When we talk about when those from other parts of the country see St. Louis, their first encounter is St. Louis Lambert International Airport. What do passengers, whether connecting or embarking, see but a small, old, drab, disorganized depressing facility with no energy? ("Lambert Airport overhaul wins environmental OK," Oct. 29.) This previews what visitors can expect from the city: a declining, fading city with a ghost town downtown.
With fewer major airlines calling Lambert home, it makes sense to downsize to only one concourse, but this illustrates how far we've sunk. J.D. Power last year published a survey of big city airports, and St. Louis ranked 25th of 27 large airports for customer satisfaction. ("St. Louis Lambert International Airport again logs low score in annual satisfaction survey," Sept. 19.) Kansas City ranked third.
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Why was Kansas City so high? Visit and you see why: A modern, spacious, bright, efficient and energetic atmosphere. These are just the traits that cause passengers to want to visit.
As a fifth-generation St. Louisan returned home, it saddens me how far down the city has gone from what it was.
Vernon Sendelbach
St. Louis
