Expanded Airport Receiving High Marks

The expanded John Wayne Airport was functioning nearly flawlessly Monday as the first horde of business travelers swarmed in and out of the long, sleek terminal with a minimum of fuss.

“Things are going amazingly well, considering,” said Continental Airlines ticket agent Pam McPhall, who was setting up a new lost-and-found office for the airline. “I’m surprised.”

Airport officials faced a few minor glitches on the second day of operations--one balky baggage ramp, a few magnetized security badges that failed to open doors--but the most serious problems seemed to have been licked.

Computerized boards that were not displaying the gate numbers of arriving planes on Sunday were flashing correct information by 8 a.m. Monday. Incoming planes were on time, and by 9:30 a.m., only one arriving passenger had reported a baggage problem--his luggage cart had not arrived with his bag.

Although several travelers said they had left home early in case of chaos at the new airport, traffic was sparse. Parking spaces were abundant, and the curb stretched far enough for every car to pull over while dropping off departing passengers.

“There’s elbow room!” reported John Akins of Laguna Niguel, one of about 20,000 passengers expected to use the airport each Monday. “It’s delightful, absolutely delightful.”

Although it was rush hour, Akins stood nearly alone under the arching ceiling while the rosy morning light filled the cathedral skylights.

“I was just thinking, how long before it fills up?” Akins said wistfully. “Because it’s bigger than you need right now, but it won’t stay that way.”

“It’s quite an improvement--as long as it doesn’t bring too many more people into Orange County,” agreed Bob Clifton of Huntington Beach.

However, bringing more people in--and out--is precisely the idea behind the $63-million Thomas F. Riley terminal, which officially opened on Sunday. Twelve times the size of the old terminal, it will be capable of handling up to 160 flights a day within two years, double the current capacity. And it will accommodate up to 8.4 million passengers, compared with 4.5 million at the old Eddie Martin Terminal.

Aesthetically, travelers were unanimous Monday in declaring the terminal an unqualified success.

“It’s gorgeous! It’s gorgeous!” said Howard Schwartz of San Clemente. “ ‘Course there was something nice about the old terminal. It was like a small town.”

Blame the early hour, perhaps, but a few people stumbled through the terminal missing signs and scouting for maps.

“When I left home last weekend, this wasn’t here, so I’m a little confused about where I should be,” said Faith Ackley of Tustin as she got off a plane from Oakland and had to follow the signs to find her way out. “I’m not sure where I am, and you used to know where you were at all times in (the old) John Wayne.”

“I have no idea where I am but this is beautiful,” declared Adele La Sala of Huntington Beach.

Several travelers, however, wondered whether they were paying for the new terminal in the form of higher air fares.

“It’s a beautiful airport, but I think the rates into here are outrageous compared to Burbank and Ontario,” said Jim Watterson, a Bay Area-based salesman, as he searched for the hotel limousine that was to pick him up.

Watterson said he paid $150 for a round-trip ticket from Oakland to Ontario last week, but $356 for Monday’s round-trip flight from Oakland to John Wayne.

“I think I’ll go back to Ontario,” Watterson said.