California - All About FAT -- Questions, answers, discussion [Merged threads]

I used to live in Fresno so know this airport well.

I've never seen anything renovated so many times -- or renovated with any improvement whatsoever.

Years ago, back in the days when you had to take the escalator up and down to the gates, the airport was just as servicable as it is now. There were even some nicer things about it... I always loved that you could pull up to the curb right in front of the airport where there were parking meters (the only thing better is APF where the lot right in front of the terminal is FREE!).

Now they've got the whole darn thing torn up. They're adding separate access roads for arrivals and departures, and putting in jetports. I guess they figure "if you build it, they will come" since for years the total jet service has been 1 daily FAT-DFW r/t on AA (via MD80), a few FAT-PHX r/ts on AWA, a Horizon Air flight to Seattle, and one charter after another that goes under flying 737s to LAS.. plus Skywest CRJs to SLC for DL and now DEN for UA.

Baggage takes awhile to come out on each of the only two SMALL baggage claim conveyers.

There is still only one restaurant (Kittyhawk Lounge or something) and a snack bar near the gates.

I used to love it when WestAir served as UAX, and even the early days of Skywest -- none of the employees ever knew to collect upgrade certificates. I used to upgrade with 500-milers from SFO-IAD or LAX-IAD all the time and never have to give up certs.

Now Skywest is just so darn professional out there (and FAT was named Station of the Year according to a big banner by the checkin counters).

I still make it back there 5-6 times/yr -- so if there are any FT'ers heading out to FAT lemme know ... I can give you the lowdown on the area. http://www.flyertalk.com/airports/ftairports_forum/smile.gif

Oh yeah.. the airport authority insists on calling itself "FRESNO YOSEMITE INTERNATIONAL" -- though the closest thing they have to international would be flights to LA that then connect to Mexico...

They'll always remain FAT to me (and I guess to the FAA), though. http://www.flyertalk.com/airports/ftairports_forum/smile.gif

Thank you for the overview gleff. That was interesting. I've always preferred smaller airports during my travels for a number of reasons. Easier parking, less traffic congestion and now faster security checks, to name a few.

In my area I always prefer LGB, instead of LAX, ONT or SNA. Even BUR isn't what it used to be, although it is my second choice.

Happy Travels.

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The wealthiest person is a poor man at times, compared to the man with a satisfied mind.

Jetways and terminal extension are finished. Quite nice, actually, with a great view of the snow-capped Sierra's on a clear day. Also kinda fun to watch the military metal depart.

Although this is a FT backwater, I do have lots of stories about FAT....

Playing on farm equipment between the runways back when they still grew crops out there. Playing in the old bunkers across from the Tower on Anderson. Playing in the tower; espeically loved the antique payphone and watching the weather guys at the FSS do the forecasts.

I grew up right at the end of the old FAT runway before they extended it. Anderson was a dirt road with our swimming hole by an irrigation pump. The tarmac was unfenced and we could walk right out to the GA planes.

I remember when Hughes, United and American flew 737's and 727's and when most of the gates were outdoors under a roof. We use to stand there and get blasted by the jet engines when the planes would power up and rotate to taxi. It was so loud we had to plug our ears with our fingers.

There was a go-kart track where the observation area, now mostly gone, was down by the ANG at Clovis and McKinley. Had lots of fun there as a kid. They used to drag race out by the ANG too, but that was before my time....

Neighbor's dad worked at the ANG as a mechanic for 20 years so we got to peer inside the old F86's and F102's when they were in for maintenance. I remember, after they fenced the airport, the ANG security patrols chasing us down at night when we would dig under the fences to get out to our old hangouts between the runways. We built underground forts in the fields by the airport, much to the chagrin of the farmer and his bulldozer.

I remember FAT when Fresno was a sleepy country town of 150,000 and the airport wasn't far removed from the Army air base (Hammer Field) it grew from.

Best childhood an aviation fancier could ever wish for http://www.flyertalk.com/airports/ftairports_forum/smile.gif

Pat

It has been several months since any activity here, so it is probably silly to reply to the thread. I did, however, want to correct the misapprehension about the improvements to FAT. The terminal remodel is done and is quite nice, with huge viewing windows in the gate area. The services airside are 100% better, with a decent restaurant near the gates, bar, book/snack shop and so on. Fares are still disproportionately high and mileage runs are difficult or expensive (have to start at LAX or SFO), but convenience is pretty good. I actually prefer VIS, where parking is right outside the front door and free! Love getting 500 EQMs for a 15 minute, 35 mile flight segment. There is never more than a 5 minute security line and your choice of seats on every flight. I'm not sure, but I may be one of a very few, or even the only, elites who use VIS. They know me by name and almost automatically assign me the exit row seat I prefer. Unfortunately, the 2, count 'em 2, PM departures per day don't permit most connections, so I wind up at FAT more often than not.

