TKC MUST READ!!!! INSIDER EXPLAINS NEW KCI AIRPORT BAGGAGE CLAIM SYSTEM HOT MESS!!! KANSAS CITY SHOULD'VE EXPECTED FIGHT AMONG AIRLINES!!!



So far the MSM hasn't been very forthright about the behind the scenes struggles of the new airport. What has turned into a blood feud was initially reported as nothing more than a minor delay . . . That has now resulted in a wait of months not weeks.

To wit . . .

CHECK THIS KICK-ASS INSIDER EXPOSÉ OF THE BAGGAGE CLAIM FIGHT AT NEW KCI AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO THE AIRLINES!!!

Of course, this is just one aspect of the hold up but so far local media is only sharing City Hall press releases and not any analysis or critical reporting of the STALLED project.

Checkit:

Airport woes explained

Let’s drill down on why airlines are MIA on the new airport deal. In a word: Competition. Airlines were deregulated by the feds in 1978. The objective was more competition, producing better prices and services for travelers. Good for customers but like a knife fight in a broom closet for air carriers. Competition between airlines is intense, with profit margins well below where they were 30 years ago.

Airlines fight for every customer and every dollar of operating cost. KCI is pushing a residual cost agreement, which means the airline signers are collectively responsible for covering all airport expenses. All expenses. Including an estimated 117 million dollars per year bond interest payment, on top of other operating costs. Pay attention to these words: collectively responsible. What happens if some members of this collective pay less? Answer: The others pay more. It’s like going to dinner with tightwad uncle Phil, who always “forgets” his wallet. This is a game of financial chicken, the losers of which pay for their competitors’ dinner. Two of the eight airlines that fly KCI have already said, Nope, we’re not signing. This is like uncle Phil warning you in advance he’s not bringing his wallet. Any surprise that various airlines are in no hurry to sign this deal?

Which brings us to the mysterious conflict over a 20-million-dollar-per-year baggage handling system. That’s nothing in a project expected to top out over 4 billion, right? Not exactly. No airline can operate without access to this system, making it a major choke point in the whole setup. The issue hinges on “equitable use” by competing airlines, not the relatively trivial cost of the equipment. Translation: Each airline will try to get priority use because that will choke how many customers competitors can move through the airport. Which creates a bigger problem. Airline honchos are likely asking: Why should we pay 117 million per year, when we can’t move our customers’ bags? Back to the knife fight metaphor. It’s a question of who gets to carry the knife into the broom closet. That’s a question that might also interest the FAA.

The feds say airports can’t give preferential access to vital equipment and services, if that unfairly limits competition between airlines.

Maybe you thought these predictable complications were thought out by the city and airport management before the new airport went to voters. Not so much.
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Developing . . .

Comments

  1. The conclusion is absolutely on the money here. KC should have thought about this BEFOREhand. And they weren't honest with voters about a problem like this.

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    Replies
    1. Another problem Sly can't dance his way out of.

      Delete
    2. Brookside Bob1/19/19, 5:04 PM

      Honestly with voters? Don't be so naive TKC. This project was always a cluster and the details of it where not shared with voters, the public or even most of the council. This is Sly's Waterloo and Jolie Justus helped him get there.

      Delete
  2. ^^^^^ We needed a new airport. Stop complaining about what is progress. I don't see you trying to help mediate.

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    Replies
    1. Sure thing, Gopher Gutless! A sensible remodel is out of the question. Right? How else will the Sly & Co biggest pay for play scheme happen?

      By progress you mean "plentiful pork". Right? Isn't it easy to just do a no-bid dirty deal for B&M and fill those deep troughs courtesy of taxed-to-no-end residents?

      We don't see you trying to help alleviate the murder momentum in Killa Shitty. RIGHT?

      Delete
  3. The city can force-feed the voters this idiocy, not so much the airlines.

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  4. @5:05 PM, We don't need a new airport. We need a new TERMINAL. And remodeling is cheaper. But Sly wants a feather in his cap. Something to impress out of towners. To show Kansas City is a contender. Well we aren't, and a new terminal won't help us become one. We aren't a hub, or a major destination. KC's position as a regional cultural center is because rural people in every direction DRIVE here.

    How about we get realistic about our goals here, and live within our means. I can promise that people will better remember an airport that is quick and easy more fondly than some showplace that merely adds cost. Remodel the existing terminal buildings with an eye on EASE OF USE and LOWER COSTS.

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  5. I was at the Indianapolis airport yesterday. Nice and modern. Just duplicate that!

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  6. Geeeezit this whole deal is baggage.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ^^^ +100

      Sly and the gangirls sold us a bill of fake goods. It's time for a revote. Just like Brexit. Kc needs to consider renovation.

      Delete
  7. But where are the clowns?
    There ought to be clowns.
    Don't bother...
    they're here.

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  8. In essence the intolerant left's $20 million proposed baggage system will not be able handle the baggage load. Thus the airport users will be greatly inconvenienced.

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  9. An inadequate baggage system is real progress and moving forward.

    ReplyDelete
  10. You're leaving out a very important part of this. It's very important, given the context.

    So, fake news.

    Why do you do this?

    ReplyDelete
  11. A baggage handling system?
    Environmental impact statement?
    FAA regulations?
    Actual terminal building design?
    For a $3 billion+ project?
    Who knew?
    What an amateurish bunch of clowns!

    ReplyDelete
  12. The most efficient curbside airport I've ever used! They couldn't widen the entire terminal building outward onto the tarmac, put a second story on the whole of building and put an elevated second story ramp in front for drop off above and pick up below? and solved all the "supposed" problems? While keeping the curb access and infrastructure we all like so well? And for less money?

    Who shoved this STUPID plan through?

    ReplyDelete
  13. How much cost related to the airport is related to the KCMO contractor policy? 40% extra costs?

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  14. James should never have been allowed to lead this project. He does not have the capabilities to lead a project of this magnitude. Take a look at the way this City does business, what would you expect with a new airport project???

    ReplyDelete
  15. The new airport terminal vs the renovation of the existing airport...
    The renovation option is now a much more attractive option and one which all airlines will support.

    James will be broke by the time he is 70 years old.

    ReplyDelete
  16. KCI in it's current form is junk. Is without a doubt the worst Big City airport in the United States. I have flown in and out of dozens of airports in America and it is without a doubt the worst. It reminds me of pictures of a Russian prison. We absolutely positively need a new single terminal but allowing these morons to oversee the project has been and will continue to be a disaster and a financial black hole.

    ReplyDelete
  17. And we're shocked and surprised because...Typical KC City Hall arrogance and stupidity. They are ruining this city.

    ReplyDelete

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