Earlier this month, we marked the return of nonstop service between Tri-Cities and Detroit. That’s right, you can now get to Motown easily and quickly on Delta’s daily jet service.

“I thought TRI already had Detroit service,” you might say…and you would be right up until last June when it went away following the merger of Delta and Northwest Airlines. However, Delta has now brought it back and we’re betting the Detroit hub with be very popular with our Delta travelers who are looking for an alternative to connecting in Atlanta.

And remember, the more people use the service, the better the chance that Delta will add in additional daily trips. So, when you are planning your next flight, be sure to check out Delta’s connections through Detroit.

You’ve heard it a hundred times…”get to the airport early.” At large airport’s, it’s a must-do if you expect to get checked in and through the security que. At TRI, frequent travelers have gotten used to being able to push the clock a bit when it comes to arrival times. But beginning Monday of this week, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has implemented new baggage screening processes that are going to take a little more time behind the scenes. They have asked that passengers be at the airport at least an hour before their flight to check their baggage and allow enough time for TSA to screen it. This really isn’t a new request, but this time they really mean it!

The bottom line is, if you get to the airport late and TSA doesn’t have time to screen your bag, then you will miss your flight…and nobody wants that. In addition, be sure you are through the security checkpoint and in the gate area at least 30 minutes before your flight. Usually the lines for check-in and security at TRI are very short, but back-ups do happen. It’s better to wait a few extra minutes at the gate than miss your flight because you didn’t get through security in time. And it’s better on your blood pressure, too.

Good news for future Delta passengers! Nonstop service between Detroit and Tri-Cities is on its way back. Beginning February 11, you’ll be able to access the Delta/Northwest route system in Detroit, including all the great domestic and international connections available.

The return of DTW service comes as a relief after learning about the end of Cincinnati as a connecting option for TRI. Although we’re starting with one roundtrip flight a day, it will be aboard a 50-seat regional jet. And, if demand is strong enough, it’s a pretty good bet that Delta will increase the number of daily flights. So, if you need to get to Detroit, or just don’t want to connect in Atlanta or Charlotte, an easy option is just a few weeks away.

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 …