The loud rumblings of low-flying airplanes continue to be a concern for the Magnolia community, especially when alternate flight paths exist. However, changing flight patterns doesn't happen that easily.
"We're really hoping we can help communicate what a complex issue it is," said Leslie Barstow, community relations manager for King County International Airport/Boeing Field. "You're talking about coordinating very, very large amounts of airports in this region that are very close together, and all of them have very specific requirements for getting to them. It's not a simple answer."
Representatives from King County International Airport/Boeing Field and the Port of Seattle SeaTac Airport, including the King County airport director and the deputy airport director, will talk to the community about the multi-faceted and often contentious issue of flight patterns at a meeting Nov. 12. It will be hosted by Magnolia Community Club (MCC). Alaska Airlines will also have a representative at the meeting. The Federal Aviation Administration has not confirmed a representative will be at the meeting.
Though flight noise has been an ongoing concern for Magnolians, MCC president and Magnolia resident Randall Thomsen, said the issue seems to be at the forefront for many Magnolians.
After dealing with the airplane noise during the summer months when the sound pours into open windows and becomes an uninvited guest at deck parties, Thomsen said the meeting is a chance for frustrated neighbors to ask why planes continue to fly over Magnolia.
"The risk of an airplane crashing into our neighborhood is fairly low," Thomsen said. "But there is a perception from some constituents that there's some real safety issues, when there are safer routes than flying over neighborhoods."
But beyond looking at the odds for a plane crash, the question most have is: Why do planes fly over Magnolia if they can fly over the water instead?
"There are," Thomsen said, "very viable alternatives, perfectly acceptable alternatives that would eliminate both noise and safety issues."
What may seem like a simple solution to neighbors actually carries many complexities, according to Barstow. One of the main points of confusion and complication is that King County International Airport and Boeing do not control flight routes, the FAA does.
"We want to discuss what our role is and what we can do to affect change," Barstow said. "Getting the roles clarified, as to who actually can affect change and how it all has to work together, that's the goal."
For flight patterns to change, airlines and airports have to coordinate with one another and then further collaborate with the FAA. "There's not a simple answer to any of it," Barstow added.
Still, some Magnolia residents can't get past the sticking point of having an alternative available and not using it.
"It doesn't make sense," said resident Maggie Jones. "Sure, a plane's probably never going to crash. But it's just the idea of it. Why create a problem when it doesn't have to exist in the first place?"
While the "deafening" noise annoys Jones, she said the "bureaucracy of getting the flight pattern to change is worse." Jones plans to attend the meeting in hopes of finding the best route for neighbors to advocate for the change.
But the meeting, and the airplane noise, aren't of much concern to every Magnolian.
"I figure we're in a major city," said resident Alex Hayden. "Just because we're in this little nook in Magnolia doesn't mean we can escape all the city noises. It is kind of bad sometimes but there are worse problems than this I think."
Whatever one's stance is on flight noise, the 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 12 open meeting in the Catharine Blaine School cafeteria will be a chance for anyone to delve into the issue and get some answers about the possibilities of changing the flight patterns.[[In-content Ad]]
