voiceofsandiego.org: Slop... Part I: Reality and the Airport

The Union-Tribune's Penni Crabtree wrote up an interesting bit of news this weekend (emphasis mine):

A couple of days before this, though, the paper published opinion from somewhere else.

If you were trying to send a message that this idea of "sensible joint use" at the military base was unacceptable to this county and its residents, you could not have sent it clearer. Even the biggest champion of this sensible joint use -- Bersin's predecessor, Joe Craver -- was forced to admit that joint use just wouldn't work. The base would have to be abandoned by the military. The idea that a major airport and a military air station could work together on that patch of land was just as radical as building an airport in Imperial Valley. The difference is, putting an airport in Imperial Valley would have been welcomed by its neighbors.

But back to the basics. The number of flights out of Lindbergh Field has not increased markedly in the last 15 years. Roughly the same number of flights came in and out of the airport in 2005 as did in 1994. And the news this week, that flights would be cut this year, does add more facts to our little reality-based world.

So where, exactly is the U-T? The paper's broadside of Bersin's "dubious claim" came within a two-day series of editorials about the future of the airport, which tried to make the case -- again -- that an expansive new airport needed to be built at Miramar. Ironically, the first edition of the editorials carried the headline "The Grand Delusion."

-- SCOTT LEWIS

Airline travel is no longer fun or glamorous. The air industry is loosing money and while looking for ways to cut costs no doubt safety will be compromised. People are traveling less because the experience is revolting and the cost soon will be unaffordable families and business. As soon as the government finds a way to tax internet sales the freight industry will see a decline. It's time to think about manufacturing, shopping and traveling locally. I wonder if America is smart enough to plan for what lies ahead?

Posted by flythefriendlyskies | reply to this comment
June 16, 2008 6:44 am

Scott, You are so way off base. If a cup is full, HOW CAN YOU ADD MORE? FAA won't allow more, But PRICES will Increase: In '06: "Airfares Rise; Routes Cut from Lindbergh Field..5 airlines hit hard by fuel costs ..will drop routes at Lindbergh Field..10 flights/day by American eliminated. 'The fuller the flight, the higher the fare,' says Shirley Peterson, ..a 20+ travel agent who's never seen airfares this high, ..poised to rise even higher..now $800 to San Diego from New Hampshire, 2 years ago, she'd bought two one-way tickets for $99 ea." Also,'06, the Authority 'blew 47 reports', changing capacity for someone, Hunter(?), from '260,000' to 280,000' --"220,000 flights in 2005 -- was about equal to Lindbergh's load in 1994...attributable to ..packing planes tighter since World War II..a small extension of Palomar-McClellan Airport's runway in Carlsbad..a relief valve." next

Posted by Wide Awake | reply to this comment
June 16, 2008 9:44 am

Real reasons to 'keep Lindbergh small?' To force flights elsewhere, 'giving away' transportation & mitigation taxes, grants, gov't. funds, fees & financial stability (again) for San Diego, to a former MARCH Airforce Base, 80 miles away! Now hosting cargo for DHL & others, SD LOSES $35 BILLION to $50 BILLION/Yr. of ECONOMIC BENEFITS!And a 'real transit system-paid for by the FEDS while we LIMIT SD's TRADE/Transport-even for military personnel...like Presidio, LongBeach, Tustin,El Toro.' Getting all the military/political beaurocrats together' united against Miramar during war time in this '1/3 retired/active military town' was easy! What happens when the Presidency/Congress changes? Drastic Military Reductions, subject to closure from the 'high cost of everything,' including food as SD must send ALL their cargo 80-120 miles away for a 3-4 million population! Get a CLUE..this can be a win-win, it's short-term Profiteers who make the worst decisions & you promote them!

