If Delta could someday manage to restart nonstop flights to the 14th largest metro in the country, and supposedly one of their major hubs, it would be much appreciated.

Yes.

Now that Delta has been given the most prime gates at the airport, they aren't giving them up. We can only hope they will better utilize them as traffic [hopefully] recovers in the next few years. Hopefully, the airport management received some assurance that as traffic recovered in the next few years they would add back DTW and increase frequencies so that area of the airport wasn't so dead all day, plus add routes to at least some of their other hubs such as SEA, BOS, or LAX. But airlines, including Delta, are having a hard time with equipment and staff. This growth won't happen overnight.

I also hope management intends to recruit Clear in the next few years, and has left space for a lounge to be added. I assume the most likely candidates would be Priority Pass or Admirals Club (since American is the largest legacy carrier).

Delta has shown zero commitment to growing Oklahoma City over the past 10 years. Having the best gates at the airport means nothing to their network planning department. This falls squarely on leadership on not negotiating a competitive lease or running a traffic survey for the opening of the new gates.

In other airports this practice is not uncommon in the form of “terminal load balancing”. Basically you examine gate utilization and passenger counts from the airlines to ensure the terminal or concourse is balanced in use. This just happened in Portland with their concourse and terminal expansion. Some airlines got moved to older gates, some airlines got moved into newly renovated areas. There are winner and there are losers. They don’t negotiate leases squarely off of first come first served, but higher use/best use. You would ideally move two heavy use carriers away from each other, or away from pinch points, to spread passengers out. This does not appear to have been done in this instance so the expansion really has taken no load off the fairly crowded west concourse. I believe the west concourse was not designed very well either as it really isn’t wide enough to support the amount of flights using it. Not enough circulation space or space for amenities and seating.

Delta has shown zero commitment to growing Oklahoma City over the past 10 years. Having the best gates at the airport means nothing to their network planning department. This falls squarely on leadership on not negotiating a competitive lease or running a traffic survey for the opening of the new gates.

In other airports this practice is not uncommon in the form of “terminal load balancing”. Basically you examine gate utilization and passenger counts from the airlines to ensure the terminal or concourse is balanced in use. This just happened in Portland with their concourse and terminal expansion. Some airlines got moved to older gates, some airlines got moved into newly renovated areas. There are winner and there are losers. They don’t negotiate leases squarely off of first come first served, but higher use/best use. You would ideally move two heavy use carriers away from each other, or away from pinch points, to spread passengers out. This does not appear to have been done in this instance so the expansion really has taken no load off the fairly crowded west concourse. I believe the west concourse was not designed very well either as it really isn’t wide enough to support the amount of flights using it. Not enough circulation space or space for amenities and seating.
Thank you for the explanation, especially about the pinch points. I was wondering why it still felt crowded in some parts of the terminal.

If they add Clear to the TSA pre check line, it might encourage a more dedicated lane if enough people are using it. Right now you just get a laminated card to make them stop asking for your shoes, but I have had OKC TSA workers ignore that and just throw me in with the rest of the cattle.

I know people love “OKC” because it’s “small” and “quick” but the design sucks. With as few passengers as we see, there’s no reason for it to ever feel as cramped as it can and the baggie claim area is miserable.

The airport should spread Southwest airline a bit more. I think the gate East of the main bar ( okc grill) where Breeze was, would be good.
Their passenger count is way higher than it was, and they still use the three gates.

Yeah I don't think anyone is using those old delta gates right now. Perfect for SWA to expand.

I know people love “OKC” because it’s “small” and “quick” but the design sucks. With as few passengers as we see, there’s no reason for it to ever feel as cramped as it can and the baggie claim area is miserable.

To each his own opinion. I travel thru often and it's fine othervthan security being down at the end. I do find early food service closures to be very annoying.

Late in the day/night when I have arrived the bathrooms have not been up to snuff. But I assume that is because janitorial staff has gone home for the day. I just have a thing with dirty public bathrooms--but I imagine so do most people!

It still blows my mind AA did not get the new gates considering their push in OKC. Even moreso now that the only food option on the west concourse is closed until 2023. A complete failure on leadership's part in my opinion.

Do you mean the Cantina bar just closed ? Is it for renovation ?

