Luther Trent is retiring

[Patrick]

Hooray! For those that want a bigger, better, and expanded airport, Luther Trent, director of the airport trust is retiring. One can only hope he'll be replaced with someone with bigger and better plans for our airport.

I will give him some credit. The airport now is much nicer than the old facility. But, I still think we can do better, and think bigger.

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"OKC public works, airport chiefs plan to retire


By Steve Lackmeyer and Bryan Dean
The Oklahoman

Paul Brum, Oklahoma City's longest serving director of public works, and Luther Trent, director of the city's airports, announced Tuesday they will retire in September.
The announcements surprised city council members, and likely will lead to the hiring of outside leadership in both departments. Deputy officials in both departments have indicated they too are preparing for retirement.

Brum, who worked 45 years at City Hall, was named city engineer and public works director in 1987. He retires after overseeing construction of three consecutive record-setting public works bond issues and playing a key role in both MAPS and MAPS for Kids.

Trent, hired to the city's airport division in 1980, was named director in 1993 and has overseen a $100 million reconstruction and expansion of Will Rogers World Airport.

"Both Luther and Paul have left their mark on this city," City Manager Jim Couch said Tuesday. "They've seen us change and helped us grow into the thriving, vibrant city we have today. They will both be missed in many ways."

Trent's last day will be Sept. 15, and Brum's will be Sept. 30.

"I think both of these positions will attract talented people," Couch said.

Trent, 60, described his decision to retire as being "very difficult."

"It's been a marvelous career," Trent said. "Every day that I've gone to work, I've gone to work on the same floor of the same building for 25 years. I love airports and I love aviation."

Brum, 67, hinted at retirement during budget talks in March.

His involvement in the city's development included planning an extension of Classen Boulevard and other, related improvements to accommodate demolition of the abandoned Belle Isle Power Plant and construction of the Belle Isle Station shopping center in its place.

He also helped coordinate emergency responses to the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building and the May 1999 tornadoes that devastated south Oklahoma City.

In the combined position of city engineer and public works director, all public projects must be signed by Brum before construction can proceed.

"I hope we've built it into our budget," Councilman Jerry Foshee said. "When we get rid of Paul Brum we are probably going to have to hire four people because of the amount of work he does."

Brum was 22 when he sought his first job with Oklahoma City's engineering office. He wanted the job because he was unhappy about working Saturdays for a paving company.

Brum witnessed a rapid expansion of the city in the 1960s, when areas such as Quail Creek turned from a barren pasture to a tree-covered upscale neighborhood.

He has enjoyed the job, even while enduring criticism during the early slow-going days of MAPS, the city's downtown revitalization program.

"It's not often a city engineer gets to be involved in a program like that," Brum said. "You have heartburn and problems during construction, but you know what it's going to look like."

Brum is known for being able to immediately provide a status report on at least a dozen different major capital improvements.

"He bleeds Oklahoma City," Couch said. "He has really become an icon with the Public Works Department in Oklahoma City. Paul is going to be a very tough act to follow." "

[mranderson]

What great news for a upsetting day! Now I will not have to call for his resigination.

[Pete]

"...likely will lead to the hiring of outside leadership..."


I sure hope that proves to be the case. With a great foundation almost in place, it should be easy to recruit an agressive up-and-comer with fresh ideas.

[brianinok]

Hopefully, they will go after the 2nd in command at a great, forward-thinking airport. Like Denver, Orlando, etc. Or Patrick!

[mranderson]

Hopefully, they will go after the 2nd in command at a great, forward-thinking airport. Like Denver, Orlando, etc. Or Patrick!

Ooooo! Ooooo! Pick me! Pick me!

On a serious note. We should all write the council and Mayor Cornett urging them to hire a forward thinker. One who has vision.

[okcpulse]

I second that motion, mranderson.

[Luke]

Can you imagine someone with the forsight and vision to shove Will Rogers World Airport into a major player in the airline market? I think it's doable. It just has to be the right person... I mean, who would have thought to dig a canal downtown? Look at it now. We need someone like that.

[mranderson]

This is the email I sent to Mick Cornett and most of the council.


Dear, Mayor Cornett:

I first would like to introduce myself. I am known as mranderson on OKCTalk.com.

It is a very high honor to have you as a viewer on our forum. It says we are being listened to, and that speaks a lot.

As you probably know, I have been lobbying via OKCTalk for quite some time (years, in fact) to gain a lot more gates for Will Rogers and establish Oklahoma City as a hub, with a second terminal feeding from SW 104. Some of the airlines I have suggested for this are Alaska, America West/US, JetBlue, and others.

I am among many people who feel Mr. Trent has not served this city well, and although I wish him well, feel his departure is way over due. We could have a crown jewel of a commercial airport if the trust would work on better service and a larger terminal. 17 gates is the least number of any city our size in the nation.

