rplace , No wyo uhav e a wori d clas s facility , o rwha t bill s itsel f a s such . I wil l commen t o n tha t afte rou rflights

wit h Direct Ai ri n May . Marketin g yoursel f a s a n Internationa l Airport yo u ar e caterin g t o a large rradiu s whic h include s upstat e Ne wYork , Vermont , Quebe can d Easter n Ontario . Personal ! i doub t i fyo u coul d flII thes e plane s jus t wit h folk s fro m Plattsburgh , bu t certainl yi f it' s markete d properi yi n Montreal , Cornwal l an d Ottaw a ther e mayb e som e ne wclient s at you rairport . IVIor

e peopl e a t you rairport , mor e shoppers , mote l rooms , restaurants , mayb e a Ti m Horton s nea rth e airport ! No-on e like s chang e an d I remembe ral l th e negatin e comment s whe n th e facilit ywa s first opened . Wh o eve rdreame d o f direct flights fro m Plattsbur g t o For

t Lauderdal e o rMyrtl e Beach , whomeve ryo u ar e , Canadia n o ra n America n o rwhatever . Februai v4 , ?M0 , 9:0J A!' - Th e votin g wa s don e i n alphabetica l order , bu t Joh n Gallaghe r(D-Are a 9 , Cityo fPlattsburgh ) an d Sa m Tromble y(R-Are a 2 , Ellenburg ) wante d t o wai t t o cas t thei rvote s unti l th e other s ha d decided , whic h Heins , a s chai ro f th e meeting , allowed , th e abov e shoul d no t hav e bee n allowed . I wil l onl yad d it s enlightnin g howeve rt o kno wthos e tha t don t hav e th e courag e t o vot e o n thei row n an d nee d t o wai t wit h flngeri n ai rt o se e th e win d directio n whil e evr yothe r legislato rvote s t o make tiieirdetermination . Thi s sound s like a PH S schoolboar d meetin g wai t on e o f thes e guy s i s o n th e PH S schoo l boar d Februar y4 , 2010 , 8;!; 4 A

M Anor'syrnou s Th e pilo t tha t crashe d Fligh t 340 7 las t yea rnea rBuffal o (killin g 4 9 people ) wa s hire d b y Colga n afte rh e ha d faile d five (5 ) pertormanc e checks whil e workin g fo rothe rairiines . Th e Firs t Office rwa s cite d i n th e cras h investigatio n fo rhavin g bee n sendin g text message s durin g th e flight I' m agains t an ytaxpayerfunde d subsidie s fo ran yairiine . I f it' s a viabl e an d lucrativ e busines s ventur e tha t the yalway s pitc h i t t o be , i t ca n stan d o n it' s ow n fee t (profitabl yo rothenwise) . Februar y4 , 2010 , 8:4 5 A

M ArK")nyr>ious I' m ver ydissapointe d wit h th e CountyLegislator s an d thie rdecsio n t o g o wit h Colgan ! Thinkin g tha t a large raircraf t i s goin g t o brin g mor e peopl e t o th e airport i s naive , ignorant , an d close d minded . Goo d Jo b Guys , wa yt o thin k outsid e th e box ! Hopefull ythos e o f yo u tha t chos e t o g o wit h Colga n wil l on e dayappoligiz e an d tak e responsibilit ywhe n Colga n fails to provid e realiable , an d affordabl e service . Februai y4 , 2010 , 8:2 8 A M ArK)riyiTiOU S Pleas e rea d th e followin g fix>m Aviatto n Onlin e Magazin e befor e yo u schedul e you rnext airiin e frip regardin g Colga n Air : http://avstop.com/news_feb_2010/ntsb_report_on_colgan_air_crash_highlights_capaa c TMs_safety_concerns.ht m Als o th e readin g publi cneed s bette rreportin g fro m th e Pres s Republican . Februar y4 , 2010 , 8:1 0 A

M Wak e u p an d se e ho wcorrup t thi s choic e is,a s ou rgovernmen t i s ful l o fcrooks an d idiots.Ho w muc h di d th e legisslator s ge t fo rthi s .mone yfre e tickets,WHATEVER.This compan yjus t kille d 5 0 peopl e fiying wit h unqualifie d pilots.cal l you rlegislato ran d tel l hi m h e smell s corrupt!! ! Februar y4 , 2010 , 7:5 7 A

M Anonymou s I can t believ e n o mentio n o f Colga n ai rbein g investigate d fo rrecen t cras h i n Buffalo , Pilot s foun d a t faul t no t havin g enoug h time flying experience . Loo k o n abc.co m fo rful l story . Shouldn t th e Pres s Re p hav e reporte d thi s o rar e the yt o i n be d wit h th e Chamber ?Yo u pai d an d w e al l pai d fo ryou rflight i n May . Bigge rplane s mea n bigge rcos t t o th e

consume ran d a bigge rsubsid yt o operate . It' s no t chea p t o flyaroun d emptyseats , y a know . febtvar y A

, 3010 , 7:2 1 A;'

3 AHuriy;rsou s Tha t i s th e count yfo ryou . Colga n Ai rwa s jus t foun d guiltyo fhavin g unde rqualified , ove rtire d an d ver yyoun g pilots . Whic h min d yo u wa s th e resul t o fflight 340 7 goin g dow n killin g 5 0 people . O f cours e the ychoos e them . I a m changin g m yplan e ticke t right no wt o flyi n Buriington! ! I t say s w e nee d t o hav e proo fo fwha t w e stat e abou t companie s s o her e i t i s from th e Dail yNews.. . Afte rreviewin g th e litan yo fscrewup s byth e cre wan d it s employe r Colga n Ai rInc. , actin g Nationa l Transportatio n SafetyBoar d Chairma n Mar k Rosenke rsai d al l appeare d guilt yo f 'cuttin g th e salam i to o thi n o n bein g fit t o fly. ' Februar y4 , 3010 , ?:0 /

A^ • I pai d fo ra flight o n Cap e Ai ri n MAy . Wha t happen s t o m yticket now > Februar y4 , 2010 , G:0

