FlightNurse

It is had to belive that the terminal for AA is almost 30 yrs old of course it need to be redone, but there is no room for a new terminal at this time..

sddjd

Actually a new terminal expansion is well under way. The "L" shape of T2 has been mirrored towards the west adding +/- 500k sf of terminal space, ten add'l gates, and approx 1.3m feet of apron/parking. The concepts also included bi-level dropoff and pickup (think HNL) to alleviate the massive congestion problems at the curb in front of T2, but I'm not certain if they're included in this phase or not.

What would really be nice to see would be a major modernization (or preferably demo & reconstruction) of AAL's current terminal location (if you're from SAN you'd call this the old new terminal) using the T2 expansion to shift gate loads during the process. Seems unlikely in the short term however.

At least the AC will be expanded. In Dec it was packed prior to the LHR departure, with nary an empty seat to be found. Some meal options would be a nice addition to their biz/first offering, which is sorely lacking in comparison to its European and Asian peers.

skunker

Yes, the two-level dropoff/pickup is being done. That's why the parking at T2 is gone.
http://www.san.org/sdcraa/airport_in...d/default.aspx

Looks like there will be new concessions right outside the AC, to include a Stone Brewery outlet.
http://www.san.org/documents/cdp/new...sions_plan.pdf

pgppetch

Maybe you did not read my post so carefully-I was talking about when BA formerly served SAN first with a 747 which stopped in PHX to and from LHR, then it became a nonstop with the arrival of the 777. BA started in AA's AC then built there own Terraces lounge in what I believe is now designated the "USO" club in the walkway connected building used for baggage claim.

I WAS NOT talking about the lounge used since BA RESTORED service to SAN last June.

If you doubt that BA had service formerly, which they discontinued several years ago, I am sure there are plenty of SAN AC AAngels who were around then and would confirm what I posted.

BA had actually invested in their own Terraces lounge in the only space they could acquire and it was less than conveniently located not only outside security but in the the most distant area of the terminal, the baggage claim building.

pgppetch

That is interesting if correct. I thought pre-flight dining was an "east coast" offering where the flight time to London was shorter. I did not know pre-flight dining was offered from origins west of Chicago-don't think it is even offered from MIA. Would seem odd if it is offered from SAN unless it is being added to all US origins?

I will say it is a nice service as the Club World offerings I've had at EWR were more appetizing than the reheated fare served onboard and it is nice not to have the noises of a meal service around you, even with ear plugs and noise canceling headphones, if you want to settle down to sleep right after take off.

wesmanz

It surely needs it, very chopped up and doesn't flow well at all, claustrophobic in the "bar" area.

--wes

anabolism

I'm not sure how much it will help. I tend to get dropped off late morning/early afternoon, and it's usually not bad getting dropped off then at the AA doors, which are right at the start of the terminal. I tend to land in the early to mid evening, often when the security checkpoint is closed (which is surprisingly early), forcing me to schlep down to baggage claim. The curb there is inevitably a complete zoo, with many vehicles parked curbside waiting for arriving pax, others double-parked loading them, and those still looking creeping around in the remaining lane. I never see anyone being dropped off then. So, separate levels for arrivals and departures may help during some hours, but not when I fly.

LAX also has the two-level system, and landing there at night can be a madhouse. One Friday night it took us 30 minutes to get from the curb (once we found our hotel shuttle) to out of the airport.

I thought pre-flight dining was an option for those who wanted to maximize sleep, not replacing on-board meal service (so there will still be the noise of those around you being served).

wrxmom

Hmm, maybe they could install one of those passthrough windows from Stone Brewery to the AC and include their brews as part of the AC's complimentary offerings.

skunker

Maybe you need to re-read what you wrote.

My comment was that BA was doing more than planning; they have been operating that route since June.

diver858

Are you serious - SAN to the Bay area through LAX? Less time to DRIVE. While a miserable experience, I bit the bullet when AE dropped SAN-SJC services, ashamed to admit that I fly WN enough to earn A-List status.

Hoping that SAN-SJC service will be restored once the new labor agreements are in place, AS decides to pick up the route.

SAN-man

They are. I love both of them. People can say what they want about the airport and the small club, but they are absolutely fantastic and truly embody the "AAngel" description

I was going to defend our little airport, but in current state this is correct. That they decided to use the entire parking lot for construction staging is ridiculous. With no parking anywhere near the terminal, pickup and drop off traffic can be an absolute nightmare. Personally, I would have preferred to keep the old airport and not deal with the construction - it actually wasn't that bad if you knew how to work it.

A bit of hyperbole. The LAX connection adds another 90 min vs. nonstop on WN. And to SJC, it's a simple connection in the AE terminal in LAX. Plus you get to use the commuter terminal in SAN as opposed to the mess that is T1. That said, I have only done this at the end of the year in a pinch to requal, and don't at all recommend it since WN and UA each fly about 10 times a day to SJC/SFO.

AA-Flyer-SAN

Oh, I called the AIRPORT a joke. Not the AC employees. Please don't misquote me. Barb and Marc are THE best employees American has. Hands down. And if you see Marc, congratulate him because he had shattered the record for the most applause certificates ever received. He received so many he was given EXP status.

normcpa

Ditto!

carlosdca

Why is SAN a joke?
If not for the current construction work at Terminal 2, I've always liked SAN Terminal 2:
-Quick security lines
-Easy access, not too much traffic(but for the current construction), very close to my house (10 mins cab ride)
-Usually no delays (unless domino effect due to weather in ORD/DFW/JFK)
-Quick boarding
-Nice TA Agents
-Free WiFI
-Efficient baggage claim (not instant delivery like at the commuter terminal, but still, pretty decent time)
-Very short walking distances

The only bad thing about Terminal 2 is that it is dated (low ceilings, dark, ugly green colors etc) and there are limited airside options for eating/ drinking. But, does it matter? IT is not a connecting airport and it is not too risky to cut it close and show at the gate just 10 mins before boarding time.

I do not get why SAN can be considered to the extreme of being a "joke".

FlightNurse

Really you think Term 2 is dated! Built in 1979 and Term 1 was built in 1967. I remember when Term 2 opened, I toured it with my older borther who worked and retired from AA.