US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - PHL

Hello to all FTers. I have been lurking since November, but have finally decided to post. Have avoided PHL at all costs for the past FIVE years, due to previous poor experinces. I graduate high school next month and will be attending college in PHL. This past Thursday and Friday were a repeat of all that I remembered. Mike Isom wrote me last month that PHL had seen significant improvements. Do you have any recommendations or tips about the future bane of my existance?

[This message has been edited by abbeachbear (edited 04-22-2002).]

Attending school in PHL. Not much choice if you need to fly in.

Having flown in and out of PHL for the past 14 years, I can say it has DEFINITELY improved over the past 5-10.

Learn to love it!

Welcome to PHL and flyertalk abbeachbear. I usually have no problems at PHL but of course I don't have to change here. There has been much construction here and that is coming to a close soon, hopefully that will help. Your closest options would be BWI, EWR, ABE and ACY. They are not to far if you have a car.
Good luck in school, where are you going?

Jay

abb--welcome to ft!! phl has indeed greatly improved and i think you'll find it ok. before this thursday night's hellish flight to chicago, i haven't had a really bad experience in philly in a very long time.

the worst thing about philly is actually the international terminal which you probably won't see too much -- the domestic terminals are greatly improved, good shops and decent food in the middle of b/c and a nice us club.

two rules for phl: from may to august, DO NOT fly after 3 pm, and if you can avoid it, DO NOT check bags when flying into philly (you will wait forever!)

in any case, if mike isom writes letters to you, you probably won't have too many problems http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I will be attending Bryn Mawr in the fall. Since freshmen are not allowed to have cars, I will be taking SEPTA everywhere. Thank you for all of the suggestions. I think that they will make my life easier now that PHL will be my home.

Congratulations on your attendance at Bryn Mawr. I live very close, its a beautiful area, you will enjoy it.

Best of luck.

Jay

The best thing about being based in PHL is that you have no choice but to connect in CLT or PIT!!! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

All kidding aside, my recent PHL experiences have been positive.... enjoy.

And, welcome to FT!

Departing out of PHL on a Monday morning is the absolute worst. I am based in PHL, and almost every Monday morning I am late departing due to traffic, and multiple other problems. It is probably one of the worst.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by geo1004:
The best thing about being based in PHL is that you have no choice but to connect in CLT or PIT!!! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif
</font>

Nope, he'll be blessed with non-stop flights that sit on the ground for the famous Philly Clear Weather Ground Stop (patent pending). or circle around aimlessly above before landing.

I'm glad that all the PHL residents responded to your post and made it seem so great since you have no choice. The rest of us will just pity your situation. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by pitflyer:
Nope, he'll be blessed with non-stop flights that sit on the ground for the famous Philly Clear Weather Ground Stop (patent pending). or circle around aimlessly above before landing. </font>

Don't forget the experience of "Welcome to your early arrival in Philly" followed by the famous "We can't find anyone to drive the jetway" that turns 10 minutes early into 20 minutes late.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by abbeachbear:
I will be attending Bryn Mawr in the fall... I will be taking SEPTA everywhere.</font>The R5 will become your best friend!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by pitflyer:
I'm glad that all the PHL residents responded to your post and made it seem so great since you have no choice. The rest of us will just pity your situation. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif</font>

I think there's a HUGE difference between O&D traffic and connection traffic at PHL. When I fly out of PHL, it's usually a pleasant experience. However, when I fly out of BWI and connect through PHL, it's frequently chaotic.

Welcome to flyertalk, abbeachbear. I'm also a student in the PHL area (University of Delaware). There are quite a few of us in the area, and we sometimes have get-togethers or dinners in the area, so if you are interested, watch the "Flyertalk Community" board. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by markbach:
I think there's a HUGE difference between O&D traffic and connection traffic at PHL. When I fly out of PHL, it's usually a pleasant experience. However, when I fly out of BWI and connect through PHL, it's frequently chaotic.</font>

I have a very good friend who lives in Philadelphia and tells me it's worse, so I guess it's just a matter of opinion. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

In summary, I'd like to wish you good luck and hope you don't tear out all your hair in frustration &lt;grin&gt;