2 A M Anonymoii s Her e w e g o again , 1 hop e 'bigger* I s better , th e fac t tha t Colga n woul d no t se t a fixed pric e shoul d hav e sai d somethin g t o ou r'electe d officials ' I hop e yo u mad e th e right decision , howeve rI a m gla d t o se e th e ter m limit s stay , I believ e w e nee d som e ne wbloo d i n th e legislativ e arena ! Febfuar y4 , 2010 , 5:0 3 A

M I hav e flown o n CapeAi ro n severa l differen t occasion s fro m Boston . I se e n o reaso n t o chang e ai rcanier s a t thi s Juncture . Th e reaso n I chos e t o flyint o Bosto n an d the n int o Plattsburg h i s t o kee p someon e fro m comin g t o Buriingto n t o pic k m e up . Flyin g int o Plattsburg h i s jus t mor e convenien t an d MUC H CHEAPE R tha n flying int o Buriingto n fro m Tennessee . Cap e Ai ri s doin g a wonderfu l Jo b an d ther e ar e n o baggag e fees . Wil l w e ge t th e sam e witi i tlii s ne w airiin e (associate d wit h USAinvays) , I thin k NOTIH I Stic k

wit h wha t work s an d mov e o n t o somethin g mor e importan t tha n a smalle rplan e wit h mor e flight times t o a large rplan e witi i LES S flightimes, mor e fees , large rfare s an d a stewardess . Ou rpilot s o n Cap e Ai rar e ver y competen t an d veryfriendly , the ytak e th e plac e o f ttie stewardess , grea t compan yo n a shor t flight t o Boston . February ' 3 , 2010 , 3:3 7 P M Mak e you ropinio n count: ! Emai l dennis.devany@dot.go v, fa x(202-366-7638) , o rwrit e tiie rea l decision-maker : Denni s J . DeVany , Chie f Essentia l Ai rServic e Division , X- 3 Offic e o f Aviation-Analysi s U.S . Dept . o f Transportatio n 120 0 Ne wJerse yAve . S E Washington , D.C . 2059 0 B yposition , h e mus t b e mor e objectiv e an d considerat e o fth e trut h tha n ou rloca l madia . Februarys , 2010 , 1:03P M Ful l cos t o f a one-wa yticket : Colga n (U S Ainvays ) Ba g fee s = $2 5 1st + $3 5 2n d = $6 0 + $7 5 ticket * = $13 5 Cap e Ai rone-wa yBa g fee s « $ 0 + $6 5 ticket = $6 5 $13 5 v s $65..:..Bi g difference ! Februar y3 , 2010 , 9:3 8 Ai ^ S o th e countylegislatur e get s t o decid e i f m yfedera l ta xdollar s shoul d subsidiz e t o th e tun e o f $134.0 0 fo reac h Cap e Ai rticke t sol d (10,43 2 i n 2009 ) o r$210.0 0 fo reac h Colga n Ai rticke t sokJ ? W e buil t th e airport . No wperhap s w e shoul d start picWn g u p passenger s i n Montreal . Wh yno t forfree ? I a m sur e w e coul d boos t ticke t sale s eve n farther. Doe s th e flight attendan t danc e o rsing ? S o muc h fo rreducin g deflcits . FebrucU Y i , 2010 , 9:2 4 A

MHowdi d thi s reporte rwh o cover s th e citywit h suc h detai l abou t taxes , leav e ou t th e taxpaye r

cos t fo rth e essentia l ai rservic e contract ? No t on e wor d o fho wmuc h thi s contract i s costin g th e taxpayers , i n an yo fth e newspape rcoverag e o fthi s debate . Veryinteresting . Remembe r you reditiorial s abou t ho wgovernmen t shoul d no t b e i n th e busines s o fcreatin g jobs ? I gues s h e di d no t wan t t o offen d legislato rHeins , wh o i s suc h a flscal conservative , whe n i t come s t o loca l pnjpert ytaxe s an d employe e costs , bu t lik e s o man yothers , flscal conservative s the y sho wu p a t al l th e ribbon cuttin g cermon yforthei rpe t pori < projects . Essentia l ai rservic e shoul d b e renamed , Essentia l ai rpor k fo rth e airiin e industry . Sho wm e th e money . Thi s airpor t i s th e bes t loca l exampl e o f governmen t waste , bu t wait , I forgot , it' s no t wast e o fta xdollar s i f it' s i n you rbackyard . Februarys , 2010 , 3:1 4 A M Unti l Cap e Ai roverbooks , isn' t providin g reliable , affordabl e an d frequen t flights an d cost s mor e tha n a differen t airiine , wh ychange ? Don' t fixi t i fi t ain t broke ! Februar y3 , 2.010 , 7:5 7 A

M Anonymou s Wel l di d anybod yels e se e th e FA Arepor t o n Colga n air ? I di d an d i t wa s prett ybad ! Th e Buffal o cras h wa s cause d b yan d I quote ' Pilot s textin g prio rt o take off . Immatur e officers , lac k o f discipline , lac k

o ftrainin g an d tota l disregar d o fth e passenger s safety ! I s tiiat wh o w e reall ywan t t o servic e ou rsky' s i n th e Nortt i Country ? I reall ydoub t I woul d flywit h someon e lik e tha t bu t he ycal l m e crazy . Februar y3 , 2010 , 7:0 4 A

M I t seem s everyon e ha s forgotte n tha t bigge rairplane s hav e bee n trie d i n Plattsburg h an d i t didn' t wor k

then . Commutairfle w1 9 Beec h 1900' s fo rContinenta l Connection . Th e plan e wa s pressurize d an d larg e enoug h t o tak e al l type s o f luggag e an d n o on e flewthe m then , wh y woul d peopl e flyo n a bi t large ro f a turii o pro p plan e now ? The ywer e th e first airiin e t o start a t tiie ne wairport I n Plattsburg h an d the yneve rlef t full . Colga n i n Plattsburg h wil l no t work , it s alread ybee n trie d an d faile d a s i t di d wit h Bi g Sk yfo rthre e month s befor e Cap e Ai rcam e In .

lamar y28 , 2010 , 11:4 4 P M Anonymou s T o th e commen t abou t bein g 'pancake d Int o th e ground ' or ^ Cap e Air' s aircraft , I sugges t yo u compar e Cap e Air' s excellen t safet yrecor d t o Colgan's . Yo u mayl> e surprised . Januar y28 , 2010 , 6:3 0 P

