Evening flights will arrive earlier than usual. http://www.flytupelo.com/taa/?page_id=12

The national weather service in Memphis has issued a winter storm watch…which is in effect from this evening through Tuesday morning.

• Snow accumulations…3 inches or more.
• Timing…6 pm cst this evening to noon cst Tuesday. The period of heaviest snow will occur from midnight cst tonight until 6 am cst Tuesday.
• impacts…snow may disrupt travel across the watch area. Be prepared for snow covered roads and limited visibilities…and use caution while driving.

Press Release

Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) Teams

VIPR teams are comprised of Department of Homeland Security assets designed to enhance security by working in mass transit, aviation, maritime, and other transportation modes alongside local law enforcement agencies.  The exact makeup of VIPR teams is determined jointly with local authorities but could include Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) supervisors and air marshals who are not scheduled for flight duty at that particular time; Transportation Security Officers (TSOs); U.S. Coast Guard or TSA-certified canine teams; explosives experts, including TSA Bomb Appraisal Officers and K-9 teams; TSA Transportation Security Inspectors (TSIs); Customs and Border Protection (CBP); local transit security teams; and local or county law enforcement officers.

• VIPR teams enhance TSA’s ability to leverage a variety of resources quickly to increase visible security in any mode of transportation anywhere in the country.

• TSA uses a variety of resources including coast guard assets, federal air marshals, canine teams, TSA Transportation Security Officers, and TSA Transportation Security Inspectors. This diverse range of capabilities enables TSA to provide a visible deterrent force in a flexible, nimble manner.  The program is designed to enable team size to be tailored to the mission.

• There is no credible information to suggest a specific threat at this time.  These deployments are designed to enhance our security networks to ensure we have the capability and flexibility to leverage resources.

• Since 9/11 there has been an enhanced law enforcement presence at all events that draw crowds. TSA is being more visible in supporting local law enforcement.

• Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection and TSA work closely with local agencies to ensure all partners’ resources are used efficiently and in a complimentary fashion

• Over the past years, VIPR teams have been deployed thousands of  times from coast to coast for special events and during other occasions that involve large numbers of people using transportation systems, and at random intervals scheduled in conjunction with our law enforcement partners.

• VIPR teams work with local law enforcement to provide a visible deterrent in aviation, maritime and mass transit systems. The teams have a wide range of law enforcement and security capabilities including behavior observation, security screening, explosive detection and traditional law enforcement capability.

“On October 12, 2011, SeaPort Airlines submitted proposals to provide scheduled air service under the Essential Air Service program to Muscle Shoals, Laurel-Hattiesburg, Tupelo, and Greenville. Following communication via telephone, in writing, and in person, it is evident that all communities intend to reject all proposals, the incumbent will be held in under their current contract, and new proposals will be requested. For this reason, SeaPort Airlines has canceled its planned visits to each of the communities that were scheduled for this week.

SeaPort Airlines understands the communities’ concern regarding a change from a large to a smaller aircraft, though we believe that such a change to smaller aircraft with greater frequency is the future of rural air service. Our success in rebuilding passenger traffic in Arkansas communities, as well as providing reliable air service in Salina, KS and Pendleton, validate this belief. In each of these communities, SeaPort has successfully replaced larger aircraft or reinstated service after suspension from another carrier.
While we have canceled our visits planned for this week, we intend to maintain a dialogue with each community to develop a proposal, and to be able to submit a proposal in the future that provides an enhanced level of connectivity.”

About SeaPort Airlines

Portland, Oregon-based SeaPort Airlines, Inc. operates daily scheduled flights in Arkansas, Kansas, Tennessee, Missouri, Texas, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. Reservations can be made by calling 888-573-2767, at www.SeaPortAirlines.com, or through all major GDS systems. Follow SeaPort on Facebook, Twitter, and via their blog the SeaPort RePort. SeaPort Airlines prides itself on its outstanding air service. Customers can expect to encounter a unique and personalized travel experience from the moment they arrive for check-in at the terminal until they reach their destination.