Airport Parking News

www.Parctel.com: The winner of the escalating battle for Raleigh-Durham International Airport's lucrative parking business may be determined by people such as Wayne Eakes.

The manufacturing engineer always chooses to park in the airport's sprawling seven-story parking garage because it's convenient to RDU's terminals. But Eakes said lower fees and amenities such as free bottled water and newspapers might persuade him to switch to a new lot two miles from the terminals.

"With gas prices being so high, any kind of savings helps," said Eakes, who lives in Snow Camp and flies out of RDU on business about six times a year. "And you wouldn't have to wander around looking for your car."

The lot, owned by Cincinnati-based FastPark, ups the ante for the RDU parking business, worth about $40 million a year.

The lot, which has its grand opening today, adds 2,000 spaces to RDU's parking mix. To attract customers, it is offering free parking through Aug. 9. After that, daily fees will be $6.36 a day, or $5.45 for customers who download a "frequent parker" card from company's Web site.

That's cheaper than RDU's parking deck, which costs $10 for the daily lot. But it's on par with RDU's remote lots, which cost $6 a day and shuttle passengers from about a mile away.

Two other private parking operations already shuttle passengers to the terminals, but FastPark's lot is more than twice as large as the largest competitor, the 920-space Preflight Airport Parking on Lumley Road. The I-40 Park & Fly on Airgate Drive has about 250 spaces.

FastPark's parent company, Chavez Properties, began buying land for the site in 2005 and now has 27.9 total acres, according to Wake County tax records.

Airline ticket prices are rising, and travel is predicted to decline with a slowing economy. But Manuel Chavez, the company's vice president, said amenities including free car washes, covered parking spaces and shuttles that take passengers from their cars directly to terminals will draw the customers who are still flying.

"You can pull into those big garages and get lucky and find a space, and if you do, then you've got lug your bags to the terminal," Chavez said.

The family-owned company also has airport parking operations in Austin, Baltimore, Cleveland, Houston, Albuquerque, Cincinnati, Miami, Memphis and Tucson. It's developing sites in Milwaukee and Orlando.

But luring customers from RDU's lots may be difficult. The airport has the advantage of more spaces -- 20,000 total, including 11,000 in the garage adjacent to terminals A and C. Even though RDU's prices are higher, location matters most to some travelers.

"If I'm getting here at 10 at night, I don't want a shuttle, I don't want to wait around," said Jessica Unger, a Raleigh sales consultant who takes weekly business flights and always parks in the RDU deck.

"Even if the shuttle is there waiting when I land, my car is right here," Unger said Thursday. "It's convenience. I don't care if [the other lot] is free."

Source: Dudley Price, News and Observer

www.Parctel.com: RALEIGH – FastPark & Relax, an off-site airport parking company, is opening its first North Carolina facility at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport in June and offering travelers free parking during the company’s first 60 days of operation.

As part of the company’s continued growth throughout the country, FastPark & Relax strategically chose Raleigh to open its 18th off-site airport parking facility. “Raleigh is a smart decision for us,” said Manual Chavez III, chief operations officer for FastPark. “It’s a strong market with job growth, educational levels and housing starts all remaining above national averages. Plus, the location of our facility is perfect for quick delivery of customers to and from the airport.”

The Raleigh facility incorporates several green initiatives, including the use of geo-thermal energy in the facility’s office building and a water reclamation system in its car wash service.

“We’re focusing on what we can do as a corporation to reduce our carbon footprint,” said Manual Chavez III. “We’ve adopted several green initiatives into our construction process for new and remodeled facilities throughout the country.”

FastPark & Relax is one of the three largest off-site airport parking companies in the United States. It controls 18 facilities situated on more than 18,500,000 square feet of land. FastPark & Relax’s Raleigh facility, located on Fast Park Drive, sits on more than 25 acres.

FastPark & Relax’s unique approach to customer service is its formula for attracting and retaining loyal customers. “Door-to-door service, free newspapers and bottled water, limited shuttle stops and covered parking are just a few of the perks our regular customers come to count on,” said Melanie Chavez, chief marketing officer for FastPark. “We’re also a very family-oriented company which is why we offer all passengers free luggage assistance and even free coloring books to children.”

FastPark shuttles operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Each facility provides complimentary jump starts and flat-tire assistance as well as cashier greeters that instruct travelers where to park for speedy shuttle pick up. The Raleigh facility will also provide free car washes later this summer.

Raleigh FastPark & Relax will open June 9, 2008 and will celebrate its grand opening on Friday, June 13. Travelers have access to free parking between June 9 and August 9 by downloading a free parking coupon from the company’s Web site, fastparkandrelax.com.