M Afi''.>nytTi!.}iJ S 1:3 5 comment . Sorr

yth e SAA B 34 0 i s a pressurize d aircraft . Nic e try , rea d first spea k later . Januar y28 , 2010 , 4:3 8 P

M .Anonymou s I f Colga n Ai rsa wthi s a s a growti i opportunitythe ywoul d hav e mad e a mor e aggressiv e bid . Thei rinitia l proposa l didn' t eve n includ e a no n sto p flight fro m Plattsburg h t o Boston . The y mus t understan d somethin g abou t th e e(X)nomics o fusin g larg e plane s o n thi s route tha t th e Legislatur e i s missing . Th e fac t tha t the ydidrt' t eve n bothe rshowin g u p a t las t night' s meetin g show s howlittl e the ycar e abou t thi s business . Janucir y-'o , ^010 , 2:3 0 P

M Anonymou s Peopl e tha t ar e afrai d t o flyo n Cap e Air' s 9 sea t aircraf t wil l als o b e afrai d t o flyo n Cologan s 3 4 sea t plane . The yar e bot h lo waltitud e pro p airplanes . Loo k u p picture s o fbot h an d tel l m e theyr e no t equall ysma l an d uncomfortable . Cologa n ha s significantl yincrease d fare s i n al l thie rEA S markets , an d wil l d o th e sam e here . Mayb e peopl e woul d b e mor e likel yt o flylarge r aircraf t bu t ttieywon t b e abl e t o affor d it . Th e contract i s tw o years , wh yno t continu e t o le tCap e Ai rtill thei rplanes , an d provie d wonderfu l service , an d chea p fares .

Th e articl e omit s th e fac t tha t USAi rExpres s charge s passenger s $2 5 fo ron e piec e o f checke d luggage , an d Cap e Ai rdoesnt . Comparabl e cos t t o suc h passengers woul d b e $6 5 o n Cap e Ai ran d $10 0 o n Colgan . ft als o omit s comparabl e tota l cos t t o ou rgovernment : Colgan' s 2-yea rbi d i s $1. 5 millio n mor e Cap e Air's . Fo rwhat ? Ijrsuary28 , 2010 , 11:4 1 A M Don' t forge t tha t Colga n Ai rwa s responsibl e fo rth e cras h las t yea ri n Buffal o wit h inexperienced , ove rtire d pilots . Januar y28 , 2010 , 11:4 0 A

M Aquestio n fo reveryone . Wh yar e w e wastin g ou rtime writin g abou t thi s topic ? Th e legislature s ar e goin g t o d o wha t the ywan t despit e wha t w e hav e t o say . Al l I wil l sa yi s tha t m ybusines s wil l continu e t o g o t o Buriington . Januar y28 , 2010, , 11:2 7 AM

Anonvniu:; s Ha ! Cap e Air' s conenctio n wit h JetBlue ? Have yo u notice d tha t yo u can' t boo k a ticke t o n JetBlu e vi a Cap e Ai rou t o f Plattsburgh . The ypromise d i t i n th e beginnin g bu t i t neve r happened . JetBlu e won' t le t the m a s i t i s i n direct competitio n wit h Buriington . Therefor e tha t affiliatio n i s worthless ! :iiiM;j,ir v28 , 2010 , 1 L I 3 A

M Thi s ide a tha t bigge rplane s wil l creat e passengers i s ludicrous . T o thin k passenge r# s wil l g o flrom 5 passenger s pe rflight t o 2 8 (Colgan' s needs ) wit h a bigge rpro p plan e t o a n inconvenien t hu b (Boston ) i s pur e folly . Buriingto n i s 1 h raway , tha t I s alway s goin g t o b e th e mai n outiet s fo rresident s flying t o U S destinations . Th e extr a cos t t o taxpayer^ s fo rColga n i s a n outrage . Plattsburg h need s t o ge t ou t o f tiie defeatis t attitud e tha t w e nee d uncl e Sam' s $ fo reverythin g w e do . Uncl e Sa m i s brok e I' d advis e Mr . Owen s t o b e carefu l supportin g wastefu l spendin g o f taxpayer$
. Januar y28 , 2010 , 10:4 4 AM Wayt o g o Clinto n Legislators , yo u al l saytha t yo u ar e workin g fo rth e peopl e o f Clinto n County an d ye t yo u (Keith ) chang e you rmind s mid - stream . N o wonde rpeopl e driv e 2- 3 hours t o othe rairports . 3.:iiiu.,ir y28 , 2010 , .10:2

2 A M Anonymou s I don i car e abou t th e siz e o f th e aircraft . I can a abou t wher e it' s going . I preferre d th e times whe n th e plane s wer e heade d t o Alban yfo rconnectin g flights. Why ? Bette rairport . Boston' s Lc^a n airport i s on e o fth e wors t t o mak e connectin g flights. I'l l ojntinu e t o driv e t o Buriingto n t o bypas s Boston . Januar y28 , 2010 , 10:2 5 A

M Anonyrnoti S I se e a postiv e & a n negativ e wit h bot h airiines . Colga n wit h large rplane s make s sense . I' m sure a lo t o fpeopl e g o t o Buriingto n becaus e o ftha t fact.Cap e Ai rha s prove n servic e & ther e connectio n wit h Je t Blu e i s a bi g postive. . Sinc e thi s i s onl ya 2 yea rcontract i t ma yb e bette r t o tryCalgo n onl yt o se e i f th e large rplane s wil l attract newcustomer s travelin g fro m Plattsburgh . I f thi s doesn' t wor k i n tw o year s brin g Cap e Ai rback . Januar y28 , 2010 , 9:3 3 A

