Buses at DCA Gate 35A are Disgusting...
Apr 6, 2014, 11:38 pm
#16
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 125
Ah... Nothing like first world problems to take your mind off the real ones. 
Apr 7, 2014, 7:59 am
#18
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Virginia
Posts: 1,558
Buses at DCA Gate 35A are Disgusting...
Same buses the airport uses for transporting employees. Fortunately the airport is in the process of upgrading all of their buses so hopefully they'll start using some newer ones on the transfer shuttle.
Apr 7, 2014, 8:17 am
#19
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
Why does anyone even transfer airside at DCA? If you have precheck it is on average just about as a fast to go back through security. I've been stuck on one of those buses for 20 minutes before because they were moving planes around.
Apr 7, 2014, 12:37 pm
#20
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
A fair point but not everyone has pre-check (including me) and I've waited in a 25 minute security line at DCA. Also, this is about Gate 35A which take you out to the CRJs on the ramp. No way around those buses.
Apr 7, 2014, 1:00 pm
#21
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: MSP/BUF/BNA/LFT
Programs: AA Plat, Priority Club Gold, Choice Privileges Gold
Posts: 1,225
Apr 7, 2014, 3:26 pm
#23
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Lifetime Plat, SPG Plat, AMEX Plat, Hertz PC, Travels too Much Platinum
Posts: 3,290
I'm actually surprised to read this - perhaps I'm just not connecting at peak times there, but I've never waited more than a few minutes for the inter-terminal buses. I've never even considered exiting the secure area.
Apr 7, 2014, 4:55 pm
#24
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: DCA
Programs: AA PPro, Mariott Ambassador, B6 Mosaic, SBUX Gold, Best Buy Elite
Posts: 1,838
http://www.ugurel-ltd.com/Resimler/I...bus/2700-3.jpg
ETA, the article linked up thread indicates they are a smaller version of the one used at PHL.
Apr 7, 2014, 5:40 pm
#25
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: US Chairman, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 90
Regional Concourse
After the New Terminal was opened in 1997, there were plans on the books to build a 10-gate Regional Concourse essentially where the RJs park now. It was going to be connected by busses - but there was always the option to build a tunnel. US Air approved the design but the slowdown in the business in the late 90's (culminated with 9-11) put the plans into the deep drawer.
The disaster which is 35A was definitely not designed as a permanent function.
Also, part of the complete airport build-out was demolition of the "Banjo" (Terminal A) and a 12-gate addition to the Old Main Terminal.
The disaster which is 35A was definitely not designed as a permanent function.
Also, part of the complete airport build-out was demolition of the "Banjo" (Terminal A) and a 12-gate addition to the Old Main Terminal.