Winging It

Remember, actons speak louder then words... Let's see.
YHS

Tom, that's a good report on US Air, their admissions of problems and their future plans.

There's something I don't understand about the plans, and about recent criticism of the FAA with regard to PHL. Maybe you can explain it to us, and maybe you can find out more about it. I'm talking about the PHL Capacity Enhancement Program, PHL's runway expansion which would actually relieve the airports delay and capacity woes, with minimal negative impact to the surrounding communities of PHL. It's been years in the making and it's way more than two years late in being finalized and implemented.

Here's what I don't understand. First, if you read between the lines, it sounds as though US Air is talking about expanding their international flights to around 50 daily flights. I don't believe much more expansion of flights at PHL is actually possible without putting PHL into more of a flight delay tailspin than we've already had.

Second we constantly are hearing from U.S. Reps. Joe Sestak (D., Pa.) and Rob Andrews (D., N.J.) about the PHL airspace redesign in only negative terms concerning PHL's surrounding communities. They never talk about a real solution to the problems of delay and capacity at PHL. Why aren't they talking up the PHL CEP as the real solution, which would almost negate the need for most if not all of the PHL airspace redesign they so dislike. They'd get more mileage if they proposed a solution, instead of just trying to stop the airspace redesign. I don't get it.

I also don't understand why all our politicians, local, state, and federal, aren't blasting the FAA about the incessant delays in reporting, approving and funding the CEP. The lack of this program is strangling PHL. It's implementation would mean lots of jobs, taxes, and money pouring into the region, first for construction, and then for the expanded airport, and for the businesses which will benefit from the increased number of travelers (tourists and business people) in the region. When you couple an expanded airport, with an expanded convention center, with more hotels, etc., that's an sustainable improved economy for Philadelphia and the region. That doesn't even take into account what more international flights will mean to Philadelphia region general business.

So, what do you think about this issue? Why aren't we hearing more about it?

Air traffic control in Philadelphia is broken and represents a serious impediment to regional growth. You can forget about efficient hub operations locating in Philadelphia due to this issue.

For example, last summer my wife and I spent six and a half (6.5) hours parked on the tarmac waiting for clearance to take-off. During this time, I must confess, several raindrops did actually fall and there was a thunderstorm in the distance. However, the general conditions were only slightly blustery with broken sunshine.

I live in Houston, if these practices were followed in Houston during most month's you could NEVER take-off. Somebody better fix this or Philly will continue to wither while the rest of the residents move to places like Houston.

So Tom, where are they going to put 16 more international gates....that would give phl about 36 international gates, 4 short of what the new atlanta international terminal will be....for me I love being a true international gateway, it can only be good for the metro area.