Back from Macon (Columbus, Savannah, Albany: living, cost of living, budget)

[southgeorgia]

Originally Posted by gaflsc

. . . . No TSA folks were there! . . .

That's interesting, because they're supposed to be doing security for all commercial flights. Maybe they were off doing something else at the time if there were no flights boarding when you were there.

Originally Posted by MaconWard1

The problem with the Macon Airport, other than the lack of air service, is the size (runway) and location. If it was closer to I-75, not down a stop and go 247, it would serve the region better. The new Sardis Church Road Exit might help, but will also land lock the airport to the South. It would have also been a good idea to use Robins runway like the Fort Watlon Beach airport uses Eglin.

I'd say build a new Macon Airport north of the city, around the 75/475 interchange with a high speed rail to Hartsfield/Jackson.

Honestly, does macon need commercial service? You're only an hour and a half (if that) from atlanta. By the time you park, get into the airport and go through security, and then fly to atlanta, you could've driven to hartsfield.

it doesn't seem like a worthwhile investment for anyone to have commercial passenger air service to anywhere out of macon, except the connecting flights to atlanta.

the rwy is 6500' at MGR; that's enough for any commercial plane that needs to fly into macon. the only benefit you might get from a longer runway would be for cargo flights on 74x's or something of similar size. but seeing how hartsfield is just up the road with plenty of cargo ramps, why would you need that in macon?


as for building another airport with high speed rail; what sense does that make?

building the rail line could be feasible; another airport is definitely not. RWY 23/5 @ MGR could be lengthened to over 10k, if they ever have the need to. but they would have to build a tunnel underneath for that road at the end of rwy 5 like they did in ATL. that would still be cheaper than starting from scratch.



Another idea instead of rail would be a shuttle service to ATL, if it doesn't already exist.

There is a company in valdosta that runs 5 roundtrip shuttles daily to jax, and that seems to be a good idea. its much cheaper to fly out of there than valdosta or atlanta. I had to check on some tickets a couple of days ago to fly out west; it was half the price to fly from jax to atl, and then west, compared to flying directly from ATL. and its only 2hrs to jax intl .

[Bulldawgfan]

Originally Posted by gaflsc

Have you SEEN the airport? It's basically closed! No ticket counters were open (they only have two)...and the screening area was closed! No TSA folks were there!

And this is the "bright spot" in the city? Between that & other assorrted blight, Macon is well on its way to being Clayton County-South.

About three years ago or so I helped a buddy finish his work at the Macon airport. The had just did some renovations... I had never been there before, or since. But I was there for two days and saw as many as thirty people gather, go through security and board their flights. This happened about four times each day, and during the periods between the place was empty. I have also worked at the Dothan, Al. airport, which is smaller... but close to the size of Macon's. Also Hartsfield, Tampa international, Nashville International, Savannah-Hilton Head and Ft. Myers airports. I have worked on two Naval Radar tracking stations in St.Thomas and Antigua. I have flew in and out of many many more. Point is, I have seen many airports and several from behind the scenes, so to speak.
I will say this one more time... for a city the size of Macon (less than 100,000 people), they have a very cool thing in that airport. Did I say it was busy? No. Did I say it was easy to get to? No. I am still wondering why I would drive to Harstfield, park in the boonies, go through security and search for a gate for a 30 minute flight to Jacksonville. By the time I left Macon until I boarded the flight I could have driven there... however the Macon airport (when I was there) had at least one flight to Jacksonville.
There is not enough use to build another airport. And when the locals will not use what they have it will soon close down and Macon will have yet another empty piece of unused concrete.

[NewtownMacon]

The Macon Airport is not going to soon close down, The airport just gained two new airlines last year and the Management Agency "TBI" was hired to work on developing the airport, recruit new airlines and Increase flights to other destination other than Atlanta. Common sense what tell you geniuses that the Macon airport is not going to have the traffic as these other airports you listed because flights leaving Macon only flies to ATL, which is mostly used my businesses, and a small amount of consumers....Once TBI recruits other airlines and other destinations the traffic will increase... Before the Economic chaos there was 2 airlines proposing to come to the airport with flights from Macon to DC and Orlando. It so funny how you guys go out the way to try and continue to put Macon down......But in the near future all you Macon haters will have to eat your words up.... Oh yeah in reality mostly of all the 2nd tier cities, BUT Savannah are truly under a 100,000......Thanks to Consolidation it cloak the true........Giving them something to hind behind....

