World-Class, Without The Pricing

Rodriguez thinks the interim solution is a lot better than maintaining the status quo. “Currently, LGB spends about $80,000 to collect almost $45,000,” he adds. “The annual fee option will lower costs to near revenue levels.”

Mayor Foster remarks, “[Rodriguez] wanted to make this a social airport and a ‘Long Beach’ airport, using local vendors. He wanted an airport where you could afford to buy a sandwich without the fear of actually eating it.”

Long Beach has largely achieved its goals. Though there remains some six more months of work ahead, the passenger experience has improved; the food is good; the Wi-Fi remains free; the integrated information system works; and passengers can still get from the parking lot to the gate in under 20 minutes.

As the mayor says, “In Long Beach, we’re not LA.”