Posted on 10/11/2005 11:45:58 AM PDT by Paleo Conservative
SEATTLE - King County Executive Ron Sims on Tuesday rejected proposals by Southwest Airlines and Alaska Air Group to begin flying passenger jets out of Boeing Field, citing concerns about traffic, noise and the potential cost to taxpayers.
"I have said all along that I would not endorse any proposal from any airline if it led to significant traffic and noise impacts," Sims said.
Southwest was the first to propose the move from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to the smaller county-run airport closer to Seattle. The airline said it needed to make the move to continue its low-cost service, and offered to build a new terminal at Boeing Field.
Alaska Air Group, the parent company of Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, submitted a similar proposal. Alaska said it would have to move some of its flights to compete with Southwest, even it though doesn't agree that large-scale passenger service at Boeing Field is a good idea.
Sims said it would be too costly and time-consuming to study competing proposals from Southwest and Alaska.
"I simply am not willing to spend taxpayer money in that way," Sims said.
Southwest and Alaska did not immediately return calls for comment.
If you want on or off my aerospace ping list, please contact me by Freep mail.
Heh Ron: F-ck you and your pals at the Port Authority.
But he is willing to let them spent 2x or 3x for tickets if they pull out. King County is more and more like Louisiana every year.
Kicking a gift horse in the mouth.
I thought wouldn't have a positive reaction to this news.
To clarify for others on this thread: Boeing Field is owned by King County outright and is currently used for cargo (UPS and DHL) as well as charter flights. SeaTac International is owned by the Seattle Port Authority, an "independent" goverment agency who's elected board members are King County Democratic hacks.
Something is really wrong when Southwest says they need to move in order to maintain low ticket prices, and they even offer to construct a new terminal!
A few million on a terminal is cheaper than where they're landing now?
Don't these airlines fly Boeing products? Kind of the area's bread and butter? Seems to me like the County Board of Supervisors need to be held responsible by the voters for the Execs. decision.
Thanks for that info about King County owning Boeing field. I didn't know that. How does Boeing use the airport for flight test, on lease?
How can Ron Sims make that decision? I always did think he was a bit lame. Isn't it up to the King Co. Council to make a decision like that? Or a public referendum?
The guy is already under investigation, and now they found the Southwest lobbyist works for him too.
"Don't these airlines fly Boeing products? Kind of the area's bread and butter? Seems to me like the County Board of Supervisors need to be held responsible by the voters for the Execs. decision."
Yeah, that's the funny part. As part of the deal, in which SW Air would a) build them a new $70M terminal and parking structure, and b) also pay for the traffic improvements, but they would also c) commit to buying 70 more aircraft from Boeing, who, ironically, had their headquarters building across the street from Boeing Field. Oh, I forgot about d) SW Air would GIVE the building to the county after it is fully paid for in 30 years by SW Air.
So, to sum up: Not only did Sims allow all kinds of illegal election activity, and delivered Gregoire into office fraudulently, he is going to take a big, gift-wrapped box, delivered by beautiful naked women on a golden bier, festooned with flowers and bon-bons, and he's going to send it back because the project would be noisy, and the extra planes - the ones in addition to the planes that take off and land their everyday - would also be noisy.
In addition, there are no houses to worry about down there, since the entire area from Safeco Field to the First Ave Bridge is completely industrial.
Never mind that the time from downtown Seattle to Boeing
Field is about 5 minutes if you drive the speed limit.
Ron Sims' is bucking for the Dan Rostenkowski Corrupt Politician Hall of Fame.
Sounds like recall time, but from what I understand about the area, it probably won't happen. Doesn't that area keep putting McDermott back in office? What about that whimpy gal Senator (name escapes me)?
I love that area but the traffic is worse than DC. Someone once told me the Seattle area had an opportunity to build the necessary roads and bridges about 25 years ago, but they chose to "not build - and they won't come" and people came anyway.
Sims is a typical bureaucrat who doesn't want to get off his a** to help any business. The unfriendly business atmosphere within the state govt on the west side was the impetus for Boeing to move its executive offices to Chicago. Sims, you dumb cluck!
So SEA will continue to charge exorbitant landing fees to a Class B airport with only two paralells and chronic IFR..
They should pull of of Seattle. Hard to believe the citizens think ol comedy capers Sims has been working hard on their behalf the past few years. Without Southwest up there--people would be flying out of Canada before long.
Right you are. McDermott, Murray, and Cantwell. As for Sims, even the Democrats can't stand him any more.
There's a real chance he could lose in 2006. Seattle is Detroit, but with millionaires like Gates, McCaw, Balmer, and Allen.
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