Originally Posted by
b1lanc
Though I agree that the public goes/is insane, I think the real issue is twofold. First, most commercial US airports servicing larger cities were built on open sites in the bi-plane era. Take a look at some 1930s pictures. Open land all around where the predecessor field locations (mostly AAF sites) were chosen.
Mines Field in Los Angeles comes to mind. surrounded by bean fields.
Recall, first Grand Central Air Terminal (Glendale) was the very early airline airport. Then, it became insufficient, so airline operations were moved to Burbank.
And, look at San Diego today. Absurd!
California has a horrible track record except for Sacramento. They did pull that one out of the bag. Not an international airport, though, nor was that intended.