Northwest Indiana Discussion

forest,
Thank you for addressing the issue. If you require clarification of my positions, just ask. The use of straw man arguments does not promote discussion or help to discern someone's position (except the user's.)

All I stated was that the airlines failed. Why should the reasons matter, unless you think they were unique to the airlines? Even then, do you think the fact that no other (non-charter) airlines have attempted to fill the void at Gary might have something to do with their belief that they can't make money here, for whatever reasons?


I am arguing that a third airport is not viable without the support of the City of Chicago. That goes for Peotone or Gary. O'Hare expansion is advancing due to the desire of Chicago. That is why Peotone is not advancing, and why Gary hasn't as well, despite the obvious points that you note. Chicago might believe that O'Hare expansion, the introduction of larger, more economical aircraft, and other technological advances might negate the supposed need for a third airport. Airlines are merging, reducing flights and eliminating destinations, none of which will help Gary. Chicago's power to control gates and flights at ORD and MDW is the lever necessary to move any flights to a third airport. Notice how no major airlines will commit to Peotone or Gary? Politics will play a major role in deciding this issue, and we have drastically less political influence than Chicago.

An airport by itself will not make money, it is the economy it generates that we seek. We should offer to give up Gary airport to Chicago's control. That would seem the most probable course for viability.

Alright nwi, you are aware that Daley and King went to visit Daniels just prior to King announcing his departure. Also, Daley gives money to Gary - Chi, and Karras has close connections to the City of Chicago. Furthermore FEDERAL money is being spent on the airport. Continuing down the same path... why did both states lease the tollway, and given the fixed rate increases will supposedly take years to repay the lease... do you not think that there is some greater plan or promise. Do you think some foreign fools would spend billions on tollways to a ghetto? Boeing is in Chicago, and have hangers at Gary-Chi. they are a bit more powerful than Chicago, heck maybe that is why federal dollar's are heading there... It is not the same, that is my point.

Oh as for technology... bigger trucks did not make smaller ones obsolete. Size depends upon quantity, there is still room for small planes and their airports. We continue down the path of globilization, and to be global it requires travel. Travel of people, goods, et cetera. NWI is a great place to be in order to capitalize on the logistical non-variable Products will come in from the coasts, and much will route through the tri-state area.

Forest,
You are aware that Daley, King and O'Bannon had meetings too? Karras has left the airport, and Curry has no ties to Chicago. Daley's agreement with Gary is not new. To date it has been used as leverage for O'Hare expansion against Peotone supporters. Daley's financial support has not resulted in increased passenger travel at Gary. Nothing new here.

You asked, "Do you think some foreign fools would spend billions on tollways to a ghetto?" They didn't. They leased an important part of a major east-west route across the US. The same company looks like it might be interestedin leasing Midway Airport, too. Will that impact their cooperation towards the success of passenger travel at Gary?

Boeing has part of their corporate fleet at Gary, why would they care about passenger expansion there? Yes, their need for a longer runway may have helped secure federal money and will allow them to land any of their fleet here, but does that mean they need anyone else to use it? Maybe the offer to use a nearly empty airport was part of the package that Daley put together when luring Boeing to Chicago?

Your truck analogy implies that you missed my point. The use of larger, more economical airplanes and other tech advances at O'Hare will ease their crowding, especially after expansion. No, it does not mean that bigger planes will make smaller ones obsolete, only that it will free up more space for them at O'Hare and Midway.

Also, I contend that there is an insufficient supply of potential business travellers in the region, the backbone of the air travel industry. The lack of interest shown by passenger airlines for operating from Gary seems to confirm this.