What I am laying the foundation for is this. I am suggesting a nationwide search for a replacement be launched with the criteria that he or she will openly work to bring Will Rogers to the size and standard of other cities our size, if not larger. And to work openly to obtain non stop service to every major city in the country, plus innerstate service, which I feel is badly needed. Oklahoma City has no routes to any cities in Oklahoma. We need those routes to cities such as Ponca City, Enid, Ardmore, Lawton, and others.

If we work to bring an airport director to Oklahoma City with experience with major airport management (cities such as Orlando, Atlanta, Denver, etc), I feel we can not only greatly improve our service, but bring many high quality companies with true living wages to our city.

Again. Thank you not only for your time and attention in this matter, but also with OKC Talk.

[HOT ROD]

Ooooo! Ooooo! Pick me! Pick me!

On a serious note. We should all write the council and Mayor Cornett urging them to hire a forward thinker. One who has vision.

ditto. and Hooray.

I am sooo glad luther is moving out. Thanks but no thanks.


I too hope they select someone from an established major airport with a mind for progress and a drive for success; someone who will act like a CEO, responsible for growing our airport and its business and being held accountable to US, the citizens of OKC (well, and a few outsiders like me).

What a Renaissance!!! Great News!!!

[okcpulse]

Ciao, Luther Trent.

K, now, let's get back to work building a real airport.

[OUman]

Yes, let's hope for a bigger terminal, w/ the east concourse being built soon and better choice of airlines and n/s's.

But, I'm going to say this again, OKC does not need a second terminal. The existing terminal is made to be expanded. Airports don't build new terminals unless they're an absolute necessity.

OUman

[mranderson]

Yes, let's hope for a bigger terminal, w/ the east concourse being built soon and better choice of airlines and n/s's.

But, I'm going to say this again, OKC does not need a second terminal. The existing terminal is made to be expanded. Airports don't build new terminals unless they're an absolute necessity.

OUman

OUman. We have discussed the need for a second terminal to death. I will say this one more time, then I request we get back on topic. This is about Luther Trent.

One last time. In the future, Oklahoma City WILL need a second terminal. You can only expand so far.

Now...

[Patrick]

In recent discussions about the need for a 2nd terminal, it was pointed out that a 2nd terminal would only be needed for a hub operation. If we can't get an airline to sign on here and establish a hub, discussing a 2nd terminal is moot point.

OUman, you are right...in our current state, OKC does not need a 2nd terminal. But, I think we're hoping that could change.

[metro]

Thats funny, in the news they are commending Luther Trent etc saying all this wonderful stuff, true although he has done good things, much greater things should of been accomplished and it takes an internet forum like this for our citizens to realize that. Indeed, will someone post Mayor Cornett's physical office address so we can all write letters as we all know he is sketchy about answering emails

[Patrick]

Thats funny, in the news they are commending Luther Trent etc saying all this wonderful stuff, true although he has done good things, much greater things should of been accomplished and it takes an internet forum like this for our citizens to realize that. Indeed, will someone post Mayor Cornett's physical office address so we can all write letters as we all know he is sketchy about answering emails

You should've seen the response mranderson got back from Jim Couch....mranderson gave his two cents to Jim about the job Trent did.
Jim obviously likes the job Luther Trent has done, and he didn't appreciate mranderson for stating anything to the contrary.

Mick's office address:
Mick Cornett
Office of the Mayor
200 N. Walker, 3rd Floor
OKc, OK 73102

405-297-2424





Or simply post here, as Mick reads this site on a regular basis.

[mranderson]

Yes. And my rebuttal to his reply was quite extensive, and made it clear I was an informed citizen. I added evidence that we need help... I have recieved no additional replies from any city official, including Mick Cornett.

[Intrepid]

Yes. And my rebuttal to his reply was quite extensive, and made it clear I was an informed citizen. I added evidence that we need help... I have recieved no additional replies from any city official, including Mick Cornett.

What was his reply? I didn't see it posted. Please share if you don't mind.

Thanks!

=)

[okcpulse]

I do not agree that Luther Trent has done a great service for Oklahoma City. According to The Oklahoman, the next person to take Luther Trent's position has big shoes to fill- for the citizens of Oklahoma City? Yes. The next person will, as we have great expectations for the new director of the Airport Trust. But does the next director have big shoes to fill as far as Trent is concerned? No.

I do give Trent credit for getting major terminal renovations off ground. Things could have been worse, as WRWA would still be a dark low-ceiling cave, according to Neptune74137 of TulsaNow. But his mistake to scale back the expansion and renovation has cost him a great deal of respect among Oklahoma City's most informed residents.

A director with vision should understand that Oklahoma City must work harder than most cities to sell itself to visitors and newcoming residents. That means rolling out a sweetheart of a welcome mat for travelers who get to Oklahoma City the most common way Americans get from city to city- by flying. Such a vision requires big plans that creates an impressive airport terminal with an impressive expressway from the terminal to the city itself. Remember, first impressions are lasting impressions. Which is what I got will stopping in Memphis, which was a dark, ugly airport. Bad first impression, and I just can't shake it off.

