I am deeply disappointed in the loss of Horizon Air service this coming fall between North Bend/Coos Bay and Portland. I have lived in Coos Bay for the last three years, since I moved here in July 2005 to be a caregiver for my now 99-year-old mother. I have a home in Arroyo Grande, Calif., and need to go there occasionally. In half a day, I have been able to fly to Santa Barbara, which is near Arroyo Grande. SkyWest’s service to an airport near Arroyo Grande is more than twice as expensive and takes a full day.

Next June, I will probably opt to drive 12 hours to attend a granddaughter’s graduation in North Idaho rather than spend 10 hours in airplanes and airports and still have to have family drive two hours to pick me up. If Horizon were still offering flights to Portland, I wouldn’t consider driving as their connections to Spokane have been excellent. Because weather dictates the safety of driving in the Northwest, I will have to limit my trips to North Idaho unless air service from North Bend/Coos Bay to Portland is provided.

When my mother passes away, I will be making a decision about whether to sell my California home or my Coos Bay home. In that flights out of North Bend/Coos Bay have been so convenient, I have been thinking that I might make Coos Bay my permanent home. If flights to Portland are not restored, I definitely will not consider making Coos Bay my permanent residence.

I am not fond of long driving trips and feel that flying is much safer. Therefore, I ask you to find a way to continue service from North Bend/Coos Bay to Portland and to add my request to Docket No. DOT-OST-2008-0205.