M Muc h o f th e reaso n th e Cap e Ai rplane s ar e onl yhal f ful l i s beacus e man ypeopl e d o no t wan t t o fl yo n th e smalle raircraft o rsimpl ycan't . I trie d t o boo k Cap e Ai rou t o f Plattsburg h t o catc h a connectin g flight i n Bosto n t o g o skiing . Cap e Ai rcoul d no t guarente e tha t ou rski s woul d make th e flight. Instea d w e hav e t o driv e tw o hours t o a differen t airport t o ensur e ou rbaggag etravel s wit h us . Bigge rplane s are th e ONLYwayth e airpor t wil l grow . /HiiOnyiiiOi ' I woul d neve rflyi n a 9 sea t aircraft ! Of cours e that' s becaus e I hav e a famil yo f fou ran t tha t make s thing s difficult . But , I don' t reall ywan t t o ge t pancake d int o th e groun d either . Cap e Ai r shoul d simpl yfl yth e rout e wit h a Rj8 0 o rsomethin g like that . Nothin g hug e bu t somethin g bette rtha n th e littl e 9 sea t ciga rtube . l< i iii::; v:4, , /Oi.U , 4;n; 5 A i Bigge rplane s woul d attract more client s wh o otherwis e don' t wan t t o fl ya 9 seater . Perhap s Colga n ca n attract a large rmarket , thos e fro m Montrea l wit h flights t o NYC also . Plattsburg h need s t o thin k

'outsid e th e box ' i fi t i s t o b e a bigge rplayer . As a 3 8 yea rProfessiona l pilo t I woul d rathe rse e Cap e Ai rbu ya Turbo-pro p 1 9 passenge r airplane. . .Pisto n aircraft at gros s weight , i n weathe rhav e a reputatio n o fno t recoverin g fro m a faile d engine. . Colga n Ai rha s a ba d reputatio n i n th e aviatio n industr yfo rlo wpay , lo w experience , min . trainin g an d lon g hours . Therefore , m ysuggestio n i s fo rCap e Ai rt o purchas e mediu m siz e turbo-pro p an d kee p u p thei rgoo d reputatio n fo rservice . Jdnsia i V ' 27 , /UIO , l:-! 8 F'- l I alway s flyou t o fBuriingto n anyway . I t cost s les s an d take s a lo t les s time tha n flying t o Bosto n (th e opposit e directio n o f 90 % o f th e USA) t o make a connection . I'l l star t usin g Plattsburg h Inti . whe n the ystar t offerin g non-sto p servic e t o eithe rAlbany , Syracuse , Buffalo , o reve n JF Ko rLGA . Janueit y,'/' , ..'010 , J : i

O P M Th e articl e doesn' t presen t a fai rcompariso n o fcosts . Cap e Ai rd o no t charg e fo rfirst piec e o f checke d luggage . USAInvay s charge s $2 5 fo rth e first. SO , $6 5 a s oppose d t o $10 0 i s close r t o th e mar k Januar y27 , 2010 , 12:4 9 P

M $1, 5 mor e fo rColgan ? Wh ywasn' t th e publi cinformed ? Ca n t find i t i n thi s article . Januar y27 , 2010 , 12:4 0 P

M Essentia l servic e shoul d b e base d o n tiie leas t cos t an d greates t safet yt o (X}unt ycitizens , withou t regar d give n t o internationa l citizens . Colgan' s propose d annua l subsid yo f $2,117,10 1 I s 3M-millio n dollar s mor e ttian Cap e Air' s $1,334,262
. Ove rtw o year , tha t $1. 5 millio n EXTRA . Ye t legislator s appea rread yI n thi s recessio n t o giv e awa you rtax-payers ' dollar s t o sui t Inrelevan t schemes . Wh yshoul d ou rgovernmen t support th e need s o f Canadia n citlzans ? Second , it s decisio n doe s no t rel yo n tangible evidence-suc h a s dat a o f recorde d accklente , fatalities , training , maintenance , an d performance . Fo rinstance , ho wabou t proo f tha t eac h company' s pilot s hav e trainin g relevant t o an d experienc e flying i n winte rweather ? Afte rColgan' s cras h las t yea ri n Buffalo , investigator s conclude d tha t tiie pilots ' Florida-base d trainin g limite d t o a half-hou rvide o o n plan e icin g wa s a contributin g factor . Cap e Air' s recorcl ? Perfect~wt h pilot s traine d airtsorn e fo rNE' s inclemen t weather , federa l official s repor t n o accidents , incidents , o rfatalitie s I n years . Whil e a n adjacen t empt ysea t an d fre e shacks hol d temporar

yappeal , prove n safet yrecord s an d reduce d cos t t o tax-payer s ar e paramoun t i n awardin g th e contraot . Januar y27 , 2010 , 11:3 7 AM

Anonymou s I thin k tha t bigge rairplane s make peopl e fee l more secur e i n th e air... I like flyin g bu t i f I ha d th e choic e I woul d rathe rfl yo n a bigge rplane . Yo u fee l a lo t les s turbulenc e wit h th e bi g planes . Also , I thin k

i t i s kin d of a wast e t o ge t bi g plane s jus t t o fl yt o Boston . Wh ydon' t the ytr yno n sto p flights t o Vega s an d Florid a o rothe rvacatio n spots . I thin k the n the ywoul d increas e th e amoun t o fpeopl e flyin g ou t o fPlattsburgh. . Anonymou s He yGar yLet s se e thos e 15,00 0 survey s I hav e a har d time beleivin g a wor d yo u sa ywh y don' t yo u produc e the m a t th e meetin g tonight ? woul d b e coo l t o se e wha t question s wer e aske d o n th e surve ydi d yo u as k i fthe ywoul d b e wil l t o pa ydoubl e t o flyo n bigge rplanes ? Januar y27 , 2010 , 10:5 3 A

M Who' s t o saytha t fall-bac k plan s reall yexist ? What' s t o kee p Cap e Ai rfro m raisin g thei r middl e fingera t u s i f Colga n doesn' t succeed ? T o fiylarge rplane s tha t aren t ful l doesn' t mak e sense , a s th e Cap e Ai rre p stated . I f ther e wa s a nee d fo rlarge rplane s t o servic e thi s are a don' t yo u thin k

Cap e Ai rwoul d d o it ? I s anyon e ou t ther e reall yhapp ywiti i Delt a o rU S Air?? ? JetBlu e ha s a bette rcustome rservic e recor d - Colgan , no t s o much . Jenuar y17 , 20.10 , 10:4 9 AM

