Trump said "Our Airports are like from a 3rd world country"

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FloridaPilot

FloridaPilot

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Not really. LGA comes to mind but space is probably the biggest factor there. I've flown into just about every major and regional airports and most are in pretty good shape. New Orleans International is pretty cramped, but I think they've been working on improvements there.
 
It's true that compared to the rest of the world, our airports (and highways/bridges etc.) look very shoddy. Not sure if it's a money issue or just the American "style".
 
I think Herr Trump was a little off base with that remark. More likely he was referring to our ATC electronic infrastructure. Nothing says welcome to America like the message "ATC Datalink lost" as you cross our FIR !
 
Our air system far surpasses the rest of the world.

Yeah some airports don't have marble floors, but we have WAAAAAAAY more airports than any other nation.

The biggest issue to aviation is the ADSB mandate threat IMO
 
Art VanDelay said:
I think Herr Trump was a little off base with that remark. More likely he was referring to our ATC electronic infrastructure. Nothing says welcome to America like the message "ATC Datalink lost" as you cross our FIR !
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He's referring to the crappy, outdated commercial terminals and generally lousy access. Obviously he's a huuuge fan of GA. It helped him win the election.
 
I agree without doubt that from the GA perspective, nobody comes close to the US in utility, economy and efficiency. I hope that edge doesn't get whittled away.
 
LGA, half of IAD, a fair amount of ORD, parts of BOS, and especially EWR come to mind in terms of crappy airline airports. PHL and MCI are up there, too. But I'd also say the terminal for US departures at FCO and MXP are not exactly great, either.
 
James331 said:
The biggest issue to aviation is the ADSB mandate threat IMO
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That is what every one said when we had to buy Transponders and prior to that when we had to buy VOR receivers.
 
I've seen his bird parked at HPN and LGA many times. But I doubt he goes through the airline terminal anyway.

Now HPN, that terminal is definitely in need of improvement. It's really congested and a mess.
 
Not economic sense to replace something if it is still working and has useful life in it. Run it till its useful life ends. Less expensive to remodel it than to replace it with new. In Colorado, our airports are mostly very good or excellent. Sure there is some work to do. Planes make more sense than long distance rail that is for sure. Who needs a train when you can take a plane at way faster and less expensive. Commuter trains make sense though.
 
Tom-D said:
That is what every one said when we had to buy Transponders and prior to that when we had to buy VOR receivers.
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You had to buy VORs??
 
I think that folks who think our airports are like 3rd world airports haven't visited many 3rd world airports. Or maybe a lot has changed since I visited 3rd world airports...heck, 1 bus ride at Frankfurt and yer remembering fondly most US airports. Okay, US customs, immigration, and security is somewhat lacking...
 
Compared to some international terminals it looks that way. But for the most part it's alright. Our GA and air system is the standard for the rest of the world though. It can't be beat.
 
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You must consider the source of the statement. Trump is a affluent person who considers any thing didn't build substandard. and when he said that he was campaigning for votes.
Knowing that all polititions will say anything to get elected, then do as they wish after being seated.
When you believe our system is the greatest, ask your self why the FAA wants to make it like the EU.
 
Tom-D said:
You must consider the source of the statement. Trump is a affluent person who considers any thing didn't build substandard. and when he said that he was campaigning for votes.
Knowing that all polititions will say anything to get elected, then do as they wish after being seated.
When you believe our system is the greatest, ask your self why the FAA wants to make it like the EU.
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Because government will always try to get bigger, al la EU, it's the people's job to keep that in check or suffer the consequences.
 
Tom-D said:
Did you miss the word "receiver"
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No I didn't, and when did we ever (past or present) require VOR receivers? Let alone mandate them like the ADSB scam?
 
wsuffa said:
LGA, half of IAD, a fair amount of ORD, parts of BOS, and especially EWR come to mind in terms of crappy airline airports. PHL and MCI are up there, too. But I'd also say the terminal for US departures at FCO and MXP are not exactly great, either.
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There is example after example after example that can be sited. STL for instance, was a Great leap in airport Terminal styling. In 1974... The same for Dallas, etc.

Airports are just one part of the infrastructure we have let decline badly over the last 40 years.
 
That's funny. I'm no mega medallion flier, but I've traveled international some. There are some bland and not so good airports in 1st world countries in Europe.

The one in Madrid was nice, but empty. The one in Seville was not good. And Barcelona was just ok. The airport in Edinburg was just meh. Functional, but not very noteworthy. I was far more impressed by the Falkirk Wheel.
 
FlyingElvii said:
There is example after example after example that can be sited. STL for instance, was a Great leap in airport Terminal styling. In 1974... The same for Dallas, etc.

Airports are just one part of the infrastructure we have let decline badly over the last 40 years.
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The question is "what do we need". I don't care so much about the terminal as long as I can get around quickly, the flights are on-time and there's available power and wifi/internet service.... if the flights are delayed, however, and one must sit/stand there forever, it's a different matter.

