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# The idling jets are killing us
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/the-idling-jets-are-killing-us-editor/
- Published: 2006-06-08T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T18:16:36.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica Airport, #archive-import

*By Martin Rubin Director, Concerned Residents Against Airport Pollution West Los Angeles*

Councilmember McKeown (SMDP, June 5, 2006, page 4) clearly does not understand many aspects in regard to the recently introduced California State legislation that will require the airport to log the taxi/idle times of kerosene-burning aircraft for a one-year period. I have been unsuccessful in my requests to meet with Councilman McKeown to discuss my concerns regarding the air pollution. Of course, everyone believes that aircraft should not be able to use the airport without the proper runoff safety areas. However, to sit idly by while jets blast raw kerosene over populated communities just across the streets at both ends of the runway is simply unacceptable. What is most disturbing is how silent Santa Monica has been in accepting the responsibility for requesting that the FAA allow for jets taking off to the west, to merge into LAX traffic; the result of which has been greatly acerbated air pollution from extended hold times.

Los Angeles borders half of the airport, but has no representation on the airport commission. When Cathy Larson from the Friends of Sunset Park spoke at the May 25 City Council meeting, she said that Mr. Rubin was not being heard by Santa Monica for about 10 years; of course he is going to look for other legislators to take up the cause. This legislation may have caught Santa Monica off guard, but it should not have surprised them. Nor should they fear it. Yes the bill, AB 2501, will be amended to more precisely define what data is necessary, but Concerned Residents Against Airport Pollution will not let Santa Monica diminish the effectiveness of it by crying that they can not afford it or that it is unfair. The $400,000 amount that Councilman McKeown mentions has no basis in reality. The actual cost will be much less and well worth it.

I do not wish to argue with Santa Monica officials. What I wish is to have Los Angeles concerns brought to the table for full and fair discussions. There is much that Santa Monica officials can learn. The health and lives of people depend on this issue being addressed pro-actively. If Councilman McKeown was serious in his intent to address negative impacts on the community from the airport, he would be wise to begin council actions to draft a letter to the FAA and Congressional representatives demanding that both issues — air pollution as well as safety runoff areas are addressed immediately.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 8, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/060806.pdf?ref=smdp.com)