The controversy over Christmas trees at Sea-Tac Airport has deflected criticism from an issue that could use more scrutiny: whether the airport is doing its job.
By now the story is known worldwide: after a rabbi threatened legal action to install a menorah next to Christmas trees in the arrivals lobby, airport staff panicked and had workers remove the trees in the dead of night. Commissioners of the Port of Seattle, which owns the airport, were consulted before the trees were removed and then spent days doing media interviews. Then late Monday, after a barrage of criticism, the Port decided to reinstall the "holiday trees" after all.
It's tempting to see this as an example of the larger inefficiencies at the airport, which could have used the last few days' management time and attention to boost its efficiency. The airport spokeswoman said they decided to remove the trees because they were too busy with the crush of December travelers to handle the vexing decision of what to do about the menorah. But the rabbi first brought up the idea in October and was rebuffed until he threated a lawsuit. Meanwhile Sea-Tac continues to lose business.
The trees issue may get even more attention at the Port Commission's Tuesday afternoon meeting, where the agenda includes mundane tasks such as vetting about $18 million in contracts.