Area travelers signing up for FastPark’s Relax for Rewards Program receive additional incentives, such as: free valet service when facilities are full; customer cards for ticketless entry and exit; reward points redeemable for free parking and online account management and receipt-printing capabilities.

FastPark, headquartered in Cincinnati, is an off-site airport parking company operating 18 facilities in 12 markets throughout the country. Business units of FastPark include Airport Fast Park, FastPark & Relax and Park Place. Airport Fast Park facilities are located in Albuquerque, N.M.; Austin, Texas; Baltimore (two facilities); Cincinnati; Cleveland (two facilities); Memphis, Tenn.; and Miami. A Park Place facility is located in Cleveland. Fast Park & Relax facilities are located in Cincinnati; Houston (three facilities – two under different name); Milwaukee; Orlando; Raleigh, N.C.; and Tucson, Ariz. The self-serve parking service is open 24 hours per day, seven days per week, with instant shuttle service transporting customers to their specific terminal.

www.Parctel.com: Maybe you will be just the person to inspire a musician to write a song about you as in this story - Airport Parking Attendant Inspires Song
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A leading off airport parking company is currently looking for customer service oriented people. Excellent benefits are offered. Click Here for details.

www.Parctel.com: Maybe we should subtitle this one; "You never know who your Airport Parking Attendant is?"

In the early morning hours of a summer evening in 2002, Dr. Sam Bierstock was returning from a cross-country trip. On this particular evening, Dr. Sam was tired. He had parted with his band members and was headed home from a cross-country gig that had returned him to his home base in Florida at 1 AM. After retrieving his car from the parking lot, he handed his parking ticket to the elderly man in the collection booth. Retrieving his change, Dr. Sam wished the attendant a good evening. He was somewhat startled when he received an unexpected angry and resentful reply. " I took two bullets for this country," the attendant responded, "and look what I am doing now!"

Uncertain as to how to respond initially, Dr. Sam pocketed his change, rolled up his window and began to drive off. The time that it took to drive ten or fifteen feet from the toll booth was enough for him to digest what had just happened. With no one behind him, Dr. Sam backed up, rolled down his window and addressed the elderly attendant. "Sir", he said, " I have had a wonderful life in this country, and I want to thank you sincerely for what you did to preserve our way of life in this country." Saying nothing in response, the man began to cry.

As he drove home in those early morning hours, Dr. Sam was haunted by what had just occurred. As a 'Baby Boomer" his early years of life were within a decade of the end of the Second World War. His step-father had been wounded in Italy, and other family members had served in the armed forces. Distant relatives had perished in the holocaust. What would have happened, he thought, if we had lost World War Two to Hitler and his Nazi henchmen? He realized that not only would our entire way of life and system of freedom been destroyed, his parents and grandparent would have been killed, he would never have been born and his children would not exist. The same fate would have been met by virtually all other members of minorities, many religious groups, and the disabled. The personal freedoms that we take so much for granted would have disappeared. "How", he thought, "do you thank someone enough for the existence of your children, and for all of the freedoms and opportunities that we all take so much for granted?"

The next morning, Dr. Sam wrote the lyrics to "Before You Go". The lyrics came easily to him since they came so much from the heart. The challenge then came in setting them to music.

Dr. Sam's and John Melnick's goal from the beginning has been to get this message to every surviving veteran of World War Two while we still have them, to their families and to their descendants. "Before You Go" has had its own life, thanks to all of you who have helped to spread this message of thanks.

Links: The Story Behind "Before You Go"
Listen to "Before You Go"

www.Parctel.com: The cost to park at Chicago's airports will increase by as much as two-thirds starting Saturday when new rates take effect, city officials said Thursday.

The biggest fee increase is at the international parking lot at O'Hare International Airport, where the daily rate will jump from $30 to $50 a day, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation.

The daily parking rate in the O'Hare garage and in outdoor Lots B and C near the airline terminals will increase from $26 to $30. The hourly rate, on the first level of the O'Hare garage, will remain the same, topping out at $50 a day. Valet parking goes up from $32 to $45 a day.

The rate in economy parking Lot E increases from $13 to $16, while the rate in economy Lot F stays at $9 a day and Lot G remains at $13 a day, officials said.

At Midway Airport the daily rate in the main parking garage increases from $25 to $28. The hourly rate in the garage remains unchanged, at a maximum of $50 a day. Parking in Midway's economy garage, at 55th Street and Laramie Avenue, and at the red, blue and yellow economy surface lots will cost $14 a day, up from $12.

