### Adams, Kevin (OST) From: Joe Garber [jgarber@bankofalpena.com] Thursday, November 03, 2011 1:34PM Adams, Kevin (OST) Sent: To: Cc: senator@ levin.s.enate.gov; senator@ stabenow.senate.gov:; Repi¥Serttathte 

### Qat) s:eni§!]}:lk Dear Mr. Adams, I am sending you this email to encourage the Department of Transportation to rebid the air service contract for Alpena, Michigan. I have listed the reasons why the current bid either falls short or does not provide the best solution. • We need guaranteed code-sharing (integrated reservation system). *Over 3 million dollars in Essential Air Service subsidy for less service is not a good use of taxpayer money. • If Alpena passengers experience a cancelled flight in Cleveland, there are very few options in getting home when compared to Detroit. • The current bid does not give us clear expectations on ticket prices in all situations. • The planes proposed are much smaller- with no restrooms. Although the air time is 45 minutes, the actual time on the plane is much longer, possibly leaving people in a very uncomfortable situation. • Our community deserves better- the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center and the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary have a very important need for reliable air service that the current bids do not meet. • The current bidder does not have a strong network of support. There are a limited number of planes available for them to serve their market(s) so where does that leave us when a plane experiences mechanical issues? • Cleveland is not a gateway airport and would add an extra stop to most flights. This adds time and expense to our travelers. • The community needs more time on this because the issue is more about lack of competition than it is about cost and we need time to find the best solution for all parties involved. • Alpena's traffic is up two years in a row and our projections, based on economic development projects and activity show continued increases in traffic. • Cancelled seats are currently being used when figuring load factors and are driving that percentage down. Seats on cancelled flights should not be counted as open seats when figuring load factors. Thank you for your consideration and I hope you will agree that the air service contract for Alpena Michigan should be re-bid.Jo se ph P. Garb e r Se nior Vi ce President Bank of A lpena 468 N. Riple y Blvd P.O. Box 218 Alp ena, MI 49707 (989) 358-9907 (989 358-3462 FAX jgarb er @banko(alpena.com 

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