SDN Article on GTR Airport

[Duke Humphrey]

Since this was a recent discussion.....

https://www.starkvilledailynews.com/golden-triangle-regional-airport-eyeing-expansion-as-flight-volume-increases/article_300aeac8-969a-11e9-90a3-af1c31e2078e.html

Highlights:
-Delta added a 4th flight on June 10th
-85 percent capacity
-Airlines are not adding new regional jet service, just adding or subtracting from current markets, so adding a flight is a big coup for GTR
-Pilot shortage continues to be big issue for USAF and airlines
-Continue to seek a new airline with western route
-Columbus AFB is the busiest Air Force Base in the world

 

[FQDawg]

I know having GTR is a plus for the region but I'd love for it to be cheaper to fly out of there somehow. Right now, it's cheaper for me to drive to Birmingham or even New Orleans and fly from there than it is to fly out of GTR.

 

[Duke Humphrey]

Mentions that in the article and with so much of GTR traffic being business, no expectations for it to drop. However, I have had luck finding cheaper or similar prices (after figure in travel and parking) out of GTR vs BHM, MEM, JAN or MSY. Just have to monitor and look, which I do through Google Flights.

 

[CochiseCowbell]

-Columbus AFB is the busiest Air Force Base in the world

[FONT=&quot]"They're the busiest Air Force base in the world," Hainsey said. "Right now, the Air Force has a significant pilot shortage. In fact, at the luncheon I was just at, the wing commander said they have to produce 100 more than they did last year. They didn't reduce their training load even though they're losing a third of their runway."


Yet, they never went on to explain why this is. Is it Columbus AFB that needs to produce 100 more or the AF in general?[/FONT]

 

[Duke Humphrey]

I assumed 100 more pilots out of CAFB alone. I believe CAFB is one of two sites in the AF where pilots train.

 

[RotorHead]

I believe it's the only location where they fly the T-38. I know USAF pilots go to different locations (aircraft dependent) for training, but all of them have to fly the T-37 (conducted in texas?) and the t-38 (CAFB). After they finish flying the T-38, they branch out to go where they're assigned Aircraft training location is. I.E. Pilot snuffy goes to texas for the t-37 and Columbus for the t-38, but he's a helicopter guy, so then he goes to Ft. Rucker (AL) for initial rotary training, then to new Mexico to training on the MH-60.
If anybody has anymore insight as to the ins/outs of USAF pilot training, feel free. I'm speaking out of what I've picked up from the 1-2 USAF pilots I know.

 

[Cat Duck]

I know having GTR is a plus for the region but I'd love for it to be cheaper to fly out of there somehow. Right now, it's cheaper for me to drive to Birmingham or even New Orleans and fly from there than it is to fly out of GTR.

You are paying for the convenience.

How much are you paying in wear/tear, gas and parking to go to the bigger airports? Have to add in everything to make a worthwhile comparison.

 

[Joe Schmedlap]

Initial pilot training is conducted in turboprops in Texas, MS and maybe OK. This is the T-6 Texan II. Then, the next phase/location/aircraft depends on whether a pilot is chosen to fly fighters, Transports, or Bombers (or rotary wing at Mother Rucker between Enterprise and Ozark, AL). Different trainer aircraft are used for different career tracks. Only fighter pilot trainees fly the T-38. The T-37 Tweet is no longer in the US Air Force training fleet inventory. That was the turbofan trainer where the IP and the student pilot sat side by side. Everyone starts out in the relatively high performance turboprop Texan now and sits in tandem.

I believe it's the only location where they fly the T-38. I know USAF pilots go to different locations (aircraft dependent) for training, but all of them have to fly the T-37 (conducted in texas?) and the t-38 (CAFB). After they finish flying the T-38, they branch out to go where they're assigned Aircraft training location is. I.E. Pilot snuffy goes to texas for the t-37 and Columbus for the t-38, but he's a helicopter guy, so then he goes to Ft. Rucker (AL) for initial rotary training, then to new Mexico to training on the MH-60.
If anybody has anymore insight as to the ins/outs of USAF pilot training, feel free. I'm speaking out of what I've picked up from the 1-2 USAF pilots I know.

