Todd F. Payne, Chief of Marketing and Air Service Development, Cleveland Airport System

Dear Colleagues:

On February 1, United Airlines announced it was eliminating its hub in Cleveland, planning to reduce its “regional” (i.e. United Express) departures by over 70 percent and staffing by about 470 positions. United said it would maintain almost all direct service to “mainline” destinations for its Cleveland-based travelers, but the airport seems empty compared to many others. In fact, there were nearly 20% fewer travelers through Hopkins in July of 2014 than in July of 2013.

Having fewer passengers can make airports more convenient. But it can also be depressing to board at a busy airport and arrive home to a less vibrant scene. Excess capacity might enable lower airport fees, so attract new airlines and more flights. But the massive decline in passenger loads in Pittsburgh after USAir eliminated its hub do not seem to have reversed. What, then, is the future of air service at Cleveland Hopkins airport? We may wonder both because it is an important part of our economy and because air travel can be a major part of how we live.

All best regards,
Joe White
Luxenberg Family Professor of Public Policy and Director, Center for Policy Studies

About Our Guest

Todd F. Payne was selected to join the Department of Port Control in December 2006 as Chief of Marketing and Air Service Development. Mr. Payne is responsible for air service development and marketing as well as overseeing the department’s communications, customer service, and community relations programs. Prior to his selection, Mr. Payne was Regional Manager of the Eastern U.S. and National Affiliate Marketing Manager with Hawaiian Airlines. He has 24 years of travel industry marketing and leadership experience with airlines, hospitality, and destination entities. He has held management positions with Piedmont Airlines, USAir, Venezuelan International Airways (VIASA), the Aruba Tourism Authority, Universal Studios Orlando, Sofitel Hotels, and Experience Columbus. Mr. Payne is a graduate of Ashland University and has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. He has also received CTC certification from the Institute of Certified Travel Agents. Mr. Payne is actively involved in the Greater Cleveland Council of the Boy Scouts of America and currently serves as the Dover Rockport District Chairman and as Scoutmaster of Troop 17 in Rocky River.

Where We Meet

The Friday Public Affairs Lunch convenes each Friday when classes are in session, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. The lower level classrooms B & C are located in the basement of Kelvin Smith Library directly across the lobby from the main elevators.

Parking Possibilities

The most convenient parking is the lot underneath Severance Hall. We regret that it is not free. From that lot there is an elevator up to street level (labeled as for the Thwing Center); it is less than 50 yards from that exit to the library entrance. You can get from the Severance garage to the library without going outside. Near the entry gates – just to the right if you were driving out – there is a door into a corridor. Walk down the corridor and there will be another door. Beyond that door you’ll find the entrance to an elevator which goes up to an entrance right inside the doors to Kelvin Smith Library.

October 3: Encouraging Savings by the Poor in Developing Countries. With Silvia Prina, Associate Professor of Economics. ***Alternative Venue: Mather House Room 100***

October 10: The Effects of High-Stakes Testing on Students and Schools. With Dale Whittington Ph.D., Director of Research and Evaluation, Shaker Heights City School District.

October 17: “Obamacare” and The Free Clinic. With Danny Williams J.D., MNO, Executive Director, The Free Clinic of Greater Cleveland. ***Alternative Venue: Mather House Room 100***

October 24: An Update on the Search for an AIDS Vaccine. With Michael M. Lederman, Scott R. Inkley Professor of Medicine and Co-Director, CWRU/UHC Center for AIDS Research.

October 31: The Midterm Election. With Karen Beckwith, Flora Stone Mather Professor of Political Science, Justin Buchler, Associate Professor of Political Science; and Andrew Lucker, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Political Science. ***Alternative Venue: LL06 B & C at Kelvin Smith Library***

November 7: ROTC Returns to Campus. With Lt. Colonel Donald Hazelwood, Northeast Ohio ROTC Commander and Professor of Military Science, John Carroll University. ***Alternative Venue: Mather House Room 100***

November 14: Perspectives on Human Subjects Research Requirements. With Suzanne Rivera Ph.D., M.S.W., Associate Vice President for Research and Assistant Professor of Bioethics. ***Alternative Venue: LL06 B & C at Kelvin Smith Library***

November 21: Local Government in an Age of Austerity. With David B. Miller, Associate Professor in the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences and Council President, City of South Euclid.

November 28: Thanksgiving Break

December 5: Godless Democrats and Pious Republicans: Party Activists and the Mythical God Gulf. With Ryan Claassen, Associate Professor of Political Science, Kent State University.