The Minnesota 99s had an amazing tour today of the MSP Airport by the Metropolitan Airports Commission. The Metropolitan Airports Commission owns and runs the MSP Airport and six reliever airports.
I have been to the MSP Airport many, many times, but what I never realized was that it’s like a little city. So much happens behind the scenes, in other buildings, and under the runways. They have to constantly deal with not only the public, airlines (Delta), and businesses that use the airport (such as Amazon and the US Post Office), but weather and nature (bird strikes, birds nesting, deer, critters on the runways, etc). And yes I asked about drones. They are thinking about drones and how they are being used – the negative aspects, but also the good, such as the use of drones to help in the airport’s daily operations and how their customers will be using them in the coming years.
We were so fortunate that they let us tour the Tower, drive through the garages filled with snowplows and other machinery that keep the runways clean and safe, tour one of the baggage areas filled with conveyor belts, walk up many stairs and at one point come out inside the main terminal, and catch our bus outside one of the concources. Security is very serious (as you would expect) with cameras, guards, locked doors, and keycard access everywhere to keep everyone safe. You are always on camera and you are being watched. Safety is stressed over and over. Everyone we met was really nice, answered all of our crazy questions, and were happy to show us what they do. If you ever have the chance to take a tour of an airport you need to do it as they are amazing places. Many thanks to everyone at the Metropolitan Airports Commission and the MSP Airport for such a wonderful tour.
