From runways to the tweet deck, take a look Inside CAK by following five star bloggers- David, Todd, Elizabeth, Ryan and Barry.
Todd Laps
Public Safety and Operations Manager
Heading up all things snow, safety and security, Todd is undeniably CAK. If you want a real inside scoop of what really happens on an airfield, follow Todd.Waiting for snow
Posted on 02/05/2010This time of year the weather channel becomes our favorite TV station. The last few weeks we have watched storm after storm slide south and pound our neighbors. Well, I think this week may be different. On the way in to CAK this morning, the weather reports I heard said expect everything from 1-3 inches to a foot of snow.
The CAK Snow Crew spent the last few days making sure everything is ready to go. We are ready to battle anything Mother Nature throws our way- whether its an inch or a foot.
Something most people don’t realize is we are not permitted to use salt on the airfield. The FAA only allows a very limited number of chemicals that will not corrode an airplane, and man they’re expensive. One example: 1 ton of road salt = $55.00
1 ton of NAC (FAA salt substitute) = $1,995. Another little known fact, our airfield is equal to about 35 miles of city streets. Add 12 inches of snow on all that, and it could be a fun weekend.
A few days ago Buckeye Chuck, my favorite groundhog, predicted an early spring, I hope he is right.
Elizabeth Cecconi
Marketing Manager
Aviation and travel obsessed young professional, jet around with Elizabeth as she journeys in and out of the airport biz.Learning Las Vegas
Posted on 02/03/2010I just returned to CAK from a whirlwind set of trips. Early last week I ventured out to Las Vegas for ACI-NA’s Air Service & Data Planning Seminar - immediately followed by a stop off in Denver for four days of skiing the Rockies.
It may seem like this conference was set in a city that stays up all night, but we spent two bright-eyed days learning about how to find the best mix of data to showcase our communities to airline planners in the hopes of securing new routes and/ or strengthening old ones. I had the opportunity to learn first hand from some of North America’s most experienced airline route planners, airport air-service directors and consultants. They say that what happens in Vegas, stays there, but this time around, I took home some great tools and a wealth of new information that I hope will help us as CAK moves forward in 2010.
One of my favorite surprises at the conference was the attendance of Ben Mutzabaugh, of USA TODAY's, Today In The Sky blog. I have been a closet fan of Ben since I discovered his blog back in college so the chance to meet Ben in person was super cool.
I also had a chance to network, share ideas, and create incredible memories with airport friends and colleagues - all while seeing some amazing sites (check out the photo of the waterfall outside of the new Aria Resort and Casino at City Center taken by Justin from Kansas City).
After the conference wrapped up, I headed out to Denver to squeeze in a quick vacation on the slopes. Northeast Ohio skiers may be glad to know that while Beaver Creek and Vail are not getting quite their typical snowfall for this time of year, the conditions are still top notch and flights to Denver on Frontier Airlines are still incredibly reasonable – so be sure to book today!
David Regula
Cusomer Service Manager
Are you a CAK passenger? Then follow David for exclusive customer tips and aviation issues that can make your travel experience better.January 30, 2010 the Day Northwest Airlines Died!
Posted on 02/03/2010Many of you might not have noticed, others I’m sure have fond memories… or nightmares of what in the past decades was one of the real big boys in aviation. Northwest Airlines is officially gone from the radar. Their flight numbers and information can now only be found under Delta Airlines. It’s an end to what was considered truly an international airline that flew from the United States to all those locations that as a kid, you had no idea where they were except far away. Thinking back to those years of airline regulations, all the other large carriers just wanted to grow up and be just like Northwest flying to those exotic places around the world but it’s ended. It seems somewhere along the way they lost their focus or faced too much competition from other carriers once deregulation allowed the international markets to open to more carriers.
Regardless of the reasons, I take my hat off to all those who contributed to the Northwest operations, the employees that made them fly everyday, and sent their kids to college on their pay. It can be said that it never is pleasant to watch a airline die whether it Eastern or Braniff or others. In reality, airlines are people. They make them or break them and many times at the expense of 1,000 of jobs. So be sure to remember when you come to the airport if you have a ticket you purchase a few moons ago, look for your Northwest flight under the Delta brand. We wish them the best of luck, and to Northwest, thanks for the memories!
Barry Irwin
Operations Supervisor
Aviator and CAK fanatic, ride along with Barry as he flies through cool CAK airspace and beyond.“So what exactly do you do?”
Posted on 01/08/2010The answer to the above question is a complex one when you work in the Operations Department of CAK. Throughout our travels, the subject of our occupations inevitably comes up in conversation. When I tell people that I work for the airport, I am usually asked one of two questions; “Are you one of those people who holds the orange batons and parks airplanes?” or “Are you one of those people who looks at the radar and directs airplanes as they land?” My answer to the first question is, “No, aircraft marshallers are employees of the airlines.” My answer to the second question is, “No, air traffic controllers are employees of the FAA.” At this point, the person who has asked me what I do for a living will often get a confused look on their face and will ask me a question that I have heard countless times, “So what exactly do you do?”
I tell them that the Operations Department is ultimately responsible for all activities occurring on the airfield. We inspect the runways, taxiways, and airport facilities to ensure that they are safe for aircraft operations. We ensure that CAK complies with FAA and TSA regulations regarding airports, and we are firefighters who respond to aircraft emergencies. These are the main responsibilities that we have, but there have been so many more. I have travelled to the Rosenbauer fire truck plant in Minnesota to do a pre-delivery inspection on one of our two new aircraft rescue trucks. I have helped get the football teams to and from their chartered planes when Canton hosts The Pro Football Hall of Fame game. And just yesterday, I spent 9 hours (in addition to my normal 8 hour shift) working the snow desk during the winter storm that we Northeast Ohioans experienced. When people ask, “So what exactly do you do?” - I think to myself, “I wouldn’t do anything else.”
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