Attention all you TRI passengers looking for warmer weather. Allegiant Air has brought back nonstop, low fare service to the Tampa area through Clearwater/St. Petersburg (PIE). After a couple of months off, Tampa service returns with two flights each week–Monday and Friday evenings. That’s just perfect for a long weekend! To book flights, check out Allegiant’s website at www.allegiantair.com. And for all the TRI fans in Florida, the holidays are just around the corner. We’d love to see you.

After years, and I mean this literally, of trying to fix the acoustical problems in the terminal, the Airport Commission is getting ready to try something new. In the next few days, we will start installing colorful acoustical pannels on the ceiling and other places around the terminal to help absorb some of the sound waves that bounce around on all the hard surfaces. We will also be upgrading the public address system to help with the delivery.

Why has it taken so long to come to this solution you may ask? Well, to be blunt, it is expensive. And while we’ve tried various solutions over the years, this time we’ve wrapped the work into an overall Terminal Improvement Project with grant funding to make the needed updates.

So, those using the airport in the next few weeks may have to put up with some banging and clanging as pannels are installed, but when the dust clears, we anticipate the sound will, too.

One of the things I like about this job is that you never know what the day will bring. It’s not often we get a visit from the President of the United States. Of course, we know in advance when dignataries are coming because of the extensive security preparations, but it is still cause for excitement.

It’s hard to grasp the level of detail, number of people, vehicles, support aircraft and law enforcement agencies that are required for every step of the way when the President visits. Imagine duplicating that all across the country everytime he touches down somewhere…much less in another country. It’s a bit mind boggling.

Even though I didn’t get to hear the President speak and only got to see him from a distance, it was still an honor to host Air Force One for a few hours and have a wee bit part in the preparations…and I couldn’t resist having my picture taken with Air Force One in the background.

Photographer Ray Austin recently captured a rainbow over the airport on a rainy afternoon.

I’ve seen several endings and beginnings in the past few weeks at TRI. Some that make me sad and some that are more joyful. We’ve said goodby to old friends with Atlantic Southeast Airlines as Bryan West and his talented crew bid adieu and are now exploring new opportunities. And, we’ve said hello to new faces on the Delta ticket counter as Mesaba Airline staff settle in to their new offices and positions. We’ve seen signs come down at the old Northwest ticket counter as Delta and Northwest complete the merger of their operations. And, we’ve said goodby to nonstop Memphis and Detroit service as Delta routes passengers through Atlanta and Cincinnati.

We’ve also seen our airlines offer some super travel deals to encourage summertime travel. Many people who may have never traveled by air before have been able to benefit from inexpensive tickets this summer.

I’ve seen new pavement as our ramp rehabilitation project moves into a new phase, a budget year come and go, and even the installation of a new pet relief area for those who have pets in need of relief.   Now granted, my eyesight hasn’t always been that great, but I hope that many of the changes I’ve seen lately will translate into new opportunities…for passengers, air carriers and the community.

Now, if I could just see a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. That would really be a sight to behold!

If you’re reading this blog post, chances are you have joined the world of social media…and that’s a good thing according to numerous marketing and communications professionals presenting at ACI-NA’s annual communications conference being held in Montreal, Canada.  (Beautiful city!)

Social media discussions were featured prominently on the agenda, both during sessions and in after-meeting conversations. I was pleased to learn that TRI is ahead of the curve even though we don’t have a big staff or budget. One of the reasons we launched into the social media world is to make it easier for you to let us know what you think, where you want to go, the things we’re doing right and the things that need improvement.  Plus, we have some fun things planned for our Facebook page and twitter followers. If you haven’t signed up yet, you might want to. We would love for you to be part of the conversation.

June may be a popular month for weddings, but each year about this time, air service development professionals across the country have a different type of courtship on their minds. Instead of worrying about where to seat the wedding party, most airport people are getting ready to sit down with airline planners for a round of speed dating at Jumpstart, part of Airport Council International-North America’s  (ACI-NA) annual communications and air service development conference. This year, Jumpstart is the first week in June and the “matchmaking” will occur in Montreal, Canada.

