The Merc reported this morning that security express lanes at SJC and other bay area airports closed this week due to insolvency of Clear, the company that operated them.

Hopefully worse is in store for the misconceived and anti-American airport pre-screening program (but realistically, a new company will be running those lines by the end of the year). Never mind that this program is tailor-made for terrorists who want to find out which of their agents are on the US government watch list (but thanks to Bruce Schneier for pointing it out). Never mind that this is a blatantly anti-egalitarian program that leaves those of us waiting in the cattle chute wishing we could give the world-mover being ushered through the Clear line a punch in the nose.

The real problem with the program is that it means our government leaders don’t have to eat their own dog food. They can legislate endless security hassles for the rest of us, but instead of enduring it themselves, they can look down their noses, ask (in a metaphorical Hahvahd accent), “don’t you know who I am?”, and skip right through. Maybe they have to pay the same $100 per year for pre-screening as anybody else, but they’re sure to get it back again as a campaign contribution from Clear by the end of the year.

The other galling aspect of the pre-screening program is the sheer stupidity of it. Didn’t the power elites (and by creating this program, they really demonstrate that “power elite” isn’t just a Marxist buzzword) who thought this up realize how resentful it would make the rest of us? How obviously anti-egalitarian it is? I realize its unrealistic to expect the power elite to wither away, leaving behind a paradise of social and economic equality, but I demand a power elite with some intelligence!

The former residential neighborhood of College Park was mostly demolished to clear approach paths to SJC. Photo by Avi Morgan

What’s now the Guadalupe River Park and Gardens, just west of Highway 87 and south of the airport, was formerly a neighborhood of middle-class homes. When the expanding airport required clearance for its approach paths, the residents of College Park were forced out of their homes, and entire blocks were razed. Avi Morgan’s photos document the current state of the neighborhood where he grew up. Many of Morgan’s photos are accompanied by poignant commentary on his personal history in the neighborhood, and the loss of historical connections as the San Jose area evolved into Silicon Valley.

Morgan isn’t only interested in College Park. His photographic and historical interest covers the rest of downtown San Jose, and other areas of the Bay Area. For example, he has photos from IBM’s abandoned building 25 and threatened downtown buildings.

If you’re a San Jose newcomer like me, maybe a part of the corporate culture that dominates Silicon Valley, take a tour through Morgan’s photostream to gain an appreciation of how the area has changed. If you’re a native, Morgan’s photos should remind you of some of your own history.

In 2004 Victor Navorsky (Tom Hanks) gets stuck at JFK when he finds that he is a man without a country. You must have seen ‘The Terminal’.

Could we have a similar situation going on right here at SJC? The first and second time that I saw her she didn’t seem all that out of place. She was pushing around a $3 Smarte Carte (baggage cart) loaded up with a couple of bags. Now its’ cargo has grown to include a couple of Styrofoam ice chests, and a tall tube-ish box which looked to have a drink cup dispenser attached to it. She now resembles a genuine homeless person.

When she became aware of my interest she quickly held a newspaper up to cover her face, and darted out into the parking garage. She often pretends to be making a phone call or other ‘normal’ activity.

An airport official told me that they were aware of her. Because SJC is a public property and until she becomes a nuisance there is not much that can be done. I wonder?

San Jose-based eBay with an auction featuring flights.

Take a look at JetBlue on eBay

Click the photo.

I spotted this beautiful ‘US Airways – Airbus A319 -132 – Arizona Cardinals’ waiting for take-off at SJC this morning. The Cardinals are scheduled to meet-up with the Oakland Raiders (McAfee Coliseum) on Aug. 23. I wonder which of the local fields the Cardinals will be using for practice?

The Official Site – Cardinals

While the work to improve SJC goes on, and on, deciphering and then maneuvering through the new traffic pattern can be a challenge. Today passengers can once again be dropped off curbside in front of Terminal A.

The arrival side was to be closed to traffic, due to construction, but thank goodness someone realized what a nightmare that would be. So yes, you can still be picked up curbside just outside of baggage claim. An airport traffic cop told me that they are encouraging passengers with carry-on bags to be picked up on the departure side, closer to the International building.

The SJ City council approved a meter increase:

$3.50 flag drop – ($5 flag drop out of SJC.)
$3 per mile
$30 per hour wait time
$1.50 extra for any trip to SJC

A study will be conducted to evaluate customer reaction to a $15 minimum taxi fare out of SJC.

I betcha no one will be for that one! Especially the people that like to park at a near by business, and then take the cheap (taxi) way.

With my last months gas receipts adding up to $1,500, I was almost giddy to find gas at $4.13 a gallon. We (taxi drivers) have been only hanging in there for sometime now. If the city council approves a meter increase this afternoon it won’t totally fix the situation, but it will help keep the taxicabs rollin’.

The new ‘flag drop’ would be $3.50 – the per mile charge would then be $3.00.

A $15.00 minimum out of SJC would be appreciated.

Mayor Chuck Reed is for the hike, and hopefully he will have some influence with the city council.

While at SJC I could not help but notice this young man. So that he could get up to speed on local dress, customs, and what’s happening – I gave him a ‘San Jose Metblogs’ card.

Nazanine Mousavi and Ephrain Joseph

Yes, that was a film crew at San Jose Airport today.

I spoke with Black Dove Entertainment Producer Michael Andres. Michael a graduate of Saratoga High School and UCLA told me that his cast and crew were all local people. He was kind to let me talk with the cast and take a few photos.

“Layla: Live or Die” a story that is relevant to the times and lifestyle of the Bay Area. Layla (Nazanine Mousavi), a young woman from the Middle East, must make some hard choices when the engagement to her fiancé (Ephrain Joseph) falls apart.

Black Dove Entertainment
Michael Andres – Producer

YouTube:
“Kidschool” – Cinequest Film Festival
“Father Son Holy ghost”

flickr:
“Layla: Live or Die”