AA rebanked DFW and ORD today [29 Mar 2015]
#16
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SFO
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Posts: 5,270
Interesting, three posts insinuating that this is a dangerous development. Since flight banking is nothing new, can you show evidence that this presents a real danger, or are you just making things up?
#17
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Join Date: Aug 2014
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No, no evidence, just some thoughts, I am guessing they have studied it and it is no more dangerous than usual, but it just feels a little more pressured and congested, that's all.
I am sure it has benefits too, like more efficient travel for travelers.
I am sure it has benefits too, like more efficient travel for travelers.
#18
Join Date: Sep 2007
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#19
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 5,270
However, since AA doesn't have to provide compensation or accommodation for any delay/cancellation labeled as "weather," maybe this move is entirely logical from their standpoint.
#22
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I guess the multiple flights out of the hubs every hour or so provide some protection for missed connections, so this will probably be more efficient earlier in the day, for hub to hub flights, and without checked baggage. Also, I believe Delta does that in Atlanta all the time, they have mastered the 30-40 min connection.
#23
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Midwest
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I believe AA used to have a banked schedule all the way up to 2001 and then due to financial pressures it became unbanked. Long way of saying that this is the way it used to be so hopefully it doesn't impact safety.
#24
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,086
I will continue to choose a longer connection time option at booking for my DFW to AUS flights, and then look for standby options if they are the same terminal as my arrival flight (to DFW). Thus no need to run around to catch the connecting flight, and I can relax in the lounge if necessary.
#25
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I recall there was also that recent brouhaha a couple of months ago from mechanics at DFW alleging pressures around safety, what happened to that, did anything come out of it or was it just a union interests complaint?
#26
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,590
Don't ever really fly out of terminal B at DFW but show up this morning to find they have two flights scheduled to leave at 10:30 from a double gate (one agent/one door) at B48/49. Of course, at 10:27 we haven't started boarding our flight yet.
No idea if this is standard here in B or not but seems like a terrible idea.
No idea if this is standard here in B or not but seems like a terrible idea.
#27
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Join Date: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,097
Like a lot of cost-cutting-at-any-cost moves, they were profit reducing due to an even greater reduction in revenues (AA during the 00s went from having a yield premium to a yield discount to the competition, ending it in bankruptcy).
The return of the banked hub and spoke system is welcomed, as long as it's executed well, as it will increase the number of connecting origin & destination options.
#28
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We'll see how it all works out, and I hope it works out well. But for the reasons others have already stated here, I have my doubts. Personally, I never opt for a tight connection. Even if I make it, I don't like the hassle of having to rush or the stress of fretting over even a slight delay on the first flight. I'd rather kill extra time during the connection doing work, catching up on emails, relaxing, whatever.
#29
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Austin, TX
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Posts: 1,625
As I was walking through term A and C in DFW today, it occurred to me that DFW is spending a lot of time and money to improve the shopping and dining experience at DFW, and now a lot more passengers won't have time to shop or eat.
#30
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: AAdvantage (Platinum)
Posts: 468
I was ending up with more time at DFW and had to call repeatedly for decent connections. The first was when 37 (MAD-DFW) got shifted 3 hours earlier (beginning around today's date, so I presume related) but my connecting flight wasn't adjusted. A few weeks later the flight #s on connecting segment got adjusted and I was again moved to the next flight and had to call again to get moved back. Now I'm on 37 MAD-SFO (according to the email--the ALL CAPS text at te bottom warns of a possible hidden connection but it's also light grey in color so it's like AA couldn't decide if this was important or minor point to mention).