Ai'uiiyjMinJ: . An d Cap e Ai rfel l ou t o fth e sk yi n 200 8 too , killin g thei r6 1 yea rol d pilo t too . I t happen s t o th e bes t o f companie s Jaiiu-Ji Y/./' , /())U , i n '1 9 A ! 1 Anonymou s I lov e tha t ou ruseles s legislator s hav e use d Cap e Ai rlik e a chea p trick . Pathetic . I flewou t o f Plattsburg h thi s summe ran d wil l driv e t o Lak e Clea rt o flyou t t o Bosto n t o kee p m ybusines s wit h Cap e Air . Sham e o n you , Clinto n Count y(useless ) Legislators . Januar y27 , 2010 , 10:3 9 AM Th e suit s ar e hellben t toward s th e growt h o fPlattsburg h Internationa l Airport , an d the yfee l tha t tiie onl ywa yt o sho wgrowt h i s i fth e airplane s servin g th e airport s ar e big , regardles s o f whethe ro rno t the yar e full . Unde rtha t styl e o f thinking , wh ydon' t w e jus t buil d 1 5 stor y skyscraper s I n downtow n Plattsburgh , regardles s o f th e fact tha t a goo d portio n o fttie bulkiing s wil l remai n unoccupied . It'l l make I t loo k tike tha t Plattsburg h i s growing .

Januar y27 , 2010 , 10:3 8 Ar

4 I s PI Aresponsibl e fo rth e declin e i n ridership a t th e Buriingto n airport ? Januar y27 , 2010 , 10:2 7 Aiv! Colga n Fligh t 340 7 fel l ou t o f th e sk yo n approac h t o Buffalo , N Yo n 2/12/09 , i n icin g conditions . Th e iriciden t raise d seriou s question s abou t th e adequacyo fflight cre wti-aining, cre wflight experience , an d flight cre wres t betwee n flights. Pertiap s th e Count yLegislator s ough t to denian d tha t Colga n demonstrat e tha t th e question s associate d wit h Fligh t 340 7 hav e bee n full yaddresse d an d an ynecessar ycorrection s made . http://www.buffalonews.com/51 7 Januar y27 , 2010 , 8:2. 2 A

M I hav e flown wit h Je t Blu e eve rsinc e i t starte d an d woul d lik e t o flyCap e Ai rs o i t coul d joi n u p wit h Je t Blu e flights. Januar y27 , 2010,8:1 5 A

M Anonymou s I us e thi s flight to g o t o Bosto n ofte n sinc e th e bridg e i s out. Las s flight times, an d mor e expensiv e doesn' t sea m viabl e fo rm ytravelin g needs . I t woul d b e a bi g mistak e o n ther e part . I' d discontinu e m yservic e Indeflnitely . Januar y27 , 2010 , 7:1 5 A

M Ano!iyii!ou s Great...leav e you rnam e a t th e check4 n lin e a t th e Plattsburg h Airport s o w e ca n hel p yo ukee p you rvo wt o no t flyou t o f ou rairport !

I f Colga n Ai ri s chose n I wil l neve rflyou t o fPlattsburgh . I wil l g o t o Buriingto n t o flyt o my destination . Januar y27 , 2010 , 4:3^

? /' Frien d fro m Ottowa , welcom e aboard . I t i s understandable , bu t a misunderstandin g o fth e issue , t o resen t wha t appear s t o b e U S taxdollar s subsidizin g Canadia n vacation s i n a n econom ywher e taxpayer s ar e hurting . Bu t tha t i s no t reall yth e issue . Th e vacatio n marke t (lik e a coupl e o f flights a wee k t o particula rsouther n cities ) i s differen t tha n th e EA S subsid y market , aime d a t regula rservic e t o a hu b airport . Ther e i s a fre e marke t argumen t tha t n o subsid yshoul d exis t a t all , bu t tha t ha s nothin g t o d o wit h th e nationalit yo f th e traveler . Amon g tiiose wh o understan d th e nee d fo rgovemmen t involvemen t i s transportatio n (nothin g i s mor e subsidize d tha n road s - an d yo u ar e welcome d t o driv e o n them ) th e troubl e I s whethe ro rno t th e advantage s sough t b you rofficial s ar e wort h a n extr a millio n dollars . The n th e resentmen t i s spendin g a millio n dollar s fo rles s o rwors e servic e tha n coul d b e achieve d fo ra millio n dollar s less . Finall yth e economi cmisunderstandin g o f th e relationshi p betwee n thes e flights an d effort s t o buil d regula rservic e t o multipl e destination s o f choic e b ya large rcarrier . Tha t woul d hel p traveler s fro m tiot h side s o f th e borde ran d make s economi csens e fo rboth . Regula rservic e b ya first o rsecon d tiercarrie ro rtw o mus t b e th e goal , an d i t I s har d t o understan d wh yw e can t d o tha t fi-om here , give n ou rgeographica l an d infrastmctur e advantages , pu rofficial s drap e thei rdecision s i n thi s worth ygoa l tni t can' t answe rthos e wh o poin t ou t tha t thei raction s ru n counte rt o tills goal . I f yo u ar e no t payin g attentio n i t sound s lik e the yar e buildin g a n airport here . Meanwhile , i f yo u drov e anottie rhal f hou ryou' d b e i n Buriingto n V Twhic h ha s at leas t 4 majo rcarrier s an d a signlflcan t privat e charte roperation . Direct Ai ran d Alleglen t ar e a grea t reaso n t o sto p her e I F yo u ar e goin g t o Myrti e Beac h o r Put a Gord a o n th e day s the yhappe n t o fly. Colga n wil l no t b e a reason t o sto p here , an d ou r peopl e don t kno who wt o buil d a maricet wit h choices , frequency , an d multipl e destination s o r timelyconnectin g flights. Wast e o f a facilit ywit h grea t potential . Februarys , 2010 , 6:3. 3 P M I a m startin g t o undeiBtan d th e whol e arguemen t a bi t beller , an d i t appear s tha t th e CAP E AI R optio n i s a bette rone . Ever ys o ofte n I se e a n anti-Canadia n commen t an d i t hurts . W e wan t t o fee l welcome d i n you rcity . Fou ro f u s jus t booke d a Direct-Ai rflight t o Myrtl e Beac h i n May . Ottaw a i s a 3. 5 hou rdriv e s o w e ar e stayin g ove ro n Saturday , tha t mean s som e michiga n re d hot s a t lunc h , dinne ra t a nic e spot , shoppin g a t T J Maxx , Pric » Choppe retc . An d th e sam e thin g whe n w e retum . Goo d daa l fo ru s , an d a goo d thin g foryou rcounty ! Februoi y2 , 20JO , 5:1 9 P M Newspape reditor s aren t expecte d t o understan d a busines s sector . Yo u hav e cocktail s wit h loca l elite s an d promot e thei ragenda . Yo u might , howeve rinvestigat e t o flnd wh ythe yrealty wan t Colgan ; o rnotic e tiie real story : Nationwid e canier s lik e Colga n ar e cashin g th e subsid y chec k the n dumpin g EA S service s whe n ftiel price s excee d th e subsidy . Cap e Ai rha s bee n taking advantag e o f thi s tren d (Upstat e NY , VT , Baltimore . St . Louis ) growin g i n thes e maricets becaus e the yhav e th e right busines s plan , th e right siz e planes , t o survive . Th e analog yt o retai l misse s th e point : yo u stoc k airiin e shelve s wit h frequencywhic h equal s convenience . Mor e seat s o n les s frequen t flights i s actuall yles s stoc k o n th e shelve s an d les s choic?e fo r consumer s (i n fac t i f yo u loo k a t 1 fligh t weekends , ther e ar e eve n les s seat s o n som e Colga n day s tha n 3 o r4 flights wit h Cap e Air' s smalle rplanes) . Perhap s politica l accomplishment s ar e insufficien t t o th e task

