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.

Based on some of the social media from OU, it looks like it is a passenger charter that took the Sooners to the Cheez-It Bowl. Pretty cool.

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.

Nobody is saying security is a sham to make money. What is being said is there shouldn't be an extra fee for a type of security to enable people to cut the line of people who don't pay for line cut privlages. If this type security is better than TSA should use it, not a for profit outfit.
Imagine a for profit outfit enabling people to by pass the election officials and be able to cut the line to vote.

Nobody is saying security is a sham to make money. What is being said is there shouldn't be an extra fee for a type of security to enable people to cut the line of people who don't pay for line cut privlages. If this type security is better than TSA should use it, not a for profit outfit.

My understanding; CLEAR is not a government program nor do you bypass TSA security, CLEAR confirms your identity allowing you to bypass the TSA lines. Global Entry/NEXUS/etc are govt programs allowing heavy background confirmed low risk pax to bypass TSA security. Completely different thing which I’m glad to be a member of.

Using your last thought; CLEAR is like cutting the line to vote, Global Entry/NEXUS/etc is like bypassing Election Officials altogether.

Nobody is saying security is a sham to make money. What is being said is there shouldn't be an extra fee for a type of security to enable people to cut the line of people who don't pay for line cut privlages. If this type security is better than TSA should use it, not a for profit outfit.
Imagine a for profit outfit enabling people to by pass the election officials and be able to cut the line to vote.

Two totally different things.

Wow, people. Clear is not a right. Voting is. Flying by airline is not a right. Voting is.

And besides, there is something you can do to not have to stand in line to vote. It's called absentee voting. You have to do a little prep ahead of time, and a little extra paperwork and you get it for a whole year. It's a great benefit, and my wife and I do it most years. While that is free, it's not totally unlike doing the prep and paperwork ahead of time to get TSA Pre-Check for 5 years, or Clear for a year.

Nobody is saying security is a sham to make money. What is being said is there shouldn't be an extra fee for a type of security to enable people to cut the line of people who don't pay for line cut privlages. If this type security is better than TSA should use it, not a for profit outfit.
Imagine a for profit outfit enabling people to by pass the election officials and be able to cut the line to vote.

People pay extra for stuff all the time. This is just like that. Imagine telling people, "no more first class." It's the same thing. Some people can afford this, some can't. Life isn't really fair.

And I am sure plenty would pay for that service to skip voting lines. Doesn't mean their vote counts more, just that they have the means to bypass something. Been a way of life for, well, about as long as life has existed.

It also doesn't seem like a type of security, but a service to speed up the process through TSA security checkpoints. You still have to take your shoes off snd everything, this just gets you to the front of the line faster. This isn't TSA Express (or whatever they call their version) which works with the TSA and other government agencies to fast pass people with no visible red flags in their history.

Just my opinion.

Anyone flying Southwest today?

Looks like their operations have collapsed.

68% of Southwest flights across the country today have been cancelled per FlightAware. That’s gonna take some time to regain customer confidence…

Relatives from the NE were on-board, ready to depart on their "already re-booked" flight to MDW, when the crew announced the flight was being cancelled. There was no f/o scheduled for the flight. Now, they are re-booked a second time for later this week. What a disaster. Seems the legacy carriers have been able to re-bound much quicker than WN.

Not sure if this is the best place to put this, but it looks like the only airport hotel is set to be demolished. It was a Sheraton Four Points and was downgraded to Quality Inn. It has been closed since March of 2020.

Peter Holmes of Hotel Broker One: "It's highly unlikely we will see a hotel built on airport grounds after this mainly due to FAA restrictions. It doesn’t appear our airport is highly motivated to have a hotel when we have a lot of hotels nearby.”

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2022/01/09/rogers-world-airport-tear-down-its-only-terminal-grounds-hotel/6441874001/

Drove by today and it looks like the hotel has been demolished.

I will say, the new TSA checkpoint is a BREEZE! I love the layout, and you get through it quickly amd efficiently.

