Passengers take gate closures at San Jose airport in stride

Jul. 10--The north gates at Terminal C in San Jose's airport are closed this morning, but passengers don't seem to notice the difference.

"It's business as usual," said Mike McClimans, a regular business traveler, as he waited to check in with Alaska Airlines for his flight to Seattle this morning.

Because of the construction of a new concourse, Alaska and Frontier Airlines moved all flights between 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. today through Thursday from their normal gates at the northern end of the terminal to gates a slight jaunt further down the concourse.

About 14 flights will be affected each day, said David Vossbrink, communications director for Mineta San Jose International Airport.

The change was necessary because construction on a new concourse connecting the airport's two terminals, part of a $1.5 million face lift, will come close to the gates.

Plans include adding a 3,400-space parking garage, expanding restaurants and tunnel jetways that connect travelers to the airplanes. A new terminal will eventually replace Terminal C and is scheduled to open in 2010.

Meanwhile, passengers aren't noticing much difference. Construction officials worked with airport officials to plan the gate closure for at least a month.

To keep people away from the affected part of the terminal, the security checkpoint closest to closed gates is shut down. For Alaska travelers like McClimans walking to a security checkpoint further down the concourse isn't too much of a problem.

"I like a little exercise," he said.

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