He offered to host the commissioners for an overnight visit to his district, so they could experience its jet-noise problems. After the presentation, several commissioners declined the offer. The project at PTI would be a smaller version of the Louisville operation. It is proposed to open in 2005 and would include a new, parallel runway. It would be a sorting station for cargo going between cities in the eastern United States.
Supporters say the hub promises a big economic boost, creating thousands of new jobs.
Critics say economic rewards would be few and the hub could ruin western Guilford. Hub foes have been trying for months to get the commissioners to take a stand against the hub. The board, generally supportive of the project, has said the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority controls the project. Landreth said he was not persuaded by a legal brief submitted by Greensboro lawyers David Clark and Jeffrey Peraldo, contending that the board does have power over the hub. The lawyers are helping two anti-hub groups, Piedmont Quality of Life Coalition and the Citizens Action Committee.