As at past Jumpstarts, I will be right there promoting Tri-Cities Regional Airport and our community. Recruiting air service is a tough business, especially for smaller communities, and success always comes down to timing, availability, and economics. Marrying what passengers want with what the airlines want can be delicate task. While an actual engagement doesn’t often occur there at the table, Jumpstart gives both parties an opportunity to introduce themselves, evaluate an existing relationship or decide to continue the courtship process at a later date. Sometimes the meetings help an airport or airline determine there is no match at all, and that’s okay. But you never want to completely shut the door on a prospect…you never know when a carrier may turn into prince charming for your community…I’ll keep you posted.

The recent merger between Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines is going to mean a change at the ticket counter at TRI come the end of June. While we don’t know exactly what will happen, it’s a pretty good bet that it will take a little getting used to. Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA), the long-time operator of TRI’s Delta Connection service, will be handing the reins to Mesaba Airlines (operator for TRI’s Nortwest Airlink service), so passengers will most likely see some new faces and new signage.  It remains to be seen how easily the carriers will merge work groups, reservations, websites and so on, but there seems to be a plan in place. I’ll keep you posted …

Okay, so there’s a fare sale but you can’t find the special deal. No, the carrier and the airport aren’t lying to you, but there are some things you need to check out to make sure you qualify. It’s all in the small print…Here’s how to navigate.

1. Most fare sales are to specific destinations, a carrier seldom put fares to everywhere on sale. First check that your destination is one of the sale cities. 

2. Most fare sales have specific advance purchase, purchase-by and use-by dates. Make sure that you are booking your ticket far enough in advance of your travel date, purchasing your ticket and traveling within the specified dates. For example, if the fine print says “14-day advance purchase required” but you want to purchase your ticket and travel in the next two days, you won’t qualify for the sale fare.

3. Most, but not all, fare sales will be listed “each way based on a round trip purchase.” That means that you have to book a round-trip ticket to qualify for the low each-way price. Some carriers, like Allegiant Air, sell “one-way” tickets where you won’t have to purchase a round-trip fare. There is a difference…check the small print.

4. Taxes and fees will add to your ticket price and are not included in the advertised price. The small print will spell this out for you.

5. Book early. Only a few seats on each flight will be priced at the sale rate. Once those seats are sold you’ll have to try a different flight or a different day to find the sale fare. In some cases, you may find the sale fare on the departure, but a higher fare on the return. That just means that the sale fares were already sold on that portion of your trip. The small print will tell you that not every seat on every flight is available at the sale fare. Again, book early. You are competing with everyone else for the sale seats.

6. Sometimes black-out dates will apply. Black-out dates are usually highly traveled days like holidays or spring break periods. If you are traveling at this time, it is doubtful you will be able to find the sale price.

7. The carrier will often specify a Saturday night stay or one-night stay required for the sale fare. That falls into the same category as purchase-by and use-by dates (see 2. above).

8. Most sale fares are non-refundable so be sure you want the ticket before  finishing the transaction. Once your tickets are booked, most carriers will charge you a hefty fee to change your flight.

9. Some carriers charge a convenience fee for booking tickets on their website, some charge a booking fee for purchasing tickets at their airline counters, and some charge a fee for booking tickets by telephone. Most carriers now charge to check luggage, and some charge to reserve specific seats. Check out which carrier charges for what by going to the carrier’s website.

I hope these hints will be helpful, but even if you can’t find a sale, fares are pretty low right now, so it is a great time to travel. Enjoy!

We know Tri-Citians frequently travel between cities for work and play…and to get to the Airport. From personal experience, it is a real pain to get stuck on the interstate when there  is a traffic accident, especially if you are trying to catch a flight. Now you can sign up to get text messages anytime there is a vehicle accident causing traffic delays in your area–and you get a nifty message from Tri-Cities Regional Airport. Sign up by going to WQUT.com or any of the other Citadel Brodcasting stations and follow instructions. You’ll be glad you knew to take the road less traveled.

Who says it’s too expensive to travel! TRI’s carriers are doing their part to get people traveling. This is a great time to fly!

US Airways has locked $99 fares from TRI to some great destinations. Book by April 30, 2009 and travel for $99 each way (based on a round trip purchase, plus taxes and fees) to New York, New Orleans, Chicago, Baltimore, major cities in Florida and lots of other fun spots. And best of all, you have until September 30 to use the tickets.

Allegiant Air has even lower fares to Florida. Fly to Orlando Sanford and Clearwater/St. Petersburg/Tampa for $49 one way. Ft. Lauderdale is just $59 one way (plus taxes and fees). Book by April 22, 2009 and use by September 30.

Check out the details on the fare link from the triflight.com home page.