But the TSA Pre-Check checkpoint should have the more advanced scanner, not just the metal detector, my friend has Global Entry, TSA Precheck AND an artificial knee, he always has to be rerouted over to another line that has the more advanced scanner. Sometimes he has to take off shoes and do things not required in TSA precheck. And STILL may be wanded or searched!!! If he's been vetted for Global Entry they need to do something to signify he just has an artificial knee...no threat.

But the TSA Pre-Check checkpoint should have the more advanced scanner, not just the metal detector, my friend has Global Entry, TSA Precheck AND an artificial knee, he always has to be rerouted over to another line that has the more advanced scanner. Sometimes he has to take off shoes and do things not required in TSA precheck. And STILL may be wanded or searched!!! If he's been vetted for Global Entry they need to do something to signify he just has an artificial knee...no threat.
I'm surprised the metal detectors pick up a knee. I have both artificial hips and I've never had an airport, government building or any venue metal detector go off for mine.

there is a new company here called "Clear" www.clearme.com . They are going to start retina scanning that will be used in at the airport as well as other venues. Once they have you retina scan you can simply pass through in the future. There will still be the metal detectors but the process will streamline. My knee set off the detectors as well.

"Pass through" means skipping the regular line. You will still have to go through the security scanners and have your bag x-rayed. Unless they changed it recently.

^correct. You still have to pay for TSA precheck on top of Clear if you want to get those benefits. Clear is just skipping the line.

Who do we have to talk to to modernize the overhead music in the terminal?

Who do we have to talk to to modernize the overhead music in the terminal?

You know, MCO has always had classical music and it is really strategic. Perfect for all those parents schlepping through the airport in a post Disney daze. But I'd love to have that. Timeless and calming.

I really don't understand why they are allowed to skip the line. I understand it's an identity check, but the slowdown isn't identification, it's going through the scanner. I really don't like that they allow Clear.

Who do we have to talk to to modernize the overhead music in the terminal?

If they did, then you'd have to think of something else to complain about.

I really don't understand why they are allowed to skip the line. I understand it's an identity check, but the slowdown isn't identification, it's going through the scanner. I really don't like that they allow Clear.

Are you talking about WRWA specifically or the concept of Clear in general?

Who do we have to talk to to modernize the overhead music in the terminal?

Fun fact: In 1992 a CD was made of the greatest hits of the past 15 years. This CD was sold to every supermarket, dentist office, airport, hardware store in the lower 48 states. These locations have had that same CD on loop since then.

In all seriousness, it may come down to licensing. With 4 million people going through the terminal annually, music rights may be expensive.

It would be nice if famous Oklahoma based artist would allow their music to be played in the airport...a mix of Garth Brooks to The Flaming Lips. It would also be nice to get the online maps of the terminal updated!

I really don't understand why they are allowed to skip the line. I understand it's an identity check, but the slowdown isn't identification, it's going through the scanner. I really don't like that they allow Clear.
I travel a lot and it is also identification. You have people that wait till they get to the TSA guy and then start looking for their id or boarding pass that they put up. Same people that get to the metal scanner and haven't already cleaned their pockets out and put everything in their bag. I personally feel you should have to take a test to show you know how to be efficient going through security before you get precheck. But that is the nature of travel so you just take a breath and wait.

"It would be nice if famous Oklahoma based artist would allow their music to be played in the airport...a mix of Garth Brooks to The Flaming Lips. "
Or "I wanna Hippopotamus for Christmas" on continual loop.
I've never noticed the muzak but if it needs changing, may I suggest the score to Airport '77?

If they did, then you'd have to think of something else to complain about.

Not sure what you mean. WRWA is my favorite airport and I'm just making an observation that the overhead music is quite dated.

I travel a lot and it is also identification. You have people that wait till they get to the TSA guy and then start looking for their id or boarding pass that they put up. Same people that get to the metal scanner and haven't already cleaned their pockets out and put everything in their bag. I personally feel you should have to take a test to show you know how to be efficient going through security before you get precheck. But that is the nature of travel so you just take a breath and wait.

