http://159.54.226.83/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070604/NEWS/706040311 SkyWest manager ready for service in Salem to take off MICHAEL ROSE Statesman Journal June 4, 2007 For Bryon Heiser, a station manager for SkyWest Airlines, Salem is the second place he has helped get a new passenger service aloft. His first experience was in Lewiston, Idaho, where the initial flights weren't always packed. He sees parallels with Salem. The first flight from Salem's McNary Field still had seats available the last time Heiser checked, but he's confident the service has the elements to succeed. "What it's going to take is word of mouth," Heiser said. Starting Thursday, commercial air service returns to Salem's McNary Field. The planes will be operated by SkyWest Airlines, one of Delta Air Line's regional carriers. Twice daily flights will take travelers to Salt Lake City, where they will be able to reach 111 destinations non-stop, including Canada, Mexico, Hawaii and most major Eastern cities SkyWest employees will keep things on the ground running. The 16 employees Heiser supervises will "do everything but fly the plane and put gas in it." With the exception of Heiser and another manager, SkyWest's work force at McNary Field consists of part-time employees. The Salem operation is known as a "cross utilized station," meaning an employee might work at the ticket counter, service planes, and load baggage all in one shift. Only a couple of the new Skywest employees have worked at an airport before. Heiser, 38, trained them the basics, from loading baggage correctly to how to dump airplane lavatories. Compared to Lewiston, getting Salem's airport ready was easy, Heiser said. "The airport and facility here has been great. They have bent over backwards to help us," he said. The fact that only one passenger service will be flying from Salem made it easier to get started: SkyWest doesn't have to worry about other airlines' schedules. Salem's airport had a de-icer when SkyWest arrived, but most of the equipment necessary for the flights was brought by the company. mrose@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx or (503) 399-6657 Copyright 2007 Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for a deal? Find great prices on flights and hotels with Yahoo! FareChase. http://farechase.yahoo.com/ <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If you wish to unsubscribe from the AIRLINE List, please send an E-mail to: "listserv@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx". Within the body of the text, only write the following:"SIGNOFF AIRLINE".