|
Originally Posted by Duckouttahere
(Post 11099825)
So, I ended up booking my parents on the SFO-LAX AA flight with a connection on the 12:50 #252 AS flight to Cabo (1/18/09). My parents had wanted to fly down with friends and I figured a 4 hour wait at SJD was too long. Well their AA flight arrived early to LAX and they had to wait for their friends and the #252 AS flight out of terminal 3. Unfortunately, flt #252 (a 737-400) had mechanical issues so they ended up on AA #249 to Cabo.
So, I get a load of grief from my parents about Alaska having mechanical issues which kinda ticks me off but then they are the ones that could've taken a direct flight from SFO-SJD. Is it me or do the 400's have more mechanical issues that the NG's? I know the 400's are leased while AS owns the NG's. Isn't it about time they got ride of the 400's? Then you are into the "landside" part of the terminal, which is nothing to speak of... couple of car rentals, travel agents, $ changers etc... no real good option for waiting for anyone from another flight. Then you go out the door to meet the taxi drivers, etc. There is a shuttle service you can hire for the transfer to your hotel which is a good deal if you don't rent a car. I hope your folks have a great trip. |
Originally Posted by Duckouttahere
(Post 11099825)
So, I get a load of grief from my parents about Alaska having mechanical issues which kinda ticks me off but then they are the ones that could've taken a direct flight from SFO-SJD.
|
Originally Posted by channa
(Post 11100585)
Which also could have had mechanical issues. In fact, flying two flights instead of one essentially doubled their chances for experiencing a mechanical delay.
|
Originally Posted by Duckouttahere
(Post 11055562)
My parents enlisted me in helping them book a flight from SFO to Cabo on January 18th. They are heading down there to visit a friend who has a timeshare. Alaska has direct flights from SFO to SJD but they may want to fly to LAX first (on AA codeshare)to meet up with their friend who is flying in to LAX from Florida before heading down on AS#252.
Personally, I prefer direct flights whenever possible but my dad is pretty set on flying to LAX first. His thought is that he would rather wait in LAX than wait at SJD. I would appreciate any thoughts on this... thanks |
Reporting back-
SJD is by far the WORST airport I have ever visited, even worse than Lagos, Nigeria. On arrival we had to wait ages for baggage. This would be okay if there were 10 planes simultaneously arriving but ours was the only one there and there appeared to be nobody working to load the bags so I finally went to Alaska claim counter and asked them to get someone to offload the bags (which I could see sitting outside on a cart). To their credit they got on a walkie talkie and things finally started moving, probably a good 1/2 hour after we cleared immigration. But little did I know that the arrival experience would be far better than the departure. At checkin there did not appear to be anyone working the F line, though we finally got someone to check us in. Then we went through security (thankfully short) only to step into the biggest pit of an airport I have seen. 100 degrees outside, no air conditioning inside, dirty floors, uncomfortable plastic chairs, questionable food options, dirty restrooms (with no baby changing tables) - not a pleasant place to spend an hour, or in our case 3 hours due to a major delay. Finally the plane arrived, but there was no real priority for F customers due to family preboarding (at least half the flights to/from SJD are families). In short, I don't blame AS for the conditions at SJD (except the lazy baggage handlers) but I don't think I'll be returning anytime soon as we just visiting CUN which was 10 times better (both the airport and the town). |
Originally Posted by Boraxo
(Post 11100957)
Reporting back-
SJD is by far the WORST airport I have ever visited, even worse than Lagos, Nigeria.. I can appreciate your sentiments on both airports. I have been to both in the last 4 months but have to stand up for SJD. Everything you said about SJD is true and can be said about Lagos however in Lagos you also have a few extras. Immigration. Multiple waiting lines started by who ever that feed into the single immigration queue. Passports were viewed by 3 immigration (I prefer not to use officials in this instance) prior to getting to the baggage area. Never ending baggage claim. Unlike Cabo where many travel with just carryon, Nigerians seem to take all their owned belongings where ever they go (actually more likely they are bringing things back that they cannot get in Nigeria). I have never seen the mountains of luggage on a cart like I have seen at Lagos. This is coming off a full 3 cabin aircraft. Food vendors whose prices and quality make you wish you were back at SJD. Saw many orders in the main restaurant go largely uneaten. Oddly the local beer is good and reasonable. Armed escorts to and from the airport. And some news headlines: Two Killed by Armed Bandits in Lagos Airport Update 1: Explosion torches cargo wing of Lagos airport Three police, civilian killed in shootout during Lagos airport heist Update 2: At least 10 killed in Lagos airport explosion Explosion torches cargo wing of Lagos airport |
Originally Posted by SPIT
(Post 9802458)
Sigh.... guess I just get tired of people always "assuming" the worst with Mexico. While Mexico as a whole has its problems, its not as entirely 3rd-world as people like to imagine. If you can handle LAX and its disfuntional operation, major Mexico airports will look like an upgrade!
SJD is not a "dump". It's not an adobe hut. There isn't garbage lying around nor anyone bothering you. SJD consists of 3 modern (albiet small) terminal buildings, with Alaska being in Terminal 3 last time I was there. Never seen a super long line for check-in or security and they move fairly fast. (Vegas security is much worse!!) With the small AS presence at SJD, there is obviously no Board Room. There are other lounges, but most exist in Terminal 1. The one big thing lacking is a decent place to eat past security, so don't enter hungry. The one place they do have used to be nice.... but now barely operating. They have the normal magazine/news/book shop with snack foods. When entering Mexico, immigration is usually quicker than what you'll find trying to enter back into the United States. Wait for your luggage, and press the button for Customs. Seems about 1 in 20 get a red light for further inspection.... although I've been to Mexico numerous times and have yet to get red-lighted. BIG HINT: If you can avoid checking a bag, arrival/departure and customs on both ends will be MUCH QUICKER. Enjoy! :cool: |
Originally Posted by nawlins
(Post 11101421)
Boraxo,
I can appreciate your sentiments on both airports. I have been to both in the last 4 months but have to stand up for SJD. Everything you said about SJD is true and can be said about Lagos however in Lagos you also have a few extras. Immigration. Multiple waiting lines started by who ever that feed into the single immigration queue. Passports were viewed by 3 immigration (I prefer not to use officials in this instance) prior to getting to the baggage area. Never ending baggage claim. Unlike Cabo where many travel with just carryon, Nigerians seem to take all their owned belongings where ever they go (actually more likely they are bringing things back that they cannot get in Nigeria). I have never seen the mountains of luggage on a cart like I have seen at Lagos. This is coming off a full 3 cabin aircraft. Food vendors whose prices and quality make you wish you were back at SJD. Saw many orders in the main restaurant go largely uneaten. Oddly the local beer is good and reasonable. Armed escorts to and from the airport. And some news headlines: Two Killed by Armed Bandits in Lagos Airport Update 1: Explosion torches cargo wing of Lagos airport Three police, civilian killed in shootout during Lagos airport heist Update 2: At least 10 killed in Lagos airport explosion Explosion torches cargo wing of Lagos airport At least at SJD they don't steal your baggage. |
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 5:18 pm. |
This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.