To fly out of Imperial County airport is not a necessity for everyone, unless you are one of those business commuters for whom constant travel is necessary. In that case, it does matter to you what services are at your disposal.
The vacation traveler, the occasional business flier, they are probably content with a drive to San Diego, Palm Springs or even Yuma. The hard-core commuter, though, sees convenience in leaving Imperial County airport and arriving in the Los Angeles area, which then connects to virtually anywhere at any time.
In a time of downsizing by the federal government, to have a commercial airport is a blessing. There are many communities larger than ours that do not have access to such service.
Although not perfect, the current scenario (two flights a day to and from LAX) allows a traveler to quickly clear TSA security in Imperial County and travel anywhere in the world without having to recheck bags or wait in security lines. You can book one ticket regardless of the number of airlines you travel since you are dealing with major carriers.
For the moment, this is not the scenario being offered by Seaport Airlines, the newest carrier hired by the Federal Aviation Administration to provide essential air services and to replace United.
Plans were to have Seaport provide flights to an airport in Burbank, which could still happen. For now, though, Seaport will only offer five flights a day to San Diego International Airport’s commuter terminal, away from the main terminal, which would force you to change terminals, recheck baggage and go through the notoriously slow security lines in San Diego.
Realistically the usage of Seaport — like United before it — was only for a limited audience. But it seems to us that limited audience uses the Imperial airport more for business than pleasure, and business via San Diego doesn’t sound like it makes as much sense as business via Los Angeles.
There’s just a lot to be desired with what Imperial County and local city officials have settled for, including a nine-seat airplane with no restroom and no beverage service.
All too often governmental decisions are made without consideration of the inconvenience it causes the general public.
We ask that all local government officials and employees set the example and commit to utilize the new airline to show the public that it made the right decision. That means not driving to San Diego or Palm Springs at the public’s expense.
The bright side is, Seaport is saying more could come. And, the FAA does revisit this approval on a reoccurring basis. If Seaport wants its subsidy, then hopefully it will provide more down the road. If not, and local officials don’t like what they’ve been given after giving it chance, then they can make their voices heard.
THE ISSUE:
Seaport takes over service at airport.
WE SAY:
Offerings seem slim for business travelers.
WHAT DO YOU SAY?
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