You have to admire Rep. John Mica …

…the U.S. Representative from Florida whose district includes Orlando. He’s also the House aviation subcommittee Chairman who isn’t afraid to fight for what he thinks is right. Fortunately for airports, he thinks they’re a vital part of commerce. He’s a man who likes to speak his mind.  Time and again, Rep. Mica has taken the Transportation Security Administration (and Congress) to task for staffing levels, lack of clear direction, and for failing to fund and install in-line baggage screening systems at the nation’s commercial airports. A year ago, Mica suggested a temporary tax to pay the billions necessary to install such systems, and he meant ‘temporary.’ At least it was a solid proposal … dead in the water … but a proposal nonetheless. Recently, Rep. Mica said he wants to put a moratorium on U.S. airports building any more infrastructure to handle the embattled Airbus A380 until at least after the aircraft is actually in service. Seems reasonable enough, though airport groups will make the point that because of the time it takes to create such infrastructure, delaying plans may in time only hurt the individual airport/community. That assumes a fleet of A380s materializes. Now Mica says it may be time to consider creating a BRAC-type process as the feds and aviation try to come up with a reauthorization bill for FY2008 and beyond. The BRAC (Base Realignment & Closure) process was created to evaluate U.S. military needs and to create a list of bases subject to closing. An independent third party assessing our transportation needs, fee structures, and beyond seems like a reasonable proposal. And, it is a proposal. Thanks for reading. jfi