o f runnin g a n alrpOr

t an d 'Officials ' shoul d see k hel p fro m someon e wh o know s tiie industry , o ra t leas t ha s experienc e a s a n ai rcommute rcustomer . Thi s airport i s a grea t asset , bu t need s busines s sens e t o ge t beyon d subsidize d servic e an d random ti'avelagen t package d flights fro m alternativ e carriers . Don' t ge t m e wrong , th e Direct an d Allegiean t

flights ar e a grea t developmen . Bu t wit h enoug h tarma ct o ru n a n ai rwin g close rt o Montreal' s residet s tha n Montreal' s ow n airports , w e nee d a pla n t o d o bette rrathe rtha n cro wabou t th e abilit yt o suc k

dow n governmen t subsidie s whic h aren' t eve n retaine d i n ou rcommunity . Goo d luck ! Thi s stor yi s crazy , yo u ca n no t compar e th e trave l industr yt o retail . I fyo u d o yo u ar e makin g a bi g mistake . Cap e Ai ri s providin g a grea t economica l servic e t o th e community . Sur e economi cgrowt h i s grea t an d woul d b e wonderfu l fo rth e are a bu t ge t real . Yo u ar e no t goin g t o attract passengers b yofferin g a n overprice d ticke t t o Bosto n o n a 3 4 sea t airplane . Whic h I kno wi s a piec e o fjunk . Jus t as k ai l th e passenger s fro m Canad a wh o driv e dow n t o us e Cap e Air . Hin t th e servic e an d pric e i s right Otherwis e the ywoul d flyou t o fCanad a o n a rea l je t wit h rea l flight attendants . Don t ki d yoursel f Colga n wil l onl yhur t th e Plattsburg h communitty , let s furthe risolat e ourselve s b ymakin g th e wron g decision . !fA;ri!..ii v: , yfru K. A0 4 y n I coul d no t hel p bu t b e struc k b yth e iron ytha t wa s apparen t i n readin g Sunday' s Editoria l page . O n th e on e hand , th e Editors ignor e commo n sens e fact s o f airiin e economic s i n promotin g Colga n Air' s secon d rat e bi d t o becom e th e EA S carrie rfo rth e region . Thei ronl y argumen t seem s t o b e tha t Plattsburg h i s poise d t o ente rth e bi g time. Th e editoria l concludes , 'I f w e hop e t o pla yi n th e bi g leagues , w e hav e t o hav e big-leagu e equipment' . O n th e othe r sid e o f th e page , th e Pres s make s clea rwha t league s i t actuall yplay s in , choosin g t o publis h letter s t o th e edito rdealin g wit h a do g name d Miste rwh o wa s hi t b ya truck , an d th e neighborhoo d pe t turke ytha t wa s taken ou t b ya blu e ChevySUV . Perhap s wha t Plattsburg h need s i s a bi g leagu e newspaper , rathe rtha n bi g leagu e equipment.. . PeOrinr yi , iOnj , . ! .2'. ; l-; 4 Anonyni-'i s Th e PB S frontiin e stor

yi s frieghtining . Colga n treat s thie rpilot s poorly . I woul d neve rpu t my famil yo rco-worker s o n a Colga n flight. I s thi s reall yth e qualit yo f servic e ou rLegislators wan t fo rthi s community . i>."bu.i(ii' V ! , 2010 , i i :4

4 Ai J I personall ylike th e Cap e Ai rservice . I thin k the yd o a goo d jo b an d i n decen t weathe rthe yare fine. Bu t I hav e als o flown Alban yt o Bosto n o n Colga n o n thei r3 4 sea t aircraft an d I hav e t o say , give n th e choice . I woul d probabl ypa ymore an d g o wit h Colgan . Cap e Air' s employee s are first clas s an d thei rservic e i s great . Bu t I currentl ydriv e t o flyou t o f BT V becaus e Cap e Ai r seem s paralyze d sometime s i n weathe rcondition s tha t fo ra aircraft wit h a pressurize d cobi n ar e no t a n issue . An d on e thin g tha t nobod yha s mentione d a s fa ra s I hav e see n i s Cap e Ai r doe s no t hav e t o leave , eve n i fthe ylos e th e subsidy . I f the yhav e buil t th e servic e u p fro m 300 0 a yea rt o 1000 0 a yea ran d wan t t o stays o ba d the yar e more tha n abl e t o kee p flying. I t i s jus t tha t ou rta xdollar s wil l no t b e payin g fo rit . I t woul d b e interestin g t o se e the m pu t thei r ow n mone yint o th e area . I a m jus t alarme d somewha t becaus e fo ral l th e tal k abou t howthe y hat e t o leav e area s the yhav e a trac k record o fdumpin g service s whe n th e governmen t won' t cu t a chec k

fo ri t anymore . Thi s ha s bee n don e before . I use d t o commut e ou ro fJamestow n N Yan d th e incumben t EA S provide rthere , flying Beec h 1900' s los t t o Colga n an d eve n thoug h Colga n ha d th e subsid ythe yremaine d an d kep t flying. Februar y! , 2010 , i0:3 7 A