Posted by Wide Awake | reply to this comment
June 16, 2008 10:03 am

The Union-Tribune has always been the key cheerleader for every get rich quick boondoggle that's come down the pike. For background, read "Under the Perfect Sun" by Mike Davis. The UT has always tried to find the richest local civic grifter in each generation and attach its lips firmly to his butt. The UT has never seen a big spending scheme that it hasn't appauded in this town. The same paper that preaches finanial conservatism for government thinks its OK to subsidize huge projects to make private companies rich with taxpayers money. It even wants the city to go $50 million into the red to build a new downtown library, even though money for the project hasn't been found. Anything to make the developers and contractors who advertise in the UT richer.

Posted by Watcher | reply to this comment
June 16, 2008 11:20 am

Cont. Airlines are going bankrupt due to high fuel prices and are withdrawing service to airports all over the country. Despite this reality, the UT and new airport boosters keep on clanging the bell for a new airport, despite voter rejection of the idea just two years ago. Shows how much the UT really disrespects the voters of San Diego. The UT editors really think that they, not the voters of San Diego, call the shots around here.

Posted by Watcher | reply to this comment
June 16, 2008 11:21 am

The U/T Editorial Staff has lost touch with reality on a number of issues. This is just one of them.

Posted by Steve K | reply to this comment
June 16, 2008 12:53 pm

Finally someone had taken a look at what is happening. “ Editorial.) A steam roller has been moving in the background and the Airport Authority, headed by Mr. Bersin, is at the wheel. The advertising going on the past few weeks touting how great our Lindbergh field is, does not mention Lindbergh will be maxed out in less than 5 years. Why is the Airport Authority spending a billion dollars for an airport that cannot service any large aircraft and only has one runway? Follow the money. Sanders up for reelection, John Moores wants terminal and intermodal transportation hub on interstate 5, Steve Peace works for John Moores and selected by Sanders to be on Airport panel. What’s wrong with this picture? Many politicians say that the “people voted” and did not want move Lindberg Field. The vote was to move Lindbergh

Posted by Chili Willy | reply to this comment
June 16, 2008 7:47 pm

Whatever happened to the notion of less is more? Forget multiple runways and new terminals. Ignore the U-T's Miramar refrain. To make his mark on civic life as head of the Regional Airport Authority, maybe Alan Bersin could focus on the actual airport experience for people who are still flying and work to improve same. Smooth out the automobile traffic flow at airport arrivals terminal; get valet parking guys out of the middle of things; improve signage so that travelers can be picked up more easily at a given entryway; arrange for electric carts to carry passengers and their one carry-on bag to or from distant gates; pay for musicians to play in terminal waiting areas as they do in Portland; remove or improve the hideous public art outside; set up more rocking chairs to calm the frazzled travellers! Please.

Posted by Dazed and Confused | reply to this comment
June 16, 2008 9:13 pm

Look at actual# of flights-increased substantially. Now at 228,000/yr., only 32,000/yr. or 87/day less than "Capacity of 260,000/yr." +87/day between the 17 hours Lindbergh operates = 5 more flights/hour and Lindbergh will have REACHED their CAPACITY! More houses = Population will INCREASE = More Passengers, Business & Cargo FLIGHTS Demanded, not Less! NO New Traffic Mitigation will remove from Harbor Drive, the 768 Additional Cars per hour(average 150/flight -passenger or service cars). Because of Lindbergh's flight restrictions, the 'hourly average' will NEVER work as Lindbergh doesn't have 'air slots', so the Majority of 87 flights will BACK UP TRAFFIC on Harbor, I-5-at the WORST times..their 'philosophy' appears to be, from recent policy 'restrictions on Public Comment at their meetings' to 'ignore the impacted residents/businesses the airlines, the driving public and 'service the traveler at the expense of all of them, as long as S/T $$$$ is Made!

Posted by Wide Awake | reply to this comment
June 17, 2008 1:04 pm

SAFETY is the Major Factor that is being IGNORED, even by the FAA at Lindbergh Field. We are the single Most Dangerous Major Metropolitan Airport IN THE WORLD! When folks from Rancho Santa Fe go up to LAX, it's because it's not only 'quicker', has more flights available, is Less Expensive, it IS SAFER!

