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Amateur Parker

The Ups and Downs of Airport Parking

September, 2019

Melissa Bean Sterzick

The parking industry is a complicated place, and a look at parking-related headlines only confirms the fact. Every segment of the industry has its own complications. From equipment suppliers to consultants, from universities to airports, the challenges and solutions are vast. The news about airport parking is especially varied and includes politics and vandalism, traffic and art, jerks and good works, and all manner of ground transportation. See for yourself.


State to Tow Dozens of Abandoned Cars from Honolulu Airport Lots


Hawaii News Now


Somehow, 60 cars lost their owners in Honolulu, Hawaii. Each time I’ve visited Hawaii, I have considered staying there for good - even if I have to live on the streets. Those 60 abandoned cars might have belonged to the people who gave in to similar impulses. But this happens in parking structures everywhere. Besides death, murder, illness and amnesia, the only other reasons I can think of abandoning a car include bankruptcy and revenge. Parking officials at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport say the vehicles will be towed away and put up for auction.


Airport Bus Business Honored for Alternative Fuel Bus Fleet 


Daily Times


An airport parking provider in Tinicum Township, Pennsylvania is pretty proud of its buses. Colonial Airport Parking recently won the Environmental Excellence Award by the Eastern Pennsylvania Alliance for Clean Transportation for switching to a propane-powered fleet. This should prevent the release of 730,000 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere over the lifetime of the buses. We might be well past the window for preventing global warming, but there’s no reason not to try. A fleet of buses in Pennsylvania is a drop in the bucket when it comes to pollution, but every drop is important when we are talking about protecting our environment.


More than 20 Cars Vandalized at NC Airport’s Long-term Parking


The News & Observer


In Greensboro, North Carolina, more than 20 cars were vandalized in a long-term airport parking lot. Broken windows and spray paint were discovered by an employee on a Sunday morning. Airport officials left notes on the cars, telling owners how to find a ride home, if needed, and where to get their cars fixed. I’m asking myself if there was a night security guard, if the airport is paying to fix the vandalized cars and if the perpetrators were caught on film. Even though most parking lots post a disclaimer somewhere on site that reminds car owners that they are responsible for any theft or damages, when I park, I still expect due diligence in the form of good lighting and maybe even cameras.


Shreveport Regional Airport Running Out of Parking Space


KSLA News 12


People are parking on curbs and under trees in Shreveport, Louisiana. These “non-traditional” choices have been forced by a shortage of parking at Shreveport Regional airport. The 1,021 spaces in the long- and short-term lots are becoming increasingly scarce. Summer is a particularly busy season for the airport, and the parking situation has become serious enough that locals worry about missing flights. Too much parking is probably worse than too little, but it can be a tough balance to find. I think that if people are parking on your shrubbery, it might be time for some off-site parking. I’m sure they’ll figure it out – between common business sense and the kind of Southern geniality that inspires phrases like “non-traditional parking,” good things are bound to happen.


5-Year Construction Project Will Impact Traffic at Logan Airport


CBS Boston 4WBZ


From what I know about Boston, long-term construction and resultant traffic issues are pretty much part of the city’s identity. At Logan Airport, a two-billion-dollar project will eventually improve traffic flow, but it will get worse before it gets better. Several terminals will be affected by improvements to the road and the building of a new parking structure. Projects that go on for years and years require more finesse – people need a reason to have a good attitude about the inconvenience. We all know what “no pain, no gain” means, but it would be nice if the pain part weren’t so painful.


At Sea-Tac Airport, a Red Border Made of Sand Draws Attention to Human Trafficking 


Crosscut.com


Lots of airports display art; some even display famous carpet designs. At Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, artist Molly Gochman’s Border U.S.-MX is a thick red line on a field of grass near the cellphone lot. Border U.S.-MX is part of Gochman’s Red Sand Project, an art campaign that brings awareness to modern human slavery. The red line is a recreation of the southern boundaries of California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas and the northern boundaries of Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas. It symbolizes the arbitrary nature of boundaries. So, it’s art and politics in one
bright red stripe. Looks like even airports can make
political statements.


Uber, Lyft and the A-Line Train Have Changed the Game at DIA


The Denver Post


Airport parking providers have already become aware of their newest competitors: Lyft and Uber. Denver International Airport has seen an enormous increase in ridesharing services since they were allowed in 2014. Taxi use has decreased and parking demand have both been hit. Passenger traffic has increased 20 percent in the last three years, but that has not translated to higher parking use. Other influences have changed parking at the airport including the Regional Transportation District’s University of Colorado A-Line. I know a lot of us are relieved we have options besides friends and taxis when we need to get to the airport. But I don’t know yet how airports are going to monetize ridesharing. 


City of Tallahassee Looking to Discontinue Airport Parking Pass Perks for Public Officials


Tallahassee Democrat 


Government officials in Tallahassee, Florida, have long been the beneficiaries of a huge parking perk: free airport parking. Now, thanks to abuse of the privilege by one elected official, this perk is about to be rescinded. Last year, a former Tallahassee mayor used his free parking pass for travel related to a gubernatorial campaign. While not specifically prohibited, use of the pass for purposes other than city business is frowned upon. There’s always somebody who doesn’t know how to behave and everybody else has to pay – most of us learned that in fifth grade. Tallahassee International Airport officials are considering reimbursing chosen big-wigs for some of their parking fees – as long as the travel is shown to be for public purpose. 


Husband Parks as Far Away as Possible on Purpose; Wife Wonders Why


Melissa Sterzick News & Times


My husband parks far, far away from any destination. I’m good with that most of the time, but not when we are traveling. I think he does it for the exercise, also, he’s pretty strong so he doesn’t mind the heavy luggage. And his shoes are attractive and comfortable – while mine are usually only one of those things. Either way, a recent trip found my husband and me in this exact scenario, and I had to conjure all the patience I’ve gained over the course of 15 years of motherhood. I guess if I’m about to fly 1,200 miles and then drive another 300, the 1-mile walk from long-term parking to the terminal shouldn’t seem so long, but it really, really does. 



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