September 28, 2010
Tuesday AM

I sent this letter to Alaska Airlines in regard to their PFD sale, how many others out there are tired of these so called "sales?"

To whom it may concern:

I, along with many other Alaskans I am sure waited for the much anticipated PFD sale. I shouldn t have held my breath. I would like to point out something in this sale that makes me wish for another airline in our humble little town.

We are trying to rebuild an economy in Alaska that is slowly taking on the recession from the lower 48. Layoffs are longer, jobs are more scarce, yet we still live here. We are holding on to our homes, we are trying our hardest to make ends meet while giving up some of our luxuries, like a vacation. Imagine my surprise when I saw the black out dates listed for your PFD sale.

This is from your website:
Blackout dates: Travel from Alaska not valid during the following blackout dates: November 18 - 21, 2010; Novemeber 24, 2010; December 14 - 24, 2010; March 2 - 7, 2011. Travel to Alaska not valid during the following blackout dates: November 28 - December 2, 2010; December 26, 2010 - January 5, 2011; March 10 - March 15, 2011. Travel from King Salmon not valid during the following blackout dates: July 10 - 30, 2011. Travel to King Salmon not valid during the following blackout dates: June 1 - 24, 2011.

It is bad enough that we get charged what we do when we want to leave the island, but then to give us a sale that ultimately guarantees if we had Christmas plans we better take out a second mortgage?
You are called ALASKA AIRLINES. I understand you now offer service all over the country, but you are sporting logos on your brand new planes that show how proud you are to be an Alaskan Airline, then you raise your fares so your fellow comrades who helped build up your fine airline can t afford to leave.

For shame. Give us a sale we can be proud of. I can almost promise you will fill your plane. I will have the money to purchase the tickets for Christmas travel this year but lucky for me, my job allows me the flexibility to take the lovely Alaska Marine Highway. Maybe some of my other fellow Alaskans would like to follow suit.

Thank you for your time,

Melissa O Bryan
Ketchikan, AK

About: "A longtime Alaska resident tired of being priced out of living in this fine state."

Received September 26, 2010 - Published September 28, 2010

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