If you haven't been to FAT in the last 6 months, you haven't been to FAT.

abmj-jr

Good news is flights are up and fares are down...I payed 220 RT to Chicago on america west. Not quite as good as LAX or OAK, but its cheeper when you factor driving. There is even talk of flights to Mexico City in the next few monnths. Also hoping for a low-fare carrier (Frontier, jetBlue, or Virgin America) to come in and help keep fares low.

I actually prefer VIS, where parking is right outside the front door and free!
Parking USED to be right outside the front door at FAT, too. I mean RIGHT outside. The new FAT terminal may be more aesthetically pleasing, but I prefer the old... oh, and the rental cars used to be RIGHT outside the terminal. And I mean RIGHT outside. Like I said, the old way was better.

So Gleff, where is parking now if it isn't in front of the terminal?

Actually the parking IS right in front of the terminal. The short term parking area that had been repaved and renovated right before 9/11/2001 was closed for a long time but it is now open again.

The rental lot used to be outside the north door. But it is now around the block.

I currently own a Yahoo group intended for discussion related to Fresno-Yosemite International Airport (fat-travel@yahoogroups.com). It is about as active as this forum :eek:.

FAT has a unique position, being a larger city than our state capital, yet only served by one major airline and several commuters.

In the first months of my Yahoo group, we had a lot of activity. But it has pretty much faded, as it appears that this forum has also. So, I am testing the waters here. I'm wondering how many folks here actually live in the San Joaquin Valley and use FAT regularly, or have an interest in revitalizing a discussion group based on FAT?

A lot has changed over the last few years with the addition of the new terminal, with real jetways (we're almost like a REAL airport now!) better food service, wireless access (not free, unfortunately) and a proposed new baggage claim area.

So what about it folks? Are you out there? *tap*tap* Is this thing working? *tap*tap*.

Glad to see you are still around Starbuckk. I'm on the yahoo group list under a different name, but its been what, over a year since anything got posted.

FAT is having a very good year this year, passenger counts will probably be the highest in its history.

Between the improved numbers and the likely start of Mexicana next year I wouldn't be surprised to see several new flights added in 2005.

By the way have you seen the new airport picture on the web site. Nice shot of the Sierras in the background, too bad we don't get that view every day. :)
http://www.flyfresno.com

Hey you stole the name of my wannabe newsletter! :D

Seriously, I once designed a newsletter, mainly to learn how to use an old publishing program called Express Publisher. The name of my would be newsletter was..you guessed it! FAT Flyer. Of course, it never got off the ground (no pun intended).

I figure since FAT is the butt of many airline industry "insider" jokes because of our designator ID, so we might as well flaunt it. And believe me, I've heard a comment or two from agents about "FAT" and some of the back door jokes. And I hope they never change it to match the new initials. You think FAT is bad, imagine what the world would do with FYI!

Anyway, yes our Yahoo Group is still there but it has been awhile since anyone posted. I've made efforts to contact the real live airport folks about it, but they don't pay much attention. Also, I spent most of 2002 and all of 2003 doing the Amtrak thing, so I was kind of out of touch with the Airline world for awhile. Was quite a shock when I flew out of FAT after two years and found the completed new terminal.

I started flying on a weekly basis back when you still had to walk under the crossing ramp to get out to the gates. And we still had United and Delta (real, not commuter).

Anyway, I'd love to see the Yahoo group or this board beef up a little. Lots happening at FAT these days.

Maybe some trip reports?

The major rental agency lots are about 200-300 ft from the side baggage claim exit doors. I rent from Hertz a lot at FAT and my wife generally drops me of on the side road by the rental lots.

There is a meter parking lot at the east end of the terminal building, for people waiting to pick up pax. The short-term lot is immediately across the drop-off/pick-up lanes in front of the terminal, with the long-term lot behind that. To the middle of the long-term lot from the terminal is about 600-800 ft. max.

