Posted by: dylan555 | November 11, 2008

Fly Southwest Internationally?

Southwest Airlines, the discount carrier favored by many is looking to code share and extend it’s reach internationally. A recent article shows how they’re working on both Mexico via Volaris and Canada via WestJet.

I’ve never minded flying Southwest, though I wish they had a better loyalty program that treated its most frequent fliers less like cattle. Though, at least when their flight attendants don’t shut up, it’s sometimes amusing.

Posted by: dylan555 | November 6, 2008

Crappiest Airports in America: LaGuardia

I might start a new series of posts titled the Crapppiest Airports in America.  It wouldn’t be too hard considering that plenty of them have issues.  Everything including delays, lack of amenities, long lines, dirty bathrooms, etc. can be found in many of our major markets.  The inaugural post for this series should be LaGuardia.  While I consider this to be the more convenient airport in New York, it is falling apart. Recently I flew through LaGuardia en route to another city. Being trapped in Terminal C is not fun. In order to access edible food, the Admiral’s Club, etc you must go out through security and then be re-screened to enter another part of the Central Terminal.  Check out the map here.

What might be worse, however, is the actual physical condition of the airport.  While I can tolerate eating a pretzel dog for breakfast if I have to, I wonder if this airport is a health hazard.  I’m sure it’s a sick building so it doesn’t help that it’s falling apart (as shown below):

LaGuardia - Terminal C

It’s time for the Port Authority to fix this place up, add some televisions and bring the aiport into the present.  At this point, it would be nice if the airport would be considered modern circa 1988.  

And for the record, no I did not have a pretzel dog for breakfast.

Posted by: dylan555 | November 6, 2008

RDU: Welcome to Terminal 2

3008948598_1af6b112fb_mRecently RDU opened its new terminal. Terminal 2 replaces the old Terminal C. So far, I have to say I’m pretty impressed. The lobby of Terminal 2 is quite nice, providing an open area to check in with airlines. It also features 10 security lanes (though only two were open when I flew out of RDU).

While not all of the restaurants are open, the new terminal looks like its food choices will be better than the old Maui Taco and Jersey Mike’s. The food might actually be edible. In addition, there are a Border’s Books, a used book kiosk, and two newstands.

The waiting area is comfortable and surprisingly quiet (though I did fly out on an early flight). The only annoyance was the chimes and booming voice that announced the time. I haven’t yet checked out the baggage claim (I carried on) or the Admiral’s Club. I’m sure, however, that I will on future trips and expand on this quick post.

A few minor complaints so far…

  • A good number of restaurants and shops aren’t open.  It’s not like this terminal appeared overnight.  It would be nice if those businesses had planned better and opened when the terminal did.
  • The Admiral’s Club is on the opposite end of the building from the American gates. Not the biggest deal in the world, but definitely an oversight that could have been avoided.
  • While the airport authority changed the names of the terminals to Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, the new Terminal’s gates still carry the label “C.”  So gate 18 in Terminal 2 is C18.  I’m not sure why they felt the need to rename the two buildings.  If anything it’s going to confuse people.  They should change it back while they have the chance!
  • While the Exit Express kiosks are still outside, it would be nice to see them placed inside (it’s possible they’re downstairs at baggage claim).

I hope to offer more information as I take airport safaris to explore more corners of our new terminal.  In the meantime, here are some pictures from the inside (mostly taken from the American end of the building).

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Posted by: dylan555 | October 30, 2008

Wireless in Airports

A while back I complained about the new economy of fees everywhere. Thanks to a link I discovered at Travelista, here’s a list of the state of wireless fees and service providers at America’s airports.

Posted by: dylan555 | October 30, 2008

Delta + Northwest = ?

So Delta Airlines and Northwest airlines have gone and gotten hitched. As one who flies out of a smaller airport, I’m sure it means fewer choices for me. It also means that one fair airline (Delta) and one kind of crappy airline (Northwest) will likely slide further down in terms of customer service.

To be honest, I’m concerned that American will now see the need to merge with another airline and hurt its service (in the interest of full disclosure I’ve got Gold status on American and belong to the Admiral’s Club). I’m also concerned that it means fewer routes, fewer time choices, and higher prices. I’ve noticed that it’s getting harder and harder to fly from RDU to other oddball cities. While I can still get to New York, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Philadelphia, and Baltimore quite easily, going beyond that footprint gets harder. Trips to the west coast and Canada are costing more and requiring more creative bookings in order to get there when needed. I can’t imagine what people in even smaller markets are having to go through.

It will be interesting to hear the commentary from fellow travelers. While Delta and Northwest will saturate the market with positive messages, the real impact will be felt and communicated by those flying everyday. Additionally, i wonder how many jobs just vanished in places like Nashville and Detroit (homes to large Northwest hubs).

A few other places to read about the merger:

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