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Skateboarders again take over old New Orleans airport terminal

May 01, 2022
4 min read
skateboarders at old MSY terminal
Skateboarders again take over old New Orleans airport terminal
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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.

A general view of the interior of the new airport at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in Kenner, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

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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.”

A participant performs a frontside ollie at Red Bull Terminal Takeover on April 16th, 2022. (Photo courtesy of Jonathan Mehring/Red Bull Content Pool)

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.

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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.

Jake Wooten performs a backside 360 at Red Bull Terminal Takeover on April 14th, 2022. (Photo courtesy of Jonathan Mehring/Red Bull Content Pool)

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.

A participant performs at Red Bull Terminal Takeover on April 16th, 2022. (Photo courtesy of Jonathan Mehring/Red Bull Content Pool)

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?

Featured image by Devin Flynn performs a kickflip at Red Bull Terminal Takeover on April 14th, 2022. (Photo courtesy of Jonathan Mehring/Red Bull Content Pool)
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
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Rewards Rate

6X6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
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    Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.

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    Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

    670-850
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Why We Chose It

The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.

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  • 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
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  • Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.
  • Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
  • 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
  • 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
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