"United we stand (or grounded again)?"

Friday, May 18, 2007

Commentary
United we stand (or grounded again)?
The Antelope Valley (CA) Valley Press


Readers expressed a variety of concerns about the return of United Airlines
service to Palmdale Regional Airport in letters that appeared in the Monday,
May 14, paper.

Valley Press editors have been pounding their keyboards for 39 years urging
the "early" development of Palmdale Airport.

When it was announced in June 1968 that the city of Los Angeles would be
buying up land for a future airport here, many thought it would be a reality
in five or 10 years.

Various airlines - including United Express - have provided service at
Palmdale for relatively short periods before closing down operations.

Last year, the Los Angeles World Airports, Palmdale and various supportive
groups and individuals announced a major infusion of subsidy funding.

United was selected over Delta Airlines as the air service provider.

But the airline business is extremely complex. When United announced it
would fly between Palmdale and its San Francisco hub, area residents were
disappointed - to say the least - that the flights wouldn't head toward the
east - perhaps Las Vegas McCarran Airport, Salt Lake City, Denver, Phoenix,
Dallas-Fort Worth - any place that would assist travelers in heading across
the country and, possibly, from there to many of the other countries on the
planet.

San Francisco is OK for passengers headed across the Pacific, but for many
it will only serve as an end-around jog on the trip to visit relatives or
conduct business in Chicago; New York; Washington, D.C.; Atlanta; or Miami.

In addition to location, potential flyers are concerned about cost, layover
time and multiple plane changes.

United announced some exciting low-cost fares if certain flights are booked
by May 22. It appears that after that seductive deadline, prices will rise
sky-high compared to LAX.

The aim of Palmdale Airport supporters - and we hope the L.A. World Airports
board - is to give passengers from the Antelope, San Fernando and San
Gabriel valleys an alternative route so they can avoid the dreaded Sepulveda
Pass and congestion on and off the freeway near LAX.

It's perfectly obvious that scheduled van or shuttle service should be
established from the Van Nuys Flyaway location to Palmdale.

Although the greater Antelope Valley is home to approximately 500,000
residents, our urban density is nowhere near that of the L.A. basin. The
success of United's venture will depend on area and out-of-town passengers.

The Valley Press survey asked the question, "Do you plan to fly United
Airlines into or out of Palmdale Airport?"

Of those who responded, 45, or 51%, said "yes"; 43, or 49%, said "no."
That's not a solid majority for a successful business plan.

United Airlines has been flying for many decades. Its executives should be
able to set up a service that will be affordable and popular for years to
come.

One of the most important advantages Palmdale can publicize is free parking.
People who live in L.A. are so accustomed to paying for parking, they would
flock to Palmdale if no fees are charged.

Some of our readers suggested that the airline might gobble up the subsidy
money, then close down operations.

The Valley Press fervently hopes that won't be the case. Not only does the
Antelope Valley need viable air service, a rapidly growing airport - with a
number of airlines and flights to various locations - will benefit millions
of Southern Californians.

We encourage our residents to use Palmdale Airport whenever feasible. If
this operation proves unsuccessful, we'll just be flipping the calendar back
to 1968.

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