Posts Tagged ‘Alaska Marine Highway’

We took another trip on Alaska’s Marine Highway this week, back from Ketchikan to Juneau on the mighty m/v Taku. I took this shot off the stern as we were coming into Wrangell at about 9:00pm: 

In Ketchikan, we stayed at the Best Western Landing hotel because it’s got free wireless, a good breakfast spot– and it’s right across the street from the ferry terminal. In fact, here’s a shot of the hotel that I took from the deck of the Taku. That’s the ferry terminal on the left. The hotel has the green roofs. Squint and you can see the “Best Western” logo on the building on the right. And although they have a free shuttle, you don’t really need it.

We rented a car from my friend Rob Skinner at Budget, located at Skinner Sales and Service. 

While we were there, (more…)

Traveling on the ferry is the best way to see Southeast Alaska “up-close and personal”.  We sailed on the Matanuska from Juneau to Ketchikan. Here’s a shot of the dock in Auke Bay, which is where the ferry dock is located about 12 miles north of Juneau (five miles north of the airport):

Our stateroom was small, but functional. (more…)

The FAA issued an emergency order shutting down Juneau-based LAB Flying Service. 

Until Thursday, LAB operated a gob of flights between Haines, Skagway, Glacier Bay and Juneau. Plus flights to Hoonah, Kake and a host of other small Alaska communities. Many flights were on Piper Aircraft like this:

I just read through the FAA’s emergency order–and there are serious allegations regarding the airworthiness of the planes including loose and missing rivets, oil, fuel and hydraulic-fluid leaks, worn brake disks, busted seats, rusted doors, frayed seat belts…YIKES.

This is a tough situation for the airline, the communities it serves and for regulators who are charged with monitoring the safe operations of air carriers.

We’re headed to Southeast Alaska next week. We’ll be watching to see who picks up the EAS (Essential Air Service) contracts to provide subsidized mail and passenger operations to these small Alaska communities. In Kake, Wings of Alaska is taking LAB’s passengers, according to local reports. 

Me? I’m going on the Alaska Marine Highway and Alaska Airlines.