M ther e i s a frontiin e specia l o n PB S o n fe b 9t h tha t speaks ver yhighl yo f colgan . Januai y,:)1 , 2010 , UK56 P M Anonymou sThi s i s wha t th e cityo f Plattsburg h wil l ge t i f Colga n come s

in : http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/flyingcheap/ Januar y3.! , 2UiO , jO:4 7 l^-' i T o th e Canadia n wh o too k offense : W e lov e ou rneighbors an d appreciat e you rbusiness . W e ar e tryin g t o buil d a n airport tha t serve s you rneed , bot h becaus e w e ar e goo d neighbor s an d becaus e i t make s economi csense . Tha t i s no t th e issue . Th e issu e I s whethe ro rno t a 3 4 sea t plan e a t a highe rticket cos t wit h les s frequency , connections , an d Custome rServic e reputatio n actuall yaccomplishe s that . Anothe rmisunderstandin g i n you rmessage s i t tha t thi s wil l someho wge t yo u othe rdestination s lik e Ne wYork . I t won't , i n fac t i t coul d b e argue d tha t thi s subsidize d Bosto n ru n wil l dela yfre e marke t servic e t o thos e airports . Cap e Ai roffere d a n Alban yidea , an d anothe rcarrie roffere d Ne wYor k an d thes e wer e rejecte d b you rofflcials . Eithe rCap e Ai ro rColga n get s yo u connection s thr u Bosto n (Cap e Ai rwit h JetBlu e an d Colga n wit h USAir) o ryo u ca n boo k onwar d trave l fro m Bosto n independentiy . Th e onl y nationa l issu e i s I f th e U S taxpayerSubsidize d EA S progra m i s intende d t o buil d a marke t o f vacationer e fro m outsid e th e community(nationa l o rinternational) , o ri fi t i s a stopga p t o preven t th e local s fro m bein g strande d withou t ai rservic e unti l th e fre e marke t develop s t o serv e yo u an d other s lik e yo u (a s i t ha s sinc e cap e Ai rha s bee n here). . Pleas e fee l welcom e i n ou rcommunityan d pleas e us e ou rairport , enjo yth e fre e marke t growt h o fDirect Ai ran d Alleigent , an d welcom e aboar d Cap e Ai ro rColgan , bu t pleas e liste n carefull yt o th e loca l issu e an d don t assum e wha t ou rofficial s ar e pushin g i s i n you rbes t interes t jus t becaus e the y marke t I t a s such . Whe n Bi g Sk yan d Commutai rleft here , whe n Colga n lef t Rutian d an d raise d price s elsewhere . I t di d no t hel p U S o rCanadia n Americans . Januar y31 , 2010 , 7:S i P

M Anonymou s Th e growt h a t Plattsburg h Internationa l ha s bee n amazin g an d a grea t success ! Th e growt h i s attribute d t o Allegian t an d Direct Ai rofferin g trave l opportunitie s tiiat th e Nort h Countr yha s neve rseen . However , opportunitie s t o Bosto n hav e alway s bee n availible . An d onl yrecenfl y ha s Cap e Ai rincrease d passenge rload s becaus e o fthie rdependability , fequency , affordabillit yan d connectivit ywit h thei rafilliat e Je t Blue . I t i s niav e t o thin k tha t a growin g vacatio n destinatio n marke t ha s anythin g t o d o wit h a commuter/busines s flyermarket . Cap e Ai rha s restore d th e ai rservic e tha t i s nee d b yNort h Countr ytravlers , an d i s adeque t fo r curren t passenge rload s wit h roo m t o grow ! I t i s dissapointin g tha t th e medi a i s no t reportin g t o th e publi cth e potentia l far e increase s tha t al t othe rEA S communitite s serve d b yColga n ha s seen . Januar y31 , 2010 , 6:3 3 P

M I kee p seein g th e assumption s tha t thes e Colga n plane s ar e a bi g consume rdraw . I f onl yw e ha d bigge rplane s mor e peopl e woul d fly. D o th e survey s specify3 4 sea t props ? Hav e an yo f yo u actuall ysee n thes e planes ? Yo u writ e a s thoug h thes e ar e bi g spaciou s jet-liners . The y ar e no t wha t peopl e mea n whe n the yanswe ra surve ytha t the ywan t bigge rplanes . Thes e plane s wil l slo wth e growt h o f th e fre e marke t succes s storie s yo u cite , an d discourag e regula r commer^a l servic e whic h no wha s t o compet e agains t mor e governmen t subsidize d seat e LeSssflight s an d highe rticket price s als o wil l slOwgrowth , no t t o mentio n th e differen t reputation s fo rCustome rservic e behvee n th e tw o companies . I don' t kno wi f someone' s palm s ar e gettin g grease d o ri f ther e i s som e mas s delusio n ou t there , bu t thi s decisio n make s n o busines s sens e an d taxpayer s ar e stijc k wit h ttie ta b (Subsid ypric e differenc e no t mentione d i n y^u reditoria l - od d fo ra usuall yfiscallyresponsibl e paper) . Ge t you rhead s ou t o f th e clouds , Januar y31 , 2010,3:0 0 P

M Firs t o f al l w e ar e Canadian s not Canadien s (that' s th e hocke yteam) . Als o w e d o pay t taxe s whe n visitin g you rcity , sale s taxes , asid e fro m th e million s tha t ar e spen t shopping , eatin g i nyou rrestaurants , stayin g i n you rhotel s an d Canadia n employer s suc h a s Nova Bu s an d

