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Jun 1, 2006
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Jun 1, 2006
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| Online Phonebook | Sandhills Guide | Business News | National News |
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BY SARA LINDAU: Staff Writer The Moore County Airport Task Force has enlisted retired Lt. Gen. Robert Springer as spokesperson for Delta Air Lines service starting here June 22.
Before his retirement in 1988 from the U.S. Air Force, Springer was vice commander-in-chief of the Military Airlift Command, essentially CEO of the nation's largest "airline," according to a news release from the Task Force. A Pinewild resident, Springer was one of the founding members of the Moore County Airport Authority, serving on it from 1993-1999. He still serves as military consultant and analyst, as he has for the past 15 years, for CBS affiliate WRAL-TV5, and Fox WRAZ-TV50, both in Raleigh. He has appeared on PBS's McNeil-Lehrer News Hour, C-SPAN, National Public Radio, ABC Radio, and others including the New York City all-news radio station, WINS 1010. The Moore County Airport Authority asked Springer to help generate enthusiasm about and knowledge of the upcoming Delta service. "I see this Delta service as a tremendous asset to our region, and I will help as best I can in getting out the word and serving as their spokesperson," Springer said in a Wednesday e-mail interview. "We need good jobs and good schools here in Moore County and adjacent areas. Good airline service can be a motivating factor in folks' thinking about relocating to the Sandhills." Moore County Airport Manager Ron Maness said he was delighted that Springer will be able to help spread valuable information about airline travel and generate enthusiasm by promoting the advantages of using the Delta service at the Moore County Airport. "Commercial airline service in Moore County provides a wonderful opportunity for our community," said Maness. "By securing Gen. Springer to inform citizens on the Delta Air Lines service, we are able to provide the community with the information to assist in scheduling airline travel whether for business or pleasure. "We encourage all civic groups and Moore County organizations to secure Gen. Springer to learn more about the airline service and the special rates currently available through June 13." Springer's talks will center on such practicalities as flight schedules, convenience of using the Moore County Airport in Southern Pines, how connections are handled, and general information that Task Force members feel the community needs to know about the new daily round-trip service between here and Atlanta. The service begins in less than three weeks, on a trial, seasonal basis. Those wishing to schedule a speaking engagement at no charge with Gen. Bob Springer should contact Lucy Merkle at the Convention and Visitors Bureau at (910) 692-3330 or via e-mail at lmerkle@ncrrbiz.com. "I know full well the need for airline service to and from Moore County," Springer said. "There is a demand for this service. In 1998, as I recall, we had about 50,000 passengers arriving or departing with CCAir to and from Charlotte. That is about 1,000 arrivals and departures per week, on average. Naturally, there were high-and-low-demand days, driven in large part by the tourist season." Springer said Delta recognizes the opportunity to serve this niche clientele of resort guests, local businesses and citizens of this region. "Instead of the prop-driven commuters of the past," he said, "they are scheduling 40-seat regional jets flying at speeds in excess of 500 mph, much faster, and very importantly, with better seating, better luggage space, and better all-weather equipment in the cockpit than the planes of the 1990s." Caleb Miles, president of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, said Springer is "a frequent speaker who provides fast-paced presentations, dotted with appropriate real-life experiences." New rates are available for round trip tickets purchased by June 13. Service from and to the airport at Southern Pines (SOP) connecting through Atlanta (ATL) begins on June 22. |
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