Jackson Jambalaya

At some point the board will find a director candidate who is at the same level of incompetence as that displayed by the board itself. Neither Carl nor Perry could abide the silliness.

"The Capital Region Airport Commission"

What a novel concept.......

the more things change-the more they stay the same.

Maybe he'll shine? We'll see. Not sure what the Commission will do now. I doubt there are very many minority airport CEOs they can draw from... or that would leave a better location for here. The State needs to finish the job and take over.

Perhaps someone could hire the Jackson city council and airport board. Surely there is a city in Russia that can use their skills.

Next

Smart move. Im sure he will do well. Virginia is beautiful and full of opportunity.

I'm seeking opportunities outside Mississippi as well. I've had my fill. The only thing that kept me here this long was the desire to not have to encounter so many illegals. Those days are over and you can't go anywhere in the metro without encountering car loads of illegals now so why stay?

KF - Can you (or anyone) briefly recap where the legal proceedings stand regarding the State's attempt to restore some order to this aviation mess we call the "Jackson–Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport?" I arrived from a week long vacation around July 4th and the long-term parking payment system had crashed. I know things like that happen but the vacant stares from the clueless employees were a quick dose of reality. Who wouldn't leave that post - the circus-board trip to Paris, one operational runway, being held hostage by an airline duopoly in a state capital?...

The Airport needs to be under the control of Rankin county & the city of Pearl.

@ 9:41 AM You can't go anywhere in the US that there are no illegals.
In fact, there are 59 million Hispanics in this country already. Shocking. Huh!

Jaba II jumps ship also, wow!

you know, if we had a mayor that was not a self centered, self servicing, conceited, delusional ball of hot air (like one that wants to serve the community, and actually lead by example)......that Mayor would clean house, and through executive orders (I guess), actually reach out in the community and appoint leaders of business and industry from 3 counties (aka "the Metro") to the airport board, and then he could only be accused of serving the best interest of the airport and the community at large, as well as the city of Jackson's long term investment in the airport, and maybe possibly show that the engagement of surrounding suburbia, and the success of urban / suburban together only serves the best interest of all of the Metro population......but hey, that's just a wild idea at best.....and we have a mayor that feels he has every right to remain parked in a lane of traffic while he enjoys his lunch at the Manship with his THREE armed security officers. I simply have no idea why the Mayor and his detail can not use parking garage

I have lost all confidence in our "leaders'" capabilities to hire someone qualified and intelligent enough to suit them. Perhaps that says everything about said leaders' lack of qualifications and intelligence. I mean what else can be said?

Sadly another qualified executive flies the coop, or is it airport?

Just tear down the airport. It’s only costing us money since anyone who can afford a ticket is buying a one way ticket out of this shit hole.

Couldn't agree more that the JMWEIA board is laughable. That said, unless Miller or anyone else in his position had some strong ties to Mississippi, why wouldn't they take the Richmond job over Jackson? Richmond has 4x the enplanements that JAN has, and it is growing vs. JAN's receding business. It's a much bigger operation and undoubtedly pays more.

Congrats, Mr. Miller, and good luck to ya.

What exactly are the responsibilities of the Airport Board. As far as I can see, the airport has only declined for years now. You used to have a full bar and a place to get a hot meal. Neither one of those now. The facilities haven't been upgraded in years. We have 1 working runway and 2 airlines that fly out of here. Ticket prices start at about $700 to go anywhere and that's a very low end seat. Shouldn't they be trying to attract airlines in here, negotiate a reasonable price on full planes for the flyers in the poorest state in the nation. It's like the airlines are charging a premium to land in our pitiful airport.---Example, I am going to a conference this fall. The airline tickets to the event cost me $750. My coworkers from the coast paid $330. BTW, if you haven't been to that airport it's gorgeous. Teal colors on well groomed grounds and apparently efficient operations. ---Anyway, seems like we got a bunch of people that just want to meet, goof around and take fancy trips. Why can't anything be done to something so obviously broken. And if nothing can be done and they have tried without success to boldly promote and make the airport a better place, then tell us why.

Sam R Hall's Ledger uses JJ as his assignment desk again.

"'[H]e has exemplified high quality airport management skills that have superseded our expectations...,' stated LaWanda D. Harris, JMAA Board of Commissioners Chairwoman."

Superseded, huh? Maybe stick to words you know, LaWanda, and let's don't use those you've only heard.

This should be a Regional Airport under a independent board.Mississippi is doomed if messes like this are not fixed real quick.

Good for him. A nice, functional airport is an economic output, not input. Grow the metro, grow the state, and you will have nice things like an airport run by professionals. This "regional board" is another joke that presumes a good airport will drive businesses to the area. Not how it works. You could build 50 gates and you'll still have shrinking or stagnant pax numbers.

@ 1.18PM

It is really the CEO's job to run biz dev for the airport, not the BOD. That said, it would certainly help if the BOD had some influential people who had legitimate, meaningful connections and could assist in that effort. But alas, as with so many other situations in the state of MS, these BOD positions don't go to the most qualified, but rather to people of the appropriate ethnicity and as personal and/or political favors.

Perhaps an absolutely stellar CEO and/or BOD could put together a slick enough sales pitch to bring in another airline, but it ultimately boils down to dollars. Big airlines are only going to fly into airports where they can make money. For example, Southwest ran the numbers in the mid-1990's and decided it was a profitable market, but by late-2013, it no longer made sense, so they pulled out (and starting flying into the much-larger Memphis airport). If you want to place blame, place blame on Mississippi's poor and declining economy that does little to attract air traffic into Jackson.