Posted by Wide Awake | reply to this comment
June 17, 2008 1:05 pm

Dear Wide Awake -- We have a dish-like airport with one runway. The dish works so long as developers aren't allowed to build in the flight path -- and because we have very good weather and because one runway is inherently safer than more-than-one. I don't know what people from Rancho Santa Fe do, except count their money, limo around and anything else they want. LAX has a poor safety record.

Posted by Dazed and Confused | reply to this comment
June 17, 2008 1:58 pm

What's new? Kittle and crew to rescue. By the way, take a look at how much property Copley owns around Miramar. Seriously, consider investigating that concept. Also, the downtown library push is on the plate, again. Next week the city that is broke will be reading editorials pimping the need for a new City Hall. Borrow, spend, increase fees, and no new taxes. It's called Kittlenomics.

Posted by Torrey Pines | reply to this comment
June 17, 2008 7:22 pm

Three things need to be changed about the airport we have now. Alan Bersin must be removed from any contact with anything that has any kind of money near it as he will grab that money and run, then lie about his deed and claim it is with "the rules" he made up--as he did with San Diego schools. Secondly, the name needs to be changed. There is no reason for San Diego to honor the fascist history of Charles Lindbergh and/or his Nazi wife. Last, the reason the trolley does not run to the airport needs to be exposed (and the trolley sent there while, in the interim, those who are in charge of directing vehicle shuttles to and from the airport should be ordered to inform travelers the cost of a trip to a given area of town---which they refuse to do now).

Posted by joshua | reply to this comment
June 17, 2008 8:10 pm

I am not only dazed, but dazzled by "joshua's" remarks which include four interesting ideas, not three. He raises Lindberg's fascist past? Never have I heard this connection made before today, but "joshua" has an excellent point. We could call it Qualcomm Airport once the present Mission Valley parcel is given over to the Spanos family for development of a new Chargers-only stadium which, in turn, could be re-named the Henderson. Why doesn't the trolley go to the airport? How come shuttles are allowed to get away without disclosing fares? Good questions and future topics for voice investigative reporting. Bersin? I just hope he can be dissuaded from tearing the airport apart into the next millenium with Steve Peace's help. Though they would probably go along with a Lindbergh name-change: how about the John Moores International Terminal? Maybe that's too similar to John Wayne. Got ideas, "joshua?"

Posted by Dazed and Confused | reply to this comment
June 18, 2008 12:11 pm

I often arrive at Lindbergh field at around 8 p.m. At that hour, the place is already deserted and quite a few shops are closed. If more flights are needed, those evening hours could be used. The newspaper's resurrection of Miramar is a no-fly zone, so why keep hammering on it? If flights to this region actually increase markedly, the Air Force Base near Perris might be an idea, combined with high speed train along I-15. But with the airlines' conditions right now, there would be no point.

Posted by Frequent flier | reply to this comment
June 18, 2008 6:08 pm

Dazed and Confused, you should be. Joshua has been out in Death Valley too long. Yes, Charles Lindbergh (note the spelling, please, Josh; if you have any claim to validity, then you should have your details straight) was smitten with the organizing abilities of the Nazis and their ability to pull Germany up by its bootstraps from the economic carnage of post WWI. This, while our own Hitler, FDR, was still flailing around trying to pack the Supreme Court in order to enact -- and keep -- his own Nazi-like dream to push us out of the depression (the NRA, etc.). Lindbergh particularly admired the Nazi embrace of technology, but he was no Nazi, himself. Many thought as he did in those days, but then came the war and ... well, as they say, the rest is history. He was an American hero.

Posted by Edgar | reply to this comment
June 18, 2008 8:22 pm

Hello! Hello! Anyone home? Is anyone noticing that the Voice is getting a little dull?

Posted by Ann | reply to this comment
June 18, 2008 10:53 pm

Wide Awake - I might be persuaded by your argument if you expressed it coherently. Simple declarative sentences work best.

