Posted on: Saturday, May 10, 2003

Airport users need a place to say goodbye

The state's proposal to offer a half-hour of free parking to give folks at Honolulu Airport more time to say their goodbyes is a nice gesture. But it would make a lot more sense if there were a comfortable place where friends and relatives could bid their farewells.

The airport needs a decent sendoff area where the ticketed and non-ticketed can spend some last-minute time together, and perhaps dine and purchase gifts. By this, we mean a lounge with seats, tables, refreshments and more. Other major airports have them.

Since 9/11, the airport shopping concourse has been off limits to the non-ticketed for security reasons. That means businesses beyond the security checkpoints are drawing only part of the potential customer base.

That leaves airport visitors few options. Either they can drop travelers off at the curbside or they can pay $1 an hour for parking in the lot, which might entail an additional security check.

Again, it's heartening that transportation officials are trying to accommodate airport users by offering limited free parking, and at the very least, they should set aside an easy-to-reach area for the deal.

But let's face it. Those who want to spend quality time with their loved ones don't mind paying for parking. What they mind is that there's no place inside the terminal where they can hang out with their sweethearts.

We've asked this before and we'll ask it again. Why not move the security checkpoints beyond the shopping concourse closer to the gates so that travelers can spend time with friends and family while concessionaires get more business?