Do you mean the Cantina bar just closed ? Is it for renovation ?

Yes. Closed until March '23 for change over to "Osteria."

Looks like CLEAR is finally coming to OKC. They currently are looking to fill their General Manager position at the airport.

Looks like CLEAR is finally coming to OKC. They currently are looking to fill their General Manager position at the airport.No way. You just made my day.

Looks like CLEAR is finally coming to OKC. They currently are looking to fill their General Manager position at the airport.

I wouldn't be surprised if other cards offer it but if you have an AMEX Platinum, it covers your clear membership. If you have Delta status, you also get a discounted rate, We were able to get 4 out of 5 of us clear memberships on the AMEX perk and Delta discount. I absolutely love it. Last weekend coming out of SEA, there were 150-200 people in the security line and probably 50 in precheck. I waited for one person in front of me at the Clear line.

I wouldn't be surprised if other cards offer it but if you have an AMEX Platinum, it covers your clear membership. If you have Delta status, you also get a discounted rate, We were able to get 4 out of 5 of us clear memberships on the AMEX perk and Delta discount. I absolutely love it. Last weekend coming out of SEA, there were 150-200 people in the security line and probably 50 in precheck. I waited for one person in front of me at the Clear line.

I was at Chicago Midway last week and it was similar. Waited about 10 min in Precheck which is atypical. At OKC or TUL it’s usually a few minutes at most sometimes no wait at all. The CLEAR line was maybe 2-3 people

I wouldn't be surprised if other cards offer it but if you have an AMEX Platinum, it covers your clear membership. If you have Delta status, you also get a discounted rate, We were able to get 4 out of 5 of us clear memberships on the AMEX perk and Delta discount. I absolutely love it. Last weekend coming out of SEA, there were 150-200 people in the security line and probably 50 in precheck. I waited for one person in front of me at the Clear line.

There are a handful of cards (at least 4 that I know of) that cover the annual membership. When they do launch here they will also have VERY good promos for a limited time.

There are a handful of cards (at least 4 that I know of) that cover the annual membership. When they do launch here they will also have VERY good promos for a limited time.

https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/credit-cards-offer

For CLEAR membership, the list is pretty small. Looks like several get you a discount but few that cover the whole fee https://upgradedpoints.com/credit-cards/best-credit-cards-for-clear-airport-security-program/

https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/credit-cards-offer
TSA is federal program, $85 good for 5 years, domestic only. Many ways to get the fee covered. Great deal if you fly, ever.
CLEAR uses biometric ID, airport has to install the gear, $189 annual fee, waived for AMEX platinum (since it's an annual fee card) , might work for you if you fly alot and the airport you frequent has CLEAR.
You can stack CLEAR with TSA but as I said up thread this only works if you have a dedicated TSA lane after the ID check, and OKC doesn't have that. Yet.

nm

I’m on ~150 flights a year and have seen CLEAR launch in many markets. In addition to the card offer of your choice they often give 6-months free off of their first year when paid annually. - I agree that with the exception of the early 5:00AM-6:30AM window OKC’s PreCheck line rarely has more than 5-10 people in it. I’ll sign up more for use at other airports that I will for OKC.

Fantastic! I just switched to AmEx platinum and did the preliminary CLEAR sign up. Glad to be able to (hopefully) finish the process in OKC.

Any word on what is going on with the old Hotel?

Any word on what is going on with the old Hotel?

It is slated for demolition. IIRC, no new development is planned for that property. Sight lines from the ATC tower to runway 17L/35R prevent any new multistory building from occupying the lot.

A nice get for the airport area:


The Air Force has tentatively picked Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma, as its future training hub for special operations airmen learning to fly armed overwatch planes.