DFW is for the most part decent - you can transit on the secure side and Terminal D is easily reached (and nice).
 
Trump hasn't been to a third world airport, or a commercial US airport. He flies from Jet Center to Jet Center and has for decades. They said Romney was out of touch with the common man, but this is a whole 'nother level. He's right. Our airport urinals aren't gold plated.
 
Anymouse said:
I've been to a lot of third world country airports. I hope like hell we don't become like them!!
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Say about the TSA what you want, I have never had to bribe one of them to keep my laptop past the security checkpoint. I have yet to be shaken down for a yellow fever immunization certificate at a US airport either.
 
paflyer said:
He's referring to the crappy, outdated commercial terminals and generally lousy access. Obviously he's a huuuge fan of GA. It helped him win the election.
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When AOPA asked Trump and Hillary for their thoughts on GA, she came up with almost a full page. There was no response from the Trump campaign.

Bob Gardner
 
We have to remember the circles the idiot traveled in when he traveled internationally for his businesses. He went only to the larger airports and was treated like the wealthy person he is. So, of course, some of the airports he used during the election campaign might have looked a little shoddy by comparison.
 
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Yeah, just The Donald spouting mostly false platitudes to energize his followers to demand major changes to Make America Great Again :rolleyes:
 
RalphInCA said:
We have to remember the circles the idiot traveled in when he traveled internationally for his businesses. He went only to the larger airports and was treated like the wealthy person he is. So, of course, some of the airports he used during the election campaign might have looked a little shoddy by comparison.
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Why would you stoop to this level are your trying to get this thread closed? Any person that gets elected POTUS isn't a idiot, you might want to look up the definition of a idiot.


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You have to remember Biden said the same thing about LGA. Also, the US does usually rank poorly for international airports. But you have to understand what they are looking at in those rankings. It is all about space and amenities. Many global international airports have hotels, gourmet restaurants, entertainment, and top notch airline customer waiting lounges etc, for the international traveler that may end up sitting in the airport for 24 hours or more waiting on an international connection. By comparison, many US airports only have fast food or other food court options, and nothing but endless rows of fairly uncomfortable seats for the millions of domestic travelers. That is the measure by which these airports are being ranked.
 
midwestpa24 said:
You have to remember Biden said the same thing about LGA. Also, the US does usually rank poorly for international airports. But you have to understand what they are looking at in those rankings. It is all about space and amenities. Many global international airports have hotels, gourmet restaurants, entertainment, and top notch airline customer waiting lounges etc, for the international traveler that may end up sitting in the airport for 24 hours or more waiting on an international connection. By comparison, many US airports only have fast food or other food court options, and nothing but endless rows of fairly uncomfortable seats for the millions of domestic travelers. That is the measure by which these airports are being ranked.
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The old domestic terminal in Nassau Bahamas was pretty rustic, so is the domestic terminal in Lagos. Compared with a place like Dubai, many domestic terminals in the US are bland, but that's the worst I could say.
 
I travel 22-25 weeks a year internationally. Yes, our airport facilities are lacking compared to many other locations. As stated above, many airports I have long or overnight layovers have hotels at the terminal or within a few hundred yards walk. Food is good and the amenities are far superior to ours. Our airline lounges are seriously deficient compared to many across the globe.
 
I've been to a number of airports, both here and other countries the past few years. If you fly coach, they are pretty much the same. The food shops may have local food. If you have an airline lounge pass, it is a lot nicer if you have to wait. From a passenger perspective, I'm not sure where Mr. Trump is coming from. Past 3 years, been to Shanghai, Teipei, New Delhi, Pune, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Budapest, London Heathrow, Madrid, Ankara, Munich, Dusseldorf, Zurich, Warsaw, Lodz, Vienna, KLNK, KOMA, KLAX, KIND, KORD, KMEM, KMSP, KBOS, and KDEN. So I think I have a basis for comparison.

In which ways does he feel the USA airports are inferior?
 
Don't complain. If he's going to sprinkle infrastructure money upon the nation might as well direct some of that into bricks, concrete and jobs in the aviation sector.
 
FlyingElvii said:
There is example after example after example that can be sited. STL for instance, was a Great leap in airport Terminal styling. In 1974... The same for Dallas, etc.

Airports are just one part of the infrastructure we have let decline badly over the last 40 years.
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Exactly. Trump's bigger point (which is very valid, but he can't articulate) is that much of the infrastructure in this country is aging and decrepit.

The blame for that rests equally on both parties. Everyone wants to spend tax dollars on their pet projects whether it is hooking up defense contractors or benefit programs to get votes.

No one is addressing the elephant in the room, and that bad boy is going to stomp the crap out of us.
 
If I met Trump I'd say "Donald Trump I love you man." and I'd shake his hand. If you love your country, you gotta respect the commander in chief. (Salute) We need him to do a good job. He needs us. When someone tells you he loves you, and means it, Its contagious...
 
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