 

[Cat Duck]

"They're the busiest Air Force base in the world," Hainsey said. "Right now, the Air Force has a significant pilot shortage. In fact, at the luncheon I was just at, the wing commander said they have to produce 100 more than they did last year. They didn't reduce their training load even though they're losing a third of their runway."


Yet, they never went on to explain why this is. Is it Columbus AFB that needs to produce 100 more or the AF in general?

Military bases are also big USERS of the airport, and I'm betting they are a big reason why many small-ish airports are where they are. CAFB uses GTR, Camp Shelby uses Pine Belt, Keesler uses Gulfport-Biloxi, Ft. Rucker uses Dothan, Maxwell uses Montgomery. Ft. Walton Beach and Panama City (now NW FL Beaches), for the longest time, were mainly military, until people outside the South discovered the Panhandle beaches.

 

[FQDawg]

You are paying for the convenience.

How much are you paying in wear/tear, gas and parking to go to the bigger airports? Have to add in everything to make a worthwhile comparison.

I have, which is why I generally fly out of Birmingham. Plus, I can fly direct from BHM, as opposed to having to fly through Atlanta, so it's usually a time-saver and more convenient since it's easier to keep my kids entertained in the car than it is to deal with them in an airport during a layover.

 

[msudawg12]

I know having GTR is a plus for the region but I'd love for it to be cheaper to fly out of there somehow. Right now, it's cheaper for me to drive to Birmingham or even New Orleans and fly from there than it is to fly out of GTR.

I highly recommend looking at Meridian

Flights to both dallas and chicago. Reasonably priced. Usually beats jackson or bham when your factor in Meridian’s $2/day parking

And you can get ANYWHERE from either of those. Plus, afternoon flights back to Meridian allow for an extra partial day most places

 

[Cat Duck]

I have, which is why I generally fly out of Birmingham. Plus, I can fly direct from BHM, as opposed to having to fly through Atlanta, so it's usually a time-saver and more convenient since it's easier to keep my kids entertained in the car than it is to deal with them in an airport during a layover.

Where are you going, if you don’t mind me asking? If it’s Dallas, you really should consider Meridian like the other poster said, and keep your money in MS.

 

[GTAdawg]

Is this Goat? Just curious.

 

[The Peeper]

Flew to SoCal from Jackson back in the Fall because it was over $700 cheaper than GTR and I didn't have to fly to Atlanta (East) first to end up where I was going, (West). Just that part of flying to Atlanta first adds almost 4 hrs to any Westward trip if you put in 75 minute flight to Atlanta, MINIMUM of an hour layover and a 75 minute flight back towards where you started from which was GTR.

Another alternative is to drive to Tupelo (75 minutes from Starksville) and catch the 50 minute shuttle flight they do to Nashville which varies from $40-$85 RT in my experience and parking is FREE. Once in Nashville you can fly anywhere you want, they serve 65 cities nonstop according to their website.

 

[$altyDawg]

It's the same with JAN since Southwest left.

 

[Jeffreauxdawg]

Where are you going, if you don’t mind me asking? If it’s Dallas, you really should consider Meridian like the other poster said, and keep your money in MS.

Dude, you must not travel by plane much. It's horrible having to fly out of airports with 1 or 2 flights a day. In the Northern climate, it's a crapshoot in the winter. In the south it's all spring, summer, and early fall.

If a flight gets cancelled going to Bham there are a hundred options for later in the day. If a flight gets cancelled to Meridian, better luck till tomorrow. If my meeting runs late, oh well. If there is mechanical difficulty, tough titty.

Not to mention, flying on those little CRJ's sucks. They have the smallest seats, aisles, and overheads in the industry. They climb like ****, land like a tractor crossing a cornfield, and they handle turbulence like a rock in a blender. If you need a full size carry on, you have to check it. Which means another 45 minutes in baggage claim. Ask anyone who flies, the crj 100/200's are the worst experience out there and you are bound to get stuck on a tarmac in any plane, but 4 hours in a CRJ is like 12 in a 737 or MD88.

 

[Maroon Eagle]

I don't fly often but when I do, it's to RDU about half the time and my first preference is Allegiant out of New Orleans-- non-stop flights are nice.

