On April 1 from 4 to 6 p.m. protesters demonstrated in front of America West's curbside check-in counter at Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport.

One of those protesters, Willow Glen resident Lorie Bowlby, saidYeager had the right idea. She decided to participate in the event because she is concerned that permitting late-night flights may be the start of other problems in the area.

"This might open the floodgates for more noise and air traffic," she said.

Bowlby said she has already noticed an increase in air traffic noise over her residence. She added that it gets worse when the flight patterns are changed due to bad weather.

"I really like what Ken is doing for the community," she said, "and if he thinks this is worthy of protest then that sends a message to me to support him."

Yeager has become passionate about the issue and wants the airline to cease its late-night arrivals.

"We are trying to show the airlines that people will be disturbed in the middle of the night when these flights land," Yeager said. "America West has no right to disturb the sleep of thousands of residents."

Yeager said the flight "goes against the spirit of San Jose's curfew." Although the flight is technically within the legal limits, Yeager does not want America West to set a precedent of scheduling flights past curfew.

"America West figured out a way around our curfew and then scheduled the first-ever commercial flight to land between 11:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m.," he said. "The stakes are high, which is why I am protesting the flight so strongly. If this flight occurs, others will follow."

For more information, contact Yeager's office at 408.277.2206.