I commented on a recent editorial titled "Why Subway Doesn't Serve a $14 Sandwich." I agreed with what the author - Michael Saltsman- was saying and provided a real world example of decent, cheap, fast airport food being replaced by more expensive sit-down restaurants under the justification that "local owned and operated" is better.
In some ways, local owned can be better. A tourist passing through our airport might remember a meal he had at "Sauce" or the "Barrio Cafe" in Phoenix's SkyHarbor Airport, and repeat that experience at the same restaurant that can be found around town. This can be a plus for the local economy.
Problem is, a hamburger that used to cost $6 in PHX Terminal 4 is now $14. Does this lead to higher wages or better health care insurance for employees? Maybe. What if it does not? What if the Airport Authority Deciders of What We Eat in PHX SkyHarbor have less than the best intentions about where that extra $8 goes? What if a family chooses against the prices of "locally owned and operated," is in a hurry and simply goes with the airplane snacks? Then it's a fail for just about everyone.
Here's the original editorial by Mr. Saltsman:
Here's my letter in the April 25th edition:
- Politicians picking local Reubens over $5 footlongs? Come on out to the Phoenix airport, Terminal 4, Concourse D. There used to be a nice food court there. You could get a reasonably priced Wendy's meal or fast Asian fare on the way to your flight. All gone now, replaced by two sit-down restaurants owned and operated by businesses in the Phoenix area. A family of four can now get burgers to go for about $60, not including drinks. I wonder how many parents skip these pricey slow-food restaurants and settle for bags of free peanuts on their flight. I know, hungry children don't contribute or vote.