 

[Shmuley]

Yes.

 

[FQDawg]

Where are you going, if you don’t mind me asking? If it’s Dallas, you really should consider Meridian like the other poster said, and keep your money in MS.

Usually DC. And usually with my young kids, which means connections are problematic (both long layovers and/or a race to make it to the next gate have their issues). I'm almost always going to try to find a direct flight, even if it means having to drive a few hours to get to the airport. And, in my experience, I can drive to BHM, park there for a few days and fly direct for a few hundred dollars cheaper than I could fly out of GTR.

 

[RotorHead]

Military bases are also big USERS of the airport, and I'm betting they are a big reason why many small-ish airports are where they are. CAFB uses GTR, Camp Shelby uses Pine Belt, Keesler uses Gulfport-Biloxi, Ft. Rucker uses Dothan, Maxwell uses Montgomery. Ft. Walton Beach and Panama City (now NW FL Beaches), for the longest time, were mainly military, until people outside the South discovered the Panhandle beaches.

A/C transitioning around Camp Shelby generally use Bobby Chain Airport for support. What drives the military use of local airports is whether or not they have "contract gas." Meaning that that airport has a deal worked out w/ the guv'ment to sell fuel at a fixed rate. If an airport does not have contract fuel, military pilots won't go there unless they've been given authorization to use that specific airport.

 

[L4Dawg]

Flew to SoCal from Jackson back in the Fall because it was over $700 cheaper than GTR and I didn't have to fly to Atlanta (East) first to end up where I was going, (West). Just that part of flying to Atlanta first adds almost 4 hrs to any Westward trip if you put in 75 minute flight to Atlanta, MINIMUM of an hour layover and a 75 minute flight back towards where you started from which was GTR.

Another alternative is to drive to Tupelo (75 minutes from Starksville) and catch the 50 minute shuttle flight they do to Nashville which varies from $40-$85 RT in my experience and parking is FREE. Once in Nashville you can fly anywhere you want, they serve 65 cities nonstop according to their website.

You have to buy a separate ticket, and claim and recheck luggage, and go through security again, if you fly out of Tupelo I believe. They say that will eventually change. If it does then we will be back there.

 

[L4Dawg]

Dude, you must not travel by plane much. It's horrible having to fly out of airports with 1 or 2 flights a day. In the Northern climate, it's a crapshoot in the winter. In the south it's all spring, summer, and early fall.

If a flight gets cancelled going to Bham there are a hundred options for later in the day. If a flight gets cancelled to Meridian, better luck till tomorrow. If my meeting runs late, oh well. If there is mechanical difficulty, tough titty.

Not to mention, flying on those little CRJ's sucks. They have the smallest seats, aisles, and overheads in the industry. They climb like ****, land like a tractor crossing a cornfield, and they handle turbulence like a rock in a blender. If you need a full size carry on, you have to check it. Which means another 45 minutes in baggage claim. Ask anyone who flies, the crj 100/200's are the worst experience out there and you are bound to get stuck on a tarmac in any plane, but 4 hours in a CRJ is like 12 in a 737 or MD88.

Delta to/from GTR gate checks carry ons. You reclaim them at the gate. It takes 5-10 minutes.

 

[Cat Duck]

A/C transitioning around Camp Shelby generally use Bobby Chain Airport for support. What drives the military use of local airports is whether or not they have "contract gas." Meaning that that airport has a deal worked out w/ the guv'ment to sell fuel at a fixed rate. If an airport does not have contract fuel, military pilots won't go there unless they've been given authorization to use that specific airport.

Agree but I was talking more about passenger traffic to/from the bases.

 

[Cat Duck]

Usually DC. And usually with my young kids, which means connections are problematic (both long layovers and/or a race to make it to the next gate have their issues). I'm almost always going to try to find a direct flight, even if it means having to drive a few hours to get to the airport. And, in my experience, I can drive to BHM, park there for a few days and fly direct for a few hundred dollars cheaper than I could fly out of GTR.

Yeah I cannot argue with BHM to DCA. I used to do that all the time too.

