Q:
The LVCVA is considering changing the name of McCarran International Airport to Las Vegas International Airport. What do you think? Feel free to use the email link on the next page to expand on your thoughts.
A:
2355 Total Votes
| No! Don’t forget Sen. Pat McCarran’s achievements, just because they were in the past. That’s precisely why we name things for people, to remember and honor their legacy. Should the name of New York's JFK be changed, just because the next generation doesn’t remember the former President? Or the Lincoln Memorial?! |
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| Yes! Who is/was McCarran anyway? "Las Vegas International Airport" makes much more sense. |
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Analysis
That was a pretty conclusive result! And yielded some surprisingly passionate email responses. Here's some of your feedback about why you voted as you did, from both sides of the fence:
I certainly understand in this age of disillusionment and disagreement with politicians it would be easy to remove the name of a Senator from a building. After all who is Senator Pat McCarran? Why can't we name buildings after "real" heroes.
In this case, though, consider a few things.
1. Pat McCarran was instrumental in federal legislation that created the forerunner to the FAA, The Civil Aeronautics Authority.
2. He was also instrumental with the Federal Airports Act - this act allowed many airport to be established / constructed. Especially improvements of military airports constructed/improved for WWII into civilian use.
3. He was a strong advocate for a separate Air Force (Nellis Air Force Base, anyone?)
4. Las Vegas receives (what? ) 60% of its visitors via air, making the airport a lifeline for Vegas.
Given the man was so intensely involved in early federal aviation policy and aviation is so intensely a part of Las Vegas, it seems short sighted of The LVCVA to want to change the name. I know history can mean little to Las Vegas, but, in this case, it would be really sad if McCarran's name were removed - from an airport.
No. Why do we keep renaming everything? Baltimore Washington International Airport -- BWI -- is now Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. If it's not broken, don't fix it!"
In addition to the sentiment of honoring the Senator, I think the city would do well to consider how much money would be spent to affect the name change. With the constant crying about Las Vegas' financial woes, it's projects like this that clear any doubt that focus should be put on the "needed" areas rather then "unnecessary" expenditures that the politicians seem to forget. How about putting that money back in to our sadly diminishing education system instead? I would much rather see some improvement in the level of education our upcoming generations are receiving, rather than marveling at the ever-so-relevant name-change of an airport. Come on people, start using some vague semblance of common sense.
McCarran was a big supporter of Sen. McCarthy, who in his zeal to persecute alleged communists ruined many lives, including people in show business. I can't off the top of my head think of any direct connections with performers involved with Vegas, but it is inappropriate to have our airport named after him. I was so eager to vote and write about this, that I may have pushed the wrong button in the poll. If you are too young to know about McCarthy and this shameful part of U.S. history, please look this up!
We know that the strip is not actually in the city of Las Vegas so does that mean the airport isn't, either? If not then maybe it should stay McCarran.
Yes! Please change the name. And I hope you start an international trend. I’ll be visiting Vegas in August and traveling from HARTSFIELD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (Huh? Where is that?).
The more I learn about Sen. Pat McCarran, the less I like. He seems to have been a prominent figure during the McCarthy era. "Las Vegas International Airport" seems entirely appropriate, especially if you consider some of the alternatives: "Elvis International Airport", "Oscar Goodman Field", "Wayne Newton International", "Rat Pack Airport", etc.
If it's changed to Harry Reid Airport I doubt that I'll ever fly into Las Vegas again!
No offense to the people of Nevada but the Senator was local and most non Nevada residents could care less. I live in Minneapolis and would feel the same if our airport was named after one of our past senators.
One would think there are many areas within the Vegas airport where the McCarran name could be used. If Senator McCarran had also been president of the United States perhaps it would be different but the airport serves people from all over the world and Senator McCarran was local. From a promotional stand point it seems to make more sense to name the airport "Las Vegas" than the current name.
I voted no, partly because of the reason put forth, but also just the cost of changing the whole thing. All signage, and a host of other unnamed related costs are just another burden for the harried taxpayer.
I think you missed another option that, to me, makes the most sense. Las Vegas-McCarran International Airport. Will people just refer to it as Las Vegas then? Probably, but at least McCarran's name will still be there. And besides, keeping McCarran's name could actually spur someone to go find out who he was!
Not to disrespect Sen. Pat McCarran, but I would guess that the airport was named after him some time ago, when Las Vegas was not as huge as it is today.
If it were renamed Las Vegas International, it would be easier for tourist and would just make more sense. I fly out of (Cleveland) Hopkins, and hardly anyone remembers who he was. If I were from some other state or country, and an airline told me they were rerouting me to or through Hopkins, I would have no idea what that meant.
Since the airport already has "International" in the name, why change? It is obvious it is in Las Vegas, so if someone needs an explanation of that then perhaps they should not be out and about on their own without a guardian! If the name is changed (and I voted that it should not be) perhaps they could at least name the largest terminal the McCarran Terminal or something of that sort (as has been done at the Phoenix airport with the Barry Goldwater terminal). At any rate, as I stated above, since the name already has "International" in it, it just seems a waste to go through all the expense it would take to change signage, etc. for the sake of putting the name of the city in which the airport is located in the name when those flying already know where it is!
Actually the answer to this dilemma is very simple. Change the name to Las Vegas McCarran International Airport or to McCarran Las Vegas International Airport an example of a name such as this is the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in Anchorage, Alaska. It sounds good, works well, and continues to honor the person for his/her works.
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