Posted by rrrr | reply to this comment
June 18, 2008 11:12 pm

I didn't bother to read all of the above postings (too much SHOUTING). All I have to say is: Nice work Scott! You've cleanly explained the incoherence of the UT. It was the same in 2006 when we fought Prop A and won: VoSD was always more fair in its coverage and sensible in its opinion. (If you could: follow the money. I'm still sure there's a financial basis for the UT's untenable beliefs.)

Posted by Eric | reply to this comment
June 19, 2008 7:43 am

Ann, right you are. It's becoming a snooze fest. I have also noted that a lot of old-timer posters are no longer with us -- there is very little of interest in the letters, anymore. Scott, though, can always be trusted to come up with something pithy, just as a certain few can be relied upon to foam at the mouth over his insightful remarks. But, really, Voice, you need to jack up things a bit or the great experiment will fizzle out while still in the test tube. Please start with more timely posting of comments and a lighter hand with the Goebbels-like censorship. Thanks, oh so much, in advance.

Posted by Edgar | reply to this comment
June 19, 2008 9:00 am

I can only imagine what Edgar must write that gets censored: thank you, voice editors, you are no Goebbels. I am trying to envision the correspondents that Edgar is missing....maybe they died of apoplexy.

Posted by Dazed and Confused | reply to this comment
June 19, 2008 1:53 pm

It appears D&C doesn't get sarcasm. That or I'm not getting D&C.

Posted by Edgar | reply to this comment
June 19, 2008 5:52 pm

It seems that the Voice was born when the City was in crisis and as the crisis peters out (or gets less interesting) so does the Voice. I don't see very many investigative stories anymore. The "this just in" section rarely has something I didn't already know and it usually reports it with a hint of an opinion. I don't know. It's just not as interesting as it used to be. Even the Cafe...it is most interesting when politicians are the voices for the day. I particularly liked Jim Waring's day after he was fired. But lately it's just not worth reading (well right now there is nothing to read, but before that).

Posted by Ann | reply to this comment
June 19, 2008 7:41 pm

I can partially agree with you Edgar, the Voice has become a bit dull lately. And since I live in the county, I could care less about what happens downtown, with the exception of the airport since I happen to have to use it several times a year. But I am with the crowd that would like to see Lindbergh Field somewhere else, it is just not that safe an airfield and I see no reason to spend billions on an unsafe airfield. A number of years ago (many actually) after the Laurel Street parking garage was built a number of pilots (Western Airlines) refused to fly into Lindbergh Field claiming it was unsafe rather than making a big deal out of it they were reassigned to other routes. Safety could be vastly improved if that six-floor building was reduce to only three floors, but since I believe it’s owned by Ace parking that will never happen since Ace owns San Diego.

Posted by Howiek | reply to this comment
June 20, 2008 5:36 am

Not much has changed since the days of Frank Curran, has it, Howiek?

Posted by Edgar | reply to this comment
June 20, 2008 7:57 am

D&C: I'll make it easy for you, so nothing will be left to the imagination. What I write that gets censored (as I am sure is also the case with a lot of other correspondents here) is the mundane, the tame. All of it abides by the vague, but understandable "Feedback Rules" printed below every letter. No obscenities (of course!). No ranting. No raving. No calling any any other person posting stupid. I don't like the presently constituted City Council, but my words are soft. Have you ever watched a council meeting on TV? It's amazing some speakers aren't dragged out by security. My only objection to the VOICE Board of Censorship is that the application of the rules is willy-nilly. What goes one day is verboten the next. One person says this (okay, fine!) and one person says that (off with the bugger's head!!). That's all, D&C.

Posted by Edgar | reply to this comment
June 20, 2008 8:02 am

Frequient Flier... If they move flights to the evening, where will you fly to t 8:00pm? Atlanta? You arrive at about 3:00am. What will you do in Atlanta at 3:00am? How about Dallas? Arrive at 2:00am? Then what? People fly to connect from San Diego, if you arrive in Dallas or Atlanta at some silly hour like 2:00 or 3:00 am you will sit until 9:00 am to catch your connecting flight. That's a great idea!

