Daily Archives: February 8, 2005

Redisctricting: Time for Wisconsin to Join the Reform Movement

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Adam Nagourney takes a look at the growing redistricting reform movement, led by California. We have several congressman who are now in safe seats, including Obey, Ryan and Baldwin. Nathaniel Persily nails it:

There is a problem when the turnover in the United States House of Representatives is lower than it was in the Soviet Politburo.”

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is leading the movement.

Changing Planes at O’Hare: God Smiles on Me!

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I’ve now experienced this sort of a very pleasant, unexpected airline experience twice…. in 15 years. Changing planes recently at O’hare, I literally jogged from one end of Terminal B to the far end of terminal F in 9 minutes, trying to catch an early flight to Madison. I arrived at the gate with 6 minutes to spare.

The gate attendant waved me through and I walked outside, toward the 50 seat jet. A member of the ground crew then told me that because the Canadair jet’s doors had just closed, I had to return to the terminal. During this discussion, the Air Wisconsin (United Express) Pilot sent another ground crew member toward me to walk me to the plane. They opened the aircraft and I walked on board…..

Flying through O’Hare several times the past few months, I noticed that flights are far more reliable and predictable than one year ago. I emailed Kevin LaWare, Air Wisconsin’s Vice President of Operations to thank him for this vast improvement in service.

LaWare is in a tough spot, working with a bankrupt major carrier (United Airlines). United is evidently shopping their regional services again (squeezing prices) – putting some more pressure on Appleton based regional carrier Air Wisconsin.

I’m impressed with their service and hope they continue to improve.

UPDATE: The Boyd Group takes apart a recent Wharton Study on the airline industry’s problems.

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