"I couldn't possibly fail to disagree with you less."
15 October 2006Just pluck it out of the airMichael Bates argues that the Tulsa Airport Authority should drop its $9.95-a-day fee for wireless Internet at Tulsa International, and there are good reasons to do so:
There's a practical advantage: Free wi-fi allows business travelers to stay productive during delays, which makes for less tension on the concourse when a flight is rescheduled or cancelled. It also makes it possible for travelers to investigate alternate flights, so that everyone doesn't have to wait in line to get booked onto a new flight.
Mostly, though, free wi-fi would be a way to extend hospitality. It would be a way to leave a positive final impression on visitors to our city. Besides, it's something we don't have in Oklahoma City (though the going rate at Will Rogers is two bucks less). Still, I must ruefully concede the point of commenter RJJ, who said:
Can we really expect anyone in Oklahoma to pass up the opportunity to charge someone a toll?
Probably not. In 1955, the legislature passed a law which said that so long as any bonds were outstanding on any state turnpike, no turnpike could be turned into a free road. And inasmuch as the Turner, the prototype for all such projects, contained a provision that allowed for refinancing those bonds — well, don't hold your breath waiting for the toll plazas to go away. It is true that there ain't no such thing as a free lunch; in this state, though, you might be well advised to bring your own napkins as well. Posted at 10:12 AM to Soonerland , TANSTAAFLWhen the NY State Thruway was being built 60 some years ago the people were told the tolls would only last until the bonds were paid off. They lied. They always lie. Toll roads never become free passage, no matter what any politician says. Tolls are like crack for a politician. Posted by: Purple Avenger at 7:37 PM on 15 October 2006Kentucky used to have ten toll roads; now they have two. (I've driven the Louie B. Nunn/Cumberland Parkway, which used to be a toll road, and now isn't.) It can be done, but seldom is. |