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Making Travel Feel Easy
F
Todd Banks, President
OG HUNG OVER SEATTLE AND temperatures fluctuated in
the mid-40s. It was a typical late-winter day in the city. My
wife, Jayne, and I were headed to spend the day on Blakely
Island visiting friends. Once the pilot got the OK that the
skies were clear, the de Havilland Beaver taxied across Lake
Washington and took flight.
Within a matter of minutes, we were
2,000 feet in the air flying over Puget
Sound. Below us countless boats were
fishing for blackmouth salmon, a unique
species of salmon that is only found in
the Pacific Northwest. The water was
calm, the gray skies turned blue and
instantly we felt the stress of the city
leave us. Flying to the San Juan Islands
has that effect on practically anyone.
I’ve been flying most of my life and I
still feel the excitement each time I’m
on one of our seaplanes.
When the Beaver’s floats touched
water and we de-boarded, I looked at
my watch. The flight had taken just 35
minutes. There we were standing on
Blakely Island, meeting our friends for
lunch and feeling like we were in a dif-
ferent world. Gone was the hustle and
bustle of the city. We were on “island
time” where the pace was slower, easier
and more relaxed. When it was time to
leave, we boarded the plane and were
back in Seattle just 40 minutes later.
The simplicity of our “commute” felt
routine. Yet Jayne and I knew it was
anything but. A lot went into that flight.
The skill of the pilot. The maintenance
of the plane. Dispatch who arranged the
flight schedule. Our customer service
agents who checked in passengers. Our
line crew who fueled and ‘splashed’ the
planes. (Our Beavers overnight on dry
land. ‘Splashing’ is when we put the
back in the water.)
The entire crew makes traveling feel
effortless for the passengers. I like to
think that’s part of the magic of what
we do on a daily basis. We make travel
fun. It makes me proud to be part of the
Kenmore Air family. I hope that you, as
one of our many passengers, feel the
same way.
Speaking of family, I am pleased to
report the Kenmore family got a little
bigger. We recently partnered with the
Seattle Hospitality Group, owned by
longtime Kenmore Air customer How-
ard Wright. For the past 60 years How-
ard has flown with us and his passion
for aviation is contagious. I’m excited
to welcome him into the family. Seattle
Hospitality Group is well positioned in
the tourism and hospitality business,
which will help immensely with our
company’s growth. I encourage you to
read the story about Howard and his
company on page 40. It gives a brief in-
sight into the Seattle Hospitality Group
and our newly formed partnership.
Spring is a prelude to our busy
summer season, which is just around
the corner. It is equally busy for folks
traveling to and from Seattle, Vancouver,
Victoria and the Inside Passage. And
while I encourage you to visit us again,
I also hope when you step off the plane
this spring you’ll take time to appreciate
wherever it is you’re going. I’m already
looking forward to my next trip to the
islands, as I suspect you are as well.
Whatever the occasion, whether it’s
visiting friends, touring the islands, or
visiting Victoria, Vancouver or Seattle,
please know we take great pride in
delivering you safely, relaxed and ready
to return.
Thanks for flying with us,