FWIW, I just did a MR on UA FAT-JFK-FAT, with PS through LAX, for 291.70. The price from FAT was only 20.00 more RT than from LAX. Typical pricing is now in the high 200.00's to mid 300.00's for most continental US destinations. Likely will be a bit higher in summer.

Pat

Im surprised at the lack of service to FAT, since i usually fly to DFW on AA, and usually every flight is 100% full. Maybe its because we all fly deep-discount fares, lol

Im surprised at the lack of service to FAT, since i usually fly to DFW on AA, and usually every flight is 100% full. Maybe its because we all fly deep-discount fares, lolIt may also be that the relatively close proximity of SJC, OAK, SFO (and even LAX) inhibits more direct flights to/from FAT. With agressive (but still safe) drivingm I can make it from my mother's house in FAT to SJC in 2.5 hours, a bit more to OAK and SFO (I go up 99 just over the Madera County line to the first exit (Ave. 7), then west to I-5 and I-580).

Frontier is adding service to DEN.

Frontier is adding service to DEN.

I'm seeing the F9/Horizon connection while doing advance work for some MR's later this year. There's a FAT-LGA deal on right now for 288 with a 3 day for select dates and 308 overnight. I think F9 is getting a response from UA, as nearly everything else out of FAT is crazy high. That particular fare is actually cheaper than SFO/OAK/SJC/LAX-LGA for those periods.

With HP(US)/AS/F9 and their regional partners making more competition for the legacy carriers, I think we have better times coming at FAT.

With relatively cheap long-term parking, short security lines and a nice gate area, they've put together an attractive package. When the terminal ticket counter remodels are finished, they should be ready for the increased traffic that more competition brings.

As I often observe the "spaceship" when driving by the end of the runways on Chestnut, I reflect on how the airport grew from the dusty Army air base into the modern facility we now see. Since I grew up practically next to the runways, it's been a great experience.

Pat

Do you see any possibilities for AA? I see only two choices: DFW or LAX, and neither are particularly attractive for MRs

Do you see any possibilities for AA? I see only two choices: DFW or LAX, and neither are particularly attractive for MRs

Personally, I've never seen anything attractive on AA out of FAT. We fly primarily UA so I like to preserve status and collect miles with them. I will say that AA often has better award availability out of FAT than UA does. Their distinction as the only mainline carrier left at FAT is somewhat dubious, due to the metal they use (the old MD-8x's). But it is still nice to see the silver bullets leaving or arriving as I sit and watch the other traffic while waiting for a flight.

Also, if you live in the area, and fly UA, keep your eye on VIS for MR's. Free parking, no security lines and, often, 20.00 or so more than FAT (and sometimes cheaper), but sometimes an extra segment can be had. Opportunities are rare, mainly because of limited connections (FAT or LAX), but I have seen them.

Pat

Really late posting this, but you are right that the fares are occasionally down from FAT. I did a MR in May, FAT-NRT-FAT (via SFO) for $467.00+, using a UAL e-fare, so we get the low ones once in awhile. Just have to look real hard. That one was actually lower than SFO-NRT or LAX-NRT.

JR

Check out what has happened to fares from FAT to some east coast cities. Since Frontier started selling their new flights, I've seen some good drops in fares to the cities they serve. Prices at FAT on those routes are down to LAX and SFO levels.

Gleff,
I have a couple of questions. Info about my flight first. I will be flying into FAT on Thursday, May 20, 2010 and should be arriving via American Eagle ERJ-140 at 2:30 pm. After landing I will be on a very tight schedule. I have to take an Amtrak train to Merced - the train leaves at 3:20 pm from Fresno.

I will have a 20 or 22 inch carry-on bag and wanted to carry it on the ERJ-140 and put it in the overhead bins; then run with it to the taxi area and screech off to Amtrak. However, I find that the overhead bins will probably not accommodate my piece of luggage. I will have to gate check it at LAX and get it back after I get to FAT.

So here is my question - how long will it take to get my one bag from the American Eagle plane and where will I pick it up?

If you are not sure, can you tell me the local telephone number for American Eagle? I called the American Airlines tool free number but they were rather hazy in their answer since the person on the phone has never flown into Fresno.

I am trying this forum in addition to another one to see if anybody responds to my queries.

I have a couple of questions. Info about my flight first. I will be flying into FAT on Thursday, May 20, 2010 and should be arriving via American Eagle ERJ-140 at 2:30 pm from LAX. After landing I will be on a very tight schedule. I have to take an Amtrak train to Merced - the train leaves at 3:20 pm from Fresno.

