Originally Posted by
UA_Flyer
There are just so many issues MWAA needs to address at IAD. C/D Concourse replacement, demolishing lower A gates and construction of E are more UA centric issues.
There are just some::
- Would the train route be expanded into a loop route (similar to SFO)?
- Getting in and out of the airport has become an issue during morning and afternoon peak hours. Cars started forming lines at Dulles toll road.
- The hourly parking lots are such a waste of space. Plans should be developed to construct an integrated fixture incorporating daily parking lots and building new entry and exit roads in and out of the main terminal.
- Bring more flights from domestic and international competitions to make UA more competitive in all aspects of operations. DCA is distance restricted and BWI is too far for passengers in Virginia and Southern part of MD.
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Good set of issues!
On 1 - I don't think it needs a loop until the hypothetical E/F concourse is built (in addition to C/D). Some of the renderings suggest that original plan may not be anywhere in play, with MWAA looking now at various ways of connecting the various concourses directly. If all that happens is a rebuild of C/D, it's not clear a loop is needed. D to A would be the furthest one would go, which is basically the same distance even with a loop. What I do hope they do is build a separate/segregated station at least under new D to take arriving international pax directly to IAB (no people movers). Not sure what segregation requirements are, but presumably easier to do just for a stretch from D-->B-->IAB than also including C and A. They could then funnel all int'l arrivals to D/B gates and tow planes to departure gates as needed.
On 2 - I've noticed that problem, which seems to have gotten worse and worse. The real issue is there's not enough room to drop off pax, so vehicles are 3-4 lanes wide, with only one meaningful travel lane. Other airports have this problem too, but have solved it in various ways. Perhaps segregated lanes and ramps could be built, as part of 3.
On 4, would be ideal, but not sure how to promote that.