Posted on 06/10/2007 12:25:08 AM PDT by BurbankKarl
Except for periodic face-lifts in several of its nine terminals, Los Angeles International Airport hasn't changed much since shoulder pads, leggings and feathered hair were all the rage.
Today, the airport that ushered the country into the jet age in the 1960s and set the standard for international service in the 1980s is ill-prepared for the new planes that are expected to revolutionize air travel.
Fed up with its cramped ticket lobbies and waiting rooms, gridlocked access roads and outdated airfield, passengers and airlines are increasingly taking their business elsewhere.
"It is the Rip Van Winkle of American airports," said Steve Erie, a UC San Diego political science professor who has written extensively about Southern California's infrastructure.
Officials are reaping what they sowed on a former bean field near Santa Monica Bay that became the world's fifth-busiest airport.
Lack of cohesive political leadership, a history of mistrust between the city's airport agency and nearby communities, grandiose visions for expanding the facility and an incredibly complex planning process have combined to leave officials without a blueprint to modernize LAX. And time is running out.
"We need to strike a deal," said Kelly McDowell, mayor of El Segundo, a town on the airport's southern boundary. "As I've said for months and months: We've got the right people, in the right place, at the right time."
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
They just need to make LAX international only. United just started Palmdale to SFO service....wonder how it is doing.
I don’t think the public is going to want to touch down in Ontario or Palmdale if their destination is Santa Monica or Downtown Los Angeles, though.
In many situations, the ground trip to the final destination would take longer than the flight!
D
I use Burbank whenever possible instead of LAX. It’s a piece of cake there.
Things have changed. I remember when this song came out and air travel was something special:
Standing in the silent hall waiting for the final call
Says he doesn’t love me anymore
Shaking hands I pack a bag trembling voice I call a cab
Slowly I start walking to the door
The cab arrives he blows his horn I stumble at in the early morn
Tell him of the place I’ve got to go
Cared a hundred single nights paid her bills and a traffic fine
Gettin’ through these doors that’s been so slow
LA International Airport where the big jet engines roar
LA International Airport I won’t see him anymore
The stewardess in a miniskirt a hippie in a leather shirt
I started on the way to Naples Row
While I’m wondering where it’s at I see a Paris diplomat
Call his kids while trying to get back home
Baggage car goes quickly by see my face and start to cry
Stumble to the lounge to be alone
And while I’m trying to get some rest I bite my lips and try my best
To fight the pain that’s making me leave home
LA International Airport where the big jet engines roar
LA International Airport I won’t see him anymore
With silver wings across the sky paper trails and wave goodbye
To those below who’ve got to stay at home
I wish that I had flown at night so I could take that champagne flight
Rid myself of every tear I own
Soaring high above the heaven in a 747 fighting back the tears that curse my eyes
Captain’s voice so load and clear amplifies into my ear
Insuring me and flying friendly skies
LA International Airport where the big jet engines roar
LA International Airport I won’t see him anymore
LAX is a pleasure and a joy compared to JFK.
And a downright masterpiece compared to LGA!
It can’t be Int’l only. How do you connect to the rest of the US?
I like to get to airports early so I can take a long walk before the flight to get exercise and I measured nearly four miles of walking on my pedometer doing a total circumference of the terminals. Lot's of great bars too. I tried to have a beer at each one and I almost missed my flight.
The immortal words of Yoga Berra worked for LAX.... "No one go there any more...it's to crowed"
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