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Delta Airlines Decides Regional Jets - Like Ones Previously Proposed for Briscoe - Are Not Profitable

Hey Brett Smith, Jimmy Norton, Mike Royal, and Paula Hastings did you hear the news?

Hey Brett Smith, Jimmy Norton, Mike Royal, and Paula Hastings -- did you hear the news?  On Friday, Delta Airlines, the nation's largest airline, announced they are ceasing operations of Comair.  Comair is the Delta subsidiary that operates their regional jet aircraft.

You remember those small jets that seat 50-70 passengers and can operate from short runways?  You know, the 6,000-foot runways like Briscoe Field.  Yeah, the ones that you all said were going to operate from Briscoe Field and create 20,000 jobs while generating $1.5 billion in economic impact per year, but only with a limited number of flights, right?

Yes, that's them -- the quiet ones that don't make any noise whatsoever -- they also don't create air pollution.  Kinda like hybrids cars, only they fly through the air.  Hey Brett, do they also get 79 miles per gallon?  I was just wondering.

Yeah, I know you feel like we just burst your bubble again, but what does Delta know?  Just because they said regional jets are not economically profitable to fly any longer does not mean those wild outlandish predictions of wealth would not have happened, right?  Besides what does Delta know about operating a profitable airport?  Sorry I forgot you've never operated an airport either, but at least you've never bankrupted an airport, just an airline.

Anyway Brett et al, we're glad there were some sensible people in Gwinnett County with enough common sense to see through all the misinformation you provided. 

Brett, we suspect in the years to come you will look back and come to appreciate that Better Gwinnett prevented your Dad, and the boys, from blowing $100 million+ bucks on a doomed project.  That's okay Brett, we know.

