Kci (Kansas City: rental car, rental, transfer)

[GraniteStater]

Hopefully the vote passes in November. A large majority of google reviews from individuals that are not locals are nothing short of disastrous. Take a look at them, and it isn't a positive image and first impression for the metro area at all.

[Ztonyg]

KCI wouldn't exist in its current state in any other city in the country (as nowhere else makes voters approve a new terminal).

Heaven help the city if the vote fails. Train and bus stations are nicer and offer more amenities than KCI.

[Weaubleau]

It is hilarious to see how the local people rate it five stars while people who are familiar with other airports around the country rate it one star or outright say it is the worst airport in the country. A couple of the locals even acknowledge the problems the airport has and then say- I don't care because it does not affect me- Which is an infuriating attitude to have. Actually, you can see this attitude among some longtime KC residents, and not just about the airport. It is definitely one of the things holding KC back. To me it shows a lack of pride. Its the yeah, I know this thing about KC sucks, or is substandard compared to other places, but I don't care because it doesn't personally affect me!

[dallasgoldrush]

Originally Posted by Weaubleau

It is hilarious to see how the local people rate it five stars while people who are familiar with other airports around the country rate it one star or outright say it is the worst airport in the country.

Yes familiarity breeds comfort, which in turn can breed complacency if we're not careful. That which is comfortable is not, by virtue of its comfort, automatically superior to all things that are not comfortable.

Translation: If someplace's airport -- or any other aspect of a city -- is substandard, the city should just address it. It's okay to fear change, but it's not okay to submit to that fear imho.

Originally Posted by Weaubleau

A couple of the locals even acknowledge the problems the airport has and then say- I don't care because it does not affect me- Which is an infuriating attitude to have. Actually, you can see this attitude among some longtime KC residents, and not just about the airport. It is definitely one of the things holding KC back. To me it shows a lack of pride. Its the yeah, I know this thing about KC sucks, or is substandard compared to other places, but I don't care because it doesn't personally affect me!

You've pointed out one of the top challenges of the area -- the refusal of many residents to invest (whether its emotionally, financially, politically or vocally/with advocacy) in any development project that is not directly beneficial to them or their lifestyles.

Many people think it's a zero-sum game, that it's okay if the airport is obsolete because they don't use it often, etc. They don't realize or don't care that Fortune 500s factor in things like a metro area's major transportation infrastructure when deciding where to relocate their headquarters' or where to build major operational facilities. So if an area does not care to make reasonable efforts to modernize its infrastructure there will inevitably be a long-term decline in its gross economic activity. Anti-development attitudes have at least an indirectly harmful impact on all residents' long-term earnings potential, among other things.

[elkotronics]

Bingo to the above, dallasgoldrush. You hit the nail on the head.

[rwiksell]

Originally Posted by Weaubleau

It is hilarious to see how the local people rate it five stars while people who are familiar with other airports around the country rate it one star or outright say it is the worst airport in the country. A couple of the locals even acknowledge the problems the airport has and then say- I don't care because it does not affect me- Which is an infuriating attitude to have. Actually, you can see this attitude among some longtime KC residents, and not just about the airport. It is definitely one of the things holding KC back. To me it shows a lack of pride. Its the yeah, I know this thing about KC sucks, or is substandard compared to other places, but I don't care because it doesn't personally affect me!

It's a crappy airport, but it's OUR airport, dammit!

[luzianne]

Originally Posted by Weaubleau

It is hilarious to see how the local people rate it five stars while people who are familiar with other airports around the country rate it one star or outright say it is the worst airport in the country. A couple of the locals even acknowledge the problems the airport has and then say- I don't care because it does not affect me- Which is an infuriating attitude to have. Actually, you can see this attitude among some longtime KC residents, and not just about the airport. It is definitely one of the things holding KC back. To me it shows a lack of pride. Its the yeah, I know this thing about KC sucks, or is substandard compared to other places, but I don't care because it doesn't personally affect me!

It's not like local people aren't familiar with other airports. The fact that I AM familiar with other airports makes KCI that much more appealing.

[brooksider2brooklyn]

Originally Posted by luzianne

It's not like local people aren't familiar with other airports. The fact that I AM familiar with other airports makes KCI that much more appealing.

What similar sized airport is worse than MCI? I sure can't think of any.

[CrownVic95]

Originally Posted by luzianne

It's not like local people aren't familiar with other airports. The fact that I AM familiar with other airports makes KCI that much more appealing.

Thank you, luzianne.

You don't have to spend very much time browsing the KC forum before feeling that that you are gasping for a breath of air, a la the area around the World Trade Center immediately after the towers collapsed. Your posts are always an oasis - that breath of fresh air, sadly so hard to find here.

[brooksider2brooklyn]

Originally Posted by brooksider2brooklyn

What similar sized airport is worse than MCI? I sure can't think of any.

Well luzianne?