I will have a 20 or 22 inch carry-on bag and wanted to carry it on the ERJ-140 and put it in the overhead bins; then run with it to the taxi area and screech off to Amtrak. However, I find that the overhead bins will probably not accommodate my piece of luggage. I will have to gate check it at LAX and get it back after I get to FAT.

So here is my question - how long will it take to get my one bag from the American Eagle plane and where will I pick it up?

If you are not sure, can you tell me the local telephone number for American Eagle? I called the American Airlines tool free number but they were rather hazy in their answer since the person on the phone has never flown into Fresno

I've never waited more than five minutes (after deplaning) for a gate check back at FAT. The ramp carts are fastest, then the bags up to the jet bridges. I fly UA and there's no rhyme or reason regarding gate assignment. The turboprops always go to the ramp, but the CRJ's can go either way. My bet is the AA ERJ will use a jetbridge.

Once you have your bag, it's a two minute walk out the front door and there are always cabs around. I've never had to call one. If you're going to Amtrak, the cabbie will hit the 180, about five minutes from the airport, then go west to the 41 South and off on Tulare to the Amtrak station. Barring traffic issues, it shouldn't take more than fifteen minutes after leaving the airport. The Amtrak station is small and you can get there five minutes before the train arrives and still have plenty of time.

Of course, this all presumes your AA flight is on time ;)

Thank you for easing my mind as to what it will be like at the Fresno airport.

Hopefully, the day I fly will be a sunny, clear sky day. Currently, the American Eagle flights are always on-time or even a bit early. Hope this is what happens the day I fly. I'd try to bribe the pilot to get there faster but it probably wouldn't work anyway.

50 minute connect FAT to Amtrak? Wow.

But if you check your bag planeside with American Eagle, you'll get it at the bottom of the stairs within a couple of minutes and 5 minutes later you'll be outside the terminal.

This is all doable but as camachinist says all depends on on-time arrival into FAT. Any delay of your flight an you'll probably miss your train (assuming that the train is on time!).

Any chance of taking an earlier train? Or renting a car to go to Merced instead of taking the train?

IME with Amtrak, the Southbounds from Martinez seem to be the ones which end up a bit late; the Northbound San Joaquin usually has run on time for me. Depending on day, if you miss the 715, you can take the 717 or 703, assuming your arrival in Merced is flexible.

Gleff said, "But if you check your bag planeside with American Eagle, you'll get it at the bottom of the stairs within a couple of minutes." But I thought that the American Eagle flights connected to a jetway and that you didn't have to walk down the airplane stairs. Am I wrong? Or do they sometimes use a jetway and other times leave you off on the tarmac?

I had to laugh at this comment -"Any delay of your flight an you'll probably miss your train (assuming that the train is on time!)." I never thought about the train being late. That would really be great then I wouldn't have any worries but "camachinist" says that this train usually is on time. Bummer!

As far as taking a later train (Leaves 5:45 pm; gets in Merced 6:42 pm). I will be doing that if all goes wrong. However, then I will miss getting my Merced rental car from Enterprise as they close at 6pm. I looked into staying in Fresno but the hotel rates were MUCH higher than in Merced. I also looked into renting a car in Fresno and driving but again I couldn't get as good a deal as I could in Merced.

Here's what I want to do (if I don't catch the 3:20pm train then I can't do these things as I won't have a car in Merced the first night). My plan is to fly into Fresno, take a train to Merced, then have Enterprise pick me up at the Amtrak station (I can call them from the train saying I am on my way). After I get the car, I can check in at the cheap motel, and then go shopping at Wal-Mart (for the items I didn't bring with me like deodorant, shampoo, snacks, etc.) Then the next morning I can get up very early and rush off to my hostel (Yosemite Bug) to get a lower bunk. I am 67 and am not keen on crawling into the top bunk at this place.

If I don't get to go to Wal-Mart the night before, I will have to drive the next morning which would be later in the day for checking into the dorm room at the hostel. If I can't get the lower bunk, I am hoping to bribe someone into going into the top bunk and giving me their lower bunk bed. Now mind you I am doing all this rushing around so I can have an affordable vacation in Yosemite!! Unless I die from exhaustion first!

Eagle has been using the jetways since they quit operating the Saab into FAT. Usually they are using the jetways I should say, it is always possible there might be a reason they use the stairs.

