The Marion airport board last night voted to accept a proposal from Contour Airlines to replace Cape Air (so long blimp). Contour will be offering twice daily jet service to Chicago O'Hare. Contour's hub is in Charlotte, NC, and they have an operating agreement with American Airlines. They will be flying 40 passenger Embraer planes. The planes have been retro-fitted from 50 to 40 passenger to allow for a more comfortable flight.
I realize this does not belong in the basketball forum, but to the extent that it offers a more convenient travel option for Chicago area alums to get to the Dale for games I felt it was important to get the word out. It also gives visiting teams another option to get to southern Illinois.
An editorial comment; the last two times I was booked with Cape Air from Marion to Nashville I ended up driving in order to make my connecting flight. The first time the pilot did not show up, second time neither pilot nor plane showed up!
The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.
James Madison
@dawgbytes This is good. I never really did see value in flying to STL or Nashville.
@dawgbytes This is good. I never really did see value in flying to STL or Nashville.
This could actually help with the basketball side of things. One thing that was mentioned by Mullins in terms of getting people scheduled in the non-con was that there wasn't an easy way to fly in to Carbondale area for a team except via charter.
Direct flights from Chicago on a jet could help alleviate some of those headaches for teams traveling to play a game.
I was pretty surprised to see that UIC flew back and forth from their game the other night.
https://twitter.com/SportsAviation/status/1623885981505015812
@siu_2011 Thats the way I see it.
The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.
James Madison
@ Dawgbytes
Thank you for sharing this exciting news. Wondering if some folks at SIU were a part of this process. Is long overdue! Could potentially assist with student recruitment as well. Could see more folks from the Chicagoland area attending more events such as Homecoming, basketball contests against bigger name opponents (OKST) as well as many Spring Events.
Three Questions:
1. Is there, or will there be car rental service available from the Marion airport?
2. Is there a bus service that takes travelers to the Carbondale area from that location.
3. How is the Uber/Lyft service in the Marion/Carbondale area?
that kind of stinks.
its a hit to basketball sponsorship. the new group may step up and fill that gap but i wouldnt count on it. they should considering that they are getting a $1,500 per flight subsidy from the airport (read taxpayers).
cape air was a long time partner of athletics. it wont help Saluki basketball at all and will likely cost us revenue.
it is not going to help scheduling at all. even though UIC flew down it doesnt mean that they will suddenly start flying down on this new air service. they will still charter. much simpler and you are on your own schedule. UIC got in and got out.
its not feasible to think that a team will fly commercial on a 40 seat flight from ohare. thats not an easier way to get here. thats a pipe dream.
there was plenty of value to STL. i usually took it once a month to connect out of lambert. it was often cheaper than parking at st louis. the flights were usually nearly full.
i dont know about that nashville flight but lambert was very useful to me.
Craving a McBride Special!
@boobys Just curious as someone who doesn’t have a clue about things like this. Is there a specific reason they aren’t continuing Cape Air? Are they only allowed to have 1 at that airport?
