Local

Airport could take action against valet parking company

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Channel 9 has learned exclusive new information about the business valet parking at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.

Eyewitness News has been reporting about an employee taking cars for joy rides and items including guns stolen from cars.

Anchor Scott Wickersham is the only reporter to learn the airport is now taking action that could replace the company that runs it.

Wickersham recently got a call from a whistleblower who had even more concerns about how customers are treated by Park Inc., which runs the business valet for the city.

Channel 9 questioned airport leaders and asked what they're going to do about it.

On Friday, airport director Brent Cagle said they are taking action.

Park Inc. was hired to run the valet on a one-year contract.

But Cagle said under former aviation director Jerry Orr that contract just kept rolling over for the past six years.

Cagle said he is not satisfied with the level of service Park Inc. is giving fliers.

He told Channel 9 it's not acceptable

So in January, the airport is going to put out a request for proposals from any other company that wants to run the business valet.

Cagle told Wickersham Park Inc. is welcome to submit a proposal.

Cagle and a panel of community leaders will decide who gets the job later in the year, and that company will take over at the airport July 1.

Park Inc.'s current deal is a profit share with the city that netted them $200,000 in fiscal year 2012.

Because of increased volume and all the construction going on at the airport, Cagle said that number will be much higher when the final tally comes in for 2013.

The contract was approved and continued to roll over without looking at any other offers under Orr.

Orr attended his first meeting for the new airport commission Thursday night, but they have no power to run the airport.
       
Cagle, who is in charge, said the airport needs to look at other options and possible deals that don't include profit sharing.

Read our past coverage on this story here.