Love Field Rail

11/21/02 Love Field Light Rail Issues

Rad Field raised issues in Where's the Baggage? which Jason Roberts challenges and Rad Field explains. DallasArena.com is not a chat room. When two readers disagree on an important issue and are willing to state their position for all of us to consider, we will have similar on-line short debates. However, with Mr. Roberts 11/22 addendum, this discussion is closed. Mr. Field addressed concerns about space for baggage on light-rail destined for Love Field, Mr. Roberts made a reasonable suggestion of baggage areas on cars, like the people movers at DFW which also only stop momentarily. Two smart minds.

Jason Roberts Re: Rad Field's Where's the Baggage?	Rad Field Re: Ground Transportation Baggage Handling

11/22 Addendum (original comments below) a) I had no idea the U.S. military used public transportation to move its missile systems, but I'm extremely nervous now about taking the bus to work. b) I try to avoid arguing with engineer's as a rule. My father has his doctorate in Electrical Engineering and operated nuclear propulsion systems for the Navy, so I do have some experience in defending my views. My point is simple: A truly great engineer should be able to design the system to accommodate standards required by law for less than the $$$'s Mr. Field suggests. His argument only gives more ammunition to those who are already against spending money on public transportation in the first place. In my mind, DART rail is the catalyst for Downtown's turnaround, and we should be doing everything possible to encourage its growth and survival. My suggestion is simple: By pulling out a few rows of seats in each train, room would be available for a series of racks, like those found in vans that take you to the rental car outlets at airports. How would that add up to millions of dollars? It sounds cheaper to install shelves than seats. Stack law after law on top of my suggestions to shoot down the idea, but I think it would be an exercise in futility. I know of no other city with baggage compartments on their subways or light-rail systems. For those of us without PhD's, Mr. Field's essay could have been summed up: I'd like to take a train to the airport, but there's not enough room for my bags. It'll cost a whole bunch of money to make room, so maybe we shouldn't do it. I'm simply offering a solution that fixes the problem. The beauty of it is its simplicity. Jason Roberts, Oak Cliff, TX Editor's comments: I believe Mr. Field was saying let's address the problem now rather than some expensive remedial solution later. Mr. Field supports mass transit, as does DallasArena.com.	MY PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND relative to subject of mass transit in and around airports: (Taking issue to suggested lack of airport baggage and ground transportation knowledge) a.) TEN YEARS involved in airborne military systems traveling to cities all over U.S. where missile launch and SAC bases were located. Equipment was brought to and from those cities utilizing local ground public transportation. b.) TWENTY FIVE YEARS where assignments directly involved equipment designs which automatically and manually processed ALL passenger baggage items in ALL major U.S. airports . Curbside, air side, ticket counters, odd sized in and output, and airport facilities equipment design to process those baggage items. The design assignments were performed under specifications put forth by airport boards and major airline properties and facilities managers. c.) Director of Federal and State Regulatory Law (OSHA/EPA) for a major airline/airport equipment designer, manufacturer, and support provider. (Additionally: Registered Prof. Engineer for the State of Texas) ****************************************************** GROUND TRANSPORTATION ISSUES 1. Most airport connecting buses and subways do not accommodate golf clubs, baby strollers, musical instruments, hanging bags, hunting weapons, tool boxes, tennis racquets, (not to mention ski's) nor passengers traveling with baggage needed for a trip of more than several days. Those who attempt to carry the preceding items on rail or bus systems not provided with proper storage must place the items in the aisle way and thus create major safety problems for the entire vehicle, and that is not a smart way to operate a transportation entity. If, as the comment suggests, passengers were to wear backpacks to free their hands for other carry on's, they would have to cope with the backpack while seated or standing. Department of Transportation Safety Officials would soon be correcting the violations and demanding the correction thereof should such items be grossly placed within emergency exit aisles. 2. REMEMBER - Love Field connector is proposed to operate from Downtown to Love Field. The traveler who is originating a trip from Plano, Richardson, Carrollton, Garland, Oak Cliff, etc. will be confronted with the same problem of transporting baggage from those cities on buses or connecting rail. If transporting baggage becomes a burden for travelers, they WILL, as is suggested, call a cab or shuttle. Worse, they will jump into the family vehicle and drive to the airport, thus continuing the traffic jams, pollution of the air, and consuming more on site parking. The aforementioned is EXACTLY what the city does not want to have happen. Older travelers will not want to stand in the aisle with their bags by their side, then transfer to another transport vehicle and perform the same acrobatic maneuvers. They will of course, call the expensive cab and not use the mass transit system. Not previously addressed are the additional needs of those traveling with small children. In addition to managing the transport of baggage, the children demand continued attention. Imagine holding onto one's hanging bag, securing the suitcase, and watching after a young child or more while trying to connect to Love Field from Richardson or Plano. IN SUMMARY: Design of Airport connecting transportation must be well thought out in advance. Failure to do so will result in under utilizing the mass transportation system, budget problems and increased use of private conveyance means, which of course, will have defeated original goal. This applies to DFW links as well as Love Field. In the business of airline connecting baggage, "Passengers" are perhaps the lesser of the total problem. "Baggage" that passengers carry with them present significant issues to be concerned about. Anyone who doubts the types of baggage being processed currently at Love Field, or DFW, need only visit any curbside checking, ticket counter or baggage claim at the airport. Rad Field, Dallas
It sounds as if Mr. Field hasn't really traveled on mass transit systems from airports around the world before. I've ridden airport connecting subways in Boston, Paris, and London. I can't recall any of these systems having baggage compartments, and thousands of people use them daily without issue. Yes, you do have to become a little smarter about how you pack when utilizing mass transit, but it is something you plan for. As an example, if I was traveling to Boston and had four medium to large sized suitcases with me, I would know to hail a cab and not dare attempt to drag all of my luggage onto the "T". Any moderately intelligent traveler would also use this logic for several reasons. 1. The train only stays put for a few seconds. 2. Every light rail I've ridden had one or two steps to climb in order to get on, which is not conducive to heavy packing. 3. If I really wanted to only use the subway/rail, I would pack light and bring a backpack. If you still insist on bringing several bags with you, many of these systems have small areas for baggage near the front of the train, which does have a few feet of space available where you can stand by your baggage. I've watched business travelers do this daily on DART rail. If that seems unreasonable, a simple solution that would actually cost less per train would be to pull out a couple of rows of seats from each car and widen the legroom area with the extra space available. As an aside, I like this site, it just seems that the editorials list plenty of problems with the city, and provide very few solutions. Jason Roberts, Oak Cliff