[mranderson]

What was his reply? I didn't see it posted. Please share if you don't mind.

Thanks!

=)

Here it is. Any comments?


Mr. Anderson:



I appreciate your e-mail, but do not share your opinion regarding Mr. Trent. In the fiercely competitive world of airports, there is a significant difference between what we might like and what is realistically achievable. We would like to be a "hub" city, but our proximity to Dallas/Ft. Worth does not make this a realistic expectation. What is achievable, and what we have accomplished, is adding service from more airlines and securing more direct flights to major cities across the nation. During the last five years, Frontier, America West and Allegiant Air have begun service at Will Rogers World Airport. We have added non-stop service to Newark/New York, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Detroit, and are in conversation with others.



As to the size of our airport, we are in the final stages of a $100 million project that has expanded the terminal from approximately 350,000 square feet to 490,000 square feet and increased the number of gates from 16 to 17. This gives all the gates we require at this time and will meet our needs until approximately 2010. We have the capability of adding an additional concourse and more gates when they are warranted. Mr. Trent has done an excellent job of keeping the terminal operational during the long and difficult construction process.



I will conduct a nation-wide search for a new director and, as I do in every hiring process, I will look for someone who has a vision for the future and will work to achieve new goals. The search process will follow the mandates of the City Charter, which places the responsibility on me. I am confident the process will result in my selection of a new director who will provide vision and leadership and will gain the trust and respect of the Mayor and City Council.

Jim Couch

[Patrick]

Whoppie! We gained 1 whole gate! That means current passenger counts could've been served with 16 gates. So my question is...what was the whole purpose in this so-called airport expansion, which IMO is a huge misnomer? And who cares that Mr. Trent kept the airport functional during all of the so-called expansion. Is that really something to boast about?

Instead of boasting about keeping an airport pen during meaningless construction, we could be boasting about our new 25 gate airport, which we were promised.

I personally feel like the airport trust lied to us, promising a 25 gate airport, when all we're getting is a lopsided, half-finished 17 gate airport.

Why can't we ever finish what we start in OKC?

[Pete]

I would also like to point out to Mr. Couch that a good chunk of visitors now arrive on American turbo-prop planes from Dallas, which more than counteracts any new direct flights.

From the perspective of someone that flies in and out of OKC 2 to 3 times a year, the air service seems far worse due to this fact.

[okcpulse]

I would also like to point out to Mr. Couch that a good chunk of visitors now arrive on

American turbo-prop planes from Dallas, which more than counteracts any new direct flights.

From the perspective of someone that flies in and out of OKC 2 to 3 times a year, the air service seems far worse due to this fact.

It is for that reason why I do not fly American, and won't ever fly American again. As far as Luther Trent's job goes, he may have helped secure more direct flights, but he still failed to deliver what was promised to us in 2000. Thus, IMO, he worked just hard enough not to get fired.

[Pete]

I don't blame you for not flying AA but to not use them severly limits your flight options and often results in significantly higher fares.

I end up taking them more often than not and when I do, I curse the OKC airport for having such bush-league air service. I'm sure the thousands that arrive WRWA on those planes do the same, which is really bad for the city's image.

[mranderson]

I received a very thoughtful and complimentry reply from Mick Cornett. I want to thank him for the kind words.

[OUman]

Couple of points. An expansion does not mean just more gates. It also means actually adding a significant area to the terminal building. Whether you like it or not (sorry for the bluntness), this is a legitimate expansion. Just because you're getting only one more gate, it doesn't mean its not an expansion all of a sudden.

I would also like to point out to Mr. Couch that a good chunk of visitors now arrive on

American turbo-prop planes from Dallas, which more than counteracts any new direct flights.

From the perspective of someone that flies in and out of OKC 2 to 3 times a year, the air service seems far worse due to this fact.

It is for that reason why I do not fly American, and won't ever fly American again. As far as Luther Trent's job goes, he may have helped secure more direct flights, but he still failed to deliver what was promised to us in 2000. Thus, IMO, he worked just hard enough not to get fired.

Umm, I don't know if you're aware, but 5 out of the nine roundtrips (yes, only nine-at one point AA and Eagle had 16) between DFW and OKC are flown by American using mainline MD 80's. The other four are flown by Eagle w/ a combination of CRJ 700's and ERJ 140's/145's.

The turboprops were taken out a long time back between OKC and DFW.

So, we have considerbaly less flights to DFW.

And more people are now flying via IAH. DFW is no longer the only connecting airport for us. DTW, MSP, EWR etc are all airports where OKC pax can take connecting flights.

Yes, I'm not happy about the delayed east concourse either, but all the same, let's be a little appreciative of the changed terminal.

OUman