I’ve lived in Durango since 1971 and part time for the past 16 years. I fly in and out using the La Plata field. In all this time, I’ve seen carriers come and go. I’ve seen the terminal grow from one room to what we have now. Now I hear that they want to build a new terminal on the other side of the tarmac because the existing one is not big enough. I can tell you from a lot of experience and including an experience this week that it’s not the facility that is the problem. Oh maybe expand a little more and get rid of that embarrassing tent thing and throw out the parking lot collecting device, but the problem is mainly that they have inexperienced help and not enough bodies! It takes too long to deplane and too long to get your baggage. Hire more people that know how to do the job: experienced airport employees.
In the past five years, I’ve been embarrassed to call that airport home, and you should be too! The person that is hired to run it and the people that are suggesting a new airport should be looked at a little closer. They have an agenda that is not in the best interest of the people of La Plata County. They need to go to the people who design airports, reconfigure the one we have now. Spending tens, if not hundreds, of millions of dollars is a waste of our money. Remember, Durango, you have a lot of say in this. Be heard!
Michael T. O’Neill
Stuart, Fla.
