The “passengers” arrived calmly to Hollywood Burbank Airport’s brand new $1.3-billion terminal shortly after 8:30 a.m. last Saturday.
Some carried handbags and purse dogs, others wheeled around large check-in luggage, while some breezed through ticket and check-in counters.
TSA checkpoints ran smoothly, and passengers arrived at their gates within minutes in a process that was fantastic and orderly.
It was a surprisingly smooth experience for one of Southern California’s notoriously cramped airports, but Hollywood Burbank officials hope what happened Saturday was a vision of the future, as the airport hosted a trial run for hundreds of volunteers and airport staff at the soon-to-open terminal.
Essential California checked out the trials, tested airport counters, walked through the terminal’s new gates and conversed with excited passengers looking forward to their next flight out of Burbank.
Here’s what we saw.
(Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
One last trial before opening day
Last Saturday, Hollywood Burbank invited 1,500 volunteers who signed up through social media ads to take part in a trial run before the terminal’s grand opening on Oct. 13. The shiny new facility replaces a terminal that first opened in 1930s and is being replaced to address federal safety concerns.
This was the final of three trials conducted by the airport, with previous versions open to staff members and then to 250 volunteers.
Along with the volunteers, airport staffers as well as airline and TSA personnel participated Saturday.
(Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
What was tested
The unpaid volunteers tested the airport’s new parking structure, which features about 2,000 spots and 310 charging ports for electric vehicles, and were instructed how to continue to the airport gates.
Some participants were handed carry-on and checked baggage for the trial.
Some were then directed to the ticketing hall to check in at a touch-screen kiosk, while others proceeded to baggage drops and ticketing counters (43 in total) with workers from Southwest, Alaska, Delta, United, JetBlue and American airlines aiding them.
From there, everyone proceeded through a TSA security checkpoint and on through the sparkling new terminal, complete with LED-screen departure and arrival LED screens and gate displays.
The bathrooms were open and clean, while shops and stores remained closed.
For good measure, volunteers with checked bags even retrieved their luggage from whirling baggage carousels before exiting the terminal with a Hollywood Burbank canvas tote as a thank-you. Volunteers also were instructed to fill out a survey.
(Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
What Hollywood Burbank officials think
Mike Christensen, Hollywood Burbank’s public information officer, said feedback from the trial was 98% positive.
“Participants enjoyed the upgraded experience our new terminal provides, while maintaining the convenience of the legacy terminal,” he said.
He said the one area of improvement noted by passengers was signage and wayfinding.
“We’re taking all the feedback gathered from the trial and using it to prepare for our opening day,” he said.
(Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
What volunteers thought
In some ways, North Hollywood resident Jane Han was exactly who Hollywood Burbank is trying to attract.
The tech worker, who makes several business trips a year to the San Francisco Bay Area, toured the new terminal with her 6-year-old mini poodle Beau.
“It’s been a very, very smooth process and I’m impressed by how beautiful it is and it also seems easier than LAX — sorry, LAX — to check in,” Han said with a chuckle.
She was so impressed, she said she would consider making a trip to Seattle out of Hollywood Burbank “very soon.” She noted that a journey from Burbank to San Francisco seems “almost easier” than her commute in L.A.
Fellow San Fernando Valley resident Matthew McNutt, who is visually impaired, felt a noticeable spacing difference.
“It seems much larger and ample than before,” he said. “Seating and space is a premium at airports and this is much nicer.”
McNutt said his issue with Hollywood Burbank never has been about convenience, but rather the airport’s “quaintness.”
“It’s nice to have a change,” he said. “This is a great airport and it’s nice to say it’s modern too.”
The week’s biggest stories
(Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
Transportation blues
Trump administration, policies and pushback
Los Angeles City and state elections
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Editor’s pick
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Things to do
(John Shearer / Getty Images for DirecTV)
- 🎤 Taylor Swift’s “The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore” tacks four bonus songs on to the blockbuster album that set a record for the biggest opening week of all time. Check out the new songs, ranked from worst to best.
- 🎭The fallout of a disgraced TV dad not named Bill Cosby lands with a thud in “The Peterson Show” at Atwater Village Theatre.
- 📚Drop by iconic Southland bookstores Vroman’s and Book Soup, which have found a new owner.
Today’s recipe
(Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times)
“There seems to be a pretty general agreement that the best way to cook sardines [not canned] is on the grill,” former Times food columnist Russ Parsons wrote. “That is the standard preparation in both the Mediterranean and in Japan, the two places that love fresh sardines best.” Parsons provides a recipe for sardines on fennel salad with walnut pesto that will make you agree.
Photo of the day
Fernando Tatis Jr., left, and Jackson Merrill celebrate with San Diego Padres teammates after clinching a wild-card playoff spot with a win over the Dodgers on Thursday.
(Mark J. Terrill / Ap Photo/mark J. Terrill)
Games
Here’s today’s mini crossword, plus our other free, daily crossword puzzle, sudoku, word search and jigsaw games.
Have a great day, from the Essential California team
Jack Dolan, investigative reporter
Hugo Martín, assistant editor, Fast Break desk
Kevinisha Walker, multiplatform editor
Andrew J. Campa, weekend writer
Karim Doumar, head of newsletters
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