Not everyone enjoys efficiency. Some like to fly by the seat of their pants. I forget stuff in my pockets constantly when I fly and it's a fun surprise when I find my missing house keys in a forgotten pocket. There are usually young kids in line waiting for their first big flight, so I take off my socks along with my shoes and make hand puppets to entertain them. The pre check TSA workers LOVE me.

I don't mind the additional time that it takes TSA security to perform an extensive physical pat-down. "Sorry that your physical screening was so intensive, actually intrusive at a few points. Which gate are you flying from?" "Oh, I'm not going anywhere, except maybe back in line for another security check."

I really don't understand why they are allowed to skip the line. I understand it's an identity check, but the slowdown isn't identification, it's going through the scanner. I really don't like that they allow Clear.

CLEAR isn't a big time-saver at OKC except at peak times like early morning and late afternoon. When I get there between 10am-3pm there's hardly anyone in the TSA Pre-Check line anyway. Where it's an advantage is when I'm returing to OKC from LGA, LAX, DFW, ORD or other large metro airports. Then it can make a big difference.

Who do we have to talk to to modernize the overhead music in the terminal?

Not likely a high priority for the airport administration. Most flyers are listening to music they prefer on their phones anyway. I've never even noticed what they play at OKC and I've been flying out of there for 20 years.

CLEAR isn't a big time-saver at OKC except at peak times like early morning and late afternoon. When I get there between 10am-3pm there's hardly anyone in the TSA Pre-Check line anyway. Where it's an advantage is when I'm returing to OKC from LGA, LAX, DFW, ORD or other large metro airports. Then it can make a big difference.

I flew out of San Diego a week ago and there were at least 100 people in precheck and 200 in regular line. It wrapped way back into the terminal. There were 4 people in the clear line.

Not everyone enjoys efficiency. Some like to fly by the seat of their pants. I forget stuff in my pockets constantly when I fly and it's a fun surprise when I find my missing house keys in a forgotten pocket. There are usually young kids in line waiting for their first big flight, so I take off my socks along with my shoes and make hand puppets to entertain them. The pre check TSA workers LOVE me.
Not sure I understand. You don’t mind delaying all the others in line behind you because you find it amusing?

Yeah and the TSA, no they don't love you for that. That has got to be sarcasm.

I mean Clear in general. It's a line cutting measure that uses normal security (which is the slow part). I assume if you have pre-check you can go through that security after cutting the line.

Clear is an identity check. I just don't agree w/ the concept that one can pay extra money to cut the line then go through the same security. Great on them finding a way to make some money, though.

Something to think on...

Wichita got a brand new terminal from the ground up in 2015, 16 gates.

Kansas City is opening their new 40 gate terminal from the ground up at the end of February (finally getting way from the half circle shape terminals) - https://www.buildkci.com/

OKC falls some where in the middle of this, with 24 gates, with future room for 30. The newer gates and security checkpoint are absolutely great, and the west gates hold their own with functionality and size as they are about 15 years old.
Where OKC shows its age is what is essentially left of the original terminal, with the food court area and baggage claim. They were renovated with the 2006 updates, but the size essentially stayed the same, as they raised the roof on the departure level.

Are there long term plans to update/size up this area to better equip future growth? As the front door to the city, the airport makes quite an impression on those traveling.

I dont think so. But baggage claim, as an example, is still far from busy. Yes it's still a lower ceiling area, but it is also the area people spend the least amount of time in. I dont think any one thinks "that airport sucks because they have an old-school baggage area". My understanding from others here that worked down in the guts, is that it's basically the same system from when it was originally opened. Doing that level of work would mean gutting the space. I dont think we have that in our future....or honestly in our demand any time soon. I think by the time the demand gets there, we'll be ready to doze what we have now anyway.

Personally, I think food is what it is there too. The airport isn't, and probably never will be, a place people spend much time. We're not a hub. You're not catching a connector here. It's, at most, a place you're catching a coffee/drink/bite because of the timing of your departure in relation to meal times. OKC isn't going to be a place you need to kill 6 hours (unless your flight got delayed) waiting for your connection. We could add 10 more gates, and I don't really think this will change. We would have to turn into a connection destination for that to really happen.

