By John F. Infanger, Editorial Director
January/February 2001
A
year ends and another begins, allowing a moment for
recognition. To wit ...
• Best Nomination
for the New Year: Norm Mineta as DOT Secretary, who
in the pre-Bud Shuster years of the '80s-'90s may have
had as much influence on aviation policy in the U.S.
as anyone as chair of the House transportation (aviation)
committee. When the aviation industry goes to sleep
at night, it dreams of nominations such as this.
Among his attributes ...
• an appreciation
for the U.S. air transportation system; thus
• an advocate; and
• a pragmatism that
generates respect and compromise.
Mineta also chaired the
National Civil Aviation Review Commission, a dedicated
group which offered thoughtful solutions to much of
the gridlock facing us today. The report is collecting
dust on a shelf someplace, but Mineta may ultimately
see some of the recommendations happen. It should be
noted, however, that not all aviation groups will be
pleased with that prospect.
• Best Supplement
by a Major Daily Newspaper: The Chicago Tribune, which
in late November ran a four-part series (visit ChicagoTribune.com)
on local and national gridlock, and kicked it off with
a special pull-out supplement in its Sunday edition.
(You know gridlock is a problem when ...)
• Best Headline to
a Supplement by a Major Daily: The same Chicago Tribune
supplement offered, "Hope isn't even on the radar."
• Hands-Down Best
Giveaway at a Conference: At the annual fall airport
retail conference hosted by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
University, SmarteCarte gave attendees a Gold Card,
good for one year of free use of its cart/locker services.
The cost versus goodwill has to be minimal, while the
usefulness is something each user will remember long
after the year runs out. Cost-effective marketing at
its best.
• Best Aviation-Related
Advertis-ing Effort: The ad campaign by the Aircraft
Owners & Pilots Association promoting airports and broadcast
on the Weather Channel over the holiday season. The
rest of the trade associations might want to call up
Phil Boyer and ask how they can participate to keep
this effort going.
• Best Answer to
the Question: Why Have Another Conference?: The Oklahoma
Regional Business Airport Summit, held in November in
Tulsa. The brainchild of Bob Jandebeur, who sold his
Million Air FBO last year, the meeting was intended
to serve as a catalyst toward getting business airports
to move forward together. One key aspect: getting Williams
Communica-tions involved to tie the airports into the
system via the magic of wireless.
• Best Reason To
Have a Conference Award: The joint AAAE-NATA sponsored
symposium held last fall in Orlando, bringing airports
and tenants together. There were some 80 attendees.
The potential for this meeting is much greater.
• Best Example of
Moxie in the Face of Forces Out of Your Control Award:
The folks at the Port Authority of NY & NJ, who said
"no more" when inundated with requests for
new flights into LaGuardia upon the removal of slots.
The move forced FAA to act by imposing a lottery for
access, and it demonstrated how market forces and current
policy remain in conflict.
• Best Excuse to
Say 'Congratu-lations:' To Bob and Kim Showalter, who
once again are regenerating their FBO in Orlando.
Thanks for reading.