Source: Chicago Tribune

www.Parctel.com: The Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) and the Air Transport Association (ATA) are offering tips to the traveling public on how to prepare for the busy holiday travel season.

“Airports around the country are rolling out the welcome mat for holiday travelers,” said ACI-NA President Greg Principato. "The days before Thanksgiving and Christmas are traditionally among the busiest air travel days each year. Airports will be crowded. Often people traveling during the holiday season are unfamiliar with airline and security procedures so airports are implementing customer service initiatives to ensure that passengers have a positive and smooth travel experience."

Based on a sample of recent historical data, the three busiest travel days during the Thanksgiving travel period are expected to be Sunday, Nov. 25; Monday, Nov. 26; and Wednesday, Nov. 21, respectively. Over the entire 12-day holiday travel period, ATA projects that planes will average close to 90 percent full.

One of the most important things passengers can do is to check the airport’s website to obtain the most up to date information about parking availability as well as if delays are expected due to weather, security issues or air traffic problems. Passengers should also listen to local radio and TV stations for public service announcements concerning airport parking or delays.

Airports and airlines are working with the TSA to be fully prepared for holiday travel and to have adequate staffing for the checkpoints. Many airports will also have additional staff on hand to make sure that the parking lots booths are open, that traffic moves well in front of the terminal to allow passengers to be dropped off or picked up quickly, and that all of the facilities in the terminal are working well.

Many airports will have plastic bags on hand for passengers to use at security checkpoints for liquids, aerosols or gels in their carry-on baggage. Airports will remind travelers to decide before leaving home whether to put their 3-ounce liquids and gels in checked bags or bring them to the airport in a 1-quart resealable bag to send through security and place in carry-on afterwards.

Airports will have supplemental staff to quickly respond to any problems in basic services such as heating and lavatories. As always, in colder climates where snow is predicted or already falling, airports will have on hand snow removal equipment and implement irregular operations plans. Many airport concessionaires (especially food outlets) increase staff on the heavy travel days.

It’s important to note that many factors outside the airport’s control will have an impact on passengers’ travel through the airport; most notably TSA staffing. While airports are being pro-active and working diligently this holiday season to ensure a positive experience for the traveling public, crowds are expected to grow as demand for air travel skyrockets over the next five years.

“Our existing aviation infrastructure is stretched to its breaking point, and unless the industry and lawmakers reach a solution, we’ll be facing gridlock,” Principato said. “One solution that works is increasing airport capacity. Several major publications last week noted that decreased delays at major airports like Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson and Boston Logan were due in large measure to new runways. Airports can meet the growing passenger demand by planning now to invest in modern, secure and comfortable facilities for air travel.”

Below are other tips travelers should know before they leave home this holiday season. A full list of tips and prohibited items is available at http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/index.shtm.

• Do not wrap gifts. If a security officer needs to inspect a package they may have to unwrap your gift. Please wrap gifts after arriving at your destination.
• Pack smart. Bringing prohibited items to the airport will delay the screening process for you and other passengers. If you're not sure which items are allowed, check TSA's Web site for a complete list.
• Arrive on time. Arrival time recommendations vary by airline and day of travel, so check with your carrier. You must have a boarding pass and valid government photo ID to enter the security checkpoint. Remember to give yourself adequate time to check your baggage and move through security.
• Dress the part. Metal in your clothing may set off the walk-through metal detector. Pack coins, keys, jewelry, belt buckles and other metal items in your carry-on bag. Remember that all shoes must be removed and screened by TSA. Passengers also need to remove blazers, suit coats and bulky sweaters in addition to outer garments.
• Film. Undeveloped film should go in your carry-on bag. Hand film that is faster than 800-speed to a security officer for physical inspection to avoid being X-rayed.
• Think. Belligerent behavior, inappropriate jokes and threats will not be tolerated. Such incidents will result in delays and possibly missing your flight. Local law enforcement may be called as necessary.

www.Parctel.com: Ampco System Parking, a wholly owned subsidiary of ABM Industries Incorporated (NYSE:ABM), has been awarded a multiyear, multimillion dollar contract renewal with Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). The contract covers all Express Parking shuttle operations for the airport's parking facilities, encompassing 7,000 spaces.

"We are pleased to continue serving DFW International Airport, an award-winning and busy, world-class travel hub," said Rich Kindorf, president of Ampco System Parking. "In addition to our commitment to providing the highest standards for customer and client service, we have the technological support to be the most progressive and innovative parking service provider in the country," he added.