I really wish the next improvement would be to get ride of the square tile in the west terminal. The click-click-click of the roller bags screams outdated to me.

I made a concept rendering that would solve a bunch of problems with the current terminal configuration a few years ago but I’m not sure where in the forum it is. Maybe I will try and find it in the next few days.

That click-click-click at 5:45am is enough to make anyone go completely nuts when the lines for coffee are that long.

I dont think so. But baggage claim, as an example, is still far from busy. Yes it's still a lower ceiling area, but it is also the area people spend the least amount of time in. I dont think any one thinks "that airport sucks because they have an old-school baggage area". My understanding from others here that worked down in the guts, is that it's basically the same system from when it was originally opened.



The exterior part of the baggage claim is essentially the same but the pickup area did not have a conveyor belt pickup situation when it opened.

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Hehehe, now that's a flash in the back. Way before my time.

Instead of doubling down on the 60 year old design of the original terminal building the airport should have done a proper rebuild.

In order to bring the airport to today's standards a linear terminal setup should have been considered. This would involve straightening out the semi-circle design which is inefficient and outdated. By switching to a linear building and roadway design some serious interior square footage would be gained and would allow a more modern airport design. Below is just my mind's concept of what could be achieved with a linear design.

Overview:
https://i.gyazo.com/9bf09ce18d362149098369cc98d38f6b.jpg

This is a top down view showing the building expansion in gray, and a light green-blue indicating an overhead glass canopy system. This inspiration comes from the Portland Airport (below).

https://www.airport-technology.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2019/08/Featured-Image-PDXNext-Programme-Portland-International-Airport.jpg
https://res.cloudinary.com/sagacity/image/upload/c_crop,h_1333,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_limit,dpr_auto,f_auto,fl_lossy,q_80,w_1200/Oct_19_-_PDX_Airport_Guide_-_HGB0E4_fk199i.jpg

Here is the 1st floor view. This shows how a linear design would open up some serious square footage for a proper lower-level arrivals area with high ceilings and modern high capacity, bottom-fed baggage claim units.
https://i.gyazo.com/bb3bf354aa4af300d7e5023ce611dd66.jpg
https://c8.alamy.com/comp/WX58TB/las-vegas-nevada-april-8-2019-terminal-baggage-claim-at-las-vegas-airport-las-in-the-united-states-WX58TB.jpg

Here is a 2nd floor concept showing how going back to a split security checkpoint setup would ease walk times (currently all passengers have to go to the furthest east end of the building for screening). These two checkpoints would spill out into a central food court area and push passengers out into the central concourse.

https://i.gyazo.com/3f0ff4da22acd03c2e1192402b01dbda.jpg

It's about funding too. That proposal is quite expensive. Basically, rebuilding from the ground up, in-place, is a nightmare. Just ask O'Hare about what they're trying to do. I dont think anyone with the airport team would ever fight doing that, its just about what can they get funded. Giving the terminal some more depth would definitely give us some extra room to do things that we can't today. But it's all $$$$$$$.

But today, and for the next 30-40 years, i dont think this is really holding anything up. We're not really at capacity, nor do we have that food need because of our lack of hub designation. Spending that kind of money, needs some sort of bigger reason to happen than what we're seeing. And quite a bit more gate traffic. Frankly, we're not looking at a gate wait time for arrivals, we're not seeing widebodies flow through all day, we're not seeing really the need for any of what you're saying. Being pragmatic, it's just not needed.

So i would say keep in mind what our airport's purpose is. We're a regional domestic airport with minimal direct flights on crappy regional jets. The big flights get you to some sort of hub to splinter off. And we don't want to spend 1/2 billion on this (and what you're showing would be in that range) and come out the other side with what the public sees as still just a terminal. Hard to convince people of INFRA needs. Get an airline to treat OKC as something more than what it is today, and you might get something. But i really don't see that happening with DFW so close.

