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airline's headquarters in Eagan, Minnesota. Brian returned to
Bozeman in 1999 as the assistant airport director at Bozeman
Yellowstone International Airport and has served in his current
capacity since 2009.
While on a tour of the facility, Sprenger told us that baggage pres-
ents unique challenges in Gallatin County. In the winter, when
folks from all over the world fly to the destination to ski, the resi-
due of explosives used in avalanche mitigation sometimes makes
the machines that "read" luggage nervous. In summer, the fertil-
izer used in the area's golf courses does the same. As we watched
the baggage get routed into the vast network of conveyances, a
red light flashed, indicating that the machine was rerouting it for
a second look. As bag after bag moved through, another flashed.
"Two that close together is rare," Sprenger said with a chuckle.
Both pieces of luggage passed the discriminating baggage sys-
tem's closer inspection a moment later.
The baggage system, when completed, will have 3,000 linear feet
sized for 15 gates, and will handle 1,400 bags per hour.
Maintaining this high level of customer service, efficiency, and
logistical hygiene while under renovation may seem daunting,
but even still, as Sprenger notes with pride, "Bozeman is the only
airport where skis start and end at the same point." BZN is already
very Montana in how it runs, so the crucial work now is to make
sure the building itself continues to feel and look Montana.
Martel Construction is the general contractor for the project, and
they are no strangers to working on the Bozeman Yellowstone
SHERMAN
CAHILL
SHERMAN
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SHERMAN
CAHILL
MARTEL CONSTRUCTION
