OB1504 From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 2966 posts, RR: 8 Posted (5 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 1828 times:
Quoting The Miami Herald: Subcontractors had to halt work because doors were locked and no one had the key.
A prime contractor had no clue how much nearly a dozen jobs cost -- and ''no clear direction'' on how to proceed on masonry wall, elevator shaft and electrical work.
The construction manager bypassed a qualified low bidder for a paving contract in favor of a business partner whose budget later ballooned by millions.
As Miami International Airport unveiled its gleaming new 1.7 million-square-foot South Terminal last week, passengers could savor the roomier concourses and fresh sheen of the floors.
What wasn't so visible: the discord, delays and errors that helped add hundreds of millions in cost and 2 ½ years to the project's timetable. Planned for a budget of $799 million six years ago, the terminal's tab is now $1.1 billion.
A Miami Herald review of 100,000 pages of correspondence sheds light on how a project conceived on a ''fast track'' became mired in change orders, angry subcontractors and escalating costs.
Cory6188 From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 2686 posts, RR: 6 Reply 1, posted (5 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 1819 times:
What airlines are going to be located in Concourse J at MIA?
PanAm747 From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 4242 posts, RR: 10 Reply 2, posted (5 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 1772 times:
When private businesses do government work with no real enforceable deadlines or oversight, the public ends up with projects like Boston's "Big Dig", Denver's beautiful but delayed International Airport (and that horrific baggage system), and now Miami's new terminal.
In California, hardly the shining example of getting things done properly, we have two examples of the best way to handle things. In 1994, after the Northridge earthquake, a private contractor was given the job of rebuilding Interstate 10 through west Los Angeles. His company was given a bonus for everyday they finished ahead of schedule. Not only did he do quality work (the appropriate oversight), but it ended up costing less than the inevitable overruns would have done.
The same company was hired to repair the melted interchange in the Oakland area after a gasoline truck crashed into a pillar and destroyed part of the interchange. Instead of the six months predicted, his was done in around six weeks. Again, it was done quickly, efficiently, and under budget.
Massive public works projects are almost impossible anymore, because everyone wants a sweet deal. There's no reason to go quickly when you're getting paid for your overruns, is there? And why not let your friends in on the deal - don't use the low bidder - go with your buddy, and pass the cost along to the taxpayers!!
As taxpayers, which plan would you rather go with?
Pan Am:The World's Most Experienced Airline - P(oor) S(ailor's) A(irline): San Diego's Hometown Airline-Catch Our Smile!
OB1504 From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 2966 posts, RR: 8 Reply 5, posted (5 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 1634 times:
A previous thread speculated that Air Canada, Aerolineas Argentinas, Avianca, Caribbean Airlines, El Al, LAN, LTU, Lufthansa, Swiss, TAM, TACA, United, and US Airways might be moving into Concourse J.
MAH4546 From Sweden, joined Jan 2001, 31117 posts, RR: 74 Reply 6, posted (5 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 1602 times:
Quoting OB1504 (Reply 5): A previous thread speculated that Air Canada, Aerolineas Argentinas, Avianca, Caribbean Airlines, El Al, LAN, LTU, Lufthansa, Swiss, TAM, TACA, United, and US Airways might be moving into Concourse J.
There is no speculation. The new terminal has already opened, with Delta already using Concourse J check-in counters. The four LAN airlines move there on Monday. Others will be there by mid-October.
It is truly an amazing terminal, one of the nicest in the entire country. A total contrast to the other parts of MIA.
OB1504 From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 2966 posts, RR: 8 Reply 7, posted (5 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 1576 times:
What are some of the major differences between J and the renovated A, D, and H?
MAH4546 From Sweden, joined Jan 2001, 31117 posts, RR: 74 Reply 8, posted (5 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 1553 times:
Quoting OB1504 (Reply 7): What are some of the major differences between J and the renovated A, D, and H?
It's roomier. It was built from the ground up and was not designed to flow into the current airport design (even though it is connected, behind security, to H). It was also designed primarily as an international terminal, so it features a more upscale selection of retail and eateries (such as Hugo Boss).
The renovated A, when it re-opens, won't be very different from today's. It is already a very nice terminal.
The renovated H is not very noticeable. The main addition is new concessions and international gates.
D has not been renovated. The "high D" gates were built from the ground up.
B752fanatic From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 918 posts, RR: 9 Reply 9, posted (5 years 8 months 1 week 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 1147 times:
So when is the J terminal going to open for arrivals and departure of flights? Its understood that the checkin counters are active, however the terminal is not.
When?
"Truth is more of a stranger than fiction." Mark Twain
AAL0616 From United States of America, joined Jul 2006, 264 posts, RR: 4 Reply 10, posted (5 years 8 months 1 week 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 1131 times:
Quoting MAH4546 (Reply 8): It's roomier. It was built from the ground up and was not designed to flow into the current airport design (even though it is connected, behind security, to H). It was also designed primarily as an international terminal, so it features a more upscale selection of retail and eateries (such as Hugo Boss).
It was a special privilege and thrill to be given a tour of J last week.
It is really, really awesome, and, yes, is not so much unlike the rest of the airport (which it certainly is), than really a competitive, modern and efficient design that rivals anything I have seen around the world. High, high, high "cathedral" ceilings, wide, roomy lobby three times deeper than the rest of the airport, etc. etc. Like a completely different planet.
It really makes the North Terminal saga look absurd by comparison, and humiliating for the North Terminal hub "home" carrier (oops, never said that ...), even if J had problems of its own. By comparison, J is a real success.
You will all really dig it when you see it or fly through it!
LawnDart From United States of America, joined May 2005, 968 posts, RR: 4 Reply 11, posted (5 years 8 months 1 week 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 1093 times:
Quoting MAH4546 (Reply 6): A total contrast to the other parts of MIA.
Quoting MAH4546 (Reply 8): It's roomier. It was built from the ground up and was not designed to flow into the current airport design (even though it is connected, behind security, to H).
Walked from the old Delta lobby to the new Delta lobby through the old Delta offices (in front of security), and the difference truly was night and day.
However, business in Miami being what it is, my fear is that, not only is it built through the buddy system ($$$), but it will start to fall down in a couple of years.
MAH4546 From Sweden, joined Jan 2001, 31117 posts, RR: 74 Reply 12, posted (5 years 8 months 1 week 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 1086 times:
Quoting B752fanatic (Reply 9): So when is the J terminal going to open for arrivals and departure of flights? Its understood that the checkin counters are active, however the terminal is not.
When?
The terminal is active. LAN Argentina, LAN Chile, LAN Ecuador, and LAN Peru are using it.
Sponsor Message: 
From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 2966 posts, 
From Switzerland, joined Feb 2007, 3382 posts, 
From Ecuador, joined Jun 2007, 145 posts, 
From Sweden, joined Jan 2001, 31117 posts, 
Printer friendly format 
