Cargo Flights Should Be Allowed to Land at Airport

* Here we go again! Good old Newport Beach NIMBY. United Parcel and Federal Express want to run one flight each out of 73 a day and you hear the whining and throwing of big money to lawyers to make a big deal out of a very minor matter (“Law Firms Enter Cargo Flight Fight,” Sept. 16).

Why not find some way to start to shift the entire thing onto the backs of the people in the El Toro base area? We have a good idea who is behind this. The fine hands and money of (George) Argyros and Buck Johns smell all the way to our area.

I urge a massive “no” vote on Initiative A in November to force these fat cats back into their lair for good.

AARON SPEVAK

Laguna Hills

* I would like to comment on two stories from Sept. 16.

The first concerns allowing cargo flights at John Wayne Airport. Does the county accept any federal, state or local money to help operate the airport? If so, it appears that the constitutionality of the 1985 agreement restricting flights is in question. UPS, Fed-Ex and all the other cargo carriers are, in the long run, regulated by the federal government--the same government that keeps track of passenger carriers as well.

If the county is accepting any public money at all, then a review of the agreement seems to be in order. How can it be fair to single out a UPS, or a Fed-Ex, just because they are not carrying people? Those who might needlessly worry about any noise must consider the fact that the aircraft that would be used by the two cargo carriers are among the quieter of the jets that use the airport every day.

The second story concerns the county’s route allocation plan. It’s nice to have an airport staff that is willing to change with the times by allowing some slight modifications to the way that departure slots are allocated to the airlines. This definitely would help increase competition between carriers and help keep fares down.

There are those who say there is little room for growth at the airport . All one needs to do is look south of Gate 1A. There is room for seven to eight more gates where the old terminal used to be.

John Wayne Airport is one of the county’s biggest assets. It’s a shame to see it underutilized because of a few who, years ago, forced the county into a few agreements which are by today’s standards outdated. Oh well . . . I guess there is always El Toro!

DANIEL K. TRACY

Costa Mesa