Amtrak says the 715 had a 96% on-time rate in April, the 717 was 90% and 93% for the 703. Those numbers are for the entire Bakersfield-Emeryville run but I would imagine that is pretty accurate for departing Fresno too.

I hope the plan all works so you get a good start on the trip. ^

Thanks. Great information. Another thing I found today was videos on YouTube showing the inside of the American Eagle ERJ-140. Also, they had pictures of flying into the Fresno airport. I saw some short clips of the inside of the Fresno airport but not enough to show me how long that terminal is (I remember someone said short walk). I am having a lot of fun planning this trip (and a lot of time) so I, too, hope everything goes well. Fingers crossed; prayers being said!

Thanks. Great information. Another thing I found today was videos on YouTube showing the inside of the American Eagle ERJ-140. Also, they had pictures of flying into the Fresno airport. I saw some short clips of the inside of the Fresno airport but not enough to show me how long that terminal is (I remember someone said short walk). I am having a lot of fun planning this trip (and a lot of time) so I, too, hope everything goes well. Fingers crossed; prayers being said!Not the most perfect way to show distance, but here's an aerial shot - the AA/Eagle gate is on the left side of the silver trapezoidal building at the end of the

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=5119+E.+Clinton,+Fresno,+CA&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=5119+E+Clinton+Way,+Fresno,+California+93727&ll=36.770921,-119.718436&spn=0.006703,0.010933&t=h&z=17

Thanks for the nice picture of the Fresno airport. Should be easy to get out of there quickly unless you have to wait at a carousel for the luggage to come in. Hope not!

Thanks for the nice picture of the Fresno airport. Should be easy to get out of there quickly unless you have to wait at a carousel for the luggage to come in. Hope not!

So...how'd it turn out??

Unfortunately, I had to cancel the trip. Two days before the trip, I got a call from Yosemite National Park. They called to tell me that my "Grand Tour" of Yosemite was canceled due to snow. Only the "Valley" tour was open. The roads were closed to places like Glacier Point and the Sequoia Trees. Nobody was allowed to drive on the roads except for the valley areas.

Then I checked on the weather and found out that the temperature was going to be only in the 50's for the highs and the 20's for the lows with a rain and/or snow forecast.

So I decided to cancel because:

(1) - I wouldn't be able to see much of Yosemite. No sense going if I couldn't see the sights.

(2) - It would be even more crowded than usual as all of the tourists would be crammed into the "valley". I can imagine what the lines at the different places would have been including the traffic in Yosemite Valley.

(3) - The weather was going to be on the cool side. Also, I had lodging about an hour away so I didn't want to be driving in the rain or snow.

So I'll try again next year. This time though, I am going to try to plan a little leeway into my trip so I don't have to be worried about a tight schedule between the plane and the train. I might even consider staying in Fresno instead even though the lodging and rental car cost more. At least, I've got most of the research out of the way except for lodging in Fresno. Anyone know of a nice Fresno motel that costs under $40 for one night?

Sorry you had to cancel. Some friends were up there yesterday and said the waterfalls were simply fabulous. Timing is everything. It was cold late this year.

40.00 motel? I don't think even the cheap motels by CSUF have been that price for a number of years. University Inn is about 59.00 now. Short of the fleabag motels on Motel Drive where one can pick up hookers, most start at 80.00 per night or so. Lots of chain motels/hotels built now. The Super 8 downtown by the train station is around 80 bucks. Not a very good place to be at night, though.

... 40.00 motel? I don't think even the cheap motels by CSUF have been that price for a number of years. University Inn is about 59.00 now. Short of the fleabag motels on Motel Drive where one can pick up hookers, most start at 80.00 per night or so. Lots of chain motels/hotels built now. The Super 8 downtown by the train station is around 80 bucks. Not a very good place to be at night, though.
I am seeing a Rodeway and an Econolodge in the <$50.00 range but they are over on Parkway Drive off of Weber. Not quite Motel Drive but not much better. Both chains have other properties off north Blackstone in the +/- $60.00 range. The best rate I have found out by the airport is the Piccadilly Express at $77.00/night.

Betterbidding.com shows a number of recent Priceline wins in the $39 to $45 range. Even adding in the $7-$8 Priceline service fee, this at least comes close to the OP's goal and would allow her/him to stay away from slag heaps in dicey areas.

Motel Drive where one can pick up hookers, most start at 80.00 per night or so.

:D lol, u mean the rooms and NOT the hookers right?