If it had been me an entire new terminal would have been built from the ground up on the south side of the airport and funded in part through MAPS. These Frankenstein type expansions should be discouraged at every opportunity. Anyhow, too late for that now.

Further away from downtown, further away from a potential transit line, further away from all of the hotel infrastructure, worse highway access. Perfect location!

Further away from downtown, further away from a potential transit line, further away from all of the hotel infrastructure, worse highway access. Perfect location!

It's not that much further and would actually have better traffic access. Just need to reconfigure the cross runway.

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It's not that much further and would actually have better traffic access. Just need to reconfigure the cross runway.

17855

New Orleans did something similar to this. They moved their terminal to the other side of the runway. While the new terminal is a great improvement over the the three older terminals they had, the infrastructure getting to and from the new terminal has been challenging.

OKC would be in a similar situation, relocation of parking garages, right of way exits, assuming the main exit would be SW104th off of I44 with a roadway going to the north, the terminal itself would probably be minor in costs compared to the road infrastructure that would be needed.

Wichita was fortunate in that they literally built their new terminal adjacent to the existing building, very little had to change in regards to right of ways, road access, etc.

As for Kansas City, they did something similar, they tore down the "A" terminal, while still operating the B and C terminals. It appears they are building a large parking garage adjacent to the new terminal, but the main road into and out of the airport basically remained the same.

Love Field in Dallas was also similar with their renovation, in keeping the main road and parking garages in the same space, and just shifting the new terminal north from the existing gates.

There is no way OKC is building a new terminal anytime in the next several decades. They'll expand the east concourse if demand warrants.

There is no way OKC is building a new terminal anytime in the next several decades. They'll expand the east concourse if demand warrants.

Yup...none of this is happening.

Yup...none of this is happening.

It doesn't need to. Adding a few gates in a few years will be more than enough. In this day and age, you can't "build it and they will come" with airports.

The square footage of the terminal building will be put to the test in coming years. It’s a 1960’s foot print and design. A terminal building expansion should have been considered at some point in time. More gates won’t be necessary, but as aircraft gauge creeps up the small size of the baggage claim and check in areas will continue to show its outdated footprint and layout.

This is the difference between a $100MM and billions.

Those billions are better spent on the maps type projects give what WRWA is

Yeah, I thought I made it pretty clear that this should have happened when the original remodel was done, and not now.

I didn't get a photo, but the new Osteria restaurant and Elemental Coffee are an upgrade to the usual airport offerings.

New Orleans did something similar to this. They moved their terminal to the other side of the runway. While the new terminal is a great improvement over the the three older terminals they had, the infrastructure getting to and from the new terminal has been challenging.

OKC would be in a similar situation, relocation of parking garages, right of way exits, assuming the main exit would be SW104th off of I44 with a roadway going to the north, the terminal itself would probably be minor in costs compared to the road infrastructure that would be needed.


Nashville moved their terminal from the west side to the east side. A LOT of new infrastructure. But that was a few decades ago.

I went through the Detroit airport not long ago. It's split in to two terminals, but the domestic terminal is basically Will Rogers. 30ish gates in one long stretch. They managed to squeeze in more food options though. What I will say is that much like Will Rogers, it's super easy to get around and has a lot of empty gates. They have the same problem OKC does in that the hubs are so dang close, the actual traffic to/from the city is fairly low, other than to go to those hubs.

What I will also say is that while there was nothing wrong with the place, it wasn't particularly clean. OKC does a good job of janitorially keeping things clean. No dusty bunnies that I've seen that are the size of Texas.

And if you haven't been through Will Rogers lately, they have have been trying to up the food game. Osteria is a good example of that.

If OKC does much more than extend the east end of the terminal, they're going to have to start jetting (pun) in to the tarmac for extensions. At that point, we really need to start thinking about people moving. If you do have to go from gate 1 to gate 30 whatever and add these extensions, it's going to start turning in to a bit of a walk. Even going from security back to gate 1 is a bit of a trek now. For me, it's fine. But for the mobility challenged, it's a bit of a marathon. And i dont think we have much of a skycap service in OKC.

