LAB Flying Service

[GuppyPuppy]

a friendly rivalry indeed.....

what do you make of the proposed "Ground effect" vehicles that are poised to run the Lynn canal with Pax/mail????

For all those who fly in Southeast... check this out...

"http://www.pacificseaflight.com"

looks like something out of StarTrek..... I wonder what they will pay to pilot it??? (only requires a marine license??...) PFT??? hahahah

I met the president at the ANC Fedex Expo this yr... He apologized in advance for taking our jobs away!!! (i guess only time will tell)

anyways, Congrats on your marriage GP!



Cheers

Thanks! Now if I can just get the heck out of groundschool maybe I can spend some time with my new wife. Been married two months. Of that two months I've spent almost 6 weeks down here in "beautiful" Miami. But, I've learned some Spanglish while I've been here.

As for the ground effect vehicle...It will still be slower than the airplane, but obviously faster than the new ferry. I can't see that it could even run when the weather gets too windy, which happens often. I briefly read the website, but I have a hard time believing that the craft could handle large swells. My wife met the guy who wants to start this service last year and didn't seem impressed. My understanding is that although it claims to be able to handle larger swells (was it 12 foot swells?), it could only land in 3 foot swells. Also wonder how maneuverable it would be when it comes around the corner at Lena Point at 80 knots and stares right into the face of a bunch of boats!

I think the bigger threat to the small airlines in southeast is the proposed road. It first starts with Juneau to Skagway. Then links most communities in southeast with roads, bridges and small ferries (trips of up to an hour or so). Also wouldn't be suprised to see a road to Bethel someday. I hope this never happens.

For those of you familiar with the Lynn Canal and Taiya Inlet, think of all the avalanches and rock slides you see up and down the fjords. Think of all the folks who live off the main road out towards Eagle Beach who enjoy the quiet. They'll be subject to 18-wheelers shaking their house at all hours of the night. I wish they'd leave it as is...no road.

OK...I'm off the soapbox.

GP

BTW, Airdog: Don't bother with paying for a service telling you about all the operators in Alaska. You have plenty of resources right here on this board to help you with your search. Bottom line...if you have no AK time and you want to fly twins eventually, go to LAB. If you want to fly floats, go to Wings. If you want the higher pay (and can entice the boss to let you stay in JNU vs. Gustavus) go to Air Excursions. Good luck, my friend!

 

[N8Dogg]

How about "Limbs and Bodies"? In recent years LAB has struggled with parts coming off aircraft in flight (IE wheels, engine cowlings, flaps, etc). I remember the FAA coming in on a number of occasions and grounding all the aircraft. I know they hired a new director of maintenance last year. He seems to be a pretty good guy but I would be surprised to see him last the next round of cost cuts by the Bennets (they like to pencil whip rather than doing it the right way). Not too long ago half of all the pilots employed by LAB had an incident, accident or some type of letter of investigation by the FAA on their record. Looking back, the flying was a lot of fun but I thank my lucky stars that I came away from the company with a clean record. I would definately recomend the other operators like Wings of Alaska or Skagway Airlines before LAB. If you do go, be smart and fly safe. Just my $0.02.