With the press release issued on Jan 21, and the news story in the PDN following about the air carrier putting on the brakes for air service for Port Angeles to Seattle due to lack of pilots. The subject will be the highlight item on next week's Port Meeting:
SEAPORT AIRLINES POSTPONES AIR SERVICE
See details: http://wa-portofportangeles.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/997?fileID=534
See full agenda: http://www.portofpa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/01262016-126?html=true
Related stories:
SeaPort Air Postpones Air Service between Port Angeles & SeaTac
Press release issued from the Port dated 1/21/16
SeaPort Airlines of Portland, Oregon notified Port of Port Angeles staff late Tuesday that it is postponing scheduled air service from Port Angeles to SeaTac indefinitely due to a pilot shortage. Regularly scheduled air service from William R. Fairchild Airport to SeaTac International Airport was set to begin on March 1, 2016.
SeaPort Airlines is also postponing their planned service from Moses Lake to Seattle and Portland. The airline announced late last week that it cancelled service in several states including California, Kansas and Missouri.
The shortage of qualified airline pilots has been cited as a significant problem for SeaPort. As of last Saturday, SeaPort had 17 pilots available, but the airline needed 54 to keep up its schedule, according to the Salina Journal. There are multiple reasons for the shortage, but regional airlines such as SeaPort often raise the new Congressional rule that took effect in 2013 after the Colgan Air Flight 3407 crash in 2010 as a factor. It requires commercial pilots and co-pilots to have at least 1,500 hours of flight time, up from 250 hours. In addition to the 1,500 hour rule, many Vietnam-era pilots are retiring at the mandatory retirement age of 65, with too few students enrolling in the expensive training needed to fill those vacancies. These factors decrease the supply of qualified pilots. Qualified pilots currently have their pick of available jobs and smaller airlines cannot compete with the compensation packages and signing bonuses offered by larger airlines.
Regularly scheduled air service at William R. Fairchild International Airport is one of the Port’s key targets in their current strategic plan. The Port of Port Angeles will continue to strive to restore air service to Port Angeles. The pilot shortage is a national problem that will require a national solution. The Port will be working with Representative Kilmer’s office to determine if and how they can help address the pilot shortage in order to re-establish commercial air service to Port Angeles.
ABOUT SEAPORT AIRLINES, INC.
SeaPort Airlines is a privately-held regional airline based in Portland, Oregon. Additional information about SeaPort Airlines can be found on its website, www.SeaPortAir.com.
Air service from Port Angeles to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is delayed indefinitely---PDN
* I don't know how the PDN came up indefinitely in their headline, sounds like just a set back to me. One which could be solved by just finding a new airline to handle PA to Seattle. There is always charter services.
Disagreement on Port Angeles City Council's rep for trust land committee expected to come up at meeting tonight--PDN dated 1/19/16
Related story
Clallam timber panel given primer on trust land management to set the stage for future meetings--PDN
Editor's Note: Look like a not good start for Deputy Mayor Cherie Kidd's third term in office. Look's like Whetham has turn watch dog for the city's actions as of late.
On Flouridation city builds a fox hole....and digs in.
Port Angeles City Council reaffirms its decision to continue water fluoridation; change of government effort gets underway---PDN
Related stories:
Port Angeles fluoridation debate spurs county Board of Health discussion---PDN
City Residents off their meds–reject fluoride and city government--PORT O CALL/Wilson
The policy debate over water fluoridation in Port Angeles has evolved into a debate over our form of government.---PORT O CALL/ Warwin
For too long what has passed for leadership locally is not leadership at all but is a cast of characters whose main intent is to keep the status quo.---PORT O CALL/Wilson
Editor's Note: Look like the villagers were storming the castle gates at that meeting Tuesday night all was missing was pitch forks and torches. I wonder if the cops were present to help keep order from the angry mob that gathered. This is what happens folks when governmental officials decides to play father or mother knows whats best for the peasants. I smell recall blowing in the wind.
Plus I thought Kidd's big project was to be getting rid of these aggressive panhandlers? That was one of her platforms during the election right? Guess that's on hold now, she is having to face a very angry public right now.
Other local News headlines....
City Council supports Port Gamble court effort that could influence Port Angeles Harbor cleanup--PDN
Mammoth remains unearthed near Sequim Bay--SEQUIM GAZETTE
Help us spread the word and count the homeless--FORKS FORUM
Fort Flagler among 11 state parks eyed for recreation businesses--PT LEADER
NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STRAIT
One in 5 Victoria parking tickets cancelled; councillor perplexed--TIMES COLONIST/ VICTORIA BC
Malahat First Nation backs stay of Shawnigan soil-dump permit---TIMES COLONIST/ VICTORIA BC
Another ferry service slated for Victoria---VICTORIA NEWS/ VICTORIA BC
WHAT'S ON TAP FOR NEXT WEEK:
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETING AGENDA HIGHLIGHT: Resolution adopting the following Supplemental Appropriation: Health and Human Services, Environmental Health – Additional grant funding from Department of Ecology for mitigation certificates/$17,000
See full agenda: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_agenda.pdf
Agenda detail: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_packet.pdf
Editor's note: Funny, that the Department of Ecology seems worried over water quality because of sewage in the hook, but they seem to have blinders on in regards to the city putting a toxic material in our water supply to pander to the local dentist. Speaking of fluoride folks. We have sewage in a way, in our drinking water. How about that topic DOE?
CITY OF SEQUIM AGENDA HIGHLIGHT ITEM: Standard & Poor’s Bond Ratings for Civic Center Debt & the Importance of Sound Financial Policies and Practices.
Full agenda: http://www.sequimwa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1314
FORKS CITY COUNCIL AGENDA: http://www.forkswashington.org/pdf/agenda12516.pdf
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
James 1:5 NIV