- https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2022/12/12/oklahoma-air-guard-base-tapped-as-likely-armed-overwatch-schoolhouse/

A nice get for the airport area:



- https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2022/12/12/oklahoma-air-guard-base-tapped-as-likely-armed-overwatch-schoolhouse/

this has been in the works for quite a while ..

the current AFSOC mission at Will Rodgers goes largely unnoticed

I may be dense, but what could that little cropduster do? I see it's armed, but it wouldn't last 2 seconds against anything. Armed reconnaissance? I mean, it's not going to fly from OKC to anywhere more than a few hundred miles away. So what is is surveying? I'm just not understanding what the role of such a small and outdated (and slow) craft would be.

this has been in the works for quite a while ..

the current AFSOC mission at Will Rodgers goes largely unnoticed

Which is kinda the point of a special forces mission. :tongue:

I may be dense, but what could that little cropduster do? I see it's armed, but it wouldn't last 2 seconds against anything. Armed reconnaissance? I mean, it's not going to fly from OKC to anywhere more than a few hundred miles away. So what is is surveying? I'm just not understanding what the role of such a small and outdated (and slow) craft would be.

Special Forces uses - so low altitude, under-the-radar type flying for close support and watching the enemy. Definitely a role for this type of aircraft in special circumstances.

Special Forces uses - so low altitude, under-the-radar type flying for close support and watching the enemy. Definitely a role for this type of aircraft in special circumstances.

The article in #2187 has a few links in it, and one of them said it's basically for helping Special Ops Forces in Africa, so I guess they put the little planes on a carrier and then deploy them? Not that we should be in Africa in any military capacity, but that's a post for another forum and time...

The article in #2187 has a few links in it, and one of them said it's basically for helping Special Ops Forces in Africa, so I guess they put the little planes on a carrier and then deploy them? Not that we should be in Africa in any military capacity, but that's a post for another forum and time...

Still felt you had to slip in your political opinion, though.

I may be dense, but what could that little cropduster do? I see it's armed, but it wouldn't last 2 seconds against anything. Armed reconnaissance? I mean, it's not going to fly from OKC to anywhere more than a few hundred miles away. So what is is surveying? I'm just not understanding what the role of such a small and outdated (and slow) craft would be.

lol

Thanks for the clarification.

Thanks for the clarification.

the information is an easy google away ....

the information is an easy google away ....
That’s why they’re here on a forum. They expect more than the usual worthless responses you often put out like “lol.” Sure they can Google but it also stands to reason that they’re here trying to get more information as well. Get real.

That’s why they’re here on a forum. They expect more than the usual worthless responses you often put out like “lol.” Sure they can Google but it also stands to reason that they’re here trying to get more information as well. Get real.

lol

lol
Ha ha ha

That’s why they’re here on a forum. They expect more than the usual worthless responses you often put out like “lol.” Sure they can Google but it also stands to reason that they’re here trying to get more information as well. Get real.

Thanks Plutonic. Yes, i did google it first and since you can trust everything you find on the internet, i just went 100% with that and slept better at night after.....
The answers i found, from the legit sources, did not answer the questions in a way that i was understanding. So i came here.

Thanks Plutonic. Yes, i did google it first and since you can trust everything you find on the internet, i just went 100% with that and slept better at night after.....
The answers i found, from the legit sources, did not answer the questions in a way that i was understanding. So i came here.

sorry for the snarky response ..

the armed overwatch program SOCOM is planning for the single-engine Sky Warden, as AFSOC’s Armed Overwatch plane, to be able to provide close air support, precision strike and armed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions for counterterrorism operations and irregular warfare.

https://www.defensenews.com/air/2022/08/01/us-special-operations-command-chooses-l3harris-sky-warden-for-armed-overwatch-effort/

some back ground https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2022/4/29/armed-overwatch-program-nears-source-selection
https://breakingdefense.com/2022/08/l3harris-sky-warden-attack-plane-wins-socoms-armed-overwatch-program/

this aircraft will operate largely in the same locations we currently fly the MC12 https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104497/mc-12w-liberty/

low air to air / ground to air environments ..

the difference of course is that when the sensor show a legit threat to our special operations guy on the ground armed overwatch can actually do something about it ..

we as a military fight terror groups in lots of remote locations that don't have the capability to threaten our air power .. this platform is designed to be cost efficient and pretty portable ..

WRWA to partner with CLEAR.

Uses face recognition security clearance for $189 per year.

https://www.clearme.com/


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/clear121622a.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/clear121622b.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/clear121622c.jpg

Did Clear get announced? This would be awesome if it is official. We love having it when traveling.

Did Clear get announced? This would be awesome if it is official. We love having it when traveling.