 

[Cat Duck]

Dude, you must not travel by plane much. It's horrible having to fly out of airports with 1 or 2 flights a day. In the Northern climate, it's a crapshoot in the winter. In the south it's all spring, summer, and early fall.

If a flight gets cancelled going to Bham there are a hundred options for later in the day. If a flight gets cancelled to Meridian, better luck till tomorrow. If my meeting runs late, oh well. If there is mechanical difficulty, tough titty.

Not to mention, flying on those little CRJ's sucks. They have the smallest seats, aisles, and overheads in the industry. They climb like ****, land like a tractor crossing a cornfield, and they handle turbulence like a rock in a blender. If you need a full size carry on, you have to check it. Which means another 45 minutes in baggage claim. Ask anyone who flies, the crj 100/200's are the worst experience out there and you are bound to get stuck on a tarmac in any plane, but 4 hours in a CRJ is like 12 in a 737 or MD88.

Trust me, you are the one who is inexperienced in this conversation.

 

[randystewart]

It is in Delta's fare structure for GTR to be within $200 of BHM, MEM, and JAN. There are times that this doesn't work out due to flights being mostly full but that is the starting plan. For me, traveling for business, I'll take GTR every time over saving $200 and wasting 4+ hours of driving round trip to one of the other airports.

 

[GTAdawg]

Noted, thx.

 

[Cat Duck]

Noted, thx.

Now you can downvote my posts too!! Because GOATZ

 

[patdog]

Yeah. It only takes 45 minutes to get checked luggage at JIA. Even in most large destination airports I've been to, it rarely takes more than about 15 minutes to claim a checked bag. Well worth the $25 to not have to keep up with my bag for an hour after checkin, another 1-3 hours at the changeover airport, and then lug it onto 2 airplanes and squeeze into an overhead bin.

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

Trust me, you are the one who is inexperienced in this conversation.

View attachment 13316

 

[msudawg12]

If a flight gets cancelled going to Bham there are a hundred options for later in the day. If a flight gets cancelled to Meridian, better luck till tomorrow. If my meeting runs late, oh well. If there is mechanical difficulty, tough titty.

I fly out of meridian fairly often. Never had a cancelled flight since the american flights started

Hes pushing hard for a charlotte flight as well and hopes to have it by next year. Once we have Dallas, Chicago, and Charlotte covering all directions I’d like to fly, I wont have many reasons to go to another airport

 

[msudawg12]

A/C transitioning around Camp Shelby generally use Bobby Chain Airport for support. What drives the military use of local airports is whether or not they have "contract gas." Meaning that that airport has a deal worked out w/ the guv'ment to sell fuel at a fixed rate. If an airport does not have contract fuel, military pilots won't go there unless they've been given authorization to use that specific airport.

Yea you cant beat that nonstop to DCA out of bham

 

[HD6]

Or.......

 

[Palos verdes]

You can fly to DCA nonstop out of Jackson.

 

[RocketDawg]

I know having GTR is a plus for the region but I'd love for it to be cheaper to fly out of there somehow. Right now, it's cheaper for me to drive to Birmingham or even New Orleans and fly from there than it is to fly out of GTR.

Don't know where you live, but if you drive to B'ham why not just keep going and fly out of Atlanta? You can get a non-stop flight from there to virtualy anywhere, and it should be as cheap as you can get.

 

[RocketDawg]

Usually DC. And usually with my young kids, which means connections are problematic (both long layovers and/or a race to make it to the next gate have their issues). I'm almost always going to try to find a direct flight, even if it means having to drive a few hours to get to the airport. And, in my experience, I can drive to BHM, park there for a few days and fly direct for a few hundred dollars cheaper than I could fly out of GTR.

Airport choice becomes more important the more tickets you buy. You and a couple of kids can save a lot by driving to a larger airport. For a single person it may not be worth it. Could you just as easily drive to Nashville for the trip to DC?

 

[Duke Humphrey]

Good luck with that train wreck.

Between the operation of JAN and American cancelling that flight for no reason, I’ll take Delta and the connection to GTR or JAN

 

[mount lefroy]

Trust me, you are the one who is inexperienced in this conversation.

Nobody ever buys your juvenile responses for very long, do they?