John Boyle|The Citizen-Times
Today’s batch of burning questions, my smart-aleck answers and the real deal:
Question: What is Bob Caldwell doing these days? I used to see him on the AutoAdvantage ads all the time, but he’s not doing those anymore. Where’s Bob?
My answer: I'd say there's a 70 percent chance Bob's taking care of ahoney-do list right now.
Real answer: While Caldwell, who spent decades forecasting the weather for WLOS-News 13, may have disappeared from the AutoAdvantage ads, he's still very much alive and kicking —and keeping the Mrs. happy.
"Honey-dochores, yard chores, a little bit of fishing, occasionally, and swinging at some firewood," Caldwell said when I asked him what he's up to.
Cadlwell did make TV ads for the Mountain Home-based car seller for years, but as is often the case, they've gone in a different direction recently. At "76 and coming up on 77," Caldwell doesn't mind taking it easy with his wife of 45 years, Joyce, in their Beaverdam-area home.
"Occasionally someone will call and want me to do something (professionally or for a charity)," Caldwell said. "But for the most part I'm taking it easy and living the good life."
A Madison County native, Caldwell started his broadcasting career in radio in 1959. Hegot drafted in 1963 and spent a year as anArmy military policeman serving in Korea, and then returned to the media business.
Caldwell logged41 years in television, with most of that time as a trusted, avuncular weatherman on WLOS-News 13. He started his TV work in 1966 as a booth announcer, moving to weather forecasting in 1967.
He also had a run as a clown. In 1969,he began portraying Bozo the Clown on the station's "Mr. Bill" children's show with Bill Norwood. He latercreated the character of Bumbo the Clown for the same program.
Caldwell also spent decades getting out of bed at an ungodly hour, rising at 2 a.m. and being at work by 3:45 a.m. He retired in 2007 and shut the alarm clock off for good.
In 2008, Caldwell had major surgery for Stage 3 colon cancer.
"The surgeon got it all," Caldwell said, adding that he has a clean bill of health now.
He and Joyce had two girls who are grown now.
"We've got a truckload of grandchildren and great-grandchildren," Caldwell said. "That keeps us busy."
Question:It seems like the Asheville Regional Airport has had its share of operational problems lately, especially around the ongoing construction on the runway there. The runway lights going out, an aircraft getting stuck going off the runway while taxiing, diverted late night flights due to construction, etc. That's somewhat understandable, and the construction work will be over soon. But why doesn't the airport use its social media (Twitter, Facebook) to update passengers on what's happening at the airport? If I'm trying to get back to Asheville and trying to figure out why my flight is delayed or canceled, I'll check the airport's social media. But the airport never posted anything on its Twitter or Facebook pages about the runway lights going out on Sept.25, for example, even though that is clearly an airport operational issue. Most of their posts are promotional in nature and not very informative to passengers.
My answer:I've heard Bumbo the Clown is looking for some work. Put him on social media, AVL, and that's somecustomer relations gold right there.
Real answer: As with many operations, this comes down to a matter of resources and time.
"Regarding social media, the airport does have a social media strategy in place, based upon defined communication goals and available staff resources," said airport spokeswoman Tina Kinsey. "While it would be ideal to be able to utilize all communication tools to their fullest potential, we do not have resources to implement around-the-clock social media management. Therefore, our strategies with these communication tools are promotional and informational in nature."
The airport most often utilizesFacebook and Twitter.
"We will increase staff resources and social media communication during times of crisis, should they occur, as those will be the most important situations in which to disseminate operational updates widely to the public," Kinsey said.
Regarding flight information, Kinsey offered an important distinction.
"First, it is important to point out that airlines make decisions about flight delays and cancellations —not the airport, and we do not speak on behalf of the airlines," Kinsey said. "Therefore, if an unplanned and short-term issue occurs at the airport that will affect the operation of the airfield, our communication plan is to be in contact frequently and directly with the airlines during our response to the issue, so they can make decisions and communicate specific instructions to their passengers."
These situations can change quickly, Kinsey said, "and the airlines wait to make decisions as the situation unfolds.
"Each airline operates differently, and may have varying instructions for passengers," Kinsey said. "So, as a helpful reminder, passengers should always communicate with their airlines —not the airport —for the most accurate information about status of their flights."
She also notedthat the airport does provide information about the airfield construction project on its website,www.flyavl.com/projectsoar, and AVL has a “contact us” option on its websitefor those with specific questions.
This is the opinion of John Boyle. Contact him at 232-5847 or jboyle@citizen-times.com