Posted by Just the facts | reply to this comment
June 22, 2008 6:11 am

Obviously you have not read the EIR for the Airport. It distinctly points out that the one runway airport will be at capacity within five years. The current traffic problem will be exasperated by the new hotels like Nicalodian and others on the drawing board. With an increase of 30% in traffic on Rosecrans there will be considerable traffic jams. Quality of life is going down. Density is not the answer. Why would a company send its customers to the completion? The airport authority should not ship off travelers to Mexico, Imperial, or up to riverside. A new airport will increase the revenues five times, and if they do it with SANDAG everyone will benefit. Knowing the geography of San Diego is a benefit because you would know that there is considerable acreage available in East Elliot, over 20,000 acres. The aircraft taking off there would be over 10,000 feet

Posted by Chili Willy | reply to this comment
June 23, 2008 12:45 pm

If you don't like the airport where it is, then you shouldn't have moved to Point Loma. After all, its been an airport since about 1928. I woudln't ever expect the airport to close, given the investment required to keep Lindbergh going. I think we're looking at Lindbergh being used much like Midway in Chicago and a new smaller airport similar to Seattle at Miramar overlaying the existing airfield.

Posted by Just the Facts | reply to this comment
June 24, 2008 6:40 am

Just the Facts, your facts were correct until they took a left turn into oblivion with the last half of the last sentence in your comment # 31. That could happen, but only if the Marines leave Miramar -- not going to happen soon, despite what some of the self-described aero-experts and government insiders claim in their frequent (ly wrong) posts on this subject.

Posted by Edgar | reply to this comment
June 24, 2008 12:36 pm

The fact is that I had no choice. I am second generation. I like Lindbergh Field right where it is, as a commuter terminal. It will handle it nicely. However, for the past 30 years our leaders have not thought farther than a couple of years ahead. We need an airport that will be adequate for the next 100 years. Why should the airport authority spend our tax dollars (one billion) to put a gallon of Purée into a tea cup airport? e

Posted by Chili Willy | reply to this comment
June 24, 2008 1:15 pm

Chili, even if you're second generation, you have a choice. Sell and move. $1 billion is a drop in the bucket for a terminal these days. O'Hare is spending $17 billion for a new layout. You can thank China for that. Edgar, Miramar will not be a military base inside of 15 years. Bank on it.

Posted by Just the Facts | reply to this comment
June 24, 2008 3:57 pm

Just Factuatin', 15 years is a loooong time in today's volatile world. By 2023, especially after even one term by Barack Hussein Obama, Miramar will probably still be an air base, all right -- of the Chinese People's Air Force. You won't be allowed to fly anywhere, so even Lindbergh Field (renammed Mao Spaceport to Heavenly Socialism) will only be used by Party brass and PLA Occupation Forces. The rest of us? "Shut up and stay at home." But why even fret over such things, as I doubt any of us will be left -- even among the Obama voters.

Posted by Edgar | reply to this comment
June 25, 2008 12:22 pm

Wow Edgar. I guess we better put on our tin foil hats! Since China is such a threat, maybe we should have retained all the bases in Alaska as a first line of defense. BEWARE OF THE BLACK HELICOPTERS FOLKS!

Posted by Just the Facts | reply to this comment
June 25, 2008 6:51 pm

Part I: Reality and the Airport

Published: Sunday, June 15, 2008 6:01 PM PDT

-- SCOTT LEWIS

Scott Lewis on Politics

The Scott Lewis on Politics blog, abbreviated cleverly as SLOP, is a collection of observations, insights and the occasional scoop on public affairs in San Diego. Please feel free to e-mail Scott at scott.lewis@voiceofsandiego.org.

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The city's lawsuit alleges negligence on the energy company's behalf.

Jun. 19 -- 2:17 pm

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Recovering from elections, the Café San Diego staff will be taking some time to get the new schedule together.

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Let's drink down their hysterical assumptions for a second and provide a way to deal with them.

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Jun. 17 -- 10:18 pm