Bombardier . W e welcom e yo u t o Ottaw a an d w e don' t expect yo u t o pa yincom e taxe s a s yo u don' t liv e here , bu t d o enjo you rcapital . W e don' t conside rAmeric a a foreig n country . An d yo u shoul d not conside rCanad a a s a foreig n country . I thin k it' s smar t busines s sens e tha t you r chambe ri s intereste d i n th e Canadia n market . Tha t bein g sai d you rnewairpor t i s Plattsburg h International , no t Clinto n CountyAirport . Perrhap s Cap e Ai rha s don e a goo d jo b an d continue s t o d o so . Th e answe rma yb e i n bringin g i n anothe rcarrie rwit h bigge rplane s tha t woul d flyt o NewYor k

an d Washington . Newar k Airport doe s a bi g jo b here i n Ottawa , bu t it' s ver ypricey . I f yo u are t o bil l yoursel f a s Montreal' s U S Airport the n perhap s th e tim e ha s o rwil l com e tha t more flights wit h large raircarft i s necessary . Bi g Sk ywa s operatin g whe n th e airpor t wa s i n it s infancy , times hav e changed . Anonvrnou b Funn ytha t ther e wa s n o mentio n o f th e cos t t o th e U.S . taxpayer : $2. 1 millio n v s $1. 3 millio n ~ t o carr yCanadians ! jartuoi y31 , 2010 , 2;'1 0 P M Anohy:nou s »He yCap e Air - Mayb e you rplane s aren' t ful l BECAUS E they'r e 9 sealers. « I woul d hop e tha t peopl e i n th e Plattsburg h are a wouldn' t b e s o ignoran t t o thin k there' s a direct correlatio n betwee n aircraft siz e an d safety . Cap e Ai rha s prove n tha t wit h n o passenge rfatalitie s ove rit s 2 0 yea rhistory . Colgan ? Well , jus t sayin'.. . .laiiuar y11 , /inii , 11:2 2 .'-J

J HeyCap e Air - Mayb e you rplane s aren' t ful l BECAUS E they'r e 9 sealers . Jtsniirii y'•>] , ?JIO , O.Sf! A M AiUiisyrrioij s Howverydismissiv e o f a n airiin e tha t ha s literall ytriple d passenge rload s ou t o f Plattsburg h ove rth e pas t tw o years . No t onl yi s Cap e Ai ractuall ya large rairiin e (6 2 tota l aircraft t o Colgan' s 48) , Cap e Ai rha s a signlflcanti ybette rsafet yrecor d wit h it s tin yplanes ' tha n Colga n ha s wit h it s 'bi g luxuriou s turboprops ' (sai d verymuc h tongu e I n cheek ; eve rflown o n on e o f thes e Saa b 340 s Colga n has?) . Ho wdi d Cap e Ai rexpan d th e airport i n tiie first place ? Wasn' t Plattsburg h alread yserve d b ylarge raircraf t previousl ywit h poo rresults? Yes , i t was , an d th e reaso n fo rtha t feilure wa s frequency . It' s eviden t fro m Cap e Air' s succes s tha t passenger s car e mor e abou t frequencytha n anythin g else . Colga n intend s t o dro p tha t frequencyt o 2 flights pe rda yo n th e weekdays , an d 1 o n th e weekends . Mis s tha t flight becaus e you rconnectio n wa s lat e an d you'r e stuc k i n Bosto n fo rth e next 2 4 hours . Wit h Cap e Ai ryo u coul d jus t pic k

u p on e o fthei rlate rflights tha t day . Wan t t o han d ove rbusines s t o Burlington ? Brin g i n Colgan . Januar y31 , 20SO , 9:3 b A

M Thi s editoria l seem s lik e i t i s writte n b ya tnj e politician , loo k beyon d th e mean s an d th e abilit y t o flII 9 passenge rplane s base d o n th e assumptio n tha t i fyo u hav e 3 4 sea t plane s yo u wil l som e ho wfill tiiose witi i mor e peopl e wh o don t pa ytaxe s i n thi s countiy , stat e o rcountyan d make th e resident s payfo ri t I n th e lon g run . I hav e see n th e large rplane s lik e Bi g Sky , whe n ttieycouldn t fill thei rplan s the ywoul d jus t cance l th e flight wit h n o regards fo rconnection s o r th e custome ran d whe n the yrealize d tha t a s a compan you t t o mak e mone ythe ycoul d no t sustai n th e larg e aircraf t an d left u s hig h an d dry . Cap e Ai rdoe s i n fac t hav e smal l plane s bu t the ymor e tha n make u p fo rsmal l plane s wM h incredibl e staffan d excellen t service , bu t w e wil l forge t tha t jus t becaus e a s wit h everythin g today , 'bigge ri s better ' I woul d lik e t o thin k tiiat thi s countr ywoul d hav e learne d somethin g i n th e pas t fe wyea rbu t apparentl ynot . Qualityan d Custome rservic e beat s bi g plane s wit h a flight attendan t an yda ybecaus e i n th e lon g ru n W Ewil l payno t th e Canadien s tha t th e Chambe ro fCommerc e cater s to o bu t th e hardworkin g

taxpayer s o fthi s county . KEE P CAP E AI R Large rplane s wil l brin g i n mor e customers . Livin g i n Ottawa , w e are alread ybookin g a vacatio n i n Ma

ywit h Direct Ai rtha t i s a direct flight rathe rtha n a commectin g one , an d almos t hal f th e pric e o f leavin g fro m ou rairport . S o wha t doe s tha t mea n t o Plattsburgh ? W e wil l b e stayin g overnigh t t o ensur e w e ar e no t lat e fo rou rflight, d o a bi t o fshoppin g an d probabl y dinne rsomewhere , perhap s a lunc h too . Cessna' s have a limite d clien t tiase . Alarge rplan e coul d offe rweek-en d trip s t o NewYor k o reve n Washington . You rcityi s abou t th e sam e distanc e a s Syracus e i s fro m Ottawa , s o i t woul d giv e u s a seriou s alternativ e t o a U S airpor t whic h i s currenti ywel l us e wit h Ottawans . Yo u nee d t o se e th e 'big ' picture . Thanks Thi s editoria l i s exactl ywh yth e nort h countr yi s tilled wit h delusion s o f grandeur . Yo u nee d 6,00 0 ne wjob s no t 6 0 a t th e bu s compan yt o support a n airport o fthi s size . Large raircraft susidize d b yta xdollar s tha t yo u can t flII i s a n oxymoron . Wha t th e count yspend s t o suppor t thi s airport i s a scandal . Press-Republican , d o a fai ran d balarice d jo b o f reporting . Remembe r you rfamou s Gar

yDougla s quote? ' I don' t le t th e fact s ge t i n th e wa yo fm yvisio n ' . I t i s wh y NY S an d th e nort h countr yhav e hig h taxes , n o job s an d n o future . Jauuii; y 3 L2010 , 7:0 0 A M