$6 Billion.
The largest current infrastructure project in the state of New York. LaGuardia Airport. LGA in aviation terms.
A seven-year project that completely overhauls highways, terminals, and gates.
For any LGA traveler, this is a welcome transformation. The airport boasts some of the worst reviews in the country.
Last Friday afternoon I arrived at LaGuardia. It was my first visit to the airport in a year. It was a wonderful surprise to exit the jetway and spill into a new Terminal B concourse. Open space, high ceilings, new restaurants and retail. An amazing transformation. I should note, a partial transformation. The work isn’t done, and frankly, once you exit a hallway out of Terminal B, you are quickly escorted back to the chaos that is LaGuardia.
Less than 24 hours later and I was back. I sipped a cup of morning brew from a brand-new coffee shop. And as I sipped, I sat at a new high-top table with cool seats and a plug for my phone. The vibe was tangible and exciting.
An hour later I was on my Southwest flight bound for Denver. Home. We pushed back from the gate within a few minutes of scheduled departure time. Once disconnected from the Tug that propelled us away from the gate, engines revved, and we began to move. But only for a short distance.
Then we sat. And we sat.
In roughly 15 minutes the pilot broke the silence. His words were a version of the following… “Welcome to LaGuardia. We’re presently in line to take off. But at this point there are 16 planes in line in front of us (and I might add, incoming air traffic that used the same runway). We’ll notify you when we’re ready to take off.”
Ugh. LaGuardia.
This announcement provoked an investigation for me. LaGuardia was constructed in 1939 for $23 million. At the time it was designed with four runways. Over the decades that followed, increased airplane velocity and capacity has forced the airport to consolidate into two runways. Both are a constraining 7,000-foot length.
Two runways. 16 airplanes in line in front of us.
The glossy brochures say this: “…an entirely new LaGuardia airport from the ground up…”
But wait, the $6 Billion LaGuardia will still only have two 7,000-foot runways. Two.
A new airport?
The mission of an airport is to get airplanes up and down safely and on time. A perfectly crafted latte does not define a successful airport. Comfortable lounge chairs and charging stations are a perk, not a purpose.
And then reality. Then a conviction. I fear that in many ways I am LaGuardia Airport. Focused on comfort and convenience but distracted from my mission. A mission that Jesus defines as being “my witnesses” (Acts 1:8).
The coffee is great… but the planes sit.
$6 Billion – and the same old airport. The same delays. The same missed connections. The same dicey landings in bad (and sometimes good) weather. The airport will be able to accurately claim new, more modern comfort for the misery, but not a new airport.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Not just a new souvenir shop, the latest in sushi, or a bold new pour over coffee… but a NEW CREATION. The old has gone. The new is come.
Am I settling? Are you?
LaGuardia got me thinking…
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
Mifepristone, also recognized as RU-486, is a artefact that is used for the duration of medical abortion. It was developed in the 1980s via French scientists and has been approved representing exigency execrate in diverse countries, including the Shared States.
Mifepristone acts as an antiprogesterone, which means that it blocks the vitality of progesterone, a hormone that is needed to profess pregnancy. The analgesic causes fetal turn-down https://smf.sos-dan.ru/index.php?topic=430959.new#new and leads to abortion. As common it is taken together with another narcotize called misoprostol, which helps dispatch up and refurbish development of abortion.
Mifepristone has its own side effects, which may categorize nausea, vomiting, migraines, bleeding and diarrhea. In some cases, masterful medical intervention may be required if complications occur.
Teeth of the actuality that mifepristone is considered Acheter Mifegyne en ligne a non-hazardous and remarkable method of abortion, it still causes a piles of chin-wag and confrontation volume the public and medical specialists. Some people observe it a close at hand and more attractive other feeling of abortion, when how others cowardly of its reasonable risks and adversary consequences.
Whole, mifepristone is an high-level avenue in the arsenal of medical techniques for the benefit of terminating a pregnancy. It gives women pick and control over their bodies. It is important that every bride talk over with a medical thorough all possible options and risks in advance deciding to end a pregnancy with mifepristone.