[southgeorgia]

even without commercial airlines, the macon airport would not be closed.

according to the published reports to the FAA, only 3% of macon's air traffic is commercial, and 6% is air taxi service.


its 59% transient GA, and only 15% is local GA. 18% is military operations.

another thing to consider is the 'one georgia' program would be there to provide funding. most airports in the state use a combination of state and federal funding to maintain them, along with local tax money.

[MaconWard1]

Guys, do some research. Three years ago ASA was the only carrier and they only flew to ATL (when they flew). Fast forward to today, there is only one carrier and only flying to ATL. Their problems are the first flight out of MCN is at 8:28AM arriving in ATL at 9:12AM and they do not have a gate at ATL, so you have to re-check through security. As a business traveler, I need to catch a 7:30 or 8:00 AM flight from ATL for a one-day-trip. Not arriving in ATL until after 9AM (10AM after re-checking through security) does me no good. The second carrier at MCN closed down the beginning of this year. Too bad, they at least had an early morning flight but you could only take carry on bags due to the plane size.

ATL has a need for a second airport. If MCN had a longer runway, cargo could be moved here, closer to the port and on the interstate system. Right now MCN cannot serve that second ATL airport need. It is difficult to get to and does not have service anywhere. To be a true Regional airport, MCN would have to serve other hubs, like Charlotte, Birmingham, or Houston, not just ATL. The proximity of the city of Macon to ATL is great, but I am afraid we will miss out as a second airport to Athens or Chattanooga.

I would love to use MCN but my travel schedule does not allow for the extra time needed to schedule around the flights when I can easily drive or take a shuttle (leaving every 30 minutes at peak times).

[Bulldawgfan]

Originally Posted by southgeorgia

even without commercial airlines, the macon airport would not be closed.

How can I say this nicely... I feel like I am defending a speckle of light in a sees pool of stank...
aw hell, never mind. Close the damn place as far as I am concerned. Frick it... Macon rules. Its the best... come see for yourself. The place rocks. They got old run down stuff up the ying yang. Burglar bars everywhere. Even Razor wire. All for your enjoyment... come take a look.
P.S.- Wear your kevlar. (If needed, I got pictures)

[southgeorgia]

Originally Posted by MaconWard1

The proximity of the city of Macon to ATL is great, but I am afraid we will miss out as a second airport to Athens or Chattanooga.

that won't happen.


if atlanta has a need for another airport, it would be built in atlanta. why would you build an airport that is supposed to serve a one city in another city?



midway international is 15 miles from o'hare.


la guardia is 10 miles from jfk. newark int'l is 20 miles from jfk and 15 miles from la guardia.




i only point these out to show that more than one major airport can exist in a city.


there was speculation a few years ago that atlanta might build another airpot, but with the addition of the new 5th rwy @ hartsfield, it will probably be quite some time before that happens.

i think they like the distinction of being the busiest in the world, and would hold out as long as possible to keep the #1 ranking.

[southgeorgia]

Originally Posted by Bulldawgfan

How can I say this nicely... I feel like I am defending a speckle of light in a sees (sic) pool of stank...

not sure why you quoted my post for that; it was pointing out that the macon airport is not dependent on commercial air traffic; its not a commercial airport. it is by large majority a general aviation facility.

[Bulldawgfan]

Originally Posted by southgeorgia

not sure why you quoted my post for that; it was pointing out that the macon airport is not dependent on commercial air traffic; its not a commercial airport. it is by large majority a general aviation facility.

Relax in the fact that I was not quoting you. I stand alone. Macon sucks... on me.

[King_X]

Yes, a good bit of Macon is run down and depressing, but going to Augusta, Savannah, Albany and Columbus. They are no more or less "slummy"

All of GA's 2nd Tier cities have a substantial amount of ghetto, except Athens. However, I would much rather live in Macon or any of those cities before say,

Gary, IN
Camden, NJ
Flint, MI
Newark, NJ
etc.

Travel to places like that to see some real blight.