Posted by  Allen Jones Jr. on November 05, 2002 at 08:38:33:

In Reply to:  Re: HELP SAVE Saarinen's TWA Terminal!!! posted by Blake on April 18, 2002 at 21:11:15:

I too am very concerned about the plight of this magnificent terminal of tomorrow. I have drafted a three page letter that will be forwarded to Mr Theodore Prudon, President of Docomomo Us. Here, I outlined a possible design concept for the terminal. First, instead of the large c-shaped terminal, two larger satellite terminals should be constructed. They would each have three levels as opposed to the origional two. Departing passengers would funnel through the existing terminal through one of the tunnels and onto the third level of the satellite(departures)Here, they would enplane through a dual designed jetway. Deplaning passengers would exit the aircraft through an adjacent, downward sloping jetway which would convey them onto the the second level(arrivals/customs pavillion). Once they are processed, they would proceed down a set of escalators onto the ground level,(baggage clain/rental car).

Second, a sunken roadway would be loop around the rear of the existing terminal. Arrivals traffic would drive down a ramp, around the back of the terminal and would pick up passengers at the base of the first level of the satellites. This design would still allow departing passengers to view the airfield from the sunken lounge, in the terminal without being obstructed by the traffic. The only drawback to this is that arriving passengers would not be able to circulate through the existing terminal. This design would separate departure and arriving traffic as opposed to having both congested in front of the terminal.
Should this idea be considered, I don't know. I am eager to get a response from Mr. Prudon. Perhaps,the larger 747 satellite could be demolished and the origional 707 satellite could remain for use by smaller regional jets. The entire complex , in my opinion is still such a beautiful and fluid structure,well ahead of its time and timeless. I would hate to see anything happen to this terminal of tomorrow. Please respond and share your thoughts.

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