Terminal Need For Terminal Improvements

After seeing their airport rank near the very bottom of J.D. Power's annual airport satisfaction survey -- due to such problems as confusing signage, holes in walls, antiquated facilities, and filthy restrooms -- officials for Los Angeles International airport have had enough.

"Nobody is happy about being almost in last place," said LAX spokesman Paul Haney to the Los Angeles Times. "We're not going to take it lying down anymore. We're going to do everything we can to start moving up in the survey."

To that end, the city of Los Angeles is embarking on an image makeover of its storied, 77-year-old airport. Airport officials plan $6 million annually to update terminals -- including updating 10 of the airport's 180 restrooms per year. Improvements are already underway in Terminal 3.

LAX officials also plan improvements in parking, landscaping, passenger check-in facilities, and security checkpoints -- all with the goal of making LAX a more passenger-friendly airport.

To help facilitate check-in, LAX will soon unveil a pilot program that will allow passengers to check their baggage at Parking Lots B and C. A private company will run the program, issuing boarding passes and ferrying the luggage to the respective gates.

The city is also reportedly ready to unveil a valet parking service that aims to reduce heavy traffic around the airport's roadway (for the low, low price of $38 per day... and don't forget to tip.)

LAX will also soon offer services aimed at reducing the long lines at airport security checkpoints, such as offering plastic pouches travellers can use to sort objects that set off metal detectors, like cell phones and jewelry. Airport officials also plan to offer a registered traveler program by the fall.

"It will move more people through a checkpoint faster — if you get enough people signed up," said Michael DiGirolamo, a deputy executive director at the airport agency. "We can sign up 200,000 people in L.A. easily."

And the restrooms they use when at the airport will soon be minty fresh.

FMI: www.lawa.org/lax/, www.jdpower.com