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| Barkley Airport Marketing Director Jackie Jones (right) helps Aynex Mercado with the electronic check-in machine this summer. When Aynex returned a week later, airport staff not only asked her about her trip, they remembered where she went! |
1. Two-hour drive to Nashville = $20 in gas, plus a likely potty break at a yicky gas station. Another $3 in snacks to avoid dirty look from clerk. Run into unexpected Nashville traffic. Heart rate increases.
2. Park for five days = $40, plus the pain of hauling your stuff onto the parking lot shuttle. And where is that shuttle, anyway?
3. Long check-in and security lines. What’s taking so long up there? Anxiety takes hold. Aack! Look at the security line! Will they hold the plane? Rats, forgot about the clear bags for liquidy carry-ons. Hand over favorite perfume, lotion, shampoo and conditioner = $75.
4. Finally at the gate. You’re a little cranky now. Must have cocktail = $8.50. Must check email = $6.99 for wireless access.
5. Board plane = $167.50 roundtrip ticket.
6. Five days later, back to Nashville, then another two-hour drive to Paducah = $20 in gas, with likely potty break on the way home (yick), another $3 snack and a long, tiring drive home.
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| Sergeant McClure of the National Guard returns from Iraq and embraces his lovely wife Rhondi. He doesn’t let go for a very long time. Welcome home! |
Now, let’s try that same scenario from Barkley Regional Airport:
1. Ten-minute or so drive to Barkley = $3 in gas, no need for potty break.
2. Park for five days = $31.50, with no need for shuttle. The front door is steps away!
3. Rarely a long check-in or security line. If things back up, additional staff members save the day. And the clear, one-quart bags and sky slippers to wear through the metal detector are free!
4. At the gate. The experience went so smoothly, you don’t even think about a cocktail. Not much, anyway. Check your email = Free wireless!
5. Board plane = $209 roundtrip ticket, with switch in Memphis.
6. Five days later, back to Paducah, then a quick 10-minute drive home = $3 in gas.
Grand total: $246.50, plus less than an hour of driving/waiting time.
Now, let’s see: $343.99, and that long haul and back from Nashville? Or $246.50 to zip in and out of Paducah? Looks like Barkley Regional Airport is the way to go – with a $100 savings!
Plus, when you fly in and out on Monday mornings, Paducah Hospitality Association members are on hand with snacks, wishing you safe travels and welcoming you back!
“We really do everything we can to make our hometown airport something that’s very viable for everyone to use,” says Jackie Jones, Barkley Regional Airport marketing director. Jones has been known to personally help passengers repack their bags to meet airline weight rules – 50 pounds per bag, by the way! “We just ask that when you look at making air travel plans, look at Barkley first. In most cases, we will save you time and money.”
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| Northwest Agent Teresa Dunigan dons a Santa cap to help spread the holiday spirit among her passengers. |
OK, but certainly there are some cons to Barkley air. One, of course, is that Northwest is the only carrier at this time, and it only carries you to Memphis. Then you have to switch planes to get to your final destination. The good news, though, is that it’s a short flight, and you can get to 90 national and international airports directly from Memphis.
Yes, but then aren’t those second flights more expensive? When you consider the example above, not necessarily. Plus, many airlines, like Delta and Continental, have code share agreements with Northwest, which helps keep tickets prices down
And what’s this we hear about that infamous last flight back from Memphis always being oversold? Yep, that happens from time to time. That’s why it’s crucial to get a seat assignment when booking the flight. If that’s not an option, it means the flight is already 60 percent full. Try to get your seat assignment at the ticket counter when you check in. The earlier you can get to the gate the better.
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| Baggage handlers Pat Noss and John Acquisto make sure your luggage arrives with you! |
Barkley Airport officials are working hard to attract more airlines. But they need our help. One of the factors airlines consider when expanding to other airports is passenger numbers. If we want to see Barkley Regional grow, we need to support it by traveling out of Paducah.
“It's not a matter of waiting for Barkley to grow before you use it,” Jones says. “You have to use it to get it to grow.”
For more on Barkley Airport and best fares, check out their Web site!
