Skateboarders again take over old New Orleans airport terminal
If the new César Pelli-designed Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport terminal, which opened to great fanfare in November 2019, wasn't so visually impressive and full of amenities, the fact that the old terminal still stands intact, empty and visible across the airfield would be very sad.
Local aviation authorities hope to someday turn the old terminal into a thriving and profitable cargo and maintenance center. But in the meantime as the Times Picayune/New Orleans Advocated reported, the old terminal is earning its keep with cameo roles in film and TV productions.
One of those money-making events took place earlier this month, when celebrity skateboarders and skateboard crews from across the country rolled into to the old terminal facilities – and even onto the tarmac – for Red Bull's second Terminal Takeover.
Here is a short video of pro skateboarder Jake Wooten showing off his skills – and the airport terminal transformation – from last year's event.
"I couldn't believe we were able to do Red Bull Terminal Takeover the first time," Wooten said in a statement. "It was beyond my imagination. Being able to do it again is an opportunity I would never miss out on. Seeing the faces of everyone who walks in solidifies the reason why we're doing this for the community."
For this year's event, eight crews of skaters, each with their own filmer, were let loose in the former terminal on custom-built parks that made use of concourses, the ticket lobby, the bag claim area and a jet bridge.
Benches, old airport signage, a golf cart, check-in countertops, a bag claim carousel, handrails, hallways, ledges and ramps were all fair game. And they were all put to clever use by the team building the space.
And the build-out numbers are impressive. The 12-person crew spent three weeks on pre-build and had just four days to assemble the parks on site. They used 37,000 pounds of ramp materials and three tractor loads of supplies.
That's not all. The competing skate teams were permitted to add their own touches and each crew designed their own street-style obstacles as part of their video edits.
The layout was not only a skateboarder's paradise, but it was also "something I don't think anyone can recreate, except in a video game," said Tony Hawk Pro Skater game character Kareem Campbell, one of the celebrity skateboarders on hand for the event.
As a bonus, before the Terminal Takeover competition kicked off, the skateboarding crews joined the skateboarding pros for an open skate session. The build-crew had created a 24-foot-wide, 5-foot-tall mini ramp out off a jet bridge on the MSY tarmac to allow skating while planes landed and took off in the distance. To top it off, Red Bull aerobatic pilot Kevin Coleman flew by with three low knife edge passes in his Extra 300 plane 15-feet over the mini ramp.
This year, the eight participating Terminal Takeover teams hailed from New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Atlanta, Birmingham, Tupelo, the Florida Panhandle, Philadelphia and Nashville (last year's winners). Each team will be submitting two-minute video compilations of their skating adventures in the old Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport terminal. And those final videos will be posted on May 10 on redbull.com for a fan-sourced vote. The winning crew will receive a $5,000 prize toward their local skate scene.
It all makes you wish MSY authorities don't rush to find a permanent tenant for that old terminal, for at least another year, doesn't it?
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.