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
Mifepristone, also recognized as RU-486, is a artefact that is used for the duration of medical abortion. It was developed in the 1980s not later than French scientists and has been approved for use in many countries, including the Collaborative States.
Mifepristone acts as an antiprogesterone, which means that it blocks the enterprise of progesterone, a hormone that is needed to profess pregnancy. The drug causes fetal rejection http://wooneung.net/bbs/board.php?bo_table=free&wr_id=14183 and leads to abortion. As usual it is entranced together with another narcotic called misoprostol, which helps suddenness up and uplift activity of abortion.
Mifepristone has its own side effects, which may categorize nausea, vomiting, migraines, bleeding and diarrhea. In some cases, qualified medical intervention may be required if complications occur.
Despite the certainty that mifepristone is considered Acheter Mifegyne en ligne a non-hazardous and effective method of abortion, it still causes a masses of dialogue and confrontation among the civic and medical specialists. Some people consider it a close at hand and more attractive other habit of abortion, when how others panic-stricken of its workable risks and negative consequences.
Whole, mifepristone is an important means in the arsenal of medical techniques for the benefit of terminating a pregnancy. It gives women cream and put down to their bodies. It is substantial that every bride discuss with a medical thorough all conceivable options and risks earlier deciding to terminate a pregnancy with mifepristone.
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
Mifepristone, also recognized as RU-486, is a artefact that is inured to on account of medical abortion. It was developed in the 1980s not later than French scientists and has been approved representing consume in many countries, including the United States.
Mifepristone acts as an antiprogesterone, which means that it blocks the enterprise of progesterone, a hormone that is needed to maintain pregnancy. The medicine causes fetal dismissal http://www.markusragger.at/chess/index.php/kforum/jm-lifestyle/617523-killpreg#617649 and leads to abortion. As stock it is entranced together with another medication called misoprostol, which helps speed up and improve activity of abortion.
Mifepristone has its own side effects, which may include nausea, vomiting, migraines, bleeding and diarrhea. In some cases, expert medical intervention may be required if complications occur.
Teeth of the certainty that mifepristone is considered Acheter Mifegyne en ligne a non-hazardous and effective method of abortion, it restful causes a lot of discussion and argument volume the civic and medical specialists. Some people consider it a within easy reach and more handsome other way of abortion, when how others weak-kneed of its possible risks and negative consequences.
Whole, mifepristone is an high-level tool in the arsenal of medical techniques through despite terminating a pregnancy. It gives women cream and domination to their bodies. It is weighty that every bit of fluff discuss with a medical thorough all possible options and risks before deciding to come to an end a pregnancy with mifepristone.
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
Mifepristone, also recognized as RU-486, is a product that is utilized for medical abortion. It was developed in the 1980s alongside French scientists and has been approved for consume in uncountable countries, including the Shared States.
Mifepristone acts as an antiprogesterone, which means that it blocks the engagement of progesterone, a hormone that is needed to maintain pregnancy. The upper causes fetal turn-down http://www.mallangpeach.com/bbs/board.php?bo_table=free&wr_id=255336 and leads to abortion. As usual it is charmed together with another narcotic called misoprostol, which helps speed up and uplift activity of abortion.
Mifepristone has its own side effects, which may list nausea, vomiting, migraines, bleeding and diarrhea. In some cases, qualified medical intervention may be required if complications occur.
Notwithstanding the actuality that mifepristone is considered Acheter Mifegyne en ligne a non-hazardous and operative method of abortion, it stillness causes a drawing lots of chin-wag and contention volume the available and medical specialists. Some people consider it a opportune and more captivating other feeling of abortion, when how others cowardly of its possible risks and annulling consequences.
Total, mifepristone is an noteworthy tool in the arsenal of medical techniques through despite terminating a pregnancy. It gives women pick and control to the ground their bodies. It is weighty that every mate deliberate over with a medical professional all credible options and risks earlier deciding to finish a pregnancy with mifepristone.