X Marks The Spot

This is probably not in the national news scope, but it's definitely big news here in Chicago - City Shuts Down Meigs Field.

Mayor Daley had wanted to shut down Meigs field for some time, mainly citing security concerns of having small aircraft flying within a quarter-mile of the high-rise buildings of downtown. Well, without any notice to the public or the FAA, he instituted some gestapo-like tactics and had demolition crews roll through the loop late last night and tear up parts of the runway by making large 'X's and leaving it mangled and useless. As of now, 12 private planes are stranded on the taxiway, parked and unable to move.

Honestly, I believe that the 'Security Concerns' that are being pointed out are unfounded. The largest plane I've ever seen flying in or out of Meigs (and I have a pretty good view of that airport from 23 floors up) is a two-engine Piper that would't hold more than 8 people. Planes, primarily owned by the public or businesses in the loop, had to be pre-registered to fly in-and-out of the airport, and last year it handled over 32,000 take-offs and landings without any security scares. Heck, even emergency and medical aircraft use that landing strip now and again. I'd hate to see how long it would take to get a heart transplant from O'Hare to Northwestern Medical Center in the loop on a Friday afternoon!

But now the damage has been done, and it looks as if any attempts to sue the city over this may not have enough strength to hold up a case in court. It's the city's property, the lease on the land with the park district had ended, and the city is willing to pay for moving the planes that are stuck on the taxi-way. People are really pissed that no notice was given to the public and that the local news agencies had to break this story before the city was ready to respond.

I'm pissed that I won't be able to see the planes land anymore. That simple act was actually quite graceful.

Posted by Austin at March 31, 2003 01:45 PM