I went through the Detroit airport not long ago. It's split in to two terminals, but the domestic terminal is basically Will Rogers. 30ish gates in one long stretch. They managed to squeeze in more food options though. What I will say is that much like Will Rogers, it's super easy to get around and has a lot of empty gates. They have the same problem OKC does in that the hubs are so dang close, the actual traffic to/from the city is fairly low, other than to go to those hubs.

What I will also say is that while there was nothing wrong with the place, it wasn't particularly clean. OKC does a good job of janitorially keeping things clean. No dusty bunnies that I've seen that are the size of Texas.

And if you haven't been through Will Rogers lately, they have have been trying to up the food game. Osteria is a good example of that.

If OKC does much more than extend the east end of the terminal, they're going to have to start jetting (pun) in to the tarmac for extensions. At that point, we really need to start thinking about people moving. If you do have to go from gate 1 to gate 30 whatever and add these extensions, it's going to start turning in to a bit of a walk. Even going from security back to gate 1 is a bit of a trek now. For me, it's fine. But for the mobility challenged, it's a bit of a marathon. And i dont think we have much of a skycap service in OKC.

IIRC one of the official airport documents about potential future expansion has a conceptual south wing if the east wing is completed and more capacity is needed, which could be around the same 10-ish gate size, granted may lose a couple of the gates that are currently in the center part of the terminal if that wing is built.

Press release:

************

Record March 2023 Passenger Numbers

OKLAHOMA CITY, April 24, 2023 – Will Rogers World Airport (OKC)had a record for passenger traffic for March 2023. For the month OKC had 391,389 passengers which is 22% higher than 2022 and 10.6% higher than the previous record in March 2019. There were, also a record 980,188 passengers that flew in and out of OKC from January through March. So far this year, WRWA has outperformed the airport’s previous record set in 2019 by 44,845.

“The strength of the OKC air service market is evident despite higher airfares and fewer flights compared to 2019”, said Jeff Mulder, Director, Department of Airports. “The airlines have not restored all of our markets since COVID due to a lack of pilots. The passengers have returned in record numbers and we expect as the airlines continue to recover, we will continue to see a great future at OKC”.

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Will Rogers World Airport announced the official opening of two renovated retail spaces today. The pics are from their Twitter. https://twitter.com/fly_okc/status/1653881522078851073

iStore - an updated tech store with adapters, chargers, headphones, etc - Seems pretty standard for an airport offering.

News 9 Oklahoma's Own - From the image it looks like it offers the same things as a CNBC or TripAdvisor store, basically just convenience store snacks and airplane comfort items. I'm not sure of the connection to News 9 and other than the signage, I don't see anything that would make you think News 9 like a TV Monitor showing their newscast, headline LED ticker, or a screen with news 9 branded radar/weather updates? Maybe by calling it Oklahoma's own, the store has a selection of Made In Oklahoma products as souvenirs not shown in the image?

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Will Rogers World Airport announced the official opening of two renovated retail spaces today. The pics are from their Twitter. https://twitter.com/fly_okc/status/1653881522078851073

iStore - an updated tech store with adapters, chargers, headphones, etc - Seems pretty standard for an airport offering.

News 9 Oklahoma's Own - From the image it looks like it offers the same things as a CNBC or TripAdvisor store, basically just convenience store snacks and airplane comfort items. I'm not sure of the connection to News 9 and other than the signage, I don't see anything that would make you think News 9 like a TV Monitor showing their newscast, headline LED ticker, or a screen with news 9 branded radar/weather updates? Maybe by calling it Oklahoma's own, the store has a selection of Made In Oklahoma products as souvenirs not shown in the image?

Need constant reruns of Gary England and David Payne doing tornado coverage.

and the tornado that hit the airport.

while we're at it, can they update the website? The new terminal has been open for how many years yet still is not shown or known on the website. I bet visitors are very surprised (and perhaps a little confused) when the get off the plane here; impressed then some of them wondering why the OKC airport website is stuck in 2010.