There are actually five airlines that currently fly JAN - United, Delta and American + Frontier and Via fly limited service. I predict that within 3 years, that is reduced to United, Delta and American, and that's where it stays.

10'45, my heart sank when you mentioned that the Mayor and his retinue were having lunch at the Manship. I once posted here that I had seen Tony Yarber and HIS retinue having lunch at the Manship, around 2:30 in the afternoon. I was happy to see Yarber go (duh); now I'm thoroughly depressed to see that the new Mayor is following Yarber's example. I love the Manship, but it ain't cheap. We need a Mayor who will set a much better example. He is not an absolute monarch; he's the political leader of a wretchedly poor city. He's got no reason for flaunting himself and his courtiers.

Any truth to the rumor that the Mayor is now living on a gated cul-de-sac off of Ridgewood near Northminster Baptist? No worries about crime for our Dear Leader.

Uhhh - no. Southwest didn't run the numbers in the mid 1990's and decide this was a profitable market. Southwest only came to Jackson because they were trying to get the Wright amendment repealed so they could fly from Dallas Love Field to wherever they wanted and Trent Lott was a vote in the Senate they had to have to make this happen. And World Com maybe had just enough traffic potential that they could put 50 people on a flight between Chicago and Houston which just happened to stop here. And guess what, when they finally opened up unlimited service out of Dallas Love field and needed the aircraft, which city did they cut? Jackson. So Jackson is only the second city ever permanently cut by Southwest Airlines outside of old Airtran cities. The other loser - Beaumont Texas. I didn't know you could even fly to Beaumont Texas.

Perhaps with all of the grant money that was announced the other day the airport board can purchase some new porta-potties...what an embarrassment. It's really a great first impression when my clients arrive at JAN.

I think the terminal needs to be completely redesigned with a security area in the center of the terminal serving both concourses and the capacity for at least 4 lines (3 regular + 1 Pre-Check) during busy periods. I nearly missed my flight the other morning when some dipshit wanted to argue with TSA about his toothpaste.

Not to worry, because with all of that newfound knowledge and professional contacts garnered in Paris, great things are on the horizon.

The gross incompetence of everyone involved with leadership in Jackson really speaks volumes. Like the old saying about actions speaking louder than words. Despite all of their PC doubletalk. Their actions and performance really tell it all.

Literal clowns could do a better job.

All of you with theories about Southwest airlines are wrong.

Southwest bought AirTran which left them with ooerations at 3 relatively close airports - Memphis, Jackson, and new Orleans. As soon as that merger happened Jackson's days were numbered.

Did you know that Supersede is the only English word ending in -sede. Crazy! And she totally misused that word.

Looks like he had it worked out to drop this move AFTER his all expense, extended stay, trip to Paris. It sounds like he has great fiscal judgment. Wonder if their board will go for the all of us go and we take 5 extra days to Paris next year?

Kennuf Stokes would do a great job.

You see this same stuff in the private sector. Whether it be nepotism, a preference for a frat/ sorority, or a racial or gender preference for the sake of diversity.

Companies will often be mostly staffed with incompetent people that rely on 2 or 3 people to do all of the work. Eventually the 2 or 3 competent people find greener pastures. In the private sector this can lead to a the failure of a corporation. Not so in government.

Kenny Wayne Jones , here is your chance. Lol

I think about Paris when I'm high on red wine,
I wish I could jump on a plane.

Jimmy Buffett

"Changes in Latitudes. Changes in Attitudes"

1977

T-H-I-R-D W-O-R-L-D A-I-R-P-O-R-T

Actually, the airports in many third world countries are much nicer and more passenger friendly than this shit hole airport, including Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, Croatia, Macedonia, Bosnia, Albania, Kosovo, Tunisia, Morocco, and on and on. I have flown into all of these countries.

//Retired aviation executive//

Jacques DeGaul will be the next interim. See how productive that Paris Air Show was now?

2:32 pm

Safe? The location where the mayor lives is literally a stone’s throw from where a well known OB/GYN was kidnapped at gunpoint at his home a few years ago. The victim was forced to drive the thug in the doc’s vehicle. However, a block away, the doctor managed to find his weapon in the vehicle and shoot the thug who died almost instantly. There is no safe haven in Jackson.

Arriving at the airport in Jackson from anywhere outside Mississippi is a depressing reminder of the state of this state. It is made even worse by the voice of Mayor Lomumble reciting a cheesy welcome to his failing radical city over the loudspeaker.

Jackson is the worst run city this country. The rest of the metro area is the only thing showing any hope and I fear it is too little too late.

My enduring memory of the Jackson Airport will be the night our pilot woke us up during a redeye flight to tell us he was taking us back to Dallas because the Jackson runway lights were off and the tower was not responding on the radio. You could hear the sense of disbelief in the pilot's voice. I fly a lot and have never experienced that before or since. The paper wrote a story about it.

https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2016/07/07/jackson-airport-mystery-were-runway-lights-off/86719500

6:48,
The mega mansions at end of Meadowbrook rd Smith the 7,000 sq. Ft guest house or playhouses are located are safe near the lake. As are the houses in Meadowbrook highlands with the fulltime guard. Thanks to cspire families and Sanders in farms yates daughter in law... see all of these families that can afford 4 kids in private schools 2 other beach house or Oxford condos a country club membership and security etc...

@ 12:27
Your obviously trying to say Sanderson Farms family... well some live in woodland hills fondren as well. So they're not only in the NE Jackson neighborhoods. I agree the city has become a place for affluent families. That said, let's not ridicule them for the success they've had.