Gary Fox July 29, 2012 at 01:56 pm
Jim that HAD to feel good. :-) :-)
Katrina July 30, 2012 at 04:10 pm
Jim Regan, Amen, amen, amen!!!! And thanks so much for all you did to help save our neighborhoods from commercial flights at Briscoe. The airline industry consultants said that regional jets were on their way out, and here's confirmation!
Bill July 31, 2012 at 12:32 pm
What a bunch of fools you luddites are. The millions the county would have received will now be made up by increased real estate taxes.
Jim Regan July 31, 2012 at 12:42 pm
You mean like the good people of Branson, MO and MidAmerica Airport near St Louis? The sponsors of these airports are in the hole for over $500M. I bet their taxpayers are just over joyed with all the jobs created and the millions in taxes both of these airports have generated. Oops, MidAmerica has no carriers and Branson is teetering on bankruptcy.
Katrina July 31, 2012 at 01:09 pm
What about all the property taxes the county would have lost when thousands of homes near Briscoe declined in value?
GregRodgers July 31, 2012 at 01:32 pm
Here is an eye opener for you Bill. The Politicians want TSPLOST, SPLOST, Higher than ATL trash fee's and yes...more property tax.
These fools and dolts will stop at nothing to get your money out of your pocket. Stop with the Airport would help prevent higher taxes. These folks also said with increased business in Dacula it would help offset taxes. Well the businesses have bloomed, but that did not stop the Dacula Local Government from recently being for raising taxes. http://dacula.patch.com/blog_posts/city-of-dacula-2012-tax-rate-increase And of course, Mike Beaudreau wants the lint from the bottom of your pocket too! http://dacula.patch.com/announcements/beaudreau-suggests-increasing-county-sales-tax A little bit here...a little bit there...it all adds up to a lot more of your money missing from your account every year. They are slick...your pennies for mobility! Sounds like nothing until you see 80 bucks missing per month. Tsplost another 40 bucks per month. Property tax...only 130 more per year...get the picture. Government will never stop finding ways to steal money from the people....Taxation without Representation is alive and well in the USA. In fact, its the norm! BTW I love the question on the ballot...."Are you for casino money going for the hope fund"...Yes/No. If I select yes...then I am for Casino Gambling.... Really?
Floyd Akridge August 1, 2012 at 03:25 am
Jim...enjoy your world...but what terminated this issue, in part, was an elected official taking the time to get informed and make a decision that was clearly in the best interests of D3 and the county. Tonight, voters are CLEARLY rewarding his efforts.
One day you'll come around. I do love how you've been involved in the community but you should give Commissioner Beaudreau credit. One other thing, and I'm just pointing this out as I don't feel I've done enough research yet but remember this is a REGIONAL airline. When you talk about a different region that doesn't mean it won't be successful in another. It sure could but the economics of regions are different enough to where that's no gimmie.
R August 1, 2012 at 03:31 am
Yep, lets see if a run off is required first before the trumpets sound on this point.
Floyd Akridge August 1, 2012 at 03:52 am
R...whatever happens tonight it's safe to say that you and all the other haters have been taught a lesson. CLEARLY you were wrong about the sentiments about Commissioner Beaudreau. Trying to put on my shocked face but it isn't working.
GregRodgers August 1, 2012 at 12:31 pm
Floyd...now that the election is over....Clearly 52% of the voters did not want Mike Beaudreau back in office. No matter how you spin it....he may have gotten the most votes overall...but 52% voted for someone other then your good pal.
He hasn't won squat yet.......
GregRodgers August 1, 2012 at 12:33 pm
More like 52.7% voted against your pal.....
Jim Regan August 1, 2012 at 12:53 pm
Floyd you hit the nail on the head, you haven't "done enough research". There are NO regional airlines, they've all ceased operation. Now the majors are shutting down the feeder carriers operating regional jets, because they are not profitable. Let me repeat that, regional jets are not profitable.
It seems you may suffer from the same afflictions as Beaudreau, arrogance and unwillingness to accept facts that do not support your agenda despite the clear validity of the facts. I do give Mike credit, he voted 3 times to push an agenda citizens opposed and in doing so caused the county to expend well in excess of $500K, perhaps closer to $1M to pursue Briscoe expansion. Despite the county's consultants report that expansion was not viable. I also support holding Beaudreau accountable, and in a few weeks so will District 3 citizens.
Katrina August 1, 2012 at 04:30 pm
Here's hoping all 52.7% show up at the polls on August 21 and vote against Beaudreau again!
Katrina August 1, 2012 at 04:32 pm
Yes, now is not the time to become complacent! Beaudreau needs to go!! Vote against him on August 21!!!
Floyd Akridge August 1, 2012 at 10:01 pm
Jim...I'd like to give you credit...you know...for having actually reading sources you quote in a graphic but alas...we both know I can't. Everytime you use the word "facts" I chuckle. I as a pilot was just curious about how the measurements were taken and asked you. Your lack of knowledge of your own facts was in a word....astounding.
Jim...why you have to be a Beaudreau hater is beyond my ability to understand. But you are in the tiny minority as last night proved. Keep dreaming big Jim...this is politics so nothing is certain but I'm thinking that if voters were going to whack Mike he probably wouldn't have more than DOUBLED up his closest competitor.
Floyd Akridge August 1, 2012 at 10:03 pm
Greg...I'm wondering if you voted yesterday. if you did..think of the screen...you can only vote FOR someone. No one voted against Mike Beaudreau. Nice try but your spin doesn't even make it around once.
Floyd Akridge August 1, 2012 at 10:06 pm
Greg...this is politics so nothing is definite. But I like Commissioner Beaudreau's chances. I'd love to detail you exactly how I think the results will go but no need in helping out the competition.
btw...he didn't just get more votes than anyone else he more than DOUBLED up the nearest challenger Man up and make sure you are here August 22nd.
GregRodgers August 1, 2012 at 10:37 pm
Right the other 52.7% voted for someone...other than your pal...numbers added up do not lie....
R August 2, 2012 at 05:00 pm
Floyd not even close to reality ...
However NOW those who are really set will vote again with the TSPLOST out of the way. The primary accomplished its purpose and brought the issues up. NOT a hater here but looking for changes in the way our county is administered going forward… Oh yeah how’s that sales tax increase proposal going for Mike? That same proposal didn’t help the commissioner in Cobb this cycle either by the way.
Floyd Akridge August 3, 2012 at 09:31 am
R...not close to reality? He doubled the "nearest" challenger...reality.
You are absolutely a hater of Commissioner Beaudreau. No worries...you get to do so in this country. Hunter is in the VERY difficult position of having to get more votes in the runoff than he did in the primary. I've seen that once in recent Gwinnett history...once. Not likely to happen again. anytime soon. This is politics so it could but the odds are definitely tiny.
Floyd Akridge August 3, 2012 at 09:32 am
along those same mathematical lines, 77% voted for someone other than Hunter. Keep trying to spin a hunter win.
Jim Regan August 5, 2012 at 03:08 am
Here is some interesting video of Beaudreau trying to explain his position on airport expansion and the "trash plan". Watch the video, is this the person you are going to vote for to be "your" representative? Is this the type person you want as your "public servant"?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoFQf3PResA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuH7AqlAoz0 Maybe Floyd can explain how this is the "perfect" way for an elected official to treat a consituent.
Kristi Reed (Editor) August 5, 2012 at 12:41 pm
The clips are long (and there are several more than just those two), but I tried to get as much posted as possible from the meeting. On the second clip, the whole discussion is interesting and gets even more so around the 4 minute mark.

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