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. 
Joseph P. Garber 

Senior Vice President 

Bank of Alpena 

468 N. Ripley Blvd 

P.O. Box 218 

Alpena, MI 49707 

(989) 358-9907 

(989 358-3462 FAX 

jgarber@banko(alpena.com 

Please visit our website at www.bankofalpena.com 

IMPORT ANT: This message is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is p1ivileged, confidential, 

and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering the 

message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If receiving this communication 

in error, please notify the sender immediately by telephone and return the original message to us at PO Box 21 8, Alpena, M I 49707 via the United States Postal Servi ce. 

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