Yes. Press release from the airport.

They’ve been public ally advertising for workers at OKC for months.

Yes. Press release from the airport.

Awesome. I have it and it's great, and free if you have the Platinum AMEX card.

They are up and running at OKC now.

Another perspective on CLEAR, how much the airports get in "juice", and why it possibly is not beneficial to the public at large.

Clear, the TSA line-skipping company, is a pox on America’s airports.
https://slate.com/business/2022/12/clear-airports-line-tsa-precheck.html

Another perspective on CLEAR, how much the airports get in "juice", and why it possibly is not beneficial to the public at large.

Clear, the TSA line-skipping company, is a pox on America’s airports.
https://slate.com/business/2022/12/clear-airports-line-tsa-precheck.htmlSour grapes. I have TSA Pre-check and Clear. They are completely separate systems, and they work together wonderfully. Pre-Check helps you get through security at the airport; Clear helps with your identity check. When you have both it is the speediest way through airport security, especially large ones. The lines are often pre-identity check, hence why Clear gives you the most bang for your buck. I have SIX people on my Clear family membership. As much as we travel this is money well spent, especially now that we can use it at our home airport.

Sour grapes. I have TSA Pre-check and Clear. They are completely separate systems, and they work together wonderfully. Pre-Check helps you get through security at the airport; Clear helps with your identity check. When you have both it is the speediest way through airport security, especially large ones. The lines are often pre-identity check, hence why Clear gives you the most bang for your buck. I have SIX people on my Clear family membership. As much as we travel this is money well spent, especially now that we can use it at our home airport.

If it was really all about safety still, we wouldn't have subscription services like Clear and Pre-Check. But that's how they make money off of the need for "security"

If it was really all about safety still, we wouldn't have subscription services like Clear and Pre-Check. But that's how they make money off of the need for "security"

The TSA has been security theater for decades...

I have heard the old Hotel is gone? Anyone know for sure? Pictures

I have heard the old Hotel is gone? Anyone know for sure? Pictures

Not all of it but probably 50%. Work in progress.

If it was really all about safety still, we wouldn't have subscription services like Clear and Pre-Check. But that's how they make money off of the need for "security"

Security is a real thing. Cynicism doesn’t change that.

https://flyokc.com/departures

Lots of delayed / canceled going on

Security is a real thing. Cynicism doesn’t change that.

Security is found in the 167 people sitting in the cabin. No one will hijack a US airliner in our lifetimes. 9/11 happened because people were used to hijacking meaning landing in Cuba or a remote air strip and getting off the plane. The general population will not allow anyone to get close to that cockpit door and still have a pulse.

I’m not saying security isn’t necessary, but it’s largely just an exercise of theatrics. The TSA fails detection audits every day around the country.

Security is found in the 167 people sitting in the cabin. No one will hijack a US airliner in our lifetimes. 9/11 happened because people were used to hijacking meaning landing in Cuba or a remote air strip and getting off the plane. The general population will not allow anyone to get close to that cockpit door and still have a pulse.

I’m not saying security isn’t necessary, but it’s largely just an exercise of theatrics. The TSA fails detection audits every day around the country.



Interesting take on history. Might want to fact check a few things.

Security is found in the 167 people sitting in the cabin. No one will hijack a US airliner in our lifetimes. 9/11 happened because people were used to hijacking meaning landing in Cuba or a remote air strip and getting off the plane. The general population will not allow anyone to get close to that cockpit door and still have a pulse.

I’m not saying security isn’t necessary, but it’s largely just an exercise of theatrics. The TSA fails detection audits every day around the country.

We haven't had any major security breaches in airports or on airplanes for 20 years now, so I think it's at least worked or been well enough to deter.

Our back yard overlooks the flight paths coming in OKC. Even then....we don't see a lot of big boys coming in like Atlas Air 8598, B744 which appears to be the cargo version of the 747. Just landed...wish I had gotten a picture as she looked majestic in the air.

We haven't had any major security breaches in airports or on airplanes for 20 years now, so I think it's at least worked or been well enough to deter.

Yes. To imply it is a sham to make money now though is cynical and misleading. It’s like saying I don’t get wet when it rains anymore so I can quit using my umbrella.