Andrew Broadfoot

About to move so I figured I would go ahead and grab a few shots while I still have the vantage point.

12L and R look too close together for that, but I'm wondering if they could use 12R for landing and extend 17 south for southbound takeoffs, with the planes starting south of the 12R intersection so the routes don't cross?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/cb/KHOU_airport_diagram.pdf

A while back the city took the Larson hangar back to presumably level it for additional safety area by 12r but I agree, they would need to reconstruct both runways with adequate separation but wouldn't work unless they we're able to buy some adjacent property up and possibly move a road or two. They had also proposed adding an additional 1000ft to 17/35 but who knows. Every once and a while WN will take 17/35 but only if the wind is out of the north and at a good clip. CO used to use it to land and takeoff their 735's now and then for mx.

Gotcha

Exciting news in store for the sandwich shop that's having to shut down in that strip center..

and what would that be?

I agree both airports have the ability to add capacity for the foreseeable future. Down at HOU I would be interested in seeing if they could some how have two 7,600ft 12's where they can launch and receive simultaneously. Albeit, most airlines like to land 04 for that easy off to the terminal.

I like both Cali and Les. It just boils down to what gate I go out of for lunch.

"None, because Southwest is going to steal all our international business and we're going to lay off a bunch of employees. :( "

-Continental

Perhaps the earth is flat?

Sorry for the sandwich shop but I'm excited to see the clubs go.

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Cracking down on the various pill mills in Midtown would also help curtail some of the panhandling. These are the places that have people lined up a 7am for "therapy".

Agreed!

Just don't like the image it brings to midtown when people come here and get hassled by bums, especially when much money has been spent on shelters and assistance less than half a mile away on Gray St.

They could build enough shelters to get all of them off the street but the problem is most shelters won't take them in if they are on drugs or drink so they stay on the streets. if people want to tackle the homeless problem they are going to have to approach it from a different angle. In this case shelters won't work.

ROFL!

So the people living there don't have jobs, for the most part? Source on that claim?

I agree that there is a percentage that mirrors those claims as I have driven around there looking at lots. Albeit, they really stand out now as development is starting to buy in.

So this was around that little neighborhood back there? Freeman's Town?

Lived in midtown for a while now. Like any other area, you just have to have your street smarts with you.

Wasn't this where the baggage claim before the last baggage claim was?

I am very open to being wrong. I know my opnion is not among the majority (or nationally?).

It seems like most Houstonians are upset at United and are evaluating this with that same mindset. Many are saying United is reacting like a child and getting back at Houston in a sense. I don't want to ignore the possibility that they are reacting emotionally, but I just don't see it. They are running a business. This is not high school. They are more interested in making money than "getting back" at Houston (unless they can do both).

In my opinion the SWA decision is going to make a legitimate business impact and I believe the recent moves is truly a reflection of that.

It seems most giving "real" reasons for those moves is simply speculation and conjecture. They could be true, I don't know. As of now, I don't think so.

Competition is always nice. However, even if this didn't happen I would still fly by the same philosophy. Pick the airline that makes the most sense (for me) logistically and financially. I happen to live downtown so I try to fly out of hobby first and if I can't find a flight there then IAH is next in line.

Actually the more I think about Southwest getting to offer international from Hobby and then Smisek throwing a temper tantrum and taking his toy planes (that's all that will be cut anyway - the Saab jump jets etc to places that arguably shouldn't even have air service) and going home, the more I like it. If United truly cuts routes that are needed and make sense financially (See Auckland route for the antithesis of this.) another carrier will come in and sieze the opportunity.

Continental for years neglected IAH to build up their Newark hub - not saying this is a bad thing from the company's perspective - build up to become the largest carrier in the nation's biggest market vs. building up your existing fortress hub. Other carriers noticed that there was unserved demand and we ended up getting Qatar, Emirates, Singapore flights in the last few years. Continental could have stopped this and further cemented their dominance - but they were busy with Newark. So if United really wants to ignore the lucrative business travel that is present and growing in Houston because Southwest is allowed to compete for bargain-hunting beach vacationers, then I think that we might see more flights from better international carriers who are interested.

I think Houston flyers win - more competition for international flights on carriers with better services (especially now that we are at United service levels).

Well said!

Unconfirmed report from an online airline forum are stating that United Airlines announced to employees today that they will cut IAH capacity by 10%, cut 1300 jobs, cancel the IAH-Auckland route, and will NOT finish the Terminal B expansion at IAH. Again this is unconfirmed. Does anyone know if this information is true or not??

I heard this from two different UA employes today.

I think it will depend on how much of a dent Southwest dings CONT passenger count.

One thing I've been curious about is what IS the largest plane that can fly out of HOU?

I've seen both the 767-200 and -300 at Hobby. The -300 parked on the hardstand by Atlantic to take on fuel. -200 parked at Wilson Air. As for gates, I don't think there is enough room with the current configuration.

Oh yeah, I've also seen a C-17 there as well.

I flew over it today.

I just hope they leave the facade the way it is. Maybe pressure wash it.

What is the building on the right of the image? I really hope it get revitalized.

My girlfriend and I looked at 1 bedroom floor plans at One Park Place and the prices started at $2500.00 month and up.

Thanks for the post from someone who has lived there, Andrew. I have fought the stereotyping of Downtown for years. I went to school downtown in the 80s, officed there in the 90s and 00s, and have conducted business in downtown for the last 16 years. I have even owned and operated a restaurant in downtown. Invariably, the whining and carping about the "dangerous homeless" population comes from people who neither live nor work downtown. After 7 years of posting on this forum, I know well that no matter how much information is given, and no matter how many resources are devoted to downtown, there will still be those who freak out at the site of a homeless person.

There is really nothing one can do to stop it. A large segment of the population lives in suburban, largely segregated areas, and will never be comfortable amongst those who look different from themselves. The only "urbanity" that they can handle is the faux urban areas built in the suburbs, such as Sugar Land Town Center and Woodlands Market Street. That is fine. I wish them no ill will for that preference. What annoys me is when they venture into downtown and criticize it for not being as sterile and segregated as the faux urban areas they prefer. Some of the complaints even come from people who never come downtown at all! The 'I never go downtown because...' crowd are the worst.

I try to ignore the misinformation posted by the occasional visitors from the clean, new and orderly parts of town. But, then the misinformation and hyperbole begin, and once again I rush to downtown's aid. I do not particularly care that the poster or the moderators think I am bullying. It is more important that a forum that is read as often as this one not be full of uncontradicted misinformation and exagerations from those who cannot handle buildings and sidewalks over 10 years old. So, I respond. Sometimes I even point out that the only time I have been robbed was in Rice Village, not downtown.

Some people simply need to look in the mirror and admit that they are not cut out for downtown living or recreation. It's OK. Downtown will survive without them. Houston Pavilions, maybe not.

I can tell you truthfully I have only lived in downtown for a few years. I lived in between the garden district and downtown New Orleans in the early 90's so I guess I can say I was already accustom to panhandlers and bums (even on the nice street I was on). When I moved back to Houston in the mid 90's I spent a lot of time in Midtown and Downtown and I can attest that it has cleaned up nicely since then. Personally, the only place I would even consider staying away from in Houston (even during the day and on foot) would be the Greyhound bus station. I also frequent NYC and am used to being on foot most of the time as I usually take the subway the whole time.

Since 2000, there has been quite a revitalization in Midtown/Downtown. A lot of people have moved in and the place is getting better all the time. As far as future residents, It will have to model towards singles and couples that don't have children as well as people moving from other major metropolitan areas.

So... For the people that are scared of Downtown, be scared, less of a wait for me at dinner time!