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androbot t1_j1pta38 wrote

I wonder what it would take to officially change the name (back) to National. I say this as I recall driving along the Ronald Reagan Turnpike inf Florida (of course) and almost wrecked because I couldn't stop my eyes from rolling.

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St1834 t1_j1q66i7 wrote

This is a rare example of the person something is named after actually having a lot to do with its existence. It's not like Dulles, who had nothing to do with the airport. Reagan actually got the airport transferred to local control, which cleared the way for the renovations in the 90s that added Terminal 2

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hoos30 t1_j1r4ugw wrote

Interesting that the locality didn't want to change the name and was forced into by Congress...

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St1834 t1_j1r66c4 wrote

The federal government still maintains oversight of the MWAA and holds the title, so the federal government is the only party that can change the name.

What you're referring to is the fact that the localities didn't want to pay for all of the costs associated with the name change because it was passed as an unfunded mandate, and localities hate that.

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androbot t1_j1z4fgo wrote

TIL... thank you for the information! I still hate that guy, but it's good to know DCA isn't the same circle jerk that Florida was doing.

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mister_meeseeeks OP t1_j1q0wd5 wrote

It was Washington National now it’s that other name that also ends in National. The airport is in Virginia but controlled by congress. I’d put renaming this airport pretty far down on the list of priorities. I almost never end up hearing its real name anyway. Just call it DCA

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androbot t1_j1z4m5d wrote

I agree the likelihood of an official renaming approaches zero. It's just very funny to hear how people refer to it. It's a kind of dog whistle. People (like me) who refuse to say Reagan, and then the other folks, who consist of Republicans or totally apolitical types.

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