4 FEB 07: SHAPE UP OR.... OR....

You have to hand it to Don Cook - he's stirring things up, as chair of the Columbus Airport Commission. The airport has so few flights that a little "clear air turbulence" might be a good thing....

Don Cook persuaded operators of three other Georgia airports to write a letter of complaint to Governor Sonny Perdue. I'm not sure why they didn't e-mail his "Sonny-Do" list. But then again, I keep waiting for the Governor to give a speech listing everything on it.

Don Cook didn't mince words in an interview with WRBL. He said he's complaining to Governor Perdue because he's NOT satisfied with Atlantic Southeast Airlines. Now we're waiting to see if the Columbus Sports Council will follow his example, and write a letter complaining about the Catfish.

Don Cook says ASA's service is unreliable, with flights being delayed on a regular basis. Considering ASA only flies from Columbus to Atlanta, maybe he should call the control tower near Peachtree City and try some "lobbying" there.

Don Cook says he's tried to express his concerns about bad service to ASA and Delta Air Lines management, only to be told the managers ARE satisfied with how things are going in Columbus. Hopefully Cook understands the translation of that -- be thankful we're here, or we'll pull out like Northwest and US Airways did.

Don Cook is understandably frustrated, because ASA is the only airline serving Columbus. He says that results in higher fares, as well as a lack of concern for passengers. When the SunTrust Bank commercials look more like a professional airline than ASA, that's not a good sign....

The airport managers apparently want the Georgia Governor's help in bringing more airlines to places beyond Atlanta. But a statement from Sonny Perdue's office says there's little he can do, because airlines are privately-owned. And I doubt Korea Air Lines could be persuaded to fly from Seoul to Columbus, with connecting bus service to the Kia plant.

The Columbus Airport Commission has talked big in recent months - about meetings with new airlines for service, or developing a hotel on land near the terminal. While Don Cook isn't coming out and saying so, this letter to the Governor tells me the talks aren't going well. In fact, did anyone ask if Cook flew to Atlanta to deliver that letter personally?

But I fear if Don Cook isn't careful, his public complaining is going to turn against him. If Atlantic Southeast Airlines doesn't feel welcome in Columbus, it could decide to end service - leaving local airline passengers two choices: drive to Atlanta or Birmingham for flights, or wait for "Thunder in the Valley" pilots to show up in March.

I may have mentioned it before, but one thing the Columbus Airport sorely lacks is a connection with METRA. I know from personal experience that the bus line does NOT go to the airport, stopping at the old Wal-Mart building on Airport Thruway. It's a walk of several blocks from there to the terminal - and the city hasn't cared enough to put sidewalks on the airport side.

True confession: the difference in air fares is so high that I have yet to use Columbus Metropolitan Airport for flights. I've driven to Atlanta or taken shuttle buses there instead. But our airport IS a nice central hub for renting cars -- and a fast 12 dollars or so for downtown taxi drivers.

OVERHEARD OVER HERE: Two boys are running around the church hall, seemingly pretending to race with the toy motorcycles they held. Two adult men watch this, and one speaks for what both of them are thinking deep inside.

"Next Sunday, they race for the pole at Daytona."

Let's see what else is on our minds this weekend, other than keeping warm:

+ Auburn University trustees approved a 20 percent raise for President Ed Richardson. He's now paid $500,000 a year - but before you criticize him, remember one thing. Richardson doesn't have a shoe contract, like Tommy Tuberville does.

+ Fort Benning's newspaper "The Bayonet" reported on the post prayer breakfast. A chaplain told the audience he heard invisible voices of comfort several times, during his last tour of duty in Iraq. Well, the U.S. military "psy-ops" team has to practice on somebody....

+ Calvary Baptist Church on Old Moon Road hosted an evening of martial arts competitions, including karate and kick boxing. So what's the topic of the Sunday sermon - turning the other cheek?

+ The mayor of Macon announced he became a Muslim in December. Despite what the city web site says, he's changed his first name from Jack Ellis to Hakim. What's he thinking here - if you can't beat 'em, join 'em?

(Before you get overly concerned about the Macon Mayor converting to Islam, keep something in mind. It's been about 35 years since Lew Alcindor became Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - and Michael Jordan's jersey still sells much better.)

+ The Columbus Cottonmouths moved into first place in the Southern Professional Hockey League. Jacksonville was jolted 3-2 Saturday on "Teddy Bear Toss Night." Fans threw toy bears on the ice after the first Columbus goal was scored, for police to give to needy children. But where's the balance here? Did I miss the "Toy Colt Toss" on Friday night?

(The teddy bear toss occurred only hours after the North Columbus Wal-Mart held an electronics recycling drive. I hope no one at the hockey game got those events mixed up....)

+ Instant Message to the car with a Georgia disabled tag, which passed me on Weems Road by violating a double-yellow line: So what's your disability? Blindness, maybe? Or ADHD?

(Well, then again -- I did notice you pulled into the parking lot of an animal hospital. It must be frustrating that in 2007, veterinarians still don't have emergency rooms.)

BURKARD'S BEST BETS: Gas for $1.93 a gallon at Petro, Andrews Road and Cusseta Road.... summer sportcoats for $49.99 or less at Parisian.... and beat the crowds, by leaving the sports bars before 5:00 p.m....

SCHEDULED MONDAY: Coverage of a big sports event.... and our weekly Hurtsboro update....

This blog had more than 28,000 visits in 2006, from people in Columbus and around the world. To advertise to them, offer a story tip or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post your e-mail comment and offer a reply.

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 4123 (+ 165, 4.2%)

If you mention this blog in public, please be polite enough to let me know.

© 2003-07 Richard Burkard, all rights reserved.