Spending money like drunken sailor? No

Hehehe. We're spending money at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport like a drunken sailor. Wait a minute. This is funny?

No doubt, that's how Charlotte Douglas Aviation Director Jerry Orr meant some remarks to be taken on Friday.

Orr was explaining why he was confident that Charlotte Douglas won't face the same fate as other hub airports that spent on expansion only to become saddled with huge debts after their hubs disappeared after mergers (US Airways has been openly considering a merger with bankrupt American Airlines). His explanation took a cocky turn: "We spend a lot of money, we're moving forward at a rapid pace, but there is no risk for the taxpayer... There is no risk in charging ahead and spending money like a drunken sailor."

Orr is known for his dry sense of humor, and no doubt the attendees at a summit on regional transportation initiatives held by the Charlotte Chamber at the Ballantyne Hotel and Lodge took them in jest. Even so, the comments sound tone-deaf and a little too blase about spending money at a time when the economy is in a recession and many taxpayers are struggling to make ends meet. The airport is self-supporting with fees but it is a public facility nonetheless.

Orr has displayed that same seemingly blase attitude in the past. Remember that airport security breach when a teen sneaked onto the wheel well of a jet and Orr didn't see the need for a security review - until some other public officials pressed for one?

This editorial board recently wrote in favor of Orr's $1 billion push for expansion at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. We said it was refreshing to hear Orr say: "You either grow, or risk withering away." We also gave Orr a lot of credit for his part in the success of the airport, noting that "Orr has been a shrewd steward of expansion money, building runways for a fraction of the cost of those at other airports. That means airlines pay less to fly here, making Charlotte an attractive place to direct their air traffic."

So, we know Orr didn't really mean the airport is spending money like a drunken sailor. At least, we hope he doesn't. In any case, he needs to stop saying such things and stop acting so blase about issues that deserve to be taken very seriously.

Fannie Flono

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