OC Residents to Pay to Fly from LAX?

I don't know how they would efficiently enforce this, especially since they miss about 75% of bombs and explosives coming through their security screens, but a Los Angeles Airport Commissioner wants OC residents to pay a "Special Fee" to fly out of the Los Angeles International Airport.

That's funny.

Here's Len Krasner's take from the OC Blog.net.

Here's County Supervisor John Moorlach's take from his October 20 - Moorlach Update:

There’s no denying that the residents of Los Angeles County are disappointed that the residents of Orange County voted down an “international” airport at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. But, give me a break.

My office has been working feverishly to address regional airport issues. It is a constant topic at Orange County Transportation Authority meetings, because I bring it up at every opportunity.

My office has worked diligently with the staff of the Southern California Regional Airport Authority to make their charter more effective, only to be continually stalled. They recently hired a consultant to assist with this project, and our County staff volunteered to meet with them and other neighboring airport representatives on Columbus Day, a County holiday.

I will continue to reach out to provide leadership on this issue. As for my LA neighbors, it makes one wonder who really is only “concerned with themselves.”

One point of clarification: The JWA remodeling in 1990 was designed to handle 8.4 million annual passengers (MAP). It was handling 4.5 MAP at the time the new terminal opened. We’re now at 9.7 MAP. Our maximum capacity is restricted to 10.8 (MAP), which stretches our current facilities beyond its limits. For example, an airport gate should accommodate some 350,000 passengers per year; at JWA we’re handling some 650,000 to 850,000 passengers per year (the highest utilization in the nation). Consequently, we are not increasing terminal capacity to expand, we’re doing it to meet the current levels. This “expansion” is most critical in the areas of baggage handling, TSA (some of the longest wait times in the nation), restrooms and parking (full on Wednesdays).

Do you really think that when the Settlement Agreement is up, the pressure to expand John Wayne Airport will not be intense?

Is it time for Newport Beach City Manager Homer Bludau to get nervous yet?