Seeking solutions for LAX

Re “Too many close calls on runways, report says,” Dec. 6

Planes generally land at LAX on the two outer runways and take off on the two inner runways. Because of this, arriving planes to reach their gates must taxi across runways on which planes are taking off. Perhaps it would make sense to change this arrangement so that planes land on the inner runways and take off on the outer runways, so arriving planes would not have to cross a runway to reach their gates.

Robert A. Philipson

Santa Monica

The never-ending delays to upgrade the runways at LAX are a shameful example of politicians favoring special interest groups over public safety. But a simple measure to improve safety is possible while the political wrangling continues. Air traffic controllers are overworked and subject to fatigue and errors. Why not increase the number of controllers at busy times? This would allow for much needed relief periods and provide a redundancy in the monitoring of air traffic. Redundant staffing is a part of basic risk management. The cost of additional controllers would certainly pale compared with the cost in dollars and in life from a collision.

Neal Rein

Westlake Village

As someone who grew up living near a large metropolitan airport, I understand the frustration of having airplane noise become a part of your daily life. However, when it becomes a safety issue and lives are involved, I do not understand how these residents, and the politicians protecting them, could live with themselves if there were a deadly runway accident because of their selfishness. There is a solution for these people: move.

Amy A. Schwab

Los Angeles

Re “Too close for comfort,” editorial, Dec. 7

The Times’ argument that moving the north runway would solve safety problems at LAX sounds like this scenario: Near collisions occur at a busy street intersection where the street lights don’t work well, the painted lines have faded, the street signs are illegible and the traffic cop assigned to help direct traffic has been on his feet for a shift and a half. The solution? Move the street. In the process, move all adjoining streets, knock down structures and make everyone in the city pay for it. If the people in the structures cry foul, pointing out the less invasive, more cost-effective solutions, blame them for the near collisions.

Pamela Beere Briggs

Los Angeles

Apparently, The Times doesn’t get it. As long as you cited a federal report on air safety, stating that LAX is such a disaster for runway safety, doesn’t it make more sense to regionalize air travel in the L.A. area rather than expand the airport and get those bulldozers going on the north runway? There are many airports available for use other than just LAX, such as Burbank, Van Nuys, Ontario, Palmdale and John Wayne. The footprint of LAX is small compared with some other commercial airports across the country. I don’t want to see LAX expansion, and I live miles away.

Joan Winters

Los Angeles