"Ampco has and continues to provide excellent service to the passengers arriving at DFW," said Armin Cruz, vice president of the Parking Business Unit for DFW. "We look forward to continuing our parking operations with Ampco offering our travelers outstanding service and parking convenience in the coming years."

Located halfway between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, DFW International Airport is the world's third busiest airport, offering nearly 1,900 flights per day and serving 60 million passengers a year. DFW International Airport provides nonstop service to 133 domestic and 36 international destinations worldwide. For the latest news, real-time flight information, parking availability or further details regarding the many services provided at DFW International Airport, log on to www.dfwairport.com.

Ampco System Parking is an industry leader, operating more than 1,600 lots and garages in 30 states, including parking facilities at or adjacent to such major international airports as Austin, Buffalo, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Honolulu, Omaha, Orlando, Philadelphia, San Jose and Seattle.

SOURCE: ABM Industries Incorporated

www.Parctel.com: The Honolulu International Airport parking lot has plenty of problems. First of all, there never seems to be enough of it. That means if you didn’t plan your time well, or if you run into traffic, you might be late for your flight. So I guess you can counter that by telling yourself to plan ahead of time. Even then, the parking lot can be so full that it takes quite a while before you finally find parking. On top of that, if you were to leave your vehicle there overnight, it’ll cost you $10 a day. That’s $70 a week! I always wondered why the airport didn’t emulate the airports on the mainland which offer parking lots a little farther away, and charge half the rate. Well, now we have one.

The airport has recently opened a parking lot on the corner of Aolele street off of Lagoon Drive. What’s do good about this lot? Well, for starters, it costs $5 a day! That’s half of what it costs to park on the onsite parking lot at the airport.

The parking lot will accomodate 360 uncovered stalls with free shuttle service to and from the airport every 15 minutes. You can park starting from 5am until midnight, with security monitoring the area to make sure your car is safe overnight.

So the next time you’re planning leave your car at the airport, don’t forget this cheaper lot. It’s more affordable, and just so much more worth it!

Source: Aloha Update

www.Parctel.com: More flights in and out of Niagara Falls could be in the works Friday night. Funding is now in place for a big project there. News 4's Jericka Duncan has that story.

Pat Zimmerman, Alden, NY, "I think it's wonderful I really think it's a very nice airport, parking is free, it's an easy in and an easy out."

All of these passengers are heading south to Myrtle Beach. All happy to get there by way of the Niagara Falls International Airport's only commercial flight.

Full Story: WIVB.com

www.Parctel.com: The Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport's new parking garage opened to the public early today, completing a trilogy of projects that included a terminal expansion and new operations facility.

The $35 million garage adds 1,690 spaces, taking the airport's total parking inventory to 3,690. The four-level facility is located directly across from the terminal and is connected by covered walkways from the first and third levels of the garage.

Perhaps the most unique feature of the new garage is the Signal Park system, which informs passengers of the number of available spaces in each of the four levels as well as the number of spaces in each row.

"The inclusion of this state-of-the-art feature is part of our commitment to be first in service to passengers and visitors," said Patrick S. Graham, airport executive director.

"It's easy in and easy out and no one will have to ride around looking for a parking space."

Airport commissioner Steve Green said the new garage combines convenience, safety and aesthetics.

"The covered parking is a huge convenience and Signal Park will make it safer as rushed passengers hurry to find a parking space," he said.

"And the design is as architecturally appealing as any parking deck you'll find anywhere."

The new garage, which will accommodate long-term and hourly parking, is built over the old "short term" parking area, directly across from the main terminal. The original two-level parking garage, located behind the new structure, will be the economy lot.

With the opening of the new parking deck, the temporary hourly lot that had been in operation next to the terminal has been closed.

Valet parking is available on the upper level curbside and the cell phone lot will still be available for those who want to wait with their car for arriving passengers.

Full Story and Pictures on the Savannah Morning News

www.Parctel.com: This year sees Hillsboro Airport celebrating 72 years as a public-use airport and the 7th Annual Hillsboro Airport Open House takes place on Saturday, October 27 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the Hillsboro Airport Terminal – Main Floor, 3355 NE Cornell Rd, Hillsboro.

Take a tour, talk to pilots, get up-close views of working and historical aircraft, and learn how your general aviation airport supports the region’s economy and well-being. This free, open-to-the-public event will feature activities fun for the whole family– face painting, games, snacks, and special prizes for kids in Halloween costumes!

The airport is wheelchair accessible. Parking is available, or take Max blue line to the Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport station.

www.Parctel.com: I suppose in some way you know your industry has hit the big time when it becomes embroiled with politics and politicians. Just like death and taxes, you cannot get rid of politicians.

Picked up the following story about airport parking and politics on the Artueel Blog:

Airport parking can be a real hassle. Finding a place to park where you don’t have to drag your luggage for a mile and that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg can be quite a challenge. Today, with the added security measures and the longer time it takes to pass through them, searching for a parking spot can take valuable time.

The whole scope of airport parking was changed forever on September 11, 2001. Now there are security issues to be considered as well as traffic and parking issues for any airport. But if you think that airport parking is just a pain for airline passengers, you’re wrong - it affects airport personnel, people living near airports and even politicians. Here’s an example of how airport parking and politics can interrelate.

In early 2001 James Hahn was running for Mayor of Los Angeles. He decided to make airport parking one of his campaign issues. He proposed an elaborate scheme for improving the parking at LAX. His plan would have called for major changes in the Westchester neighborhood around the airport.

James Hahn won that election. In August he initiated a campaign to put a new biomedical research facility adjacent to the USC medical facility. He also began work on his plan to improve airport parking. Neither of Hahn’s plans came to fruition. The block to the biomedical facility would take to long to explain in this short piece. The block to parking was very simple; it made its appearance on September 11, 2001.

Read Full Story

www.Parctel.com: Parking fees at the East Texas Regional Airport will soon be a thing of the past, Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt said Wednesday.

The county is waiving the $3 per night parking fee at the airport beginning Oct. 1 when the 2008 fiscal year begins, he said. Parking fees raised about $60,000 this year, he said. Parking lot maintenance has cost $2,500 each of the past two years, but repaving is necessary every three years and costs about $100,000, he said.

No-charge parking will allow the county to apply for Federal Aviation Administration grants to pay for lot maintenance and repairs while providing a benefit to the airport customers, he said. There will be no other needed changes of modifications with the fee removal, and the only cost to the county will be to remove mechanical crossing guards at the parking lot's entrance and exit.

"It needs repaving right now," said Stoudt. "This is a win-win situation."

Source: Jimmy Isaac - News-Journal.com

www.Parctel.com: The trio of Sidney Minott, Angela Blandino and Tonii Harris were all smiles as they bounded from a white van in the economy parking lot at Jacksonville International Airport. It was 3 p.m., and a short rain shower had turned the lot into a sauna in the August sun.

Armed with 5-gallon buckets and squeeze-trigger mechanical “grabbers,” they fanned out to different corners and began collecting trash. A cigarette butt, a lighter, a can of soda, a nearly microscopic tear of paper – nothing went unnoticed, and within minutes the buckets were nearly overflowing.

The group hardly had time to gather in front of the terminal for a photo as they continued to pick up any debris they passed.

“They are always working,” smiled supervisor Tamara Bostick. “They never complain and they never miss a day. They truly love their job.”

It’s hard to believe the most enthusiastic and eager employees in Jacksonville may be making minimum wage cleaning up airport parking lots, but this crew makes a strong case.

All three have mental disabilities, and all three have become gainfully employed through The Arc Jacksonville’s employment program. The non-profit group Arc, which used to stand for Association of Retarded Citizens but has been renamed simply Arc, is a clearing house of resources for people with all kinds of disabilities and their families.

In all, 50 disabled residents who otherwise would likely not have steady jobs are now employed at more than 30 businesses, and another 200 work at the Arc facility on contracts with local companies. The employers get quality labor and acknowledge they are helping an underprivileged segment of the population, while the employees get something even more important – a sense of self worth.

The Arc Jacksonville is about possibilities. They help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities unlock their potential to take on valued roles in the community. Arc Jacksonville services help enhance the quality of life of the individuals that they serve while offering real options within their control.

Arc Jacksonville also help people with disabilities and those who support them make informed choices about services and service providers.

Each day, Arc Jacksonville help more than 400 people discover and unlock the possibilities within themselves.

Full Story on Jacksonville's Financial News and Daily Record.
Arc Jacksonville Site

The Harrisburg International Airport today proposed a deal to resolve court dispute with the owner of nearby Cramer Airport Parking property in Highspire.

The board of the Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority offered to withdraw the attempt to seize the property by eminent domain in court and to make payments instead to compensate lot owners Stanford and Lynn Cramer.

In return, the agreement calls for the state attorney general's office to end its action against the authority on Cramer's behalf in Dauphin County Court and in federal court. The attorney general's office contends the authority's eminent domain